HG Rugby

Good morning! happy Friday! on the agenda: RFU Civil war continues Joe Schmidt replaces himself PAC4 preview Super Rugby preview Transfers Listener's moments of the week if you enjoy the show please consider giving it a 5 star rating and sharing a link with a mate. cheers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last weekend, Wales took on the World Champion Springboks of South Africa in Cardiff for what was one of the most controversial games in the nation's history. Devoid of their best players and playing against a backdrop of infighting, upheaval and public apathy, Wales were lambs to the slaughter up against a phenomenal opponent who crushed them ruthlessly. It was not more than the Welsh public predicted; The WRU have presided over a period of turmoil and trauma in recent times as they announced one of the URC Regions is to be cut - but we don't know which. Combined with just 2 wins in 23 games since the last World Cup and fans are ready to walk away. In this video I tell the story of the game - the build up, the controversy, the fear and the trauma. #rugby #Wales #southafrica #springboks #cardiff #welshrugby #documentary #history #news Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 The Most Miserable Test Match In Rugby History? Watching South Africa Destroy Wales. Chapters 0:00 The Controversy 1:56 The Misery 3:19 The Decline 4:36 The Analysis 6:44 The Game 8:32 The Aftermath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we break down how Ronan O'Gara has gotten himself in line for yet another ban in the TOP 14 following La Rochelle's defeat to Pau. We also chat about Antoine Dupont's long awaited return and the latest magic by Matthieu Jalibert! Welcome to the TOP 14 Digest! This weekly podcast captures all of the news and results in the world of rugby’s biggest club competition: the French Top 14 - Huw and Maz bring English language coverage of all of the biggest talking points in France: games, gossip, controversies and climaxes. From Paris to Perpignan, we’ve got it covered! What’s new with Toulouse? What did Dupont do this week? Is there trouble in Toulon? Has Ronan O’Gara gotten banned at La Rochelle again? Have UBB got what it takes? What did Jacky Lorenzetti at Racing 92 just say? Why are Stade Francais in the news this week? If you like the sound of that please consider giving the channel a subscribe and sharing a link with a mate. Those of you listening on audio formats can help out by giving us a 5 star review - that tells the money people we are liked! #top14 #france #rugby #toulouse #bordeaux #larochelle #stadefrancais #podcast #news #drama #highlights Follow Maz on twitter: https://x.com/mazmcm Follow Huw on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow the podcast on twitter: https://x.com/RugbyVous Louis Bielle-Biarrey PROVES He's The World's Best! Chapters: 0:00 TOP 14 Results 3:10 Clermont vs Stade Francais 8:35 Insane Head Butt 11:35 Antoine Dupont Return 15:10 ROG Drama 22:55 Jalibert Insanity 25:20 TICKET GIVEAWAY 28:10 Pita Ahki Tribute 31:40 Champions Cup Preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ireland have been experiencing a golden age of rugby, but now their fans are starting to get angry - why? Is it just because results have started to turn, and if so what are the reasons for that? I was joined by my friend and colleague Caolan Scully to debate Andy Farrell's position as Ireland coach. We look at Ireland's tactics and ask if they have gotten stale before reviewing Andy Farrell's decisions not just regarding selection but also in his backroom staff. Have mistakes been made and if so, were they avoidable? We then get into the provinces - are Leinster being hurt by Ireland's over reliance on them? Are Munster back? What of Ulster and Connacht this season? Plus: reacting to the latest women's rugby contracts. #ireland #rugby #irish #debate #podcast #leinster #munster #connacht #ulster Why Ireland Can't Compete Anymore. Chapters 0:00 The Dissatisfaction 3:00 Schmidt Hangover 7:30 Stale Coaching Staff 12:20 The PR Struggle 16:40 Stubborn Farrell 20:45 The Leinster Problem 26:27 No New Talent? 30:48 Representation MATTERS 36:34 Provincial Performances 43:45 Constant Injuries 48:37 Rugby Journalism In Ireland Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we review France's thrilling win over Australia and talk about yet another majestic performance from French star winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey! We also look at how they solved their problem position and review the latest round of the TOP 14! Welcome to the TOP 14 Digest! This weekly podcast captures all of the news and results in the world of rugby’s biggest club competition: the French Top 14 - Huw and Maz bring English language coverage of all of the biggest talking points in France: games, gossip, controversies and climaxes. From Paris to Perpignan, we’ve got it covered! What’s new with Toulouse? What did Dupont do this week? Is there trouble in Toulon? Has Ronan O’Gara gotten banned at La Rochelle again? Have UBB got what it takes? What did Jacky Lorenzetti at Racing 92 just say? Why are Stade Francais in the news this week? If you like the sound of that please consider giving the channel a subscribe and sharing a link with a mate. Those of you listening on audio formats can help out by giving us a 5 star review - that tells the money people we are liked! #top14 #france #rugby #toulouse #bordeaux #larochelle #stadefrancais #podcast #news #drama #highlights Follow Maz on twitter: https://x.com/mazmcm Follow Huw on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow the podcast on twitter: https://x.com/RugbyVous Chapters: 0:00 UBB vs Pau 5:30 Stade Français vs Toulon 7:30 France vs Australia 13:50 LBB Sensation 18:40 Problem Solved 22:05 Ronan O'Gara Gossip 27:00 Perpignan Fanny 29:00 Elite 1 Update 31:00 TICKET GIVEAWAY 32:55 Fijian of the Week 34:50 TOP 14 Predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 24 teams for the Rugby World Cup in 2027 are locked in. In this podcast we deep dive the T2 nations who will play at the World Cup, how they got there and what comes next. We Also react to the news of the nations championship being created by world rugby and rebate the pros and cons of the 24 team World Cup. I was joined by journalist Joe Santamaria to discuss the state of T2 rugby. We looked at Samoa's FQT win that secured their spot at the World Cup, felt sorry for Belgium, went off on tangents about South American rugby and debated Georgia's continued exclusion from the T1 table. #rugby #podcast #worldcup #debate #samoa #georgia #springboks #podcast #FQT #qualification #worldrugby #belgium Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Rugby's T2 Nations Are Struggling. Rugby's Big Debate: Have They Ruined The World Cup? Why World Rugby's New Plans Are Unfair. Chapters 0:00 Brazil Controversy 11:22 Rise of Belgium 13:20 Thrilling Chile 19:00 Thoughts on FQT 24:00 Samoa Survive 30:30 World Cup Draw Preview 34:45 The PROBLEM 43:55 World Rugby Got This RIGHT 49:25 Rugby Climate Crisis 54:00 USA Resentment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we review France's hard fought victory over Fiji and analyse why they found it such a difficult game. Have France gone backwards? or are Fiji good enough to trouble any team? We also get all the latest from the Top14 and catch up on the latest gossip! Welcome to the TOP 14 Digest! This weekly podcast captures all of the news and results in the world of rugby’s biggest club competition: the French Top 14 - Huw and Maz bring English language coverage of all of the biggest talking points in France: games, gossip, controversies and climaxes. From Paris to Perpignan, we’ve got it covered! What’s new with Toulouse? What did Dupont do this week? Is there trouble in Toulon? Has Ronan O’Gara gotten banned at La Rochelle again? Have UBB got what it takes? What did Jacky Lorenzetti at Racing 92 just say? Why are Stade Francais in the news this week? If you like the sound of that please consider giving the channel a subscribe and sharing a link with a mate. Those of you listening on audio formats can help out by giving us a 5 star review - that tells the money people we are liked! #top14 #france #rugby #toulouse #bordeaux #larochelle #stadefrancais #podcast #news #drama #highlights Follow Maz on twitter: https://x.com/mazmcm Follow Huw on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow the podcast on twitter: https://x.com/RugbyVous Chapters: 0:00 Thoughts on the game 8:40 Stats Analysis 11:27 Selection Debates 16:40 Fiji Are GOOD 20:15 TICKET GIVEAWAY 22:45 Huge ProD2 Game 24:40 Top 14 Predictions 28:50 Calendar CONTROVERSY 32:45 Australia Prediction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England vs New Zealand brought Scott Robertson's 3rd defeat of 2025 as All Blacks coach. For any other side, that record would be acceptable - but not for New Zealand. In this video I explain what I think New Zealand are doing right and what they are doing wrong. I deep dive the stats to seek the answers on what makes them different from everyone else and what tactics they are using - and not using - so far in 2025. Finally, I'll give my verdict on if Razor needs more time... #newzealand #allblacks #rugby #analysis #stats #tactics #coaching #data #debate #england #springboks #southafrica Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Chapters 0:00 Winning Record 0:58 Secret Stat 2:55 Underlying Problems 5:29 My Verdict Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we review France's defeat at the hands of South African: deep diving the stats, tactics and biggest talking points from France vs Springboks in the 2025 November internationals. We also catch up with the latest from the Top 14 and look ahead the the big French game against Fiji. Welcome to the TOP 14 Digest! This weekly podcast captures all of the news and results in the world of rugby’s biggest club competition: the French Top 14 - Huw and Maz bring English language coverage of all of the biggest talking points in France: games, gossip, controversies and climaxes. From Paris to Perpignan, we’ve got it covered! What’s new with Toulouse? What did Dupont do this week? Is there trouble in Toulon? Has Ronan O’Gara gotten banned at La Rochelle again? Have UBB got what it takes? What did Jacky Lorenzetti at Racing 92 just say? Why are Stade Francais in the news this week? If you like the sound of that please consider giving the channel a subscribe and sharing a link with a mate. Those of you listening on audio formats can help out by giving us a 5 star review - that tells the money people we are liked! #top14 #france #rugby #toulouse #bordeaux #larochelle #stadefrancais #podcast #news #drama #highlights Follow Maz on twitter: https://x.com/mazmcm Follow Huw on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow the podcast on twitter: https://x.com/RugbyVous Chapters: 0:00 Thoughts on the game 5:50 Stats Analysis 10:20 Tactical Mistakes 18:55 Pressure on Galthie 24:40 Bayonne Coaching Gossip 27:55 TICKET GIVEAWAY 30:15 Toulon vs La Rochelle 33:40 France vs Fiji Preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A monthly show rounding up the biggest rugby union transfer new & gossip. This month we are talking about: - Tom Willis walks out on England - Ilona Maher's Next Move - Why I'm upset with Wales' best player For all you rugby transfer news follow this twitter account: https://x.com/rugby_hub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we pick our combined France v South Africa team ahead of the huge match between Le Bleu and the Springboks this weekend. We also talk all the latest results and drama from the Top 14 including what Ronan O'Gara has said now! Welcome to the TOP 14 Digest! This weekly podcast captures all of the news and results in the world of rugby’s biggest club competition: the French Top 14 - Huw and Maz bring English language coverage of all of the biggest talking points in France: games, gossip, controversies and climaxes. From Paris to Perpignan, we’ve got it covered! What’s new with Toulouse? What did Dupont do this week? Is there trouble in Toulon? Has Ronan O’Gara gotten banned at La Rochelle again? Have UBB got what it takes? What did Jacky Lorenzetti at Racing 92 just say? Why are Stade Francais in the news this week? If you like the sound of that please consider giving the channel a subscribe and sharing a link with a mate. Those of you listening on audio formats can help out by giving us a 5 star review - that tells the money people we are liked! #top14 #france #rugby #toulouse #bordeaux #larochelle #stadefrancais #podcast #news #drama #highlights Follow Maz on twitter: https://x.com/mazmcm Follow Huw on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow the podcast on twitter: https://x.com/RugbyVous Chapters: 0:00 Top 14 Results 3:10 Toulouse vs Stade Francais 5:55 Pau vs Perpignan 11:05 Montpellier vs Clermont 13:25 ROG Rants Again 16:25 Bayonne vs Montauban 19:20 Toulon vs Lyon 21:00 Fijian of the Week 23:10 France x South Africa Combined XV 42:30 Predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The man who replaced Antoine Dupont for France - UBB's Maxime Lucu - is BACk! He captained his side to a thumping win over Bayonne in the Top 14 this weekend and his fellow French stars shone brighter for him being there. We deep dive that game along with Toulouse vs Toulon and Montauban vs Perpignan in this week's Top 14 Digest Podcast! Welcome to the TOP 14 Digest! This weekly podcast captures all of the news and results in the world of rugby’s biggest club competition: the French Top 14 - Huw and Maz bring English language coverage of all of the biggest talking points in France: games, gossip, controversies and climaxes. From Paris to Perpignan, we’ve got it covered! What’s new with Toulouse? What did Dupont do this week? Is there trouble in Toulon? Has Ronan O’Gara gotten banned at La Rochelle again? Have UBB got what it takes? What did Jacky Lorenzetti at Racing 92 just say? Why are Stade Francais in the news this week? If you like the sound of that please consider giving the channel a subscribe and sharing a link with a mate. Those of you listening on audio formats can help out by giving us a 5 star review - that tells the money people we are liked! #top14 #france #rugby #toulouse #bordeaux #larochelle #stadefrancais #podcast #news #drama #highlights Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Zimbabwe Sables are back at the rugby World Cup! In this podcast I was delighted to be joined by both Zimbabwe's captain Hilton Mudariki and their head coach Pieter Bernade to talk about all things Sables The guys tell me how they went 2 years without playing a match to winning back to back Rugby Africa titles and qualifying for Australia 2027, the truth about Zimbabwean club rugby, what it means to represent their country on the world stage and how they want to face when they get to the World Cup. It was a wonderful conversation and I hope you enjoy it! #rugby #zimbabwe #sables #worldcup #africa #interview #history #skills #inspiration Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Chapters 0:00 The Success Story 3:55 What Zimbabwe Got Right 8:15 Zimbabwean In Jersey 9:50 Club Rugby In Zimbabwe 15:13 Bringing Players Home 22:12 Zimbabwe Rugby Culture 24:46 The Game Plan 35:30 Rugby Inspirations 40:18 Thoughts on Namibia 43:20 What's Next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fabien Galthié has a huge dilemma for choosing his France squad - not just for the test match against the Springboks, but for the summer tours next year in the latest French rugby gossip! we also deep dive round 8 of the Top 14 including Pau beating Toulouse, Welcome to the TOP 14 Digest! This weekly podcast captures all of the news and results in the world of rugby’s biggest club competition: the French Top 14 - Huw and Maz bring English language coverage of all of the biggest talking points in France: games, gossip, controversies and climaxes. From Paris to Perpignan, we’ve got it covered! What’s new with Toulouse? What did Dupont do this week? Is there trouble in Toulon? Has Ronan O’Gara gotten banned at La Rochelle again? Have UBB got what it takes? What did Jacky Lorenzetti at Racing 92 just say? Why are Stade Francais in the news this week? If you like the sound of that please consider giving the channel a subscribe and sharing a link with a mate. Those of you listening on audio formats can help out by giving us a 5 star review - that tells the money people we are liked! #top14 #france #rugby #toulouse #bordeaux #larochelle #stadefrancais #podcast #news #drama #highlights Follow Maz on twitter: https://x.com/mazmcm Follow Huw on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow the podcast on twitter: https://x.com/RugbyVous Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the incredible story of James O'Connor: from being super rugby's youngest ever player, through starting against the Lions, exile in France, arrests, injuries and beating the Springboks - this has to be the craziest career story in rugby union. In this video I tell the tales of James O'Connor from his rise as a wallabies wonderkid to his shock return in 2025 and everything in between. The video covers topics some viewers might find triggering, person discretion advised. #rugby #australia #documentary #lions #allblacks #springboks #biography #history #worldcup Is This Rugby's Most INSANE Career Story? Follow me on Twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Chapters 0:00 Wonderkid 1:30 Exile 2:43 Failed Comeback 1 3:10 Dark Times 5:37 Comeback 2 7:42 Burnout 8:46 Comeback 3 10:22 Comeback King Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe Simmonds is playing exceptionally well for Section Paloise AKA Pau! in this week's episodes we talk about his latest top moments in Pau vs Bayonne in the French Top 14 and deep dive the drama that was Toulouse vs UBB with the help of stats and highlights! Welcome to the TOP 14 Digest! This weekly podcast captures all of the news and results in the world of rugby’s biggest club competition: the French Top 14 - Huw and Maz bring English language coverage of all of the biggest talking points in France: games, gossip, controversies and climaxes. From Paris to Perpignan, we’ve got it covered! What’s new with Toulouse? What did Dupont do this week? Is there trouble in Toulon? Has Ronan O’Gara gotten banned at La Rochelle again? Have UBB got what it takes? What did Jacky Lorenzetti at Racing 92 just say? Why are Stade Francais in the news this week? If you like the sound of that please consider giving the channel a subscribe and sharing a link with a mate. Those of you listening on audio formats can help out by giving us a 5 star review - that tells the money people we are liked! #top14 #france #rugby #toulouse #bordeaux #larochelle #stadefrancais #podcast #news #drama #highlights Follow Maz on twitter: https://x.com/mazmcm Follow Huw on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow the podcast on twitter: https://x.com/RugbyVous Chapters: 0:00 Top 14 Results 6:30 Pau vs Bayonne 10:20 Joe Simmonds 17:45 Stade Français vs La Rochelle 21:45 Chabal vs Nonu 24:40 Toulouse vs UBB 30:00 Thibaud Flament 33:30 Elite 1 Update 36:35 Fijian of the Week 37:40 Round 7 Predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last weekend the Springboks from South Africa became back to back Rugby Championship champions by beating Los Pumas of Argentina in a historic match held at London's Allianz Stadium aka Twickenham. I was granted exclusive media access for a being the scenes look at how this game went down: what went right, what went wrong and what did we learn from the Rugby Championship 2025 for both Springboks and Los Pumas? Not only did I get to see the game and meet the likes of Rassie Erasmus, Sita Kolisi and Felipe Contepomi, I got to meet my YouTube heroes like  @8-9Combo  Harry Jones and  @EggchasersRugby  Tim Cocker. It was a wonderful day! #rugby #southafrica #argentina #rugbychampionship #london #behindthescenes #london #champions #documentary Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Chapters 0:00 Lekker Access 1:28 Lekker People 3:36 Lekker Champions 5:11 Lekker Argentina 8:12 Lekker Siya 9:05 Lekker Rassie 9:54 Lekker Contepomi 11:12 Lekker Day Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Louis Bielle-Biarrey cannot stop scoring! the UBB winger keeps breaking records with his 2 tries against Lyon making him their all time top points scorer just days before he was named French international player of the year. Meanwhile, Boris Segonds' Bayonne sunk Romain Ntamack's Toulouse in a thrilling game and Clermont keep dishing out the points for absolutely French rugby fun! Welcome to the TOP 14 Digest! This weekly podcast captures all of the news and results in the world of rugby’s biggest club competition: the French Top 14 - Huw and Maz bring English language coverage of all of the biggest talking points in France: games, gossip, controversies and climaxes. From Paris to Perpignan, we’ve got it covered! What’s new with Toulouse? What did Dupont do this week? Is there trouble in Toulon? Has Ronan O’Gara gotten banned at La Rochelle again? Have UBB got what it takes? What did Jacky Lorenzetti at Racing 92 just say? Why are Stade Francais in the news this week? If you like the sound of that please consider giving the channel a subscribe and sharing a link with a mate. Those of you listening on audio formats can help out by giving us a 5 star review - that tells the money people we are liked! #top14 #france #rugby #toulouse #bordeaux #larochelle #stadefrancais #podcast #news #drama #highlights Follow Maz on twitter: https://x.com/mazmcm Follow Huw on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow the podcast on twitter: https://x.com/RugbyVous Chapters: 0:00 Top 14 Results 4:50 UBB vs Lyon 6:25 Bayonne vs Toulouse 14:25 Perpignan Drama 18:40 Toulouse Sign Menoncello 22:40 Clermont vs Montauban 25:20 Louis Bielle-Biarrey 28:50 Top 14 Awards 32:00 Standings 34:00 Round 6 Predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We need to talk about USA rugby. World Rugby have revealed a plan to invest $250m into rugby in the USA leading up to the host the rugby world cup on 2031. The news comes at a time when Major League Rugby (MLR) is in crisis thanks to teams shutting down & rugby elsewhere on the American continent appears to have overtake the US. So, what's really happening here and what is the real problem? In this podcast I was joined by MLR rugby fan and analyst James Deeley to truly understand what is going on in MLR, how it feeds into the struggles of the US men's Eagles and what needs to change to awake this sleeping giant. We also manage to squeeze in a chat about the Women's Rugby World Cup, how women's rugby is doing in America and what we both love (and hate) about rugby statistics! #usa #rugby #america #rugbyunion #majorleaguerugby #MLR #podcast #analysis #womensrugby #canada Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow James on twitter: https://x.com/JamDelay Chapters 0:00 USA & Canada Women's World Cup 7:00 Canada Men Review 12:35 USA Men Review 18:02 MLR Crisis 26:04 Did MLR Ever Work? 33:30 Thoughts on WER 34:55 Foreigners in MLR Debate 48:34 Join The URC? 51:28 Stats Nerds! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ma'a Nonu was still going for Toulon but it wasn't enough to stop them falling to a dramatic defeat in Bayonne in Round 4 of the Top 14 as Joris Segonds nailed a last minute drop goal. meanwhile, UBB lost in Paris again and Racing's Josua Tuisova continues to just be too good! Welcome to the TOP 14 Digest! This weekly podcast captures all of the news and results in the world of rugby’s biggest club competition: the French Top 14 - Huw and Maz bring English language coverage of all of the biggest talking points in France: games, gossip, controversies and climaxes. From Paris to Perpignan, we’ve got it covered! What’s new with Toulouse? What did Dupont do this week? Is there trouble in Toulon? Has Ronan O’Gara gotten banned at La Rochelle again? Have UBB got what it takes? What did Jacky Lorenzetti at Racing 92 just say? Why are Stade Francais in the news this week? If you like the sound of that please consider giving the channel a subscribe and sharing a link with a mate. Those of you listening on audio formats can help out by giving us a 5 star review - that tells the money people we are liked! #top14 #france #rugby #toulouse #bordeaux #larochelle #stadefrancais #podcast #news #drama #highlights Follow Maz on twitter: https://x.com/mazmcm Follow Huw on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow the podcast on twitter: https://x.com/RugbyVous Chapters: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices