From finding herself struggling with mental health to focusing issues, Mackenzie Carson’s ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) diagnosis came as a welcome relief to some of her struggles. The Red Roses and Gloucester-Hartpury prop opens up on her diagnosis to her coach since she started medication, as well as calling England ‘home’ after growing up in Abbotsford, Canada, as well as some of the sacrifices she made to pursue her rugby career. She also tells the stories of her job as a b...
Apr 22, 2025•29 min•Season 15Ep. 10
For Morwenna Talling being born and bred in Yorkshire hits differently. The Sale Sharks lock and back row forward opens up as to why she values her northern upbringing so much and why she wants to help drive the game around where she grew up and now plays. Talling also reveals how the shock England call-up came as a teenager that saw her make a debut at 18, how some lengthy injury spells have helped her mindset, what being a leader means to her as well as the importance of mountain walks in her ...
Apr 15, 2025•25 min•Season 15Ep. 9
After making peace with having to quit rugby because of injury, Emily Scarratt opens up on what it means to still be a Red Rose. The Loughborough Lightning centre talks about the neck surgery she had to go through with, growing up on a farm in Leicestershire and combining being a PE teacher with the start of her England career. The Red Roses’ record points scorer also open up in the origins and importance of her close friendship with Mo Hunt, how she deals with her introverted personality in cam...
Apr 08, 2025•25 min•Season 15Ep. 8
An induced coma, a psychiatric ward and three months with no memory are just some of the challenges Abi Burton had to overcome in the autumn of 2022. The Trailfinders Women back row reveals about her misdiagnosis with depression and stress, the aggression she showed towards her family and her eventual diagnoses of autoimmune encephalitis. The Great Britain 7s player also discusses her road back to rugby, realising a dream of going to the Olympics and her ‘rocky’ relationship with her image and b...
Mar 25, 2025•29 min•Season 15Ep. 7
From a football-loving childhood in Carlisle, touring with Jonny Wilkinson at 18 to balancing a university lifestyle with professional rugby, England head coach Steve Borthwick tells his story of how, and why, leading his country means so much to him. Away from the game he opens up about his Masters in Management helped shaped his philosophy, how he gets joy in other's happiness now and the profound moment that transformed his outlook when he realised he would not want his son's to be coached by...
Mar 18, 2025•22 min•Season 15Ep. 6
From quitting drinking and gaming, to buying a horse and becoming a father, Sale Sharks hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie opens up to England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line about his life and career so far. From starting off in Cornwall not knowing rugby could be a career, to being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation during a game and his lifelong friendship with Jack Nowell, 'Dickie' reveals some of the stories that you may not have heard before. In this pod you will also here from former England wing Now...
Mar 11, 2025•21 min•Season 15Ep. 5
Not only did Tom Willis grow up with brother Jack and sister Annabelle, but the back row forward reveals how it was growing up as part of a family who fostered children during his childhood. The Saracens number eight also opens up on the difficulty of facing his brother for the first time on the pitch, as well as the joy of playing together, what it was like being made redundant from Wasps and how his local rugby club played a massive part of who he is today. In this episode you will also hear f...
Feb 25, 2025•21 min•Season 15Ep. 4
Leaving your family and friends to move halfway across to the world and pursue a potential career is not for everyone, but Chandler Cunningham-South explains the reasoning for wanting to come ‘home’ to play. The Harlequins back-row forward explains life growing up in New Zealand, his matchday superstitions and book-writing ritual, his special relationship with his mum and his love of London. In this podcast you will also hear from Chandler's mum Caroline, one of his first coaches at London Irish...
Feb 18, 2025•23 min•Season 15Ep. 3
Before his retirement, Anthony Watson sat down to talk about topics that are important to him. From growing up in England and struggling with his Nigerian heritage, how rugby helped him get over his childhood shyness and how the importance of a visualisation with a sports coach became in his career because of nerves. You will also hear from his brother Marcus Watson, sports psychologist and mind coach Don Macpherson as well as England players Ollie Lawrence, Freddie Steward and Danny Care. (NB T...
Feb 11, 2025•22 min•Season 15Ep. 2
From growing up on a dairy farm to the international stage, England senior assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth has had a intriguing upbringing that has made him who he is today. The former scrum half opens up on his upbringing, the respect for his dad who had a heart transplant to secret story of crying ahead of his last playing game, he opens up on what still motivates him. In this pod you will also hear from his dad Peter Wigglesworth, his wife Lyndsey as well as Chandler Cunningham-South. FO...
Feb 04, 2025•26 min•Season 15Ep. 1
After nearly having his life taken away from him because of sepsis, England assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge has a transformed outlook on life. After falling ill during a work trip to Samoa, Strawbridge received medical treatment but need to be put into a coma, he was resuscitated a couple of times and had said goodbye to his wife thinking he might not survive the illness. He reveals what he went through at the time, his recovery and how he deals with it while coaching England. The New Zealand...
Nov 12, 2024•24 min•Season 14Ep. 6
The same day he was asked to be England captain, Jamie George found out his mum had been diagnosed with cancer. In this podcast, the Saracens hooker reveals the joy his mum got from watching him lead England, and how it kept her positive in her final months. How he had to balance his emotions when his first child was born 10 days after her passing and how his England teammates supported him throughout it all. George also opens up on growing up with older twin brothers, why being the team's socia...
Nov 05, 2024•28 min•Season 14Ep. 5
Having had to cope with a teenage diagnosis of epilepsy and being let go from an academy because of his size, Tommy Freeman has overcome many hurdles to make it as a rugby player. The Northampton Saints back opens up on his epileptic seizure that he thought was going to end his rugby career, how he mentally and physically had to deal with his late growth spurt and bouncing back from being replaced at half time early in his international career. In this pod you will also hear from his parents Sar...
Oct 29, 2024•24 min•Season 14Ep. 4
From thriving while playing in a boys' team to embracing her dyslexia, Sarah Bern has always overcome challenges presented to her. The Bristol Bears and Red Roses prop opens up on a number of issues including how her dyslexia and dyspraxia affect her playing international rugby, how she began to accept her broader body size after struggling at school and why she wants to inspire her ADHD autistic nephew Finlay. From her love of fashion, transitioning from a centre to a prop and facing her partne...
Oct 08, 2024•26 min•Season 14Ep. 3
Being born in Leeds, growing up in England and New Zealand, and understanding your Samoan culture, there has been a lot of cultural influences Maddie Feaunati has taken in during her life so far. The Exeter Chiefs back-row forward opens up on coming to rugby late, growing up with her four sisters and the influence her dad has had on her - from playing for Samoa to starring as Jonah Lomu alongside Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman. In this pod you will also hear from England team mates Sarah Bern and...
Oct 01, 2024•22 min•Season 14Ep. 2
Life away from rugby is just as important to Amy Cokayne as matters on the field. As an RAF police officer, the Leicester Tigers and Red Roses she has found comfort outside the sport after missing out on the chance to become world champions in 2017. From growing up with a nomadic childhood including her early rugby years in New Zealand, to playing against her future partner in the Army v Navy game and why a football club inspired her initials, Cokayne opens up on her life as a Red Rose. In this ...
Sep 24, 2024•30 min•Season 14Ep. 1
Being open and vocal is all part of what Meg Jones who she is. From growing up in Wales but choosing to represent England, to wanting to share her relationship journey with partner Celia Quansah and how rugby's community helped her find comfort in her sexuality and individualism, Meg's story so far in rugby has been a fascinating one. In this pod you will also hear from her former coach and Red Rose Nolli Waterman and her partner Celia Quansah, as well as team mates Maud Muir and Zoe Aldcroft. F...
Apr 23, 2024•25 min•Season 13Ep. 8
From meeting her fiancé to giving her confidence on and off the pitch, rugby has given Zoe Aldcroft so much in her life so far. The Gloucester-Hartpury lock discussed the lack of female sporting role models growing up, now being rivals with her partner at club level with him working for Leicester Tigers, the added pressure of playing after being named World Player of the Year brought and her Jonny Wilkinson doll she carries with her every match day, In this pod you will also hear from her older ...
Apr 16, 2024•25 min•Season 13Ep. 7
From a desire to make people smile, to her photography and craft-making, Maud Muir puts as much into her time off the pitch as on it. The Red Roses and Gloucester-Hartpury prop opens up on her positive outlook on life, celebrating body confidence and size for strength and why she puts such an emphasis on rugby culture, and how that plays out in the West Country living near her club and international team mates. In this pod you will also hear from Maud's older brother Arthur, Red Roses and Glouce...
Apr 09, 2024•24 min•Season 13Ep. 6
After being attacked and tied up during a robbery in South Africa, John Mitchell's perspective on life completely changed. The Red Roses head coach talks in-depth about the trauma and recovery from that experience, how he has changed as a person from coaching the All Blacks to his first job in women's rugby as well as the personal difficulties he has had being a well-travelled elite coach. In this pod you will also hear from his wife Jules, coach Wayne Taylor who was with him on the night of his...
Apr 02, 2024•25 min•Season 13Ep. 5
From a special friendship with Joe Marler, to doubting if he would ever play for England again, Dan Cole continues to make memories in rugby. The Leicester Tigers prop opens up on returning to the England set up after being dropped in 2019, the addictive nature of playing at Twickenham and learning the ability to help compartmentalise with experience and family. In this pod you will also hear from one of his closest friends in Tom Collett and his wife Isabelle, as well as England players George ...
Mar 12, 2024•22 min•Season 13Ep. 4
From USA to the West Country, plus a stint in Wales, Sam Underhill's journey to international rugby is an intriguing one. The Bath flanker speaks about finding love of the game in the physicality of it, the importance of sports psychologists as part of his preparation and growing up with three older sisters. You will also hear from Sam's older sister Rachael, his former teacher Chris Carter, as well as England players Ben Earl and Dan Cole. FOLLOW: ▪️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialE...
Mar 05, 2024•21 min•Season 13Ep. 3
From a love of literature, to a talented young cricketer and a successful family environment, Ben Earl has had an intriguing upbringing. The Saracens and England back row forward opens up on relying too much on his natural talent as a youngster, seeing the funny side of how his celebrations are mocked on social media and thinking he might not get another chance at international level. You will also hear from Ben's brother James who is attempting to become a professional golfer, as well as Englan...
Feb 27, 2024•20 min•Season 13Ep. 2
Rugby is a driving force in George Ford's life. The Sale Sharks and England fly half opens up on growing up with a famous rugby league playing dad, on the high standards he sets himself in the game, as well as every day life, being Coffee shop and restaurant owner and the difficulty he has when it comes to relaxing. You will also hear from George's dad Mike, brother Joe and England players Dan Cole and Ben Earl. FOLLOW: ▪️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialEnglandRugby/ ▪️ Instagram: ht...
Feb 20, 2024•26 min•Season 13Ep. 1
Ellie Kildunne loves weird, embraces different and individuality. The Red Roses and Harlequins full back understands the importance of image and being able to express yourself, whether that is through her photography, fashion or how she plays. Kildunne also opens up on building up muscles to play rugby and wanting to represent those who feel like they don't fit in. In this pod you will also hear from her mum Alison, boyfriend Cameron Sommerville-Bailey and England players Sarah Beckett and Lark ...
Oct 31, 2023•19 min•Season 12Ep. 9
Whether it has been overcoming social anxiety or her adult acne, Holly Aitchison has overcome a number of personal challenges to become the person and player she is today. The Bristol Bears and Red Roses fly half opens up on growing up in Liverpool, sharing her personal struggles on social media and how she rebuilt her confidence. In this pod you will also hear from her dad Ian, her former teacher and Red Roses' captain Gill Burns as well England players Sarah Beckett and Ellie Kildunne. FOLLOW:...
Oct 24, 2023•23 min•Season 12Ep. 8
From a premature birth with her twin sister to selection heartbreak, Sarah Beckett has had to show her fair share of resilience. The Gloucester-Hartpury forward opens up on missing out the squad to New Zealand in 2022, how she hopes to inspire others who were born earlier than planned, the impact of body confidence issues and her continued work on mental health. In this pod you will also hear from her dad Mark, her twin sister Kate as well as England players Holly Aitchison and Ellie Kildunne. F...
Oct 17, 2023•23 min•Season 12Ep. 7
It was always about ‘we’ growing up with an identical twin for Tom Curry. The England and Sale Sharks flanker discusses their unique childhood together and what is now means playing in the same position, how the loss of his grandma affected him and his career to date. In this pod you will also hear from his brother Ben, his sister Charlotte and his uncle former England hooker John Olver, as well as England players Danny Care, Freddie Steward and Ollie Lawrence. FOLLOW: ▪️ Facebook: https://www.f...
Oct 10, 2023•22 min•Season 12Ep. 6
Showing emotions was not something that sat easily with Ollie Lawrence. The Bath and England centre opens up on his emotional maturity journey, his growth in mindset as an only child and what it means to him to be a rugby international from a mixed background. In this pod you will also hear from his old teacher Simon Dawes, current Bath team mate Niall Annett as well as England players Tom Curry and Danny Care. FOLLOW: ▪️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialEnglandRugby/ ▪️ Instagram: htt...
Oct 03, 2023•21 min•Season 12Ep. 5
From accepting a rugby player's body image, to combining a teaching career with rugby, Lark Atkin-Davies' journey to international rugby has been a fascinating one. Growing up in a sport-loving cottage in the countryside, Red Roses and Bristol Bears hooker opens up on setbacks, commitment and her determination to become a professional player. In this pod you will also hear from Lark's husband Jamie, her sister Fern as well as team mates Holly Aitchison and Sarah Beckett. FOLLOW: ▪️ Facebook: htt...
Sep 26, 2023•23 min•Season 12Ep. 4
