Rugby Union Weekly

The Nations Pod

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 loo...

Jersey Boks: Rassie special

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

In Girona with England

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 assis...

Warren's Wales and fantastic Falcons

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 h...

Women's Rugby World Cup draw at The One Show!

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Slade takes centre stage in England squad

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

Derby Weekend and the Bristol Haaland

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Johnny Sexton special

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Sexton v Ioane and The Big Lozowski

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 an...

Wonderful Wade and an in-form 9

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Cheika effect and the assist King

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Finn Russell, Mike Brown and a Hollywood A-Lister

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

Merge and conquer?

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 retiremen...

Red Roses special with Marlie and Mo

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 d...

Welcome back part 2: Players special

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Welcome back part 1: Michael Cheika

09 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 si...

10th anniversary: England’s 2014 World Cup win

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Big Season Review

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 exhilara...

Wins, Losses, and Lessons

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Sout...

Another near miss for England

13 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 learnin...

Can England pass rugby’s ultimate test?

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Inside the England camp with Jamie George

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 foo...

The Nations pod

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Eden Park: The All Blacks' fortress

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Zea...

The weekend review with Danny, Ashy and Ugo

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Bl...

A tight, titanic tussle of a test match

06 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 i...

Can England shock the All Blacks in Dunedin?

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

New Zealand's new era

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Nations pod

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 di...

We're in Auckland as Steve Borthwick names his team

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The big summer preview!

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 S...

The HuwRC

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 T...

Inside the Barbarians with Danny, Whitelock and Mercer

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Da...

A Barbarian and a Warrior

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

England summer squad pod

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Saints go marching in

09 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Premiership final: Russell and Lawes

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Premiership final and Farrell's farewell

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The big play-off preview pod

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 wi...

Premiership play-offs: DOR special

27 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Sale Avalanche

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Premiership play-offs and Gnasher the Goldfish

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Sar...

Leinster have it all Toulouse

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 re...

Danny’s discipline and the English Wallaby

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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? E...

1994 World Cup Special: 30 years on

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 da...

The Top 4 and the Top 9s

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

All aboard the Quins rollercoaster

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Danny: 101 and out

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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, t...

Nations Pod: The final word

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 dese...

The big Six Nations review!

17 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Ireland win back-to-back Six Nations titles

17 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Will it be a Super Saturday?

16 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 lea...

We're in Dublin and Lyon!

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Rivalries: France v England

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 br...

All over for round four!

10 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Wa...

England drop for glory once more

09 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Jones, Matt Dawson, Paul Grayson & Tommy Bowe reflect on England's shock win over Ireland. The team discuss what was a 'bouncing gantry' as ...

Can England stop the Irish juggernaut?

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With the Irish a bonus point victory away from another Six Nations title, Chris is at Twickenham chatting to The 42’s Murray Kinsella. They discuss ...

Danny joins England's 100 club

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After 16 years on the international scene, Danny is set to win his 100th England cap this weekend. Chris and Ashy chat to him about the highs and lows...

The Rivalries: England v Ireland

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest episode of our rivalries series, Jamie Heaslip chats to Chris about the battles between England and Ireland down the years and how the r...

The Rivalries: Ireland v Wales

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Has the success of Ireland and Wales in the Six Nations era created a rivalry between these two Celtic nations? Sara chats to Shane Horgan and Tom Sha...

The Rivalries: Scotland v England

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Having been involved in 20 Calcutta Cups as either a player or a coach, Gregor Townsend knows a thing or two about out this famous fixture and why it ...

Weekend 1 Review with Warburton and Barclay

04 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sam Warburton and John Barclay join Chris and Ugo to look back on a brilliant opening weekend to the 6 Nations. Plus Jonathan Davies is a special gues...

Captain Ant and Dec

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris heads to Girona to sit down with Danny and the new England captain Jamie George. The pair explain why they have had to relinquish their roles on...

The Big Six Nations Preview – part 2

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The big names keep coming on the Daily as we are joined by a trio of head coaches in Gregor Townsend, Andy Farrell and Steve Borthwick, as well as Mic...

The Big Six Nations Preview – part 1

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Six Nations week, and the Rugby Union Daily is back! On the first of our bumper preview pods, Chris speaks to Wales boss Warren Gatland, new Sc...

Lions Special: Andy Farrell named head coach

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ugo and Sara chat to Andy Farrell on the day he is named head coach of the British & Irish Lions for the tour of Australia in 2025. He explains wh...

Wayne Barnes on the sofa

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Wayne Barnes, one of the greatest rugby referees in history, joins Chris, Ugo and Ashy on the sofa. Barnes retired from officiating after taking charg...

Matt Dawson meets Martin Johnson: 20 years on (Part 2)

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In part two of this special look back at England's World Cup triumph, Martin Johnson and Matt Dawson look back at that dramatic final in Sydney 20 yea...

Matt Dawson meets Martin Johnson: 20 years on

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Two of England's heroes from 2003, Matt Dawson and Martin Johnson, look back at their World Cup triumph 20 years on. In part one, they chart England's...

Rugby World Cup Top Tens: 6. Tries

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How many of Bryan’s record-equalling 15 World Cup tries feature in this episode’s top ten World Cup tries? How much will the great Jonah Lomu domi...

Rugby World Cup Top Tens: 5. Teams

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nine sides have won the World Cup – which one was best? Does the best team always win it? Who’s the best side never to win it? Those are the quest...

Rugby World Cup Top Tens: 4. Moments

03 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Moments make World Cups. Whether it be a trophy lift, a drop goal or an individual piece of individual skill, Chris Jones, Matt Dawson and Bryan Haban...

Rugby World Cup Top Tens: 3. Controversies

03 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, World Cups are remembered for their off-field moments more than what took place on the field. And it’s those controversies that Matt Daws...

Rugby World Cup Top Tens: 2. Upsets

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

No World Cup is complete without an upset. And that is the subject Chris Jones, Matt Dawson and Bryan Habana tackle in this episode. Does Japan beatin...

Rugby World Cup Top Tens: 1. Captains

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

World Cup winners Matt Dawson and Bryan Habana join Chris Jones to rank their greatest World Cup captains. Find out whether Bryan has the 1995 South A...

Coaches Special

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of the Premiership semi-finals, Chris sits down with the four directors of rugby for a special bonus podcast. Mark McCall, Richard Wigglesworth,...

Ashy the centurion!

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a special pod as Ashy celebrates becoming the first player to reach 100 Premiership tries! Danny and Ugo quiz him on what it means to finally rea...

Sarah Hunter special

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sara Orchard sits down with England’s most capped player, Sarah Hunter as she retires from the game of rugby union. The Six Nations match in her hom...

Finn Russell Special

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ugo and Chris take the pod to Edinburgh and go inside the Scotland camp to chat to Finn Russell. He talks about his favourite pre-match meals, reveals...

Shaun Edwards Special

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

He's won Grand Slams with Wales and France, two Champions Cups and four Premiership titles. He's gone from Wigan, via Wales, to Perpignan in the south...

Six Nations Captains Special

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode is all about the Six Nations captains. Ugo Monye and Chris Jones chat to Johnny Sexton, Owen Farrell, Ken Owens, Michele Lamaro, Jam...

A tribute to Doddie Weir

26 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Jones, Andy Nicol and Paul Grayson pay tribute to one of the greats of Scottish rugby, Doddie Weir, who’s died at the age of 52 following his ...

Dan Biggar Special

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ugo and Chris take a trip along the M4 to bring you a special pod with Wales centurion Dan Biggar. He chats about his move to Toulon and learning Fren...

Six Nations Greatest: Coaches

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What makes a great coach? Is silverware all that matters? In the final episode of the series Danny Care and Sam Warburton rank the greatest coaches of...

Six Nations Greatest: Try Scorers

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Who is the greatest try scorer in the Six Nations era? Should it be based purely on numbers and statistics or is it about quality over quantity? Forme...

Six Nations Greatest: Stadiums

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week Sam Warburton and Danny Care must choose their favourite Six Nations stadium. They've got the six current grounds to debate and rate them ba...

Six Nations Greatest: Matches

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sam Warburton and Danny Care are back, and this time they're ranking the greatest ever Six Nations matches. Danny's favourite match doesn't make the s...

Six Nations Greatest: Captains

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Who is the greatest captain of the Six Nations era? Grand Slam winners Sam Warburton and Danny Care have joined forces to pick their top six captains ...

Warburton’s Lions Legends: Paul O'Connell

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the final episode Sam Warburton speaks to his former Lions team mate Paul O'Connell, who played in three Test series and captained the Lions in 200...

Warburton’s Lions Legends: Martin Johnson

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sam Warburton and Martin Johnson are the only players to captain the British & Irish Lions on back-to-back tours. So for this episode they sat dow...

Warburton’s Lions Legends: Gavin Hastings

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sam Warburton chats to Gavin Hastings, one of the greatest Scottish players to ever represent the British & Irish Lions. In 1989, Gavin helped the...

Warburton’s Lions Legends: Sir Gareth Edwards

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the first episode of this new series, Sam Warburton speaks to Sir Gareth Edwards about his remarkable career with the British & Irish Lions. Ga...

Rugby and dementia

10 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A special podcast looking at the issue of dementia in rugby. Ugo Monye, Matt Dawson and Chris Jones speak to former Wales flanker Alix Popham who is o...

Rugby and race

09 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ugo Monye and Chris Jones are joined by England and Saracens lock Maro Itoje to discuss race in rugby. We also chat to Anthony Watson, Christian Wade,...

Saracens Special

20 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ugo and Chris are at Allianz Park for a special podcast to discuss the biggest story in club rugby history. With Saracens’ relegation from the Premi...