Rugby Union Weekly

Sara and Danny react to England's 36-man squad for the Autumn Nations Series which sees Henry Slade included despite not yet playing for Exeter this season. Sara chats to Steve Borthwick about why he included Slade and the return of fellow centre Alex Lozowski to the England fold. With Alex Mitchell missing out through injury, we get Danny to predict how Borthwick will his scrum-halves during the November Tests. Is Ben Spencer finally going to get his first start for England? Sara also quizzes Borthwick on the numerous changes to his coaching staff over the summer and the decision to promote Richard Wigglesworth to senior assistant coach.

Ugo, Danny and Ashy wrap up a try-laden derby weekend in the Premiership. There 12 tries at Kingsholm which ended with Finn Russell shushing the Shed for the second year running. There was another 10 tries at Sandy Park, three of them scored by Bristol's Gabriel Ibitoye who joins the pod to tell us why he's loving life at Bristol and whether we can expect to see him in an England shirt soon. Quins finally got the better of Saracens, there was a 25th successive defeat for Newcastle and Leicester took the bragging rights in the Midlands derby. Plus, we also react to the news that Richard Wigglesworth has been promoted to become Steve Borthwick's number two in the latest change to England's coaching set-up.

Chris and Ashy sit down with one of Ireland's greatest ever players, Johnny Sexton, to look back at his illustrious career. We find out how Sexton is finding retirement and what the biggest challenges have been so far. We hear about his admiration for Owen Farrell and he reveals the best coach he's ever worked with. Will Sexton himself ever be tempted into coaching? He also picks through that painful World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand, and we get the lowdown on his spat with Rieko Ioane.

There is plenty for Ugo, Danny and Chris to discuss on and off the pitch this week as the war of words - and emojis - continues between Rieko Ioane and Johnny Sexton. But it was Bristol who delivered the knockout blow of the weekend as they wrecked Bath's perfect start to the season. Alex Lozowski could be in line for his first England cap since 2018, but were there any big omissions from Steve Borthwick's training squad ahead of the autumns? The Red Roses beat the Black Ferns again and things aren't going well for Chris in Fantasy rugby.

Ashy, Danny and Chris react to an eventful weekend of rugby including Christian Wade’s hat-trick for Gloucester. Is Ashy going to be tempted out of retirement or is he resigned to losing his Premiership try record? We chat to the league’s in-form 9 as Bath’s Ben Spencer reflects on their win at Welford Road and tells us about his England ambitions. There are upsets in the URC and WXV, but not in the Rugby Championship. Is this Springbok team the greatest ever? And there are more complications for Steve Borthwick as he tries to rebuild his coaching team before the autumns.

Danny, Ashy and Ugo are on the sofa to look back at a hectic weekend which featured an impressive win for Bath and a good old fashioned smash and grab by Leicester to get Michael Cheika off to a winning start. DC has an issue with his market value on Fantasy Rugby and we debate what a prime Ashton and Monye would have fetched. The code if you want to join the league is: posysash or you can email: rugbyunionweekly@bbc.co.uk for the link. Plus, we look back at round five of the Rugby Championship delivered yet again, with a thrilling Bledisloe Cup encounter in Sydney and Los Pumas stun the Springboks.

For our last pre-season pod, Danny and Chris head into central London to chat to one of the Premiership's biggest stars in Finn Russell. We hear all about his parenting skills after becoming a dad for the second time and how fatherhood has changed him as a player. He also talks Lions selection, life in the Prem and his desire to win a title. They also chat to Mike Brown who claims he's never been interviewed on the pod despite playing 300 games with DC. He reveals what keeps him motivated at 39, gives plenty of insight into Michael Cheika and where it went wrong for Tigers last season. Plus, we hear all about Danny rubbing shoulders with a Hollywood A-lister while at a 40th birthday party in Surrey at the weekend.

Danny, Ashy and Chris are back on the sofa as we continue to gear up to the new domestic season. There is more talk about Ashy coming out of retirement after Gavin Henson's comeback Pencoed and how Danny's knee is holding up ahead of a 20th season at the top level. They discuss the pros and cons of a potential merger between the Premiership and the URC; which league would benefit most and is it inevitable at some point to secure the future of the domestic game? We also discuss Australia's struggles and what it means for the Lions tour next summer, plus if anyone - or anything - can stop the Red Roses from becoming world champions on home soil next summer.

Sara sits down with England captain Marlie Packer and new vice-captain Natasha Hunt to look ahead to a big 12 months for the Red Roses. They can lay down a big marker in their quest for World Cup glory next year by beating New Zealand on home soil this weekend. Ruby Tui gives her take on England and Hunt's return to the set-up after missing last year's World Cup. Marlie talks about juggling motherhood with a busy schedule and why Mo is doing such a great job as vice-captain. We also hear all about coffee etiquette and which players are always desperate to be involved in the photos for a trophy lift.

Chris and Ashy chat to some of the biggest names in the Premiership as we continue our build up to the new season. Ashy quizzes Christian Wade on his desire to break his Premiership try record. With Wade needing 19 tries to usurp Ashy, how concerned should he be? Ben Earl is back on the pod to tell us what to expect from a new-look Saracens and whether his golf game has improved over the summer. We also chat to the new Northampton captain George Furbank. Can he lead the Saints to back-to-back Prem titles for the first time? Marcus Smith gives opens up about how much those missed kicks in Dunedin affected him and give us an update on Danny’s fitness.

We’re back after the summer break and to kick things off we’ve got a special interview with the Premiership’s big new arrival. Chris and Ashy sit down with the new Leicester boss Michael Cheika to find out how he ended up at Welford Road and what keeps the experienced Aussie motivated as a coach. It’s been a tumultuous off-season for Steve Borthwick and the RFU. We react to the news that Aled Walters has joined Ireland and Felix Jones will also leave his role as England defence coach. Plus, Twickenham has a new name and we hear all about Ashy’s packed summer trying to keep his kids entertained during the school holidays.

Sara Orchard takes you back 10 years to remember the Red Roses’ World Cup triumph in 2014. Sara is joined by Katy Daley-McLean, who led the side to glory in France, and the current England captain Marlie Packer, to relive their victory over Canada in the final. We find out why there was an armed guard at the Red Roses training base, Katy explains why she turned down a visit from Jonny Wilkinson before the final and Marlie pinpoints the exact moment she knew England were going to win the World Cup. There’s also plenty on the celebrations at full-time and the Take That song that became the team’s anthem during the tournament.

Chris hosts Ugo and Danny for a definitive review of the 2023/2024 season. With the help of the listeners, we go through the highlights of an exhilarating campaign at both club and international level, from South Africa’s Rugby World Cup triumph to the flex of the Olympics-bound Antoine Dupont. How good was George Ford’s masterclass against Argentina? How impressive was Glasgow’s URC title win? And where does Ireland’s victory in South Africa rank? The guys also pick their Lions XVs for the 1st Test against Australia next summer, and unsurprisingly struggle to agree.

Ugo, Ashy and Danny are back on the sofa to look back at a busy weekend for the Home Nations. They begin with Ireland’s impressive victory over South Africa despite the absence of several key players. With England once again coming so close against the All Blacks, the guys ponder whether it was a missed opportunity for Steve Borthwick’s side. And how close are Wales to ending their winless streak having not won since October? Plus, they delve into what has been learnt about each of the four team as the season reaches its conclusion.

Chris is at Eden Park and looks back on another narrow defeat for England against New Zealand who win the test series 2-0. It was an important learning curve for Steve Borthwick's side, but what are the positives from two straight defeats? What can the team learn from this tour? All Blacks legend Ian Jones and World Cup winner Paul Grayson discuss, plus Chris speaks to England captain Jamie George, head coach Borthwick and New Zealand boss Scott Robertson.

We’re less than 24 hours from the second Test at Eden Park which finally brings the curtain down on a long season, and Alex Lowe is back on the pod to preview it all with Chris in the heart of Auckland. England will be without George Furbank who has been ruled out through injury. How much will the absence of the Northampton full-back change England’s gameplan on Saturday? We hear from England flanker Sam Underhill on Freddie Steward coming in to replace Furbank and he tells us how much he’s relishing the Eden Park challenge. Chris has also been speaking to Chandler Cunningham-South about his rapid rise to becoming an England international after growing up in New Zealand.

Chris is at the England team hotel in Auckland to chat to captain, and friend of the pod, Jamie George. We hear how the England team watched their footballing counterparts reach the Euro 2024 final and why Gareth Southgate is such a big inspiration to Jamie and Steve Borthwick. Who will be England's Ollie Watkins at Eden Park on Saturday? Chris also chats to Andrew Strawbridge, who recently joined England's coaching set-up on a permanent basis having helped the All Blacks to reach the Rugby World Cup final in October. But in 2015 Strawbridge was given days to live after contracting sepsis in Samoa. He recounts his near-death experience, the impact it has had on him physically and how it has shaped his approach to life.

Tom channels his inner Rassie Erasmus as he highlights some issues with the officiating in the 1st Test between South Africa and Ireland. The Boks use of the bench is once again up for discussion. GRO tries to come up with some positives following another defeat for Wales that’s seen them fall to 11th in the world rankings. And where do England need to improve if they are to end New Zealand’s long unbeaten run at Eden Park?

There is no venue in world rugby like Eden Park in Auckland. It is now 30 years since the All Blacks have lost a game at the spiritual home of New Zealand rugby. Ahead of the 2nd Test match with England on Saturday, we ask what is so different about Eden Park, and why do the All Blacks never lose there? Chris is joined by one of the voices of New Zealand rugby in Nigel Yalden, as well as All Blacks legend Ian Jones, who remembers when France stormed the fortress in 1994. And New Zealand back Stephen Perofeta tells us how this current crop are determined to continue the Eden Park legacy.

Ugo, Ashy and Danny pick through the bones of a busy weekend of games. They ask whether England could have done more to steal a win against the All Blacks in Dunedin and explain why a win at Eden Park next weekend is more than a possibility for Borthwick’s men. Did Wales' lack of discipline and experience cost them in Sydney against the Wallabies? And did South Africa against Ireland in Durban live up to the hype? Plus, the guys reveal what fixture they are most looking forward to this weekend.

Chris is at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin reflecting on a narrow 16-15 defeat for England in the first test match. All Blacks legend Ian Jones is alongside him, with World Cup winner Paul Grayson joining in from London. It was a case of missed chances for England, but they can take lots of positives into the second and final test at Eden Park next Saturday. Chris speaks to head coach Steve Borthwick, a disappointed England skipper Jamie George and New Zealand head coach Scott 'Razor' Robertson who said he was relieved to get the win.

Can England claim their first win in New Zealand since 2003? On the eve of the first Test, we take advice from one of our loyal listeners and head to a bar in Dunedin where Chris chats to rugby correspondent Alex Lowe from The Times. You'll also hear from centre Ollie Lawrence who is back in New Zealand for the first time since 2017 when he toured the country with his school. We find out what the All Blacks captain Scott Barrett is expecting from England and look ahead to Wales and Ireland's assignments on a super Saturday of rugby.

Chris is at the All Blacks team hotel as Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson announces his first New Zealand team – and there’s a big surprise at fullback. We get the thoughts of NZ Herald correspondent Liam Napier on Robertson’s squad to face England which also sees the return of TJ Perenara and Damian McKenzie at fly-half. You will hear from the reigning world player of the year Ardie Savea on the challenge he is expecting from England in Dunedin. Chris also manages to grab a word with NZ Rugby chief Mark Robinson about the strength of the All Black brand and the challenges they face in the modern game.

Chris, Tom English and Gareth Rhys Owen battle time zones and technical difficulties to bring you the first Nations pod of the summer. We do a deep dive into the many challenges facing Wales on their tour to Australia. Would drawing the series actually suit both Warren Gatland and Joe Schmidt? Tom is still basking in the glory of some Scottish silverware and is there anything other than revenge on the minds of the Springboks as they look to end their losing run against Ireland.

Chris has made it to Auckland – short of both sleep and a suitcase – and he heads into the England hotel as Steve Borthwick names his team for the first Test with the All Blacks. Borthwick tells us what he wants from Marcus Smith after picking an unchanged backline, and why Fin Baxter and Ollie Sleightholme are both set for their debut. Vice-captain Henry Slade is on the pod to give some jetlag tips and to reflect on his journey from Test rookie to one of the squad’s senior players. And Alex Mitchell discusses the Northampton influence in the team and why Saturday could be a memorable day for English sport.

Chris, Danny and Ashy are joined by Jamie George and Nick Tompkins to look ahead to a brilliant few weeks of international rugby. Can Ireland win in South Africa, or is it a step too far for Andy Farrell’s side? There is an element of the unknown about the All Blacks, so do England have a chance of making history in New Zealand? Meanwhile Wales have a chance to restore some pride in the jersey against the Wallabies, while Scotland will be gunning for four wins on their tour of the Americas.

Danny gives Chris and Ashy the lowdown on his day with the Barbarians at Twickenham which ended with another yellow card! England passed their Tokyo Test with flying colours as Eddie Jones’ homecoming ends in defeat. Has Marcus Smith done enough to nail down the 10 shirt for the All Blacks series? Glasgow’s Huw Jones joins from Johannesburg airport after winning the URC. We hear all about their celebrations and get his take on what this victory could do for Scottish rugby. We also talk Wales, the PWR final and if Michael Cheika is the right man to takeover at Leicester Tigers.

Chris tracks down Danny, who is a little worse for wear, for a special episode from the Barbarians team hotel in Mayfair. They're joined by some of Danny's Baa Baas team mates starting with All Blacks legend and captain for the week Sam Whitelock. Can Danny convince him to become vice-captain? Zach Mercer talks openly about his move back to the UK and his struggles with England selection. Saracens' new recruit Fergus Burke also joins, plus we discuss the England's team to play Japan and the size of the task that awaits an inexperienced Wales side at Twickenham.

Danny is on the sofa with Ashy and Ugo before he joins up with the Barbarians this week, but his fitness is quicky called into question after a chance encounter with a set of scales at Centre Parcs. Scotland centre Huw Jones joins the pod fresh after reaching the URC final with Glasgow. He talks about their big win at Thomond Park before flying out to South Africa to prepare for their showdown with the Bulls in Pretoria. We also look ahead to Japan v England and Eddie Jones v Steve Borthwick.

The pod is back at Twickenham two days after the Premiership final, but this time we're talking England as Steve Borthwick names his 36-man squad for the tour to Japan and New Zealand. Danny, Ugo, Ashy and Chris quiz the England head coach on his decision to take Tom Curry, the inexperience in the back line and style of play. With George Ford missing the summer through injury, which Smith will be wearing the 10 jersey this summer? We also take ski goggles, trophy parades and look ahead to the business end of the URC season.

Chris, Ashy and Matt Dawson bring you reaction to a thrilling Premiership final as Northampton beat 14-man Bath at Twickenham. Courtney Lawes is back on the pod after ending his Saints career on a high and ending the club's long wait for a title. But as Lawes departs, is this current squad full of homegrown talent destined for more success in the future? You will also hear from a disappointed Johann van Graan, we discuss Beno Obano's red card and analyse Finn Russell's performance.

We're continuing our build-up to the Premiership final by speaking to two of the biggest names in the game who will run out on Saturday. Sara has been to Bath's training centre at Farleigh House to catch up with Finn Russell, who talks about his desire to win a first trophy since 2015, his partnership with Ben Spencer and how he deals with nerves and pressure. You will also hear from the departing Courtney Lawes ahead of his final appearance for the Saints after 17 seasons. He tells Chris about the strong position he leaves the club in, his longevity as a player and how he still feels he is still improving at 35. Which club will end their long wait for Premiership glory at a sold-out Twickenham?

Ugo, Danny & Ashy are on the sofa to round-up Premiership semi-final weekend as Northampton and Bath both emerged from two titanic tussles to book their spot in the big dance at Twickenham. With the top two sides in the league going head-to-head in the final, we pick our combined XV. Which club ended up with the most players? They also discuss Owen Farrell's legacy after he bowed out from English rugby, where does he rank amongst the all-time greats of the English game? There is a look at the URC quarter-final line-up and a tribute to the great Rob Burrow.

Ashy and Chris are suited and booted for the RPA awards in central London where they manage to track down some of the biggest Premiership names who will be involved in this weekend's play-offs. First up on the pod it's Northampton duo Courtney Lawes and Fin Smith who look ahead to their showdown with Saracens which will be Lawes' final game at the Gardens after 17 seasons! They also grab a word with England and Saracens back row Ben Earl who says they're so focused for Friday night it's 'scary'. Ashy is forced to pick between George Ford and Finn Russell as we look ahead to Saturday's semi-final between Bath and Sale. Plus we grab a word with the legendary England and Lions centre Jeremy Guscott, who was part of the last Bath team to win the title back in 1996!

It's Premiership semi-final week, so to kick things off we have a special episode with the directors of rugby from the four clubs competing for a spot at Twickenham this weekend. Mark McCall, Johann van Graan, Phil Dowson and Alex Sanderson are all together to chat to Chris about the challenges of a season that was delayed by the World Cup and put on hold during the Six Nations. Does a 10-team league work? And are we any closer to achieving promotion and relegation? They also discuss big name players leaving for France and whether the RFU should relax its eligibility rules for overseas players. And with four of the best fly-halves around on show this weekend, each DOR explains why their 10 is the best.

Sale's Ben Curry is our special guest this week after they stunned Saracens in the final round of the Premiership. He tells Chris and Ashy what's been behind their remarkable run to the play-offs and why Alex Sanderson had them catching tennis balls wrapped in white tape all week. We also discuss Saracens' farewell tour and whether Northampton's decision to rest key players for the semi-finals will backfire. Also, is the Champions Cup final this weekend the unofficial World Cup final?

Will Saracens or Bath secure a home semi-final? Can Sale hang onto fourth spot? Or will Exeter, Harlequins or Bristol leapfrog them? Ashy, Ugo and Sara look ahead to the final round of the Premiership season which has all the makings of a classic weekend. There is also plenty of fallout from round 16 including THAT 90-0 defeat for Gloucester, late bonus points and emotional send-offs. We find out how Saracens are taking inspiration from Ted Lasso their run-in and Ashy's pet goldfish.

Fresh from his trip to Toulouse, Danny gives Ugo and Chris the inside track on Quins’ defeat in the south of France. He tells us about his latest rendezvous with his favourite scrum-half and how Blair Kinghorn ended up in his bad books on Sunday. We also discuss Northampton’s narrow defeat at Croke Park and ask who will have the edge in the final at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. But will an English club get a better chance of competing for club rugby’s biggest prize? And will Gloucester’s season be considered a success if they manage to lift the Challenge Cup despite their struggles in the Premiership?

Chris, Danny and Ashy are on the sofa as the race for the Premiership play-offs hots up. Are Bristol genuine title contenders after another big win? Elsewhere Harlequins beat the league leaders Northampton, but should Danny have been sent off? And why are scrum-halves the lowest-paid players in the league? We also chat to former England lock Geoff Parling after his appointment to the Australia coaching staff, and discuss how is he set to make rugby history next summer.

On the 30th anniversary of England's victory in the 1994 World Cup final, Sara sits down with Giselle Mather and Gill Burns to relive that historic day in English women's rugby. It was the tournament that almost never happened, but Scotland stepped in to host at the last minute and the rest as they say is history. Gill and Giselle take us back to the struggles being a rugby player in the early 90s juggling work and even sharing beds with players while on tour. They also delve into the final itself and explain how they toppled the defending champions USA in front of packed stadium in Edinburgh.

We're talking reunions on this week's pod after Ugo's trip to see Blue in Liverpool. If there was one team or player in their prime you could pay to watch, who would it be? Bristol get some love after crashing the top four party in the Premiership and that's time of year where we start to talk end of season awards. We get Danny to run the rule over England's plethora of in-form nines now that he has called time on his international career. There are big wins for Munster and Ospreys in the URC, Leinster sign a Barrett brother and Ugo considers launching a new career as a gymnast.

We're at full strength on the pod this week with Ugo, Danny, Ashy and Chris all on the sofa to review the Champions Cup quarter-final weekend. We had to start with the thriller in Bordeaux, friend of the pod Marcus Smith drops by to give us - and Danny - the lowdown on that epic win. Is it working having the South African teams in the competition? Do we need a neutral host city for semi-final weekend? We also talk Croke Park, rowing and our favourite Blue hits as Ugo heads to Liverpool for the Blue reunion tour.

It’s a big day for Danny as he calls time on his England career after 16 years and 101 caps. He tells Chris and Ashy what was behind the decision, the conversation he had with England boss Steve Borthwick and we get to the bottom of how David Beckham sent him a video message for his 100th cap. We also round up the action from the weekend as the Premiership came back with a bang as Saracens laid down a big marker, Gloucester shocked Leicester and Finn Russell finally landed his first drop goal.

Chris, Gareth and Tom reunite for one last pod to bring the curtain down on the 2024 Six Nations. What mark out of 10 does this year's tournament deserve? The guys pick their favourite match of this year's championship and their player of the tournament after the four-man shortlist was revealed. Can one scrum-half count himself unlucky to have missed out? And should there have been more than one Italian on the list? We also look at what's next for the home nations ahead of some intriguing assignments in the summer.

Chris is joined by Ugo Monye, John Barclay and Sam Warburton to go through the Six Nations after Ireland win back-to-back titles, while Wales pick up the Wooden Spoon for the first time in 21 years.

The team rate each country and pick out some key moments from the tournament. Who overachieved and who came up short and why? And what next for those teams evolving and going through transition?

Sam also gives his thoughts on the future of Welsh rugby and shares a story from a post match function, after Scotland’s win over Wales in Cardiff.

Chris is joined by Tommy Bowe and Fraser Brown for on the whistle reaction from the Aviva after Ireland beat Scotland to win back-to-back Six Nations titles. Plus Chris has pitch side reaction from Jack Crowley and Robbie Henshaw. The team also chat Wales’ loss to Italy and what’s next for them.

Elsewhere Sara is out in Lyon with Matt Dawson and Chris Ashton following France’s 33-31 victory over England after a late Ramos penalty. Sara also speaks to England captain Jamie George.

Chris manages to track down Tom English in Dublin to look ahead to the final round of the Six Nations. They debate where back-to-back titles would leave Andy Farrell's Ireland after they missed out on successive Grand Slams. Rory Darge joins the pod with Scotland in the hunt for a first Triple Crown since 1990. How do they end a run of nine straight defeats against Ireland? Could this weekend be Manu Tuilagi's final appearance for England? Sara catches up with him in Lyon as England look to end their championship on a high. And we discuss the wooden spoon decider in Cardiff between Wales and Italy.

Will Ireland wrap up back-to-back Six Nations titles or is there a big shock in store? The teams are out for Super Saturday and Chris is in Dublin to preview Ireland's clash with Scotland and get the thoughts of Luke Fitzgerald, who was part of the last Irish team to win successive titles. Sara is Lyon and has been to the England team hotel to speak to fly-half George Ford who hopes to mark his birthday this weekend with a first England win on French soil since 2016.

In the last episode of our rivalries series, Chris sits down with Martin Johnson to discuss the fixture known simply as Le Crunch. They look at the brilliant French side of the 80s and England's dominance in the 90s as Johnson made his breakthrough. We look at how the psyche of the French rugby player is built on emotion and why facing France in Paris was such a daunting task. Johnson also reveals why this rivalry meant the most to him as a player and that his favourite try of all time was scored by a Frenchman.

Sara is joined by John Barclay and Philippa Tuttiett for on the whistle reaction from a very loud and lively Principality Stadium after France beat Wales to complete round four of the Six Nations.

They discuss what went right for France and what next for Wales, who host Italy on the final day. They also console a rather sad John Barclay after Scotland lost against Italy and look ahead to what will be a really ‘Super Saturday’ next week which also includes Ireland taking on Scotland and England travelling to France.

And not only that Sara works out those all-important permutations!!