Do Scotland already have one foot in the World Cup quarter-finals? Fran McGhie’s hat-trick inspired the Scots to a record win over Wales in their World Cup opener, despite all the uncertainty around player contracts. Where did it all go wrong for Wales and why are they still not clicking under head coach Sean Lynn? Ugo, Sara, and Katy Daley-McLean discuss all this and more as they dissect the opening weekend for the home nations. Did the Red Roses justify their favourites tag after scoring 11 tr...
Aug 25, 2025•36 min
Will cutting two of the four regions save the game in Wales? Ugo chats to Lauren Jenkins about the WRU's radical proposal that has sent shockwaves through the game in Wales. In this bumper pod you will also hear from two of the biggest names in world rugby. Ugo has been chatting to Ilona Maher ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup opener in Sunderland as she reflects on a remarkable year and tells us about her next career move. And Lauren has been to Bristol to catch up with Louis Rees-Zammitt, w...
Aug 21, 2025•58 min
In this very first episode of Barely Rugby comedian Harriet Kemsley gets the lowdown on what life is really like for England stars Hannah Botterman and Meg Jones. Harriet knows absolutely nothing about rugby as the trio all meet for the first time - and nothing is off limits. Harriet finds out all about dealing with boobs in a scrum and even has a feel of Hannah's cauliflower ear. They discover why Meg was called "new boy Megan" when she first started rugby and also how the pair cope with the st...
Aug 20, 2025•36 min
With just over a week to go before England host the Women’s Rugby World Cup, how much has changed in the 34 years since Wales hosted the inaugural event? And what does the future look like? Eleanor Oldroyd and Sara Orchard are joined by 1994 World Cup winner Giselle Mather and 2014 World Cup winner Rachael Burford to reflect on their experiences. Also hear from Red Roses lock Abbie Ward getting ready for her third World Cup.
Aug 14, 2025•1 hr 5 min
What was the best moment of the 2025 Lions tour? Who should have been crowned player of the series? Chris is joined by Tom English, Lauren Jenkins and Nigel Ringland to dissect the tour of Australia. We pick our combined XV from the Test series, how many Wallabies will make the cut? You’ll hear how Bundee Aki became a father for the fifth time in rather unusual circumstances and how Tom's tour got off to a tricky start in Perth.
Aug 03, 2025•51 min
On a filthy Sydney afternoon, we bring together a gang of loyal pod listeners to thrash out some of the major talking points of this Lions tour from a fans' perspective. How much do Lions fans just want to win, and how much do they want a close contest? How has this tour compared to others from a supporters' perspective? And does it matter if your country is represented in selection? We have people pop in from all across Britain and Ireland, as well as a number of ex-pats living in Australia, wh...
Aug 01, 2025•1 hr 5 min
We’re podding from the Lions team hotel after Andy Farrell named his squad for the third Test in Sydney. Chris, Ugo and John Barclay discuss the two changes to the Lions starting XV with Blair Kinghorn replacing James Lowe on the wing and James Ryan coming in for Ollie Chessum at lock. Joe Schmidt has turned to veteran scum-half Nic White who bows out from international rugby on Saturday, but there is no Rob Valetini or Carlo Tizzano for the Wallabies. Can they match the performance they produce...
Jul 31, 2025•48 min
1997 or 1974? Two iconic tours to South Africa, but which one ranks higher? In the final episode of our top 10 series, Lions legends Jamie Roberts and Matt Dawson join Chris to rank the best tours of all time. We ask Jamie to rate his two tours - the 2013 win in Australia and the epic series against South Africa in 2009. We debate what makes a great tour - is it all about winning the Test series or are there other factors that determine success? And where does the only Lions series win against t...
Jul 30, 2025•35 min
We're in Sydney next to the opera house chatting to Wallabies legend Michael Hooper to get his take on THAT clearout and to discuss the health of Aussie rugby following the series defeat with the World Cup coming up in two years. We also chat to World rugby boss Alan Gilpin who has rejected Joe Schmidt's claim that the decision at the end of the second Test contravened the sport's player welfare drive. Chris also heads into the victorious Lions camp to chat to the captain Maro Itoje. Who has he ...
Jul 29, 2025•36 min
Chris and Tom have made it to Sydney for final Test week and GRO is back in the Nations pod squad having been declared fit for selection. There is lots of love for Finn Russell and how he orchestrated the final moments of the game. Of course, Jac Morgan’s clearout is also a hot topic of conversation as another series delivers another controversial moment at the death. Do this Lions team need to win the series 3-0 to be considered one the greats? They have not whitewashed their opponents in the T...
Jul 28, 2025•57 min
Can Australia bounce back at the famous MCG to level the series? Or will the Lions clinch a second successive series down under? With nine Irishman in Andy Farrell’s team, Chris gets the Irish perspective on the second Test with friend of the pod Murray Kinsella from The 42. We also hear from Lions assistant coach John Fogarty on the significance of playing at Australia’s most iconic sporting venue and find out what legendary Lions captain Martin Johnson said to the players when handing them wit...
Jul 25, 2025•50 min
Chris, Ugo and John Barclay react to Andy Farrell's team for the second Test against Australia. There's no Sione Tuipulotu or Garry Ringrose as Huw Jones and Bundee Aki make up the midfield. But Jac Morgan does make the 23 to give the huge travelling Welsh support something to shout about. What can we expect from the Wallabies at the MCG now they have Rob Valetini and Will Skelton in their side? And how much will conditions effect what we see on Saturday?
Jul 24, 2025•39 min
Will Andy Farrell make big changes for the second Test? Will the fitness of Joe McCarthy force his hand? Lauren steps in for GRO this week as we are forced to make our own selection calls ahead of the second Test. Has Jac Morgan done enough to force his way into the 23? A rugby nation holds its breath. We hear about Tom’s burgeoning love of cricket after a trip to the MCG as the Lions look to wrap up the series at one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world. There’s also big news out of ...
Jul 23, 2025•49 min
Who are the players that reached another level when they pulled on the Lions jersey? Who became more synonymous with the Lions than they did for their country? In episode five of our top 10 series, Matt Dawson and Jamie Roberts join Chris to rank the greatest Test match animals. They also explain how the red shirt “supercharged” their performances and we debate whether they should make the list.
Jul 21, 2025•46 min
The first Test in Brisbane is almost upon us! Can Australia defy the odds and shock the Lions at their spiritual home? Chris catches up with Lions legend Jamie Roberts to get his take on Jac Morgan's omission and what the impact will be on the Welsh fans' love for the Lions. Jamie also pinpoints where he expects Australia to target Andy Farrell's side tomorrow. We also get the Wallabies perspective with Geoff Parling, a former Lion himself. We hear how he's been preparing his players to deal wit...
Jul 18, 2025•34 min
Chris and Ugo are in Brisbane as Andy Farrell names his long-awaited Lions Test team. There are some big selection calls in the back row as Farrell weighs up form against pedigree, while it’s an all-Scottish midfield in an otherwise Irish and English dominated squad. How will Jac Morgan be feeling after being left out? And what are the other areas of debate? We also discuss the Australia team after they lose some big names up front and turn to a rookie with a famous name at fly-half, before hari...
Jul 17, 2025•50 min
Tom has managed his first round of golf of the tour and turns up to the pod with news of a hole in one – sort of! GRO is starting to get tour FOMO now that Chris is on the ground, but how will he feel after the series done? We discuss what we want from the Tests, and if the Wallabies can deliver jeopardy and drama we crave. Would three resounding wins for the Lions be a good thing? News of the Test team has started to emerge in Brisbane ahead of the announcement tomorrow and all signs point to a...
Jul 16, 2025•56 min
The pod is on the ground in Australia with the Test series days away. Chris and Lauren are joined by Wallaby great Stephen Moore to look ahead to a special few weeks. But with Australia eighth in the world rankings, what will we get from the home side? And how much does the Australian sporting public need the Wallabies to fire? There is breaking news from the Lions camp with Mack Hansen a doubt and we discuss protocol on long-haul flights.
Jul 15, 2025•47 min
What is the most controversial moment in Lions history? Where does the infamous spear tackle on Brian O’Driscoll rank in our list? There's the infamous Battle of Ballymore and the '99' call to discuss, but our shortlist is littered with controversial moments that happened off the pitch. Matt Dawson and Jamie Roberts are at the heart of two of them. We get the lowdown on Matt's infamous newspaper column from 2001 that almost got him kicked off tour and Jamie takes us back to 2013 to relive arguab...
Jul 14, 2025•59 min
As England look to seal a series whitewash in Argentina, Chris chats to their latest centurion. George Ford reflects on a special day for him and the team last weekend and discusses how England are determined to back it up this Saturday. Ford also opens up on the disappointment of Lions selection and how he has dealt with setbacks over the course of his stellar career. And with Owen Farrell back available, have England ever had better options at number 10?
Jul 11, 2025•26 min
What can we expect from Owen Farrell this Saturday? Will he play at 10 or 12 when when he comes off the bench? Ugo and pod favourite John Barclay discuss Andy Farrell's final team selection before the first Test in Brisbane and debate where he plans to use his son. The Lions have been forced to call in more reinforcements at full-back after Blair Kinghorn's injury. The AUNZ invitational side is out and we're expecting a physical battle for the Lions in Adelaide. Plus, we ask John to pick his Tes...
Jul 10, 2025•36 min
What is the greatest try in Lions history? Matt Dawson and Jamie Roberts are back with Chris to rank the best tries ever scored in a Lions Test series. How do you compare a great team try to a moment of individual brilliance? Jerry Guscott makes another appearance in Top 10s and one Test match delivers two tries in the shortlist. Where will Dawson's dummy in 1997 rank? Does Jamie's try in the 3rd Test in 2013 make the cut?
Jul 08, 2025•37 min
Do we now know Andy Farrell's Test team? Chris, Gareth Rhys Owen and Tom English assemble for the Nations pod take on the Farrell's 23 for the Brumbies game on Wednesday. Who is in need of a a big performance in Canberra to nail down a Test spot? They reflect on a tricky few days for the Lions tour after an unconvincing display against the Waratahs and Joe Schmidt's comments about Australia after they scraped past a spirited Fiji in Newcastle. There’s more Owen Farrell chat as Tom and GRO clash ...
Jul 07, 2025•57 min
Chris Jones and Chris Ashton dissect the Lions 21-10 win over the New South Wales Waratahs. The Lions remain unbeaten but weren’t impressive in their win over the New South Waratahs in Sydney. Two weeks before the first test the Chris’s pick what they think that side currently looks like and ask why the team hasn’t been able to hit the heights just yet. Plus what do they want to see from the next match against the Brumbies on Wednesday.
Jul 05, 2025•41 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 sit 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 04, 2025•59 min
Has bloodline loyalty influenced Owen Farrell’s Lions call-up? Coach Andy Farrell has drafted in his son to replace the injured Elliot Daly, sparking debate over whether family ties played a role. Chris, Danny and Tom unpack the backlash and ask whether it is the right call?
Jul 03, 2025•45 min
Is Andy Farrell closing in on his Test XV? The Lions ran in eight tries in a dominant 52-12 win over the Queensland Reds, with Tommy Freeman grabbing a brace. Chris and former Scotland captain John Barclay dissect the performance and are joined by Lauren Jenkins from the Suncorp Stadium. Plus, how much of a setback could Elliot Daly’s arm injury prove to be?
Jul 02, 2025•39 min
How big a blow is Tomos Williams’ injury to the Lions as he’s ruled out of the tour? And with so few nailed on starters for the first Test, should alarm bells be ringing? Tom, Chris and Gareth tackle those questions as the Lions gear up for their third game. Plus, Tom explains why the infamous "99" call from the 1974 South Africa tour might be more myth than reality.
Jul 01, 2025•48 min
What is the greatest moment in a Lions Test? Matt Dawson and Jamie Roberts join Chris to rank those iconic moments that every Lions fan will remember. Is Jeremy Guscott’s drop goal better than JPR Williams’? Which player had the howler of all howlers? And Chris tries his hand at recreating one of the all time great sporting speeches.
Jun 30, 2025•48 min
Ugo Monye & correspondent Chris Jones reflect on The British and Irish Lions eight-try win over Western Force in the first game of their tour on Australian soil. Plus BBC Sport reporter Lauren Jenkins joins the pod live from Perth. 00:30 What grade would you give it? 04:05 Initial thoughts on Tomos Williams’ injury 06:15 Lions ‘scruffy but clinical’ 09:10 How do Lions find the synergy? 13:20 Who should start at 9 and 10? 17:10 Lauren Jenkins joins the pod from Perth 22:35 Ugo’s team for Wedn...
Jun 28, 2025•38 min
