Rugby Union Weekly

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 Argentina he believes now is the time for a new head coach. Wales are off the mark under Steve Tandy, but their issues were still laid bare despite the narrow win over Japan. GRO gives us the lowdown on darts-loving uncapped flanker Harri Deaves who is part of the Wales team tasked with facing the All Blacks. Ireland and South Africa renew their rivalry, England go in search of an 11th successive win and Tom gives reveals his favourite drinking spot in Dublin.

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 is loads to discuss following another eventful weekend and the launch of World Rugby's long-awaited tournament. Ugo, Danny and Ashy debate how far England have come under Steve Borthwick as their winning streak continues. Scotland have another afternoon to forget at Murrayfield. Wales are off the mark under Steve Tandy and Mack Hansen takes centre stage in Dublin after his hat-trick and choice of footwear. Plus, Henry Pollock catches the eye once again for some unusual antics during the haka.

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 superb George Ford who dropped two goals and scored a crucial penalty to help extend their winning run to 10 matches. Is he playing the best rugby of his career? We also hear from Scott Robertson after their Grand Slam hopes were ended and ask where it went wrong for New Zealand. And after only a ninth victory over the All Blacks in 120 years, is this the best win of the Steve Borthwick era?

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, calling it the greatest missed opportunity in Scottish rugby history. But can they respond against the dangerous Pumas? After losing to Argentina in Steve Tandy’s first match in charge, Wales now host Japan in a must-win game, with Gareth not even prepared to countenance a Welsh defeat. We also tackle the latest rugby jargon and ask whether England’s stacked bench will make the difference against the All Blacks.

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 England team hotel and chat to Steve Borthwick about his selection which sees George Ford return at fly-half and Fin Smith drop out of the 23-man squad. They also catch up with Freddie Steward who gives a fascinating insight into dealing with the high ball under the new laws and he gives us a detailed account of how he dislocated his finger against Australia. Chris has also been to see the New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson who wants to deliver a Grand Slam this autumn.

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 World Cup favourites two years out? Scotland fluff their lines yet again, will they ever end their All Blacks hoodoo under Gregor Townsend? England want to make 10 Test wins in a row but have injury concerns to deal with ahead of New Zealand's trip to Twickenham. What did we learn about Steve Tandy's Wales after they were humbled by Argentina? Plus, there was a big win for Italian rugby and more bold predictions for week three.

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 Zealand next weekend. Chris, Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson react on-the-whistle from the Allianz Stadium, and we are also joined by England’s Jamie George and Fiji boss Mick Byrne. How much have England progressed over the past twelve months, and what areas will they need to improve on before next weekend? And who has presented Steve Borthwick with a selection dilemma? We also discuss Scotland’s heartbreaking defeat by the All Blacks and ask what lessons Gregor Townend’s side can take going forward.

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 some of the questions that Chris, Tom and Gareth tackle ahead of busy weekend of rugby. Chris argues that England’s strength in depth is their biggest asset, while Tom has serious concerns that Ireland lack the X factor. And Gareth confesses he’s starting to feel like the third wheel in this pod throuple after missing out on the Lion tour.

Which England player is compared to an annoying little brother? Ugo, Danny and Chris praise England's gameplan against Australia and heap praise on Sale's Tom Roebuck. Was it a red? Should it have even been a yellow? We debate the highly controversial Tadhg Beirne dismissal in Chicago and what went wrong for Ireland in the final 20 minutes as the All Blacks avenged their 2016 loss. We also discuss Antoine Dupont's new Toulouse deal and look ahead to this weekend's matches as the Steve Tandy regime begins. Plus, who should be in the frame for World Player of the Year?

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 Matt Dawson to pick through a contest that was close until the hour mark. What are the big positives for Steve Borthwick and his men? We get the assessment of fly-half George Ford on the match and we discuss why the Wallabies struggled to match their performance at Twickenham this time last year.

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 memorable summer for him that saw him tie the knot and captain the Lions to series win over the Wallabies. He also talks about the team's aspirations this November and beyond. Are Steve Borthwick's side capable of winning the World Cup in two years? Richard Wigglesworth chats about his move to defence coach and what we can expect moving forward - as well as his admiration for Joe Marler's exploits on The Traitors. George Ford is also on the pod after he was handed the keys to number 10 and we look ahead to the big clash in Chicago as Jack Crowley gets the nod at fly-half against the All Blacks.

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 it was the right decision to leave Adam Radwan out of the squad. What would a good November look like for England? Is a clean sweep possible? Lauren is back on the pod fresh from her honeymoon to give us the lowdown on the big news in Wales as the WRU announce they will be cutting one region. Is it realistically a straight shootout between Ospreys and Scarlets for survival? We look at Henry Slade and Exeter's form and another incredible milestone for Ma'a Nonu.

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 World Player of the Year gong and 119 caps for her country, ‘Scaz’ has finally hung up her boots. What is the best moment of her career? What is next? We hear about her upbringing on a farm in rural Leicestershire and how that prepared her for a career in rugby. We hear all about the celebrations in Ibiza following the 2025 World Cup win on home soil this summer. As well as the triumphs, Scarratt also looks back on the heartache and setbacks she suffered.

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 senior side on Sunday. Ashy and Sara chat to the England head coach Steve Borthwick about English rugby's newest star. Could he actually make his England debut this autumn? But while Borthwick has gained another winger, he has lost a number eight after Tom Willis announced he is leaving English rugby altogether to rejoin Bordeaux. Who is the man to place him in the back row? Plus, we look back on another impressive Exeter performance, the Irish fly-half battle and one of the worst attendances of all time.

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 Know’. They discuss his love of Wigan and how the other code and becoming a father at such a young age helped shape him. Farrell reflects on this summer's Lions tour and gives us an insight into the emotion surrounding calling up his son Owen to join the squad in Australia. Would he like to lead the Lions on another tour? We touch on his time in charge of Ireland and ask what he still wants to achieve as a coach after the disappointment of the quarter-final exit at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. And will Farrell Snr ever coach England in the future?

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 England backline as it stands and there is an interesting shout from Ashy at inside centre. Could Bath really go the whole season unbeaten? How worried should Gloucester fans be this season? And after the top unions decided to block international players from joining R360, where does this leave the rebel-league?

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 credentials as favourites? The league is awash with English wingers, but does Henry Arundell fit into Steve Borthwick's plans? One game back and we are already debating whether Owen Farrell will play for England again after Saracens spoilt the Red Bull party in Newcastle. There is the Sarries rebrand to discuss, the return of LRZ to Bristol and dramatic comeback at the Gardens. Plus. there is a new Springbok superstar on the scene and Ashy analyses Noah Caluori's splash.

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 Saturday. Head coach John Mitchell talks about the future of the women’s game and his own future after England’s World Cup triumph. Will he lead the Red Roses in 2029 down under? And is he considering the Lions job in 2027? Sarah Bern teaches us the lyrics to England’s anthem this World Cup and opens up on what the sport has given her.

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. World Player of the Year nominee Meg Jones tells us what it would mean to lift the trophy that has eluded the Red Roses for over decade and speaks eloquently and candidly about the adversity she has faced over the past year. John Mitchell says this is the week where he earns his money, but can he take England to the promise land on home soil? Does his future depend on it? We also hear from Asia Hogan-Rochester, who reveals the unique way Canada have been preparing for the atmosphere at Twickenham and she discusses her glittering impact since switching from Sevens.

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 World Player of the Year, so we have a new Red Rose alongside them in Amy Cokayne. Is she a big fan of the series? And how much has Harriet watched of the Red Roses journey to the final? We hear about Amy’s role as a police officer in the RAF and how many people she has arrested. And she reveals her matchday underwear of choice. We have a quiz on everyone’s two favourite subjects - dating and rugby. Meg joins the conversation and talks about her big nomination and what tattoo her and Hannah plan to get after the final.