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The Offside Line Podcast: The First for Scottish Rugby
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The Offside Line Podcast: The First for Scottish Rugby

Author: David Barnes & Peter Burns

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© David Barnes & Peter Burns

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Welcome to the Offside Line Podcast with your hosts Peter Burns and David Barnes.


In this weekly show we examine all aspects of Scottish rugby, from the grassroots level to the Test arena, and discuss the goings on in the wider global game – helped by a regular panel of special guests and featuring exclusive interviews. 


David Barnes has worked as a freelance rugby journalist since 2004 covering every level of the game in Scotland for publications including The Herald/Sunday Herald, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, The Scotsman/Scotland on Sunday/Evening News, The Daily Record, The Daily Mail/Mail on Sunday and The Sun. He established the Offside Line in 2016 to provide high-quality, independent and up-to-date coverage of all aspects of Scottish rugby.


In 2005 he co-authored Jim Renwick’s autobiography, Centre of Excellence, and in 2008 was shortlisted for Rugby Book of the Year at the British Sports Book Awards for The Accies: The Cradle of Scottish Rugby. He is the co-author of the critically acclaimed Behind the Thistle: Playing Rugby for Scotland and Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British & Irish Lions.



Peter Burns is a William Hill Sportsbook of the Year shortlisted author and the managing director of Polaris Publishing Ltd. He has written eleven sports books, including Behind the Thistle: Playing Rugby for Scotland, This is Murrayfield: 100 Years of History in 100 Matches, Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British & Irish Lions, This is Your Everest: The Lions, the Springboks and the Epic Tour of 1997, When Lions Roared: The Lions, the All Blacks and the Legendary Tour of 1971 and The Men in the Arena: England, Australia and the Battle for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He is also the author of the forthcoming children's book series, Shadow Thieves.


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108 Episodes
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Clubhouse: Arnold Clark Men's Premiership round five preview

Clubhouse: Arnold Clark Men's Premiership round five preview

2026-09-2443:59

Barney has gone golfing so Iain Heard - former referee turned pundit and champion of the club game - steps into the breach, and there's some big games in the Premiership to look forward to this coming weekend, including Ayr taking their long winning streak on the road to Goldenacre where Heriot's await in what looks like being game of the day.Meanwhile Glasgow Hawks host Hawick at the other end of the table, there's a capital derby between Currie Chieftains and Edinburgh Accies at Malleny Park, in-formMelrose welcome Watsonians to the Greenyards, and it's GHA versus Kelso at Braidholm.There's also a top of the table clash in National One with second in the league Gala hoping to burst Stirling County's unbeaten bubble at Netherdale.And there's a fair old battle on the cards in the north with National Two leaders Highland heading to Countesswells to take on third placed Gordonians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Struth Be Told: Edinburgh Rugby’s New Season

Struth Be Told: Edinburgh Rugby’s New Season

2026-09-2243:45

With the URC kicking off this weekend, Barney and Burnsy popped into the Edinburgh Rugby offices at Murrayfield to catch up with the club's managing director, Doug Struth, for a wide-ranging chat. Including: David Nucifora's role in recruiting three Australian assistant coaches this summer, why Jamie Ritchie heading to Glasgow was a surprise but not a disaster and the importance of A team games.There has been 60 percent turnover in rugby-facing staff over the summer, and Struth says there is a fresh buzz about the club ... but will that be evident against Ulster on Friday night? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Clubhouse: Arnold Clark Men's Premiership round four preview

Clubhouse: Arnold Clark Men's Premiership round four preview

2026-09-1740:50

Some huge games on the menu this weekend with Heriots' trip to the Greenyards to take on Melrose in a clash of two of the form teams in the league perhaps match of the day, although the basement battle between Edinburgh Accies and Glasgow Hawks could also be a gripping encounter.Barney, Stuart and Robin get together to look ahead at another exciting weekend of action in the top flight of men's club rugby in Scotland, and they also hear from Stirling County head coach Bob Mckillop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What is the purpose of the Premiership? Can Scotland Women bounce back from Canada loss?

What is the purpose of the Premiership? Can Scotland Women bounce back from Canada loss?

2026-09-1441:19

Burnsy is on a mini-tour of the UK this week but has found the time to catch up with Barney to digest last weekend's Arnold Clark Premiership action and to discuss the importance of Murrayfield showing a bit more love and respect for this top tier of the club game in Scotland as it needs to be an essential step in the performance pathway for the long term health of the game.The boys are also joined by Stuart Bathgate to catch-up on Scotland's WXV campaign, which kicked off with a heavy defeat to Canada at Hive Stadium on Saturday. Dave Butcher's side appear to be low on confidence but is there light at the end of the tunnel?This podcast is sponsored by Kudos Sports Services.Kudos Sports Services supports grassroots and community sports clubs with the work that happens off the pitch. From funding applications and sponsorship to club development, governance and project planning, Kudos helps clubs turn ideas into practical, fundable projects. If your club needs support to become more sustainable or develop its next project, visit kudossportsservices.com or follow Kudos Sports Services on LinkedIn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Clubhouse: Arnold Clark Men's Premiership round three preview

Clubhouse: Arnold Clark Men's Premiership round three preview

2026-09-1045:22

Unbeaten sides Currie Chieftains and Melrose meet at Malleny, Hawick head into the lions den to face Ayr at Millbrae, Kelso are missing their two co-captains for a tough trip to Goldenacre to take on Heriot's, GHA and Edinburgh Accies each hunt their first win of the season at Braidholm and the guys anticipate a tight clash at Balgray when Glasgow Hawks host Watsonians.Meanwhile, National One is shaping up a real battle, with every team capable of beating any other side in the league ... apart from Stirling County, maybe?And there's a top of the Arnold Clark Women's Premiership table clash at Bridgehaugh with Stirling County hosting Watsonians, and both teams coming off big wins last weekend.This week we’re sponsored by Sterling Sinclair Group. As the undisputed masters of the Scottish self-storage and removals industry, the Sterling Sinclair Group delivers a complete one-stop shop experience across the nation. Through their strategic facilities – Perth Self Store, Edinburgh Self Store, and Stirling Self Storage – they provide secure, flexible space for every need. This expertise is seamlessly supported by Sterling Sinclair's premier fleet of 19 specialist vehicles, ensuring professional packing, removal, and shipping services. Furthermore, their Hiab Container Scotland division completes their comprehensive service by expertly selling and moving shipping containers throughout Scotland. Find all the details at sterlingsinclairremovals.co.uk which includes their storage options. https://www.sterlingsinclairremovals.co.ukhttps://www.hiabcontainerscotland.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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