Rugby Union Weekly

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 one championship match. Plus, Felix Jones has a new job, there's a big departure at Leicester and we wrap up the PWR semi-finals.

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? England backed up their win over France with another narrow win and a first over Scotland since 2020, but what are the question marks still hanging over Steve Borthwick’s side? What next for Scotland and Gregor Townsend after their title hopes were dashed at Twickenham? Plus, John and Sam update their Lions teams from round one, and we get a masterclass on how to pronounce Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

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 heads to the Scotland team hotel to catch up with Tom English and Andy Burke from the BBC's Scotland rugby pod. They discuss Finn Russell's selection, the three changes after the defeat to Ireland and look at the battle between the two packs. Will Scotland create more Calcutta Cup history on Saturday or will it finally be England's day?

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? Danny was part of the England team that put 60 points on Scotland back in 2017, but has also been on the losing side in 2018 and 2024. He explains what the difference is between the Scotland of 2017 and now. John picks the three players that have inspired Scotland to four successive wins and we also look ahead to this weekend's clash at Twickenham.

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 since playing with Ashy at Leicester. Steve Borthwick is also on the pod and promises England will deliver more attacking rugby this weekend and how they plan to deal with Scotland's Finn Russell, whether he plays or not.

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 the key selection decisions facing Steve Borthwick this week. Which England player does Ashy compare to an Allen key? Can Finn Russell inspire Scotland to a record fifth successive win in this fixture and does his spot as Lions' fly-half depend on it? Ashy gives us an insight into new Wales interim boss Matt Sherratt, plus we discuss the decision to call-up Gareth Anscombe, Max Llewellyn and Jarrod Evans.

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 thoughts of Wales' fly-half Rhys Patchell on Gatland's departure and what the WRU need from their new head coach. Is interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby a realistic option? And after a dismal end to his Wales tenure, how will Gatland be remembered in the years to come?

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 Johnnie Beattie wrap up events at Murrayfield and dissect England's win over France in more detail. Is Fin Smith now the chosen England fly-half? And what next for Wales after a 14th straight Test defeat, have they reached rock bottom or is there still worse to come?

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 Owen and James Hook join the pod from the Stadio Olimpico after Wales suffered a 14th successive defeat after losing 22-15 to Italy. That loss sees Wales drop to their lowest ever position in the world rankings and will pile the pressure on head coach Warren Gatland.

Timecodes: 1’22 – How England found a way 6’15 – Steve Borthwick with Chris 11’13 – Fin Smith 21’13 – What went wrong for France? 28’15 Gareth Rhys Owen & James Hook on Wales v Italy 37’11 Matt & Paul on Wales

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 who outlines the areas where Scotland can exploit Ireland on Sunday. We also look ahead to a big day at Twickenham for England with France in town for 'Le Crunch'.

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 from fly-half Fin Smith on the pod, who has vowed to get their attack flowing and tells Sara about his relationship with Marcus Smith and George Ford. We also hear from Warren Gatland ahead of their clash with Italy in Rome.

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 Series. Are there certain players he is keeping an eye on during the Six Nations? And after Netflix announced they will not be doing another series of Full Contact, how big of a missed opportunity is it to grow the game? What is the best way to capture a new audience while keeping loyal fans engaged - does the perfect balance exist? With the Superbowl this weekend, we ask what can rugby learn from the NFL and what a bit American promotion would do for the Lions tour.

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 from their defeat in Dublin? It's seven successive defeats in a row against tier one nations and Ashy says it's time to stop the rot, but how do you tackle a French side full of so much flair and confidence? Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie is back on the pod to give following his first Test start since 2022. He gives us an insight into the intensity of training this week and the challenge of facing the French up front.

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 that England’s squad is over-hyped while concerns grow over the inexperience of their coaching staff. And how costly could Scotland’s habit of switching off during games be when they face Ireland? Plus, Chris moderates an impromptu game of "Bleakness Top Trumps."

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 John found the answer for Gregor Townsend? Is Saturday's meeting between Italy and Wales already a wooden spoon decider? Sam has plenty to say on the state of the Welsh game and whether he would welcome a Six Nations relegation play-off. Plus, our team of the week featuring Romain Ntamack and predictions for round two.

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 second half. But where did it go wrong for England after a promising start? Tommy asks whether there is a fitness issue. And is England's bench still an issue?

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 match.

BBC Sounds / 5 Live Six Nations commentaries this week:

Saturday 1st February Scotland v Italy 1415 kick-off - Sports Extra Ireland v England 1645 kick-off - 5 Live

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 team and look ahead to a big day for Sam Prendergast and his battle with Marcus Smith. Ugo and Sara join from some rather lavish surroundings in Paris to preview the opening match of the tournament between France and Wales. Plus, there are a couple of surprises in Gregor Townsend's Scotland team to face Italy.

BBC Sounds / 5 Live Six Nations commentaries this week:

Friday 31st January France v Wales 2015 kick-off - 5 Live

Saturday 1st February Scotland v Italy 1415 kick-off - Sports Extra Ireland v England 1645 kick-off - 5 Live

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 sporting achievement in the world, according to Maro Itoje. The one trophy Caelan Doris would love to win as captain and Michele Lamaro tries to convince us that Lazio aren't a real team.

BBC Sounds / 5 Live Six Nations commentaries this week:

Friday 31st January France v Wales 2015 kick-off - 5 Live

Saturday 1st February Scotland v Italy 1415 kick-off - Sports Extra Ireland v England 1645 kick-off - 5 Live

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 a flanker. There was also big news in the back row, as the Curry brothers will become the first twin brothers to play for England. The man in the middle, Ben Earl joins us for a chat and tells us how special it will be to start alongside Tom and Ben having all played together back in 2014. But will the lineout be an issue for England this weekend? And are they lacking experience on the bench? We put the questions to Steve Borthwick and he explains why England have spent their whole build-up to the Six Nations overseas.

BBC Sounds / 5 Live Six Nations commentaries this week:

Friday 31st January France v Wales 2015 kick-off - 5 Live

Saturday 1st February Scotland v Italy 1415 kick-off - Sports Extra Ireland v England 1645 kick-off - 5 Live

Chris, Scrum V's Gareth Rhys Owen and Tom English from the BBC Scotland rugby podcast return as the countdown to the Six Nations continues. They delve into what lies ahead for the four home nation teams. Gareth questions whether Warren Gatland still has the passion to guide Wales. Will Simon Easterby’s leadership bring a new look to Ireland? Tom voices his concerns about Scotland’s mounting injury troubles, while Chris explores the challenge facing England. Plus, find out which member of the team has found a new inner calm ahead of tournament.

BBC Sounds / 5 Live Six Nations commentaries this week:

Friday 31st January France v Wales 2015 kick-off - 5 Live

Saturday 1st February Scotland v Italy 1415 kick-off - Sports Extra Ireland v England 1645 kick-off - 5 Live

The pod is daily once again for the Six Nations and to kick things off we are in Rome! Ugo and Chris chat to all the head coaches at the launch. They speak to Ireland's new interim head coach Simon Easterby and find out how he's settling into the role, what changes he will make - if any - and how he is dealing with the pressure of being defending champions. Warren Gatland wants to block out all negativity and build a siege mentality, but do Wales have what it takes to end their terrible losing run? Are Scotland still one of the favourites for the title despite losing their captain to injury? We put the question to Gregor Townsend and hear how Steve Borthwick has dealt with his own injury setbacks in the build-up. Fabien Galthie has some fashion advice for Ugo and, as is now tradition, we ask all the coaches to pick one player from another nation to have in their team.

BBC Sounds / 5 Live Six Nations commentaries this week:

Friday 31st January France v Wales 2015 kick-off - 5 Live

Saturday 1st February Scotland v Italy 1415 kick-off - Sports Extra Ireland v England 1645 kick-off - 5 Live

Sara sits down with Zoe Aldcroft after she was appointed Red Roses captain for 2025. Aldcroft tells us what it means to lead the team in a World Cup year and how supportive Marlie Packer has been since replacing her as skipper. We hear all about Aldcroft's leadership style and what motivates her to always go the extra mile. She also revisits the heartbreak of losing to the All Blacks in the last World Cup final and how it affected her love for the game. Head coach John Mitchell explains the reasons behind the change of captain and what qualities he admires most in Aldcroft. He also explains how he and the leadership group are dealing with being the 'hunted' at the upcoming World Cup.

Danny, Ashy, and Sara look back at a busy final weekend of the Champions Cup pool stages. They ask whether anyone can challenge Toulouse to lift the cup in May. Is Ashy’s European try-scoring record under threat after Damian Penaud scored six tries at the weekend. And the guys pay tribute to Anthony Watson who announced his retirement last week.

Ugo, Ashy and Chris are in Twickenham to bring you reaction to the news that Maro Itoje is the new England captain. It was the big headline as Steve Borthwick named his 36-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations. But with 88 Tests under his belt, why is now the time right for Itoje to lead the team? We hear about his interests off the field and why he is different to previous captains. Tom Willis made the cut but there is no place for Henry Pollock. So what will England's back row look like? We also pick our backline for England's opener against Ireland in Dublin and how to get the best out of Ollie Lawrence.

Danny is back from his weekend in Toulon and heads straight from the airport to join us Ashy and Chris for the pod. Danny reveals what Dan Biggar said to him on the pitch at the weekend and how difficult it is to find a restaurant in Toulon in January. Everyone is talking about Warren Gatland's Six Nations squad. There's an uncapped fly-half and plenty of experience returning to the fold but it's one or two surprise omissions that have raised a few eyebrows. We also look ahead to an intriguing final round of matches in the Champions Cup pool stage and look at who is best-placed to receive one of two golden tickets that guarantee a home advantage all the way to the final.

Danny has some big news for the pod and we round up an entertaining yet controversial weekend in the Premiership. There was a blockbuster at Franklin’s Gardens as Northampton edged past Bath at the death thanks to Finn Smith. Are the champions still in the play-off race despite being in eighth? Ollie Lawrence has apologised for his role in the incident with Alex Mitchell, but did the England centre overstep the mark? George Skivington's Welsh contingent continue to impress for Gloucester but which Premiership player is being held back by Wales' 25-cap rule? Ashy gives us an insight into French rugby as Owen Farrell is voted the worst signing of the season, plus Ilona Maher makes her Bristol debut and England are heading to Argentina for this summer.

Ugo, Ashy and Chris head into the studio in central London to record the last pod of 2024. Ashy gets a few Christmas gripes off his chest before we look ahead to a bumper year in 2025 and put our prediction skills to the test. Who will win the Six Nations and will we see a Grand Slam? And in what order will the home nations finish? We pick our Lions bolters and ask if there is anyone that can stop the Red Roses winning the World Cup. We also round-up a chaotic end to 2024 on the field as Exeter finally win a game, Bath put nearly 70 points on Saracens and Sale dominated Bristol at Ashton Gate. We also put forward a solution to solve the issues with the Champions Cup - remember you heard it here first!

Danny is the only one bringing the festive cheer to the pod as we discuss life as a rugby player at Christmas and how many eggs Ashy has with his Christmas dinner. Chris outlines a tumultuous few weeks for the RFU that has seen Tom Ilube resign as chairman and Sir Bill Beaumont appointed in his place on an interim basis. Warren Gatland is staying on as Wales head coach and has been challenged to deliver success in the Six Nations, but what exactly does that look like for a team that didn't win a match in 2024? Bristol win on the road again as they thrash Leicester at Welford Road. Can they go all the way this season, or will they need to tone down their attacking style?

Ashy critiques his son’s performance as one of the three Wise Men in his school’s nativity before we turn our attention to another weekend of Champions Cup action. It wasn’t without its issues again as a number of clubs heavily rotated their teams, but Northampton went fully loaded to Pretoria to face the Bulls and Tommy Freeman joins us to tell them all about their bonus-point win. Glasgow fell agonisingly short in Toulon and Toulouse ran riot in Exeter with Antoine Dupont getting one try closer to Ashy’s record. Away from the Champions Cup, Felix Jones has now officially left his role at the RFU. Can we expect him to pop up on the Lions coaching ticket next summer?

Chris and Ashy are back to preview round two of the Champions Cup and we find out what role Ashy's son is playing in his Christmas nativity. George Ford is on the pod ahead of Sale's big clash against Racing 92 on Friday. He also reflects on England's autumn and that drop goal against New Zealand. Could a dramatic schedule change reignite interest in the Champions Cup? And what are the big clashes to look forward to this weekend?

Ugo, Danny and Chris look back at the opening weekend of the Champions Cup. La Rochelle weathered the storm - quite literally - to beat Bath on the opening night, but did the first round manage to showcase the best of the competition? The pre-tournament favourites all won handsomely, but which British team has the best chance of going deep in the tournament? Henry Pollock continues to make waves, and at only 19 what is the best way to nurture him and the next generation of talent? We also hear all about Danny's experience of the Stade Dominique Duvauchelle and how many Christmas trees he has this year.

Sara takes the pod to Bristol to track down American rugby sensation Ilona Maher, who has just announced she will be playing in the PWR next year. Sara chats to her about her first impressions of British food - and the weather! Which Bristol team-mate has she already bonded with? And now she's converted from Sevens to 15s, where will she play? We also hear all about her amazing rise to become the most followed rugby player in the world, why she loves the sport and how she hopes to inspire the next generation of young girls to play rugby,

Ugo, Danny and Ashy are back on the sofa to discuss the return of the Premiership, but Ashy is surprised by what he saw over the weekend. Has the gap between the domestic and international game ever been greater? Newcastle won again and Exeter lost again. Gloucester and Bristol continue to thrill and both claimed impressive wins on the road. But it meant Joe Marler's farewell didn't go to plan. We look at Andy Farrell's to-do list as he starts work as the Lions head coach and ponder how Scotland players will be in his starting backline. Plus, there is some exciting news in the PWR as Bristol confirm the signing of American superstar Ilona Maher.

The curtain has come down on the autumn for England, Scotland and Wales. Danny, Chris and Ashy assess where each team are at after testing themselves against the best from the southern hemisphere. How should England reflect on their autumn after only one win in four? And which players' stock has grown this November? Danny's upset the Scotland fans and shares some of the kind messages he's received after Gregor Townsend's side beat Australia in Edinburgh. The WRU have started their review into Wales' autumn, but could Warren Gatland still be in involved come their Six Nations opener in Paris? There's controversy at the World Rugby awards and with Ireland yet to complete their autumn schedule, we start looking at some of the issues awaiting Andy Farrell when he becomes Lions head coach.

Chris and Paul Grayson are at Twickenham to bring you reaction to England's dominant victory over Japan. It ended a run of five straight defeats for Steve Borthwick, but how happy is he with the team's progress this autumn? Jamie George is also on the pod and we get Eddie Jones' take on a tough day at the office for Japan and a less than ideal return to Twickenham for the former England head coach. We are also in Monaco for the World Rugby awards as Sara sits down with the men's and women's player of the year. South Africa forward Pieter-Steph du Toit claimed the men's award for a second time while Ellie Kildunne was crowned the best women's player after a stellar year with the Red Roses.

Chris, Tom, and Gareth are back for the penultimate pod of the autumn. They save the Wales chat for the end, as Gareth tries to make sense of the challenges facing the team. Chris questions whether England's coaching staff might be short on experience, while Tom argues that Scotland's clash with Australia is a must-win, believing it could define their entire year.

Is time running out for Warren Gatland? Wales have now lost 11 successive Test matches and conceded 50 points at home for the first time. Chris, Ugo and Ashy discuss what needs to change to get Welsh rugby back on track. Is the issue bigger than the head coach? England are also on a losing run. Are there still question marks around their identity under Steve Borthwick and is fitness one of the reasons behind their inability to close out games? Plus, the nominees for the World Rugby Awards are out and the Haka is back in the spotlight – quite literally!

Chris, Tom and Gareth return after a clean sweep of defeats for the home nations. They begin with the narrative in Wales as more pressure is being heaped on Warren Gatland. Gareth asks whether the WRU are considering his future. Despite their poor showing against the All Blacks, Tom isn’t concerned for Ireland. And Chris tries to explain what is going on behind the scenes at England.

Chris and Ashy bring you a special pod looking ahead to England's massive game against the World Champions South Africa at Twickenham. You'll hear from Ellis Genge on the challenge of facing the Boks up front and how they've been picking themselves up after the shock defeat to Australia. We also Jerry Flannery on how special it is to be working with the double World Cup winners.

Follow the Autumn Nations Series on BBC Sounds: Friday 15th November: Ireland v Argentina - 20:10 Saturday 16th November: Scotland v Portugal - 15:10 | England v South Africa - 17:40 | France v New Zealand - 20:10 Sunday 17th November: Wales v Australia - 16:10

It was a weekend to forget for the Northern Hemisphere in the Autumn Nations Series. Ugo, Danny and Chris look back on a clean sweep for the Southern Hemisphere sides as the home nations all lost on home turf. To blitz, or not to blitz, that is the question facing England after they shipped 42 points against the Wallabies. Is it time for them to adopt another defensive system? What next for Wales after they suffered a record-equalling 10th Test in a row? Will the WRU give Warren Gatland the time to turn things around? Ireland lost their unbeaten home record as the All Blacks continue to impress under Scott Robertson. And South Africa got the better of Scotland once again, centre Andre Esterhuizen joins us from Edinburgh airport as they start their prep to face England. Plus, we talk 20-minute red cards.

Chris, Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson bring you reaction to a bonkers game at Twickenham as Max Jorgenson scored an 84th minute to inflict another defeat on England. Why aren't they able to hold onto a lead? England led by 12 points in the first half and then fought back to lead 37-35 with only two minutes to go, but couldn’t see it out. We hear from England captain Jamie George and head coach Steve Borthwick immediately after the full-time whistle on where it went wrong. Is it a coaching issue or a psychological one? “A megastar in the making,” that was verdict on Joseph Suaalii's Test debut as he picked up player of the match as the Wallabies won at Twickenham for the first time since 2015.

Chris, Tom and Gro are all finally together as the Autumn Nations Series starts in earnest. Gro seeks positives to cling on to as Wales prepare to face Fiji, and we discuss whether Ireland are justifiably favourites against New Zealand on Friday night. Scotland face the stiffest test in world rugby, while after losing to the All Blacks, England are under pressure to return to winning ways against Joe Schmidt’s Australia.

There's a new rugby autobiography hitting the shelves this week and it's already caused quite a stir. Ugo and Chris quiz Danny about his book and what he's got to say about Eddie Jones' England regime. We continue to pick the bones out of England's last-gasp defeat against the All Blacks and discuss the most effective way to nail a drop goal. But are England scoring enough points under Steve Borthwick? And how do they avoid getting sucked into an arm wrestle when they keep coming up short? Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham are fighting it out to become Scotland's all-time try scorer, but can they stun the Boks this weekend? Joe Marler retires from international rugby, again, and a depleted New Zealand head to Dublin to face Ireland at the Aviva.

Chris, Ashy and Matt Dawson react to New Zealand’s dramatic win over England at Twickenham. They pick through the final stages and where the game got away from England. Was it the right decision to bring Marcus Smith and Ben Spencer off? We hear from Jamie George on the pod, who says England need to start closing out tight matches. All Blacks head coach Scott Roberson also gives us his take on another narrow win over England and we wax lyrical about the winning try from Mark Tele'a.

The Nations Pod is back! GRO, like Wales, sits out this episode as it falls outside of the international Test window, but Chris and Tom eventually look ahead to the start of the Autumn Nation Series after battling yet more technical issues. How much pressure are England under to beat the All Blacks this Saturday? Steve Borthwick has named his team early picking Ben Spencer at scrum-half and Henry Slade in midfield, despite him only playing 54 minutes this season. Sione Tuipulotu will lead Scotland against Fiji and Tom is full of praise for the new Scotland captain and is backing Gregor Townsend's side to take a big scalp this autumn.

To launch our coverage of the autumn nations series, Chris and Ashy head to Jersey to sit down with double World Cup winning South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus. We ask what makes him tick, how he stays motivated, and whether the Springboks can win a third World Cup. And given his emotional connection to South Africa, would he ever coach another international side? We are also joined by the great winger Cheslin Kolbe; what has been his favourite moment in a Springbok jersey, and what’s the driving force behind his brilliant career so far?

We’re with England at their training camp in Girona as they continue their prep for the autumn internationals. Chris sits down with new senior assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth to find out more about his new role, plus we get the latest on the fitness of Henry Slade and George Ford ahead of the first Test against the All Blacks. Alex Lozowski is back in the England fold for the first time since 2018, so how much is he relishing the chance to prove himself on the international stage again? There’s also a fascinating interview with Luke Cowan-Dickie who opens up about overcoming the health issues and injuries that stalled his England career. He also reveals he’s quit gaming and alcohol in a bid to rediscover his best form.

Wales boss Warren Gatland is our special guest on the day he names his squad for the autumn internationals. It’s been a tough year for Gatland, so how is he approaching the upcoming Tests? And which of his players could play their way into Lions contention? Meanwhile it was a gripping weekend in the Premiership, with Newcastle pulling off a much-welcomed and long-awaited win, and nearly all of the other games going down to the wire. And with England going into camp in Girona this week, who should play in the midfield against the All Blacks? We also debate whether 20-minute red cards are a step forward for the game, or a step back.

Sara and Kat Merchant bring you all the reaction to the Women’s World Cup draw. They chat to England captain Marlie Packer about the Red Roses being drawn against Samoa, USA and Australia and what it was like to have the draw live on The One Show. Ireland are in the same pool as the Black Ferns, can they stun the World Champions again? We speak to their co-captain Sam Monaghan about their progress over the last year. And with Scotland and Wales in the same pool as one of the top seeds Canada, is it a straight shootout between the two for second place? Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm and Wales skipper Hannah Jones discuss and look back at their last World Cup encounter.