The Rugby Pod podcast

1:05:23

Strap in for a very special extra episode as we dish out the silverware in our 24/25 Rugby Pod Awards Show. Jim, Goodey and Producer Rob enter into a mass debate as we hand out honours for: Breakthrough Player of the Year Coach of the Year Alpha of the Year (testosterone levels were checked ) Top Lad (the good bloke award, basically) North vs South: who ruled world rugby this year? 🌍 and loads more, so settle back. Enjoy and make sure you're subscribed on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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Episode 39 - Finals Glory: 29 Years Later for Emotional Bath, Leinster Crush Bulls & Lions Summer Camp 1:23:25

3 дні тому1:23:25

1:23:25

It was Finals weekend with Bath ending a 29-year wait to lift the Premiership title and complete the treble, while Leinster blow the Bulls away to finally get their hands on the URC trophy. Jim, Goodey and Biggs break it all down, from electric guitars, Finn v Pollard, to yellow card drama and Leinster getting the monkey off their back we're chatting through it all. With Lions camp kicking off, the lads also look at what key combos Farrell might test. Plus, Farrell returns to Sarries, the Prem gets a rebrand, and Rob gets some money from Red Bull to fix Newcastle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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Episode 38 - Semi-Final Showstoppers Deliver but can a Global Franchise League? 1:21:05

11 днів тому1:21:05

1:21:05

This week on the Pod, Jim and Goodey unpack a blockbuster weekend of semi-final action across the Prem and URC. Leicester edge Sale in a tense encounter, sealed by a wonder try, while Bath blow past Bristol with a second-half blitz led by the Bath Bomb Squad. Leinster break their knockout curse to book a URC final spot against the Bulls and their monster front row. Plus, we break down a proposed new global franchise league: is it the future of rugby or just another failed experiment waiting to happen? Plenty other news, chat and opinions as usual. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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Episode 37 - Heroes & Villains - Penalty Shootouts and Semi-Final Line-Ups 1:14:26

18 днів тому1:14:26

1:14:26

This week on The Rugby Pod, we're diving into a chaotic weekend of URC quarter-finals as the Sharks knock Munster out via a controversial shootout in Durban, and Glasgow smash through the Stormers to set up a semi in Dublin. We debate the gamesmanship antics from Jaden Hendrikse that had players and fans riled, and whether rugby is edging into football territory. We also look ahead to the URC semis, discuss whether Leinster are vulnerable, and preview a massive South African derby. In the Prem, the playoff picture is locked in as Bristol run riot, Sale hold firm, and it’s farewell to Gloucester and Jim’s Saracens. Plus, lots of other news, including whether Farrell is coming back to the Prem? Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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Episode 36 - Cardiff Finale & Fallout - Lucu Masterclass & What Happened After the Final Whistle 1:13:37

25 днів тому1:13:37

1:13:37

It was the European finale in Cardiff and Jim, Goodey and Bigs unpack an epic weekend of Champions Cup and Challenge Cup action. We dive into UBB’s first-ever title and whether Saints were undone by early injuries, French power, or just Lucu & Jalibert magic. There's post-match beef, Alex Coles stepping up, and debate on what this means for some Lions hopefuls. Plus, Bath look ruthless in dismantling Lyon to claim silverware, with some controversy along the way. We preview the URC quarter-final line-up and try make sense of a chaotic final round in the Prem with top four still up for grabs. Settle in and subscribe on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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Episode 35 - Saints and Sinners - Champions Cup Final, URC Playoffs & Union Drama 1:19:12

5 weeks тому1:19:12

1:19:12

It’s crunch time across the board, we're back to break it all down. Goodey and Jim look ahead to a massive Champions Cup Final, dissect the thrilling race for the URC playoffs, and react to a Saracens second-half collapse in the Prem and what it means for the playoffs. We look at what Red Bull’s potential takeover of Newcastle could mean, and reflect on some massive changes in Ireland and Wales with Sevens scrapped and regions under threat. Plus, predictions, and plenty to cover in ootttthhheer neeewwwss!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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Episode 34 - Lions Squad Debrief and Fin Smith Joins the Pod 1:12:30

6 weeks тому1:12:30

1:12:30

The dust has settled after Andy Farrell's Lions squad announcement, so Big Jim and Goodey are back to pick it apart - surprises, snubs, captaincy chat and a look at what it says about how the tour will be played. England, Northampton Saint, and now British & Irish Lion Fin Smith joins us fresh from his Lions call-up to chat about a whirlwind year, the Saints' run to the Champions Cup Final, and who he’s most buzzing to link up with this summer. Plus, all the usual Rugby Pod craic, so make sure you're subscribed on Spotify and Saints fans, get your tickets to next week's live show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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Episode 33 - Saints Slay Leinster in Epic & Lions Implications 1:17:36

6 weeks тому1:17:36

1:17:36

This week’s episode is packed after a seismic weekend in the Champions Cup. Jim’s got some apologies to make as Northampton Saints pulled off the unthinkable in Dublin, knocking out Leinster in their own backyard. We have Bigs on to break down exactly how his former club did it, where Leinster got it wrong, and what it means for the upcoming Lions squad announcement. Plus, we’ve got all the fallout from Jordie Barrett’s bench role, Caelan Doris injury whispers, Fin Smith and Polock’s meteoric rise, and some listener questions, including who from Lions history we’d bring back for 2025 and whether 100 Jim Hamilton could actually take down a gorilla. We also dive into Bath’s win over Edinburgh to reach their first European final in over a decade, Bordeaux’s breakout moment as they dismantled Toulouse and how the final might play out against Saints. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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Episode 32 - Welsh Giant-Killings, Prem Shake-Up, Champions Cup Semis & Matt Sherratt Joins the Pod 1:20:09

8 weeks тому1:20:09

1:20:09

The business end of the season is heating up with Leicester peaking at the right time, Sale’s masterclass over Jim’s Sarries, and Gloucester hammering Exeter. The lads cover all this plus a bit of giant-killing down in Wales with Cardiff and Scarlets getting one over their Irish brethren. We’re also joined by Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt to get his thoughts. Plus, new Prem TV deals, academy dramas, new idea from Rassie Erasmus, and plenty more other news. Settle back, enjoy, and make sure you're subscribed on Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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Episode 31 - Rugby’s Big Shake-Up - From Bollywood to French Revolutions & Franchise Models 1:08:44

8 weeks тому1:08:44

1:08:44

We’re into the business end of the season, but is rugby itself on the verge of its biggest transformation yet? Jim and Goodey dig into the new Premiership franchise model being floated! We chat fan culture, flares, and whether rugby needs a football-style edge in the stands. We also chat about the runs for both the Prem and URC as tams are chasing the final knock out spots. Plus, we’re joined by Indian rugby president, Bollywood star and former international Rahul Bose to talk about the launch of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) in India, what it means for the sport there, and why the Bollywood blueprint could be rugby’s best play. Plus, listener questions, Lions selection debates and lots more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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Episode 30 - Biggar's Last Dance and Champions Cup Carnage 1:13:44

10 weeks тому1:13:44

1:13:44

It’s a global edition of The Rugby Pod as Jim dials in from Texas, Goodey from the UAE, and Biggar from France, fresh off announcing his retirement. We reflect on Bigs’ epic career while diving into the Champions Cup quarter-finals: Leinster and Northampton steamrolled their way to the semis, Bordeaux dazzled in attack to beat Munster, and Toulouse edged Toulon in a French classic. We celebrate standout players like Jordie Barrett and Henry Pollock, talk bizarre ref calls, and ask - can anyone stop Leinster at the Aviva? Plus, Cardiff’s collapse, Faz-watch continues, Bath’s trophy hunt, and lots more In Otttthhhheerrr Neeewwws! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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Episode 29 - Champions Cup Skyfall & Scorefest, Plus The Warriors Return! 1:14:55

11 weeks тому1:14:55

1:14:55

This week on The Rugby Pod , Goodey returns to the studio fresh off Champions Cup knockouts, while Big Jim dials in from Austin, Texas. The lads dive into Munster’s gritty win in La Rochelle, Saints turning the tables on Clermont with a Tommy Freeman masterclass, and Warriors lighting up Glasgow with some flair. We also celebrate the dramatic revival of Worcester Warriors, chatting to new CEO Stephen Vaughan about rebuilding the club, how they managed to get straight back into the Championship, and rugby’s sustainability crisis. Plus, there's a scorefest in Toulon, Leinster embarrass Quins, Toulouse pull away from Sale. Plus, we preview next week’s Champions Cup quarters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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Episode 28 - Farrell’s Lions Coaching Ticket & Bolters, Leinster's Young Guns, Plus Rob's Rumours! 1:13:11

12 weeks тому1:13:11

1:13:11

This week on The Rugby Pod , Jim’s a new man after Hong Kong – writing poems, 5 am gym sessions, and solving riddles. Goodey gives his take on Andy Farrell’s newly-named Lions coaching ticket, and we dissect what it means for squad selection. Rob’s sniffing out the latest on some massive player moves – Finn Russell to where?! Plus, we dig into all the Prem and URC action, Sweeney staying, Henry Pollock’s a red jersey bolter, Bath looking unstoppable and Leinster young guns showing up against the Sharks. Subscribe on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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Episode 27 - Showdown Showstopper & Chicago Builds a Rugby Empire 1:20:24

13 weeks тому1:20:24

1:20:24

Jim and Goodey unpack a massive weekend of rugby, starting with Quins pulling off their first away win over Saracens in 13 years at The Showdown in front of 54,000 fans — and with a few famous faces in the crowd too. Jim spills the beans on the London craic and post-match scenes, while the lads debate what went right for Quins and wrong for Sarries. There's more drama in the Prem as Leicester smash Saints, Bath flex against Glos, and Bristol and Exeter set a new record with ten first-half tries. We also head stateside for a cracking chat with Peter Bernick , co-owner of the Chicago Hounds , who lifts the lid on building rugby in the US, the upcoming United States of Rugby doc, and how MLR is gearing up for RWC 2031. Plus, the Bulls break Leinster’s unbeaten URC streak, Fin Smith to Toulouse rumours, and the lads react to a rabbit punch and a big shout to Rassie’s new pod — all that and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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Episode 26 - The Big Six Nations Wrap Up and The Showdown at Spurs! 1:17:18

14 weeks тому1:17:18