Sara and Ashy are in central London chatting to Lions head coach Andy Farrell and four of his assistant coaches in this bumper pod. Farrell tells us whether he will pick French-based players this summer, how many names are on his shortlist for captain and why a lack of Lions coaching experience won't be a problem for his team. Wiggy reflects on his…

We look forward to Wales U20 v England U20 at Cardiff Arms Park, in this edition of the Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We hear from coach Richard Whiffin, captain Harry Beddall and vice-captain Steffan Emanuel.Av Welsh Rugby Union

Chris, Danny and Ashy dissect a chaotic weekend of Premiership action. Records were broken at Ashton Gate, but are defences making it too easy? We have some breaking news regarding the Lions coaching staff and we attempt to set the scene ahead of Thursday’s RFU SGM.Av BBC Radio 5 Live

The Red Roses won again, Scotland and Wales produced another thriller and Ireland pushed France all the way in Belfast. Sara rounds up the opening weekend of the Women’s Six Nations and we start in York. World Cup winners Kat Merchant and Katy Daley-McLean look back at England’s 30th successive Six Nations win. But why did their performance drop of…

With round one of the 2025 Women's Six Nations about to start we check in with the players from England, France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to see how preparations have gone. Sara Orchard and 2014 Rugby World Cup winner Kat Merchant are at the tournament launch to find out how strong the players are, as they discuss their weights sessions and who …

The 2025 Women's Six Nations is about to start with a Rugby World Cup also just around corner meaning the stakes are higher than ever. All the home nations are in action and Rugby Union Weekly catches up with all the head coaches: England's John Mitchell, Ireland's Scott Bemand, Scotland's Bryon Easson and Wales new coach Sean Lynn ahead of his fir…

Rugby union was rocked to its core by an episode that involved deception, cover-ups, recriminations and life-changing consequences for those involved.  Hosted by actor and award-winning documentary maker Ross Kemp, with reporting by BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones, this series uncovers new details and untold stories about the infamous ‘Bl…

What was the most impressive win in the 2025 Six Nations? And which nation actually exceeded expectations this year? Chris, Tom English and Gareth Rhys Owen are back for one last Nations Pod. Tom is claiming a unique Grand Slam for Scotland despite their fourth place finish. But what was the main reason behind another disappointing campaign for Gre…

Who underperformed and who overachieved in the 2025 Six Nations? Ugo Monye, Sam Warburton and John Barclay are back to round up an eventful tournament that saw France crowned champions on 'Super Saturday'. What next for Wales after a 17th Test defeat on the spin? Sam puts forward some radical ideas to fix Welsh rugby which includes cutting one of t…

Does this Six Nations title signal the start of a dominant period for France? Have England laid down a marker with their record win in Cardiff? And where do Wales go from here, after an 17th successive test defeat? Fraser Brown, Sara Orchard and Chris Jones react to France’s win over Scotland in Paris to claim the 2025 Men’s Six Nations championshi…

The pod comes from a Parisian bistro ahead of France against Scotland - the match that will decide the destination of the Six Nations title. Scotland have shown they’re capable of producing some of their best rugby against the French - so are they capable of playing spoiler? Finn Russell is back in Paris and Sara has grabbed a word with him. Fraser…

Is this finally the weekend Wales end their losing run? Chris is greeted in Cardiff by Wales and Lions legend Jamie Roberts to preview the fixture he says brings the best out of the every aspect of Welsh rugby. Tomos Williams discusses his form and teaming up with his Gloucester team-mate ‘Chicken’ on international duty. Chris then heads into the E…

Marcus Smith is back in the starting XV. Tommy Freeman moves to outside centre. Tom Roebuck get his first Test start, but there's no room for Ollie Sleightholme. All this and more for Ugo and Sara to discuss as Steve Borthwick names his England team to face Wales in Cardiff this Saturday. Ben Earl is also on the pod as we get his take on playing in…

Bielle-Biarray, Penaud, Freeman… a few of the players who have made their try-scoring mark on this year’s Six Nations. With a number of individual records up for grabs on Super Saturday, Chris and Ashy discuss the men who have taken the Championship by storm. Tommy Freeman is our guest as he looks to become the first Englishman to score a try in ev…

Did we just witness one of the greatest away performances in Six Nations history? Chris, Gareth and Tom struggle to recall a more impressive display than France's dominant showing at the Aviva on Saturday. Have Ireland reached a stage where they must start introducing fresh talent? Tom questions whether England’s performance against Italy truly jus…

On 12 March, 1950, what was then considered the worst crash in the history of civil aviation occurred when a plane carrying 78 Welsh rugby fans and five crew crashed into a field near Llandow in the Vale of Glamorgan. The plane was packed with supporters fresh from celebrating a Triple Crown won in Ireland. Of the 83 people on board, only three sur…

Chris is joined by Ashy and Matt Dawson at Twickenham to reflect on the fourth weekend of the Men’s Six Nations. The guys discuss England’s 47-24 win against Italy, where Steve Borthwick’s side do enough to remain ‘in the hunt’ for the Championship going into the final weekend. And Wales v Scotland pales in comparison to France’s high quality win a…

We’re in Dublin reacting to an extraordinary French victory to end Irish hopes of a Grand Slam and put themselves in pole position for the Six Nations title next week. Donncha O'Callaghan joins Chris to give the Irish perspective on a first home defeat in this competition for four years. We also hear from number 8 Jack Conan. Up in Edinburgh Johnni…

Is playing Ireland in Dublin the ultimate challenge in northern hemisphere rugby? Shaun Edwards thinks so, and we hear how he's been motivating himself and the French players ahead of Saturday's showdown in Dublin. Chris chats to Gavin Mairs, chief rugby correspondent for the Daily Telegraph, and senior writer at ESPN Tom Hamilton. We look at Fabie…

Chris is joined by Johnnie Beattie and French rugby journalist Paul Eddison to dissect the teams for round four. Does this France team need to win in Dublin to silence the French critics? There are plenty of talking points after Fabien Galthie named his team on Thursday, he's opted for a 7:1 split on the bench again and brought Romain Ntamack strai…

Will we finally see England's attack click? Marcus Smith drops to the bench and Elliot Daly starts at full-back for England's Six Nations clash against Italy this weekend. Danny and Sara discuss the changes Steve Borthwick has made, plus Fraser Dingwall joins the pod as he starts alongside Ollie Lawrence in midfield. We hear about the challenge tha…

We're at Pennyhill Park speaking to England legend, and pod favourite, Jamie George ahead of his 100th cap this weekend. He tells Chris and Ashy how it feels "surreal" to be reaching a century of caps for his country but how he remains as driven as ever. George also opens up about how difficult it was to lose the England captaincy before the start …

Wales Under 20s are on good form after backing up their win in Italy with victory over Ireland. We’ve been getting a chance to get to know some of the stars of the future on the Welsh Rugby Union Podcast, this week we hear from scrum half Logan Franklin and hooker Harry Thomas.Av Welsh Rugby Union

Chris, Tom, and Gareth return to break down some of the key talking points ahead of round four. Ireland v France has all the makings of a classic, but with three players retiring after the tournament, will sentiment influence Simon Easterby’s selection? Tom disagrees with Gro's claim that this weekend’s game with Wales as the most critical moment o…

Is this the week Ireland take a huge step towards Six Nations history? The pod is back as we start the build-up to round four with Grand Slam winner Donncha O'Callaghan. What impact will the trio of retiring greats have? One man who will miss the France showdown is centre Garry Ringrose, but we lament the process that means he will only miss the on…

Round three of the Six Nations provided some score lines that not many expected – and as ever on a Tuesday, correspondent Chris Jones is back with Gareth Rhys Owen and Tom English to delve deep into what happened after a dramatic weekend. Gro smiled at a rugby game for the first time in years after Wales fought hard against Ireland – but even thoug…

England regain the Calcutta Cup and Ireland remain on course for a Grand Slam. Round three of the 2025 Six Nations is in the bag and Ugo is alongside John Barclay and Sam Warburton to wrap it all up. Wales impressed under new interim boss Matt Sherratt despite slipping to another defeat. What would Warren Gatland have made of the performance? Engla…

Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt is on the pod fresh after naming his team to face Ireland this weekend. He's made eight changes following the defeat to Italy and says the team "picked itself". What can Welsh rugby fans expect from Sherratt's team after less than a week in situ? We also get to the bottom of his nickname 'jockey'. Chris then h…

We hear from two more of the stars of the future of Welsh Rugby, in this edition of the Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We speak to Wales U20 coach Richard Whiffin, prop Ioan Emanuel and wing Tomi Bowen.Av Welsh Rugby Union

Scotland rarely used to win the Calcutta Cup. Now, they can't stop winning it. What is behind this dramatic turnaround? Chris, John Barclay and Danny look at Scotland's resurgence and the impact the it's had on the rivalry. John tells us how importance of the win in 2018 which ended a 10 year wait for the trophy. How much has that turned the tide? …

The Principality Stadium has introduced some new accessibility initiatives to make it an award-winning and leading venue for accessibility. To find out more the Welsh Rugby Union Podcast spoke to Liam Scott, Head of EDI, WRU, and Dan Cook, Digital Ticketing and Customer Operations Manager, WRU.Av Welsh Rugby Union

Chris and Ashy head to Pennyhill Park to chat to Ollie Chessum, who will make his first Test start in nearly a year on Saturday. He tells us the win over France will count for nothing if England can't back it up this weekend and win a first Calcutta Cup since 2020. Chessum also tells us what sets him apart from other locks and how ]he's changed sin…

Can England finally end their Calcutta Cup hoodoo or will Scotland make history? Can Wales win a first Test match since 2023 or will Ireland seal the Triple Crown? Ugo, Danny and Ashy preview round three of the Six Nations as all four home nations do battle this weekend. With England looking to build on their impressive win over France, we look at …

Warren Gatland leaves the Wales coaching job, Matt Sherratt comes in – we hear why on the Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We hear from WRU CEO Abbie Tierney, new coach Matt Sherratt and interim Performance Director Huw Bevan.Av Welsh Rugby Union

Warren Gatland has left his role as Wales head coach after a record 14 successive Test match defeats. Chris and Ugo bring you reaction to the news in a special bonus pod. Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt will take over as interim head coach for the remaining three games of the Six Nations. But who will be Gatland's long-term successor? We get the t…

After two rounds only one team is still in with a chance of a Grand Slam. We look at another Ireland win over Scotland who extended their winning run to 11 matches. Why do Scotland struggle so much against the Irish? Where has Sam Prendergast's performance in Edinburgh put him in the pecking order for the Lions 10 jersey? Chris, Ugo, Ashy and Johnn…

We’re at the Allianz stadium reacting to England’s dramatic 26-25 win over France thanks to a late Elliot Daly try in the 79th minute. Chris Jones is alongside Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson to dissect how England found a way to win and overcome a tough French side. Hear from head coach Steve Borthwick after that huge win at Twickenham. Gareth Rhys O…

Gregor Townsend chats to us ahead of Scotland's huge clash with Ireland in round two of the Six Nations. He addresses their losing run against Ireland and how they plan to fix it. Townsend also explains the decision to pick Tom Jordan at 12 and if Lions selection is starting to creep into the conversation in camp. Sara is joined by Johnnie Beattie …

The Smiths both start as Steve Borthwick tinkers with his England team for the visit of France this weekend. How will this affect England's gameplan? What happens if they lose to a Tier 1 nation for a record eighth game in a row? Danny and Chris look ahead to Le Crunch at Twickenham where two years ago France put 50 points on England. You will hear…

What would Andy Farrell's Lions team look like if the first Test against Australia was next week? What positions are still up for grabs? And where is Farrell spoilt for choice? Ugo and Chris discuss all this and chat to the Wallabies captain Harry Wilson to get his take on the Lions after playing all four home nations during the Autumn Nations Seri…

Is Antoine Dupont the greatest of all time? Chris and Ashy quiz England senior coach Richard Wigglesworth on what makes the French scrum-half so special. Are there any weaknesses in his game and what attributes make him so unique? England take on the favourites for the 2025 Six Nations at Twickenham this Saturday. What lessons have they learned fro…

Chris Jones, Gareth Rhys Owen, and Tom English are back to dissect the highs and lows of the Home Nations following the weekend’s action. Gro’s pleas not to start the pod with Wales go largely ignored, as Warren Gatland’s side hits a new low. Would a loss to Italy on Saturday actually be a blessing in disguise, forcing a total reset? Tom argues tha…

Ugo Monye, John Barclay and Sam Warburton look back at the opening weekend of the 2025 Six Nations. Did Ireland silence their critics following that dominant second half display against England? Does Steve Borthwick ring the changes with the French in town this weekend? Scotland are still finding their feet without captain Sione Tuipulotu, but has …

We're in the Aviva stadium to bring you all the reaction to England's defeat to Ireland in Dublin. Chris Jones is alongside Grand Slam winners Tommy Bowe and Matt Dawson as Ireland get their quest for a historic three-peat off to a perfect start. They discuss Simon Easterby's first game in charge of Ireland and how impressive they were in the secon…

Sara Orchard is with Philippa Tuttiett and Ugo Monye in Paris to react to disappointment for Wales in their opening match against France. What went so wrong for Wales, and what went so right for France? Plus, Chris Jones speaks to Ellis Genge ahead of England’s opener against Ireland, and Matt Dawson joins him in Dublin to look ahead to Saturday’s …

Ben Curry is on the pod ahead of his first England start alongside his twin brother Tom. We find out what Ben learnt from Ashy at Sale and discover the two goals that kept him motivated during what he calls 'the dark times'. He also talks openly about how difficult it is to be constantly compared to your twin brother. We also react to the Ireland t…

What are the rule changes coming into place for the Six Nations – find out more in the Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We speak to Welsh referees Ben Whitehouse and Ben Breakspear to get the lowdown.Av Welsh Rugby Union

Ugo Monye and Chris Jones chat to all the Six Nations captains, but put the rugby to one side and ask the really important questions, like what’s harder – a nine-darter, a 147 or a hole-in-one? You’ll also hear Antoine Dupont sing. Find out how to pronounce Jac Morgan’s name. What position Rory Darge dreams of playing for Liverpool. The greatest sp…

A chance to get to know some of the Wales Under 20s as they go into the Six Nations with real hopes of an upturn from recent seasons. We speak to coach Richard Whiffin, along with players Harry Beddall, Steffan Emanuel, Harry Rees Weldon and Elijah Evans.Av Welsh Rugby Union

Chris visits the England training camp in Girona and sits down with Cadan Murley who will make his long-awaited England debut this weekend after Steve Borthwick named his team to face Ireland. We deliver Murley a special message from a very proud team-mate, find out which former winger is his biggest inspiration and learn about his early career as …