Rugby Union Weekly

Why can’t Scotland beat the All Blacks? Chris, GRO and Tom pick through a second-half collapse at Murrayfield and ask whether the opening weekend of the Nations Championship needed an upset. What did England’s win over Australia tell us about Steve Borthwick’s side? Can Wales build on beating Japan when New Zealand come to Cardiff? The guys also look ahead to France v South Africa in Paris and ask where Ireland sit in the pecking order. Plus, find out which rugby question left GRO stumped at his local pub quiz.

England restarted their Nations Championship campaign in a dominant and energetic fashion as they beat Australia 45-22. Chris, Ashy and Paul Grayson give their instant reaction from the Allianz Stadium as the home side put seven tries past the Wallabies. They pick out star performances including from Seb Atkinson and highlight where things have gone right for England after a bumpy start to the year. Sara gets in on the action too as she is joined by England head coach Steve Borthwick and Australia’s head coach Les Kiss in the tunnel of the stadium. The guys dissect what went wrong with this Australian side and take a look at the other big stories from the opening week of these November matches!

Hear from a passionate Jamie George and Maro Itoje, who dismiss reports claiming the England players were unhappy with Steve Borthwick's leadership in the summer. They tell Chris it will galvanise the squad and believe the timing of the article was meant to divide them. We also the discuss the England team with friend of the pod Alex Lowe which sees Fin Smith named at fly-half this Sunday. What can we expect from Australia? Chris has also been into the Wallabies camp to see John Fisher to find out where they're at seven matches into the Les Kiss regime.

The Nations Pod is back for the autumn! Chris, GRO and Tom look ahead to the Nations Championship and assess where the Home Nations stand heading into a crucial November. Just how significant would a first ever Scotland win over the All Blacks be? Tom argues there's another nation Scotland supporters would love to beat even more. How optimistic should Wales fans be? And can England finally solve their midfield puzzle amid a growing injury list? Plus, after last year's humbling defeat at the Aviva, is Ireland's autumn defined by their performance against world champions South Africa?

The southern hemisphere teams are in town as the Nations Championship resumes this weekend. Which of the home nations has the most to prove this autumn? Danny, Ashy and Ugo look ahead to a huge Test at Twickenham for Steve Borthwick’s England. Should Marcus Smith get the keys to number 10 against Australia? They also discuss the injuries at scrum-half and if England can develop an identity when wins are so important. Has New Zealand’s resurgence come at the worst possible time to end their All Blacks hoodoo? We also reflect on the Prem and Leicester’s flying start.

Sara Orchard and Ugo Monye are joined by former Scotland captain Lisa Martin to look back on the WXV Global Series, asking what next for England after losing their long unbeaten streak. They're joined by coach Shaun Edwards, who gives an insight on working with the Red Roses, his new job with Argentina's men, and whether he was ever likely to join Steve Borthwick's England set-up. The team also look at Scotland's winless campaign, as well as positive series for Wales and Ireland. And outside of the England, who looks in a good shape to be part of next year's Lions squad? TIMECODES 02:00 Has the WXV Global Series format worked? And could it evolve further? 11:30 Shaun Edwards interview part one - working with the Red Roses 19:20 Where do England stand after the matches v Canada and USA? 30:00 Rest of the Home nations 44:00 Non-English players for the Lions 47:30 Shaun Edwards interview part two - his new job with Argentina and would he work with England's men?

Chris is in the England camp to speak to two of the headline selections in Steve Borthwick's squad. Joe Marchant reflects on winning a recall after three years away, and tells us what it's like to have Alan Shearer as a father-in-law. Will Joseph is also on to chat about his stellar form for Gloucester and how he is doing it all while deaf in one ear. And Borthwick himself joins us to discuss how well the Prem is preparing his players for the international game and what he made of the dust-up in the East Midlands deby

Are England picking for now or the World Cup? Ugo, Chris and Ashy debate Steve Borthwick’s latest squad, the big omissions and the new faces pushing for a place. Plus, are Bath and Saracens’ rotation policies protecting players or costing them their rhythm? The guys also get stuck into the weekend’s action, have their say on the red card row and ask what went wrong for the Red Roses against Canada.

Danny, Ashy and Chris reflect on a sombre opening weekend of the Champions Cup following the death of Lions and former Sale lock Hyron Andrews. They assess a chastening start for the Prem, with only one win from eight matches. Is it evidence of English rugby falling behind, or just a difficult opening weekend? Glasgow impress in the north west, Connacht turn on the style and Bath lose again. The Red Roses 41-match unbeaten run is over, but will the defeat to Canada prove to be a blessing in disguise? The All Blacks extend their winning run to 13 over the Wallabies and Spain enter the race to host the 2035 World Cup. Rugby in the Nou Camp anyone?

Ashy and Sara are at the Champions Cup launch speaking to a host of big names ahead of the opening round. Jack Conan reflects on the heartbreak of losing another final and the criticism Leinster receive over their Champions Cup record. Can they finally adda fifth star or will the French dominance continue? Ashy is reunited with his old team-mate 'big' Will Skelton, who gives us a the lowdown on why Ronan O'Gara is loved in La Rochelle and what has changed following last year's surprise exit. Nathan Hughes talks about life in Paris at Racing 92 and how a routine pre-season eye check-up saved his sight. Plus, former Wasps back row Nizaam Carr explains just how tough it is playing rugby during Ramadan and why the Champions Cup has struggled to capture the imagination in South Africa.

Can you ever have too many tries? Can a steak be too buttery? Ugo, Danny and Chris tackle all the big topics on this week’s pod after another try-fest at the Gardens. We try to explain why there are so many tries in the Prem and if it is devaluing the product. Ashy’s try record hangs by a thread after Christian Wade’s hat-trick took him to 100 tries. Should there be a draft system for young academy players who aren’t getting enough gametime? We ask Phil Dowson for his thoughts. Shaun Edwards will be coaching at next year’s World Cup, it just won’t be with England.

Irish rugby legend Peter O’Mahony joins Danny and Sara for a special episode reflecting on his extraordinary career. We discuss World Cup heartbreaks, Six Nations success, and the sacrifices he made over 20 years as a pro. O’Mahony gives a fascinating insight into how Joe Schmidt transformed Ireland and unlocked a different level in him, and how team and environment has evolved since Andy Farrell took charge. He tells us how he was deeply affected by the tragic passing of Anthony Foley and how it changed him as a person and a rugby player. We hear how he bonded with Jamie George on the Lions tour in 2017 and why you should think twice before asking Ma’a Nonu for an All Blacks jersey. We also talk rivalries and quiz O’Mahony on his beef with Scotland.

Ugo, Ashy and Danny raise a glass to Brendan Venter’s short stint as Saracens’ wine consultant and review round two of the Prem. Venter finally spoke to the media, but was it worth the wait? And has the whole saga damaged the club’s reputation? The West Country clubs continued their 100% start to the season. Louis Rees-Zammit is back on the wing and scoring tries as Bristol put 41 points on champions Northampton, Gloucester schooled Quins at Kingsholm and Bath dug deep to edge another thriller with Exeter at The Rec. We also talk Sir Kev, Bristol’s new approach to post-match media and hear about Ashy’s trip up north.

Sara Orchard sits-down with two of the biggest names in women's rugby, Lions Women's head coach Jo Yapp and New Zealand women's head coach Whitney Hansen. A year out from the inaugural Lions Women's Tour and who would have thought the darts is at the forefront of Whitney Hansen's mind. The Black Ferns head honcho also discusses how New Zealand didn't capitalise on their 2022 RWC win, but is open to innovation with the Lions on what women's sport could look like in the future. Coaches dance-off, maybe? Yapp confirms New Zealand as her ideal destination and reveals her hopes a Lions Women documentary that can make the same impact as the men's from 1997.

There were 52 tries, four away wins and three hat-tricks as the Prem returned after its long summer break. Ashy, Ugo and Chris discuss who made the biggest statement on the opening weekend. Was it Saracens surviving a 20-minute red card at Welford Road? Or Gloucester’s demolition of last season’s finalists Exeter? Ashy reacts to Christian Wade closing in on his Prem try record and we discuss the impact of the Welsh players who have joined the league. There’s more on the Red Roses dramatic over the Black Ferns and Australia’s sensational win over the Springboks. Is this a sign of things to come from the Wallabies ahead of 2027?

Zoe Harrison is on the Rugby Union Weekly after she scored a last-gasp intercept try as England defeated New Zealand at Twickenham. World Cup winner Kat Merchant joins Sara Orchard for reaction to another classic encounter between the Red Roses and Black Ferns. Attack coach Emily Scarratt is also on the pod who reflects on England extending their unbeaten run to 41 matches and the impact Shaun Edwards joining the coaching team.

Ugo and Sara are inside the Red Roses camp ahead of their showdown with the Black Ferns at Twickenham. What makes this the biggest rivalry in the women’s game? They chat to head coach about this and the appointment of legendary defence coach Shaun Edwards. Has he already made a big impression? Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt is back on the pod. She shares her thoughts on the size 4.5 ball and asks for fans to manage their expectations from the players’ post-match. Ugo and Sara also sit down with Maud Muir and Sadia Kabeya to discuss line dancing and what three words best describe them off the field.

Who will be crowned champions? Who will be the four teams in the play-offs? Who will be named player of the season? Who was voted the best finisher in the league? These are just some of the questions put to the 10 Prem DORs in an anonymous survey ahead of the new season. Ashy, Danny and Chris pick through the results and give us their own big predictions. We ask whether Tommy Freeman is literally worth his weight in gold, and why wingers don’t become head coaches. Plus, we react to the news that legendary defence coach Shaun Edwards is joining the Red Roses on a short-term deal after leaving France. What will Edwards bring to the role? And will this lead to a role with the men’s team?

We have a bumper pod for you ahead of the new season, as Chris and Ashy chat to some of the biggest stars in the Prem. First up is England fly-half Fin Smith, who tells us he wants Northampton to become one of the greatest teams in Premiership history. But just how many more titles would they need to achieve that? And is Henry Pollock really worth a million pounds? Ashy gives his thoughts and shares an interesting take on the Pollock contract saga. Finn Baxter tells us what it’s like to watch a game of rugby with the Princess of Wales, Jack van Poortvliet discusses his England contract and holidaying in Rio, while Dafydd Jenkins talks to us about mauling up sand dunes on the beach in Devon. Louis Rees-Zammit speaks openly about his struggles last season after returning to the sport. Plus, we discuss his love of kicking and whether he’s going to become a long-distance kicker like Elliot Daly. We also hear about Ashy meeting the Queen, an awkward case of mistaken identity involving Dylan Hartley and Sir Jackie…

After South Africa crushed the All Blacks to seal a 3-1 victory in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, Ugo, Danny and Chris debate how you beat the Boks, and if anyone can stop them winning a record third successive World Cup. We react to your messages following our exclusive with Conor O’Shea and get Danny’s take on Steve Borthwick’s contract extension. Will we see a Six Nations match in the USA? World Rugby is keen, with the 2031 men’s and 2033 women’s World Cup heading Stateside, but would it actually help rugby break America, or would the tournament be selling its soul? We also discuss the new 4.5 size ball that is being trialled in WXV as the Red Roses come from behind to beat Australia.

Ugo and Chris sit down with the RFU performance director Conor O’Shea for a wide-ranging conversation about the big issues shaping English rugby. O’Shea reveals they plan to extend Steve Borthwick’s contract to cover the 2028 Six Nations and prevent speculation around his future. They discuss the importance of the upcoming autumn and despite a poor 2026 O’Shea tells us England can go all the way at the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Should the RFU scrap the rule preventing overseas-based players being picked for England? And how do they improve the coaching pathway for English coaches to make the jump from domestic to international rugby? They also quiz O’Shea on the Red Roses’ dominance and the succession plan for John Mitchell.

The big-name guests keep on coming on the pod as we continue our build-up to the new season. On this episode Chris and Ashy chat to four players who have made big moves over the summer. First up is England centurion Courtney Lawes. Why Sale? Which Prem ground is he most excited to play at? And will we see him play for England again? There has been plenty of Welshman on the move. Prop Nicky Smith talks scrums and reflects on a disappointing summer tour with Wales. Jac Morgan talks us through swapping Ospreys for Gloucester and how he’s finding life in Cheltenham. We are also joined by scrum-half Raffi Quirke, who hopes to rediscover his best form at Newcastle. After a plethora of new signings, is this finally the year Red Bull see a return on their investment?

The pod is back after the summer break and we have three big-name guests to kick off the new season. Chris and Ashy chat to Maro Itoje who reflects on being rested by England this July and about becoming a father later this month. We chat to Finn Russell about weddings, chilling on yachts in Cannes and a big year ahead for club and country. And fresh from making his England debut in the summer, centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg makes his pod debut. Chris and Ashy also catch up with Ugo and Danny to discuss the ‘Greatest Rivalry’ series so far and debate Rassie’s last-minute changes to his team.

It’s a full house on the pod this week as Ugo, Danny, Ashy and Chris bring the curtain down on the summer window of the Nation’s Championship. There is plenty of fallout from England’s victory over Argentina. Ugo and Danny have their say on Felipe Contepomi’s criticism of England’s post-match celebration and Steve Borthwick hits back at the media. We ask if the All Blacks are back after they dismantled Ireland at Eden Park. And with Chris arriving fresh from The Open at Royal Birkdale, we discuss who is on par for the summer and if the past three weeks has shaken up the world order.

Sara, Ashy and Matt Dawson bring you reaction to crazy night Santiago del Estero as England hang on to beat Argentina. But should Bautista Delguy's last-minute try have stood? Was Henry Slade's covering tackle legal? A combined seven yellow cards were shown on Saturday, with England receiving four in the second half and twice being reduced to 13 players. Why are England still struggling with their discipline? Immanuel Feyi-Waboso impresses Ashy with his performance and Tommy Freeman delivers again on the other wing, but what does all this mean for England's centre combo? And after racking up 25,000 miles, and two Test wins, has this summer window been a success Steve Borthwick and ended any speculation around his future?

Chris, Tom and GRO preview the final round of the Nation’s Championship this summer. Can Sam Prendergast cement his position as Ireland's number one fly-half as Andy Farrell's side look to become the first team to win at Eden Park since 1994. Can the Wales maul bring them any joy against the Springboks in Durban? The pod is full of admiration for Jesse Kriel and it prompts GRO to quiz the guys on the most-capped centre partnerships in Test rugby. Is it time for Fiji to move away from the offload game? And can England end the summer on a high? Tom explains why he's got Argentina as favourites in Santiago del Estero.

Danny, Ashy and Chris look back at round two of the Nation’s Championship with the north and south both on six wins each. Scotland scored four tries and pushed the Boks all the way in Pretoria. Did they show the England coaching team the best way to attack the double world champions? Danny reacts to Marcus Smith’s cameo at scrum-half against Fiji and we look ahead to England’s trip to Argentina as the injured Alex Mitchell is replaced by Raffi Quirke. We also look at the logistics issues hampering the tournament and discuss whether some teams are getting an unfair advantage. Will Jordan broke the All Blacks try record at the weekend, but does he make our all-time Nee Zealand back three? The game of the weekend sees Ireland head to Eden Park. Can Andy Farrell’s side finally end the All Blacks’ 32 year, 52 Test, unbeaten home record?

Ashy and Chris bring you instant reaction from the Hill Dickinson stadium as England thrashed Fiji in Liverpool to end their five-match unbeaten run. But what are the positives for England after such a one-sided victory over a disjointed Fiji? We hear from Steve Borthwick who heaps praise on his defence despite scoring 73 points. Noah Caluori is back on the pod after a devastating Test debut. He set up a try with his first touch in international rugby and scored a try with his second. Ashy was impressed with the young winger but it was Tommy Freeman who caught his eye. Should Freeman continue on the wing? And Henry Pollock came on to score an impressive second-half hat-trick. Does he now start in Argentina or was his impact exactly why he’s suited to coming off the bench?

Ashy and Chris go inside the England camp ahead of the must-win Test against Fiji. After the defeat at Ellis Park, Ashy quizzes skipper Jamie George on the England gameplan against the Boks and why they keep repeating the same mistakes. Centre Henry Slade is also on the pod to discuss his return to the starting XV and England’s state of flux in midfield. Can Slade replicate the influence he's had at Exeter for his country? Finn Russell is back for Scotland. Ashy and Chris look ahead to their clash in Pretoria and react to Louis Rees-Zammit dropping to the Wales bench. Why hasn’t the Welsh winger managed to replicate the form eh showed before his NFL stint?

Fresh from his jaunt following Scotland in the World Cup, Tom joins Gareth and Chris to unpick the big talking points from the weekend and look ahead to the second round of the Nations Championship. They assess Scotland's Finn Russell dilemma, ask if South Africa has an advantage with its teams playing in Europe, and discuss whether England's clash with Fiji could define Steve Borthwick's future.

What did we learn from the opening weekend of the Nations Championship? Ashy, Ugo and Danny look back on a dramatic first round of fixtures and ahead to what next weekend has in store. They ask why England appear to have made little progress since the Six Nations, whether Wales can build on their win over Fiji against Argentina, and how impressive Scotland were without their talisman, Finn Russell. Plus, there was also time to compare weekends, with Ashy enduring the great outdoors on a camping trip he absolutely hated, while Danny somehow found himself living the high life in the Royal Box at Wimbledon.

Chris and Grays are at Ellis Park to react to England’s comprehensive defeat by world champions South Africa. After an early Boks blitz, England fought back to make it close at half-time, so what was behind the Springboks’ dominant second-half display? Why were England bossed in key areas? And after five defeats in a row, how important is a win next weekend against Fiji? We hear from 50-cap man Cheslin Kolbe as well as England captain Jamie George and coach Steve Borthwick.

Chris and Paul Grayson take you through the opening round of the Nations Championship as the north v south battles begin. Chris heads to Ellis Park and catches up with England’s vice-captain Ollie Chessum ahead of England’s big test against the Boks. We speak to a confident Jo’burg local before catching up with George Furbank, who reflects on a hectic couple of weeks as he prepares for his first England start since 2024. We also discuss the other home nations fixtures this weekend. Can Scotland win in Argentina without Finn Russell? Is Australia v Ireland too close to call? And are Wales deservedly big underdogs against Fiji?

Chris and Paul Grayson react to the England team to face South Africa. George Furbank gets a first start for nearly two years while Henry Pollock is on the bench. We head inside the England team hotel to catch up with Jamie George. He gives us a great insight into their preparations and reprising his role as captain. Springbok fly-half Manie Libbok is also on the pod, and we are joined by the voice of South African rugby commentator Matt Pearce to discuss whether this is the greatest Boks side of all time.

Chris and Paul Grayson are in Johannesburg ahead of England’s huge Nations Championship opener against South Africa. They are joined by the sport’s newest knight, Sir Kevin Sinfield, to talk about being awarded the knighthood and his determination to continue raising awareness for MND. Sinfield discusses England’s approach this weekend at Ellis Park and how they are dealing with the unique challenges of playing in the spiritual home of Springbok rugby.

The inaugural Nation's Championship is here, but are fans actually excited about it? Do they even understand the format? Chris, Danny and Ashy dig into the new competition, the logistical nightmare facing travelling supporters and the huge challenge for players playing back-to-back matches in different continents. Rassie Erasmus has already named his team to face England this weekend, does this help with Steve Borthwick's selection dilemmas? Will Henry Pollock be unleashed in Johannesburg? Is it Ben Spencer or Alex Mitchell at nine? Plus, we discuss the three things England need to do if they are to beat the Boks. Ashy shares his memories of playing South Africa at Ellis Park and Danny explains what it’s like to play at altitude and how it effects players. And after Jack Willis captained Toulouse to a record-extending 25th Top 14 title, we debate whether he could ever be lured back to England and what the RFU could do to make it happen.

Did the new Prem champions, Northampton, make a mistake by letting George Furbank leave? And has Steve Borthwick got the balance right in his Nations Championship squad? Ugo, Chris and DC take a more considered look back at Saturday's Prem final, asking whether Exeter could have done more to trouble Saints. As England's squad for the Nations Championship is named, Ugo asks whether the team should start to be built around Henry Pollock. They also discuss the merits of neutral venues for semi-finals, consider who might succeed Leo Cullen at Leinster, and make their predictions for the Top 14 and PWR finals.

Chris Jones is joined by Matt Dawson and Chris Ashton as Northampton Saints beat Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham to claim their second Prem title in three years. They break down where Northampton edged the final, and discuss whether they're already building the foundations of a dynasty. We hear from man of the match Henry Pollock and Exeter captain Dafydd Jenkins. Plus, do the RFU need to a plan to ensure there's a pathway for the Prem's best coaches, including Saints' director of rugby Phil Dowson, to lead England?

Can Exeter pull off an upset and beat Northampton at Twickenham on Saturday? Chris and Ashy look ahead to the Prem final and discuss where the game could be won and lost. Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter joins the pod to explain why belief is growing within the Exeter camp, while departing Northampton captain George Furbank reflects on the feel-good factor around the Saints and why he's determined to sign off with one last piece of silverware.

Have Exeter shown enough to convince us they can beat Northampton in Saturday’s Prem final? Ugo, Chris and Ashy look back at both semi-finals and assess whether the Chiefs have the game to upset the favourites. Or are Northampton simply operating on another level? Plus, with Steve Borthwick naming his 33-man squad to face a France XV on Friday, they debate whether Ollie Lawrence can count himself unlucky to miss out.

The pod has been given exclusive access to the four directors of rugby ahead of this weekend's play-offs. Chris heads to the Prem awards in central London to sit down with Phil Dowson, Johann van Graan, Rob Baxter and Geoff Parling to reflect on the Prem season so far and the quality of rugby. Has there been too many blowouts? And have the recent law changes made it a better or worse spectacle? We also look at the gruelling schedule for the game's top international players. Should Maro Itoje and his fellow Lions be rested this summer? What do the DORs think to the Champions Cup and how that is scheduled? We hear about the changes to the pool stages next season and what the four coaches would change about the competition. We also delve into the relationship between the clubs and England and whether the players should be spending more time with club than country.

Exeter are into the Prem play-offs and Ugo, Ashy and Danny are joined by Henry Slade to reflect on a memorable win over Saracens, and the Chiefs’ remarkable transformation. Slade also discusses his outstanding form after ending the regular season finishing as the league’s top points scorer. We also break down the final round of the Premiership season, including Bath securing a home semi-final thanks to Thomas du Toit’s try-scoring exploits. With Northampton hosting Leicester and Bath welcoming Exeter, will we get an away win in the play-offs this weekend? Plus, it's report card time for those teams that didn’t make the play-offs. We also round up the URC semi-finals after Glasgow’s dramatic collapse against the Bulls, discuss Leinster’s latest shot at silverware, and react to Andy Farrell committing to Ireland until 2031.

Chris and Ashy head to the Saracens training base for a special pod about one of the most influential figures in English club rugby history. After 17 trophy-laden years at Sarries, Mark McCall is standing down as director of rugby at the end of the season. We speak to the man himself who explains why now is the time to move on, and what place he is leaving the club in. Two of Sarries’ senior players, Ben Earl and Nick Tompkins, share their memories of being coached by McCall, and explain what makes him such a good leader. We are also joined by journalist Gavin Mairs to discuss McCall’s legacy. Is he the best director of rugby in PREM history? How much does the salary cap scandal of 2019/2020 tarnish his reputation? And will the RFU miss a trick if they don’t tap into his experience?

All eyes are on Sandy Park this weekend as Rob Baxter and Mark McCall go head-to-head for one last time. Danny, Ugo and Chris look back on Exeter’s impressive win at Leicester that sets up Saturday’s showdown with Saracens for the final play-off spot. Who will come out on top? Will anybody other than Northampton rotate this weekend? It’s now only one win in five for Bath, what is behind their recent slump? Newcastle produced one of the comebacks of the season to stun Sale for a first win since January. There were four home wins as the URC quarter-finals went to form, but who is favourite to life the title in June? Plus, what next for Shaun Edwards amid reports he could be leaving France? Should unions be making a move if one of rugby's most decorated coaches becomes available? There’s also Worcester's Championship play-off triumph to discuss and Jo Yapp's appointment as the first women's British & Irish Lions head coach.

We are podding from the San Mamés stadium in Bilbao after Bordeaux win a second successive Champions Cup crown. Chris and Paul Grayson chat to one of the key man behind Bordeaux’s success, their attack coach Noel McNamara. We also grab a word with Adam Coleman who vows to spend days partying in his match shirt. But where did it go wrong for Leinster? They’ve now lost five finals since their last triumph in 2018. Will there be big changes following this latest defeat? Billy Vunipola rolled back the years to help deliver Montpellier the Challenge Cup as the French claimed another title. With the last six Champions Cup winners all coming from France, why are their clubs in such a strong position and who is best placed to end the streak?

Ashy and Chris are back with a bonus pod after Steve Borthwick spoke to the media for the first time since England's disappointing Six Nations campaign. Chris went inside the camp to see the England head coach who explained why he's selected Benhard Janse van Rensburg selection for the three-day training camp and what he expects the South African-born centre to bring. But what does his selection mean for Ollie Lawrence and Max Ojomoh after they were omitted from the squad? We find out how Borthwick is planning to navigate a summer schedule that incudes matches on three different continents and if captain Maro Itoje could be rested. Borthwick also touches on the RFU review into England finishing fifth in the Six Nations.

How do you sum up the life and legacy of Scott Hastings? Chris, Ashy and Danny are joined by his close friend and former teammate Andy Nicol to share memories of the great man, both on and off the pitch, following his death over the weekend. Plus, as Steve Borthwick names his latest England training squad, the guys debate the inclusion of former South Africa Under-20 centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg. The Bristol Bears player qualifies for England through the five-year residency rule despite having no British heritage. And with a huge weekend of European finals ahead, is anyone backing against the French sides coming out on top?

Sara, Ugo and Katy Daley-McLean are podding pitch side immediately after the Red Roses won an eighth successive Six Nations title and fifth Grand Slam. Given the injuries, absentees and retirements - is this the best one yet? And does this latest triumph now make the Red Roses one of the greatest sports teams of all time? We chat to England centurion Marlie Packer who tells us she isn’t going to hang her boots up any time soon. We also pick our player of the tournament and look ahead to WXV Global Series in the autumn. Are John Mitchell's England young guns ready for a shot at Canada and New Zealand?

Will England claim an eighth successive Six Nations? Or will France finally beat the Red Roses and claim a first title since 2018? Ugo, Sara and former Ireland international Anna Caplice look ahead to the big showdown in Bordeaux. Could England's leaky defence cost them on Sunday? Are England demanding too much of their star centre Meg Jones? Ireland’s first standalone fixture at the Aviva is expected to attract 30,000 fans. Anna explains what a watershed moment this will be for Irish rugby. Wales face Italy hoping to avoid another wooden spoon – can Sean Lynn finally deliver a first Six Nations win? Plus, should Ireland and Wales enter a team in the PWR? Will it help close the gap to England in the future?

It was a huge weekend in the race for the Prem play-offs as the top two both lost. Ashy, Danny and Chris dive into Leicester’s massive derby win over Northampton and discuss the electric atmosphere at Welford Road, the Tigers pack and if Henry Pollock needs to shake the pantomime villain image. Bath missed the change to go top after Exeter put them to the sword with an impressive second half display at Sandy Park. Are the Prem champions starting to run out of steam? Noah Caluori makes his pod debut fresh from an impressive Saracens win at Ashton Gate. He chats to us about his stunning breakthrough season and his ambitions with England ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. We also dissect the RFU’s statement following the review into England’s Six Nations campaign. Why was the review so vague? Do fans deserve more transparency from the RFU? And what can we expect from Steve Borthwick’s side moving forward?