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 he has never tried a deep-fried Mars Bar and gives a fascinating insight into how he prepares for a match. We hear how Russell rebuilt his relationship with head coach Gregor Townsend and why there is still more to come from Scotland ahead of their trip to Paris this weekend. He also talks about becoming a dad for the first time and what sets him ...
Feb 22, 2023•46 min
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 of France. His team are on a 14-match winning streak and he's considered the best defensive coach in the game. In this special episode, World Cup winner Matt Dawson catches up with his old Wasps coach Shaun Edwards. We find out how much prize money Edwards has earned for his unions and his favourite French phrase when coaching. They also discuss l...
Feb 09, 2023•38 min
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, Jamie Ritchie and Antoine Dupont. They find out what's the best thing about being a captain, the downsides, which reality TV show they'd most like to try, best and worst roommates and we ask which other sport they would love to captain.
Feb 02, 2023•35 min
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 battle with motor neurone disease. Andy and Paul remember him as a team-mate and a friend and they hear from the man himself, in a 2019 interview with 5 Live’s Darren Campbell.
Nov 26, 2022•27 min
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 French. We talk Wales and England after their shaky starts to the autumn. We also get an insight into Finn Russell, discover why Biggar loves being a captain and the reason he isn't on social media.
Nov 08, 2022•59 min
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 the Six Nations era. They discuss coaching styles and how best to win over a dressing room. They provide a fascinating insight into how Eddie Jones and Warren Gatland operate as well as share some hilarious stories involving a certain defence coach from Wigan.
Mar 15, 2022•54 min
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? Former Grand Slam winners Sam Warburton and Danny Care rank their top six try scorers and reminisce about their own favourite Six Nations try.
Mar 07, 2022•38 min
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 based on atmosphere, location, dressing rooms and which city offers the best night out.
Feb 21, 2022•50 min
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 shortlist and Sam forces him to relive their 2013 showdown in Cardiff. There's an Irish Grand Slam decider to discuss, plus one of the greatest comebacks in Six Nations history.
Feb 08, 2022•38 min
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 and then rank them from one to six. They also discuss what makes a great captain and explain why captaincy is so much more than what you see on the pitch.
Jan 31, 2022•45 min
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 2009. Paul's first experience with the Lions was the tour of New Zealand in 2005. He reflects on where it all went wrong; from injuries, to tactics and a dodgy Alastair Campbell speech. Four years later in South Africa, Paul captained the Lions to a first Test win in eight years. He shares his leadership style and explains how they learnt from the mis...
Jul 28, 2021•51 min
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 down together to discuss their incredible achievement. They talk leadership, feeling under qualified, handling pressure and the art of a good team talk. Martin also relives the famous series win over South Africa in 1997. You’ll hear about training in the dark, getting stitches during a match and Jeremy Guscott’s winning drop goal. He also recalls his...
Jul 21, 2021•1 hr 4 min
Sam Warburton chats to Gavin Hastings, one of the greatest Scottish players to ever represent the British & Irish Lions. In 1989, Gavin helped the Lions to their first series win in 15 years. Despite being on the receiving end of a right hook from Australia’s Nick Farr-Jones in the second Test, Gavin scored a crucial try to level the series. He recalls David Campese’s famous error in the deciding Test and making the most of free champagne in business class on the flight home. Four years late...
Jul 14, 2021•50 min
In the first episode of this new series, Sam Warburton speaks to Sir Gareth Edwards about his remarkable career with the British & Irish Lions. Gareth remembers his first Lions call-up in 1968 as a student and his joy at receiving a voucher for two pairs of boots. Three years later Gareth was back with the Lions and helping them secure their first - and only - series win in New Zealand. It was a gruelling tour with 26 matches that lasted over three months. How did he keep in touch with his f...
Jul 07, 2021•55 min
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 one of eight players to have been diagnosed with early onset dementia. Alix talks openly about his struggles and what changes he would like to see in the game. Matt talks about his love for rugby and how he face the consequences if he faced problems later in life. Danny Care tells us why a new gumshield could help improve safety in the sport and we ...
Dec 10, 2020•1 hr 3 min
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, Beno Obano, Nathan Earle and coach Collin Osborne to discuss diversifying the game, the portrayal of black rugby players in the media and their experiences of racism in both rugby and society.
Jun 09, 2020•1 hr 18 min
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 Premiership confirmed, we’re joined by former Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter and BBC reporter Laura Scott, who first broke the salary cap scandal, to chat what Saracens did, what's happening now and where they go next.
Jan 20, 2020•59 min
In Rugby Union Weekly's Christmas special, Ugo Monye, Chris Jones and Danny Care choose their global team of the decade. How many Home Nations' players can edge out an All Black? Who makes it from Australia and South Africa and crucially, who coaches the side? Also, there's a chance for you to have your say as we ask you to select the captain.
Dec 23, 2019•1 hr 12 min
