Rugby Union Weekly

Six Nations: The weekend review with Barclay & Warburton

08 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Round four of the Six Nations did not disappoint! There was drama, shocks and a weekend for the underdogs - Ugo, Sam and John take a deep dive into a ...

Six Nations: Scotland win 90-point thriller to enter title race and Italy stun England

07 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Jones and Matt Dawson reflect on an extraordinary day in the Six Nations.England beaten 23-18 by Italy in Rome - England's third loss in a row, ...

Bonus: Youngs & Moody - How Safe Is Rugby?

07 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Warning – This episode contains very strong language. Chris catches up with Ben Youngs to discuss his new BBC documentary about rugby and player saf...

Six Nations: Ireland fend off spirited Wales

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sara Orchard is joined by Tommy Bowe and Philippa Tuttiett with on the whistle reaction from Dublin as Ireland overcome a spirited Wales side to win 2...

Nations Pod Guide: Rome

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Back by popular demand, Chris Tom and GRO bring you another instalment of the Nations Pod guide, and this time we're in Rome. Home to the Azzurri, the...

Six Nations: England's new backline & Gregor Brown's pod debut

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Borthwick has made the most changes by an England head coach in the Six Nations era as he looks for a response after the big defeats to Scotland...

The Nations Pod

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Will France already be treating their game with Scotland as a potential Grand Slam decider? Chris, Tom and GRO ask whether Gregor Townsend’s side ha...

Six Nations: England’s Italian Job

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Danny and Chris look ahead to England’s showdown with Italy in Rome as they look to avoid a first defeat to the Azzurri and a third successive Six N...

The Nations Pod

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Are England suddenly in crisis? After the heavy defeat to Ireland, Chris, Tom & GRO dissect what’s gone wrong for Steve Borthwick’s side, whet...

Six Nations: The weekend review with Warburton & Barclay

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ugo, Sam Warburton & John Barclay discuss the fallout from round three of the Six Nations as England are humbled for the second week in a row, Fra...

Six Nations: Ruthless Ireland beat England, & Scotland come back in Cardiff

21 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chris is alongside Matt Dawson, Paul Grayson and Donncha O'Callaghan to reflect on Ireland smashing England 21-42 in a record-breaking win at Twicken...

Six Nations: Itoje the England centurion

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Maro Itoje is set to become England's latest centurion when he captains the team against Ireland this Saturday at Twickenham. Chris and Ashy sit down ...

Six Nations: All about Ireland with Conor Murray

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a pod mash-up on this latest episode of Rugby Union Weekly as Sara is joined by former Ireland and Lions scrum half Conor Murray – who stars ...

Six Nations: Pollock unleashed & Lawrence returns

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Henry Pollock gets his first England start. Ollie Lawrence returns. Tommy Freeman is back on the wing. Tom Curry starts. There is plenty for Chris and...

The Nations Pod

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve heard from Gregor Townsend, Sione Tuipulotu and John Barclay after Scotland’s latest Calcutta Cup triumph. Now it’s the turn of Stirling ...

Six Nations: The weekend review

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ugo, Ashy and a very happy John Barclay review round two of the Six Nations after Scotland regained the Calcutta Cup. Is a first triple crown since 20...

Six Nations: Scotland regain the Calcutta Cup

14 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chris is alongside Matt Dawson and Johnnie Beattie as Scotland regain the Calcutta Cup, beating England 31-20 at Murrayfield! The guys reflect on a c...

Six Nations: In Edinburgh with Itoje & Gregor's gamble

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chris has made it to Edinburgh to find Tom English and Andy Burke to analyse the Scotland team for the Calcutta Cup. There is no Edinburgh player in t...

Six Nations: Calcutta Cup Quiz

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sara channels her inner Sue Barker to host Rugby Union Weekly’s first ever Calcutta Cup quiz. And we have two worthy contestants going head-to-head ...

Six Nations: Inside England with Ford & Heyes

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ugo and Chris are inside the England camp with in-form fly-half George Ford and history buff Joe Heyes ahead of this weekend's Calcutta Cup showdown a...

The Nations Pod

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Nations Pod is back after a tricky opening round for three of the four home nations. Tom laments Scotland and Ireland’s starts - but will Gregor...

Six Nations: The weekend review

08 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ugo Monye, John Barclay and Chris Ashton delve into all the big talking points from an action packed opening week of the Six Nations. Week one had eve...

Six Nations: 'Ruthless' England thrash Wales

07 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Hery Arundell scored a 35-minute hat-trick as England made it 12 wins in a row and heaped more misery on Wales. Was that a statement from England? How...

Six Nations: France outclass Ireland in Paris

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

France made the perfect start to the defence of their Six Nations title as they toppled Ireland in Paris. Chris is joined by Irish Grand Slam winner D...

Six Nations: Captains special

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

To mark the opening day of the tournament, Chris and John Barclay are chatting all of the Six Nations captains. You’ll hear from the great Antoine D...

The Nations Pod

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Are France really clear favourites? And how real is Ireland’s decline? Chris, Gareth and Tom are back as this year’s Six Nations gets underway on ...

Six Nations: In Girona with England's centres & Genge

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chris heads to England's training camp in Girona after Steve Borthwick named his team to face Wales in their Six Nations opener. He sits down with Eng...

Six Nations: Coaches special

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chris is joined by John Barclay at the Six Nations launch in Edinburgh to quiz the men hoping to lead their nation to glory in 2026. Are England and F...

Nations Pod Guide: Dublin

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The fourth and final stop on the Nations Pod Guide is Ireland’s Fair City. From Croke Park to the Aviva, from Temple Bar to Ballsbridge - Chris, Tom...

The Last McCall

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As the Premiership heads into its mid-season break, Ugo and Ashy look back on a packed weekend of action. They start with one of the games of the seas...

England’s Six Nations squad with Steve Borthwick

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ashy and Chris are in the player’s gym at Twickenham to dissect England’s Six Nations squad and chat to head coach Steve Borthwick. He talks throu...

Nations Pod Guide: Edinburgh

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The next stop on the Nations Pod Guide is Edinburgh. GRO teaches Chris and Tom a Max Boyce classic and explains why the trip to the Scottish capital i...

Champions Cup draw and Razor’s departure

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ugo, Danny and Ashy reflect on the final round of pool matches in the Champions Cup as Quins stole headlines by knocking out two-time winners La Roche...

Nations Pod Guide: Twickenham

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chris, Tom and GRO are back for the second instalment of the Nation’s pod guide and this time they’re talking about the home of English rugby - Tw...

The Willis derby and Gloucester’s mortgage advisor

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Danny, Ugo and Chris review an eventful Champions Cup weekend that produced another big upset after Saracens stunned six-time champions Toulouse. They...

Six Nations Guide: Cardiff

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What makes a great Six Nations city? Is it all about the atmosphere on match day? The stadium itself? Or more about the pubs and the nightlife? In thi...

A statement weekend

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the first pod of 2026 and there is plenty to discuss with club statements and statement performances on the pitch. Chris, Ashy and Ugo look at ...

The Nations Pod: Review of the Year

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After years of podding separately in Cardiff, Stirling and London - Chris, Tom and GRO finally get together to record a Nations Pod in person. They lo...

Harlequins' nightmare before Christmas and Exeter 2.0

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Danny tells Ashy and Chris about his trip to visit Santa Claus in Lapland and his husky adventure in -37c. We look back at the final weekend of rugby ...

Glasgow’s ice rink and contract season

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The big shock of the weekend came up at Scotstoun as Glasgow stunned six-time champions Toulouse. Player of the Match Adam Hastings tells Ashy and Chr...

Did the Champions Cup opening weekend deliver?

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris, Ashy and Ugo pick apart the opening weekend of the Champions Cup. Was it the shot in the arm the tournament needed? Or were there still too man...

The Nations Pod: World Cup draw special

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris, Tom and GRO bring you immediate reaction to the draw for the 2027 World Cup. England and Wales meet in Pool F while we can look forward to anot...

Wounded Wales and the English Bok

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Danny, Ashy and Chris dissect another dismal day for Wales as they end 2025 with a record home defeat. How much would the young Welsh players actually...

Keenan & Roebuck: Champions Cup preview part 2

29 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In episode two of our bumper Champions Cup preview, Ashy and Chris catch up with Lions hero Hugo Keenan who reflects on his winning try in the MCG and...

Ashy & Tuilagi reunited: Champions Cup preview part 1

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s finally happened. The stars aligned and we managed to get Ashy and his old sparring partner Manu Tuilagi in the same room to talk about that in...

The Nations Pod

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are South Africa the best team ever? Did Wales offer a glimpse of optimism? And is Gregor Townsend still the man for Scotland? Chris, Tom and Gareth r...

The Autumn Debrief

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Who were the big winners and losers this autumn? Ugo, Danny and Chris reflect on what we’ve learnt this November. Who has progressed and who has reg...

England survive Argentina scare for 11th straight win

23 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

England completed their first four-Test autumn clean sweep since 2016 with a nervy win over Argentina. Chris, Ashy and Paul Grayson praise England for...

The Nations Pod

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's Nations Pod time and for the second week in a row Tom is reeling from another painful defeat for Scotland. After the capitulation against Argenti...

Comebacks and Capitulations

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are England now ready to win silverware? Why do Scotland keep choking on the big stage? Does the new Nations Championship devalue the World Cup? There...

England topple the All Blacks for 10th straight win

15 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris is with Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson to bring you reaction to England's first victory over the All Blacks at home in 13 years. We chat to the su...

The Nations Pod

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Nations Pod time ahead of the third weekend of the autumn internationals. Tom is still reeling from Scotland’s narrow defeat by New Zealand, ...

Ford and Steward return as England load the bench again

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are England capable of beating the All Blacks for the first time since 2019? And is this side ready to take a big scalp? Ashy and Chris head to the En...

'Boks Office' drama in Paris and England's quest for 10

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris, Ugo and Danny unpick a jam-packed weekend of autumn rugby. The Springboks storm Paris with 14 men for another statement win. Are they the clear...

England see off dangerous Fiji to set up All Blacks clash

08 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

England have now won nine Test matches in a row after they finished strongly to beat Fiji 38-18 in Twickenham and set up a huge meeting with New Zeala...

The Nations Pod

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is Saturday’s game at Murrayfield Scotland’s best ever opportunity to beat the All Blacks? And what would count as a good autumn for Wales? Just s...

The 'Pom Squad' and Ireland’s Chicago blues

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Which England player is compared to an annoying little brother? Ugo, Danny and Chris praise England's gameplan against Australia and heap praise on Sa...

England battle past 'woeful' Australia

01 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

England begin their autumn campaign with victory over Australia and extend their winning run to eight matches. Chris is back on the pod with Ashy and ...

Inside England with Itoje, Ford and Wiggy

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Danny and Sara take the pod inside England's training base to preview their opening match of the autumn against Australia. Maro Itoje reflects on a me...

Caluori's call-up and chubby club

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Noah Caluori's meteoric rise continues after being named in England's squad for the autumn internationals. Ashy and Ugo discuss his inclusion and if i...

Emily Scarratt special

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sara sits down with England great Emily Scarratt to reflect on her illustrious career. After 17 years, two World Cups wins, 11 Six Nations title, a Wo...

Caluori's five-star display and Willis walks

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It was a dream weekend for Saracens' Noah Caluori. After scoring a remarkable five tries on Saturday, he was called up to train with the England senio...

Andy Farrell special

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We reunite two of Wigan's most famous sons for a special episode of the pod. Ashy chats to Andy Farrell about his new autobiography ‘The Only Way I ...

Derby weekend, trolling and R360

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Danny, Ugo and Ashy review an action-packed derby weekend. Has Marcus Smith played his way into contention at fly-half this autumn? We also pick our E...

Comebacks, rebrands and an Ash Splash

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Danny makes his long-awaited pod return as he joins Ashy and Ugo to review the opening round of the Prem season. Have Bath already underlined their cr...

Inside England’s World Cup-winning party

28 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sara sits down with England captain Zoe Aldcroft - and the World Cup trophy - to hear all about the Red Roses’ celebrations after beating Canada on ...

England v Canada: World Cup final preview

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

England or Canada – who will be crown world champions on Saturday? Ugo, Sara and Claire look ahead to Saturday's World Cup final at Twickenham. Worl...

Barely Rugby: Tattoos, thongs and awards

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Harriet heads into the England camp to catch up with Hannah ahead of the World Cup final. Meg is tied up with interviews after being nominated for Wor...

Will Canada spoil England’s World Cup party?

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is this the biggest match in the history of the women's game in England? With the World Cup final just days away, Sara is alongside 2014 World Cup win...

The BIG Prem Preview: Part Two

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There's a big Lions feel to the second part of our Prem rugby pod. Ashy and Sara speak to new Leicester DOR Geoff Parling fresh from coaching the Wall...

England are in the World Cup final!

20 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Red Roses will play Canada in the World Cup final after they battled past a stubborn French side in Bristol. Sara is joined by 2014 World Cup winn...

Will England make the World Cup final?

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ugo, Sara and Claire Thomas look ahead to England's semi-final against France in Bristol. Will the Red Roses make it 17 in a row against France and re...

The BIG Prem Preview: Part One

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The new Prem rugby season is almost upon us! Ashy and Sara head to the launch at Twickenham to catch up with someone from every club ahead of the big ...

Barely Rugby: Injuries, manifesting & dinner roulette

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this final episode of the mini-series Meg and Hannah put Harriet to the test - to see how much she has actually learnt about rugby! Talk turns to ...

Inside England with Blackett and Chessum

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

England’s new attack coach Lee Blackett chats to Ashy and Sara from the team’s training camp at Pennyhill Park. He explains why the time with Engl...

Women's Rugby World Cup: The quarter-final debrief!

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

And then there were four! Sara and Ugo reflect on the World Cup quarter-finals in Bristol and Exeter as England, France, New Zealand and Canada all bo...

Women’s Rugby World Cup: It's quarter-final time!

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s World Cup quarter-final weekend, Ugo and Sara preview to Sunday’s matches in Bristol and Exeter – and the weather! Can Scotland beat Englan...

Barely Rugby: Dating, crazy golf & app mishaps

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On episode four of Barely Rugby Harriet, Meg and Hannah chat everything dating - from going out with fellow rugby players, advice for all the single l...

Barely Rugby: Van life, dogs & colouring by numbers

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On episode three of the pod Harriet digs deep into the lives of Hannah and Meg before their actual day jobs as professional rugby players! Meg tells ...

Wales out of World Cup but England and Scotland progress

30 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ugo, Sara, Katy Daley-McLean and Philippa Tuttiett reflect on a mixed day for the home nations at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. England and Scotland ...

Women’s Rugby World Cup: Thrive to survive

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can Wales shock Canada this weekend? Will Scotland and Ireland book their place in the quarter-finals? Sara and Philippa Tuttiett look ahead to a huge...

Barely Rugby: Touring, dirty bingo & Harry Potter

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of the pod Harriet gets some insight from Hannah and Meg all about life on tour - and secrets will be spilled!Harriet finds out what's...

Women’s Rugby World Cup: The big weekend review

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do Scotland already have one foot in the World Cup quarter-finals? Fran McGhie’s hat-trick inspired the Scots to a record win over Wales in their Wo...

Ilona Maher, LRZ and the 'radical' WRU proposal

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Will cutting two of the four regions save the game in Wales? Ugo chats to Lauren Jenkins about the WRU's radical proposal that has sent shockwaves thr...

Barely Rugby: Stereotypes, celebrity encounters & a zombie apocalypse

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this very first episode of Barely Rugby comedian Harriet Kemsley gets the lowdown on what life is really like for England stars Hannah Botterman an...

The growth of the Women’s World Cup

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With just over a week to go before England host the Women’s Rugby World Cup, how much has changed in the 34 years since Wales hosted the inaugural e...

The big Lions debrief in Sydney

03 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What was the best moment of the 2025 Lions tour? Who should have been crowned player of the series? Chris is joined by Tom English, Lauren Jenkins and...

Listeners' special in Sydney!

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On a filthy Sydney afternoon, we bring together a gang of loyal pod listeners to thrash out some of the major talking points of this Lions tour from a...

'Job done but not complete' - Lions aim for whitewash

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’re podding from the Lions team hotel after Andy Farrell named his squad for the third Test in Sydney. Chris, Ugo and John Barclay discuss the two...

Lions Top 10s: Tours

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

1997 or 1974? Two iconic tours to South Africa, but which one ranks higher? In the final episode of our top 10 series, Lions legends Jamie Roberts and...

Hooper, Itoje and Gilpin in Sydney

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're in Sydney next to the opera house chatting to Wallabies legend Michael Hooper to get his take on THAT clearout and to discuss the health of Auss...

The Nations Pod - Final Test week

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Tom have made it to Sydney for final Test week and GRO is back in the Nations pod squad having been declared fit for selection. There is lot...

Can the Lions seal the series or will we get a decider?

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can Australia bounce back at the famous MCG to level the series? Or will the Lions clinch a second successive series down under? With nine Irishman in...

Ringrose out but nine Irishmen start at the MCG

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris, Ugo and John Barclay react to Andy Farrell's team for the second Test against Australia. There's no Sione Tuipulotu or Garry Ringrose as Huw Jo...

The Nations Pod - Melbourne Test week

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Will Andy Farrell make big changes for the second Test? Will the fitness of Joe McCarthy force his hand? Lauren steps in for GRO this week as we are f...

Lions Top 10s: Test match animals

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Who are the players that reached another level when they pulled on the Lions jersey? Who became more synonymous with the Lions than they did for their...

A Welsh Lion and an English Wallaby

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The first Test in Brisbane is almost upon us! Can Australia defy the odds and shock the Lions at their spiritual home? Chris catches up with Lions leg...

The Lions team is out!

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Ugo are in Brisbane as Andy Farrell names his long-awaited Lions Test team. There are some big selection calls in the back row as Farrell we...

The Nations Pod - Brisbane Test week

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tom has managed his first round of golf of the tour and turns up to the pod with news of a hole in one – sort of! GRO is starting to get tour FOMO n...

We're in Brisbane!

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The pod is on the ground in Australia with the Test series days away. Chris and Lauren are joined by Wallaby great Stephen Moore to look ahead to a sp...