WRP 193 - Back-2-back baby! Sarah Hunter and Johnnie were at The PWR final down in Exeter's Sandy Park at the weekend. Gloucester-Hartpury were going for successive titles, while Bristol - who made already made history by winning an away semi final - were looking to be crowned champions for the first time in the club's history. Just after the final whistle, the England coach gave her thoughts on the game, the ebbs and flows of a pulsating 80 minutes of rugby; where the game was won and lost and ...
Jun 26, 2024•23 min•Season 5Ep. 38
WRP 192 - Front row seats for the final! Massive week here in England, as the league season comes to a close with the PWR final. Sarah "Berner" Bern is back from injury to take her place way ahead of schedule to start Bristol's first ever final. The Red Rose star talks about the impressive win over saracens that got them to the big dance, as well as the culture at the club. Up against Gloucester-Hartpury - the champions - Mackenzie Carson joins us on the pod, England team mates but up against ea...
Jun 21, 2024•45 min•Season 5Ep. 37
WRP 191 - Bon joué! Another packed show from around the oval world! Siwan Lilllicrap, the former Wales captain, joins us on the pod and from France Francois Ratier - former Canada Women's coach. Siwan chats about the various hats she is wearing now having retired from the game; mainly her role with the WRU being the person in charge of the younger end of the pathway. She details the progress made, the opportunities youngsters now have and the joy is being a part of processes that she fought so h...
Jun 14, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 36
WRP 190 - Here comes Fiji!!! Fiji week, we are joined by High Performance Manager of Fiji Women's Rugby, Alana Thomas. We find out just why Fiji are where they are - the highest world ranking ever; just won the Oceania Championship and with it a place at next year's World Cup and the 7s side reaching semi finals on the circuit. Alana details the hard work that has gone into the programme, the changes that have been made both on and off the field. The former Wallaroo also chats about that game ag...
Jun 06, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 5Ep. 35
WRP 189 - Too Goede. Off the back of Canada's historic win over The Black Ferns down in New Zealand, whilst picking up the Pacific 4 title; we chat to their captain and probably the best player in the world right now, Sophie De Goede. Sophie speaks about that amazing result in Christchurch, the history made and the effect it has had back home, especially with hosting wXV 1 later in the year. The back rower also talks about another impressive win she was involved with but with her club Saracens; ...
May 30, 2024•52 min•Season 5Ep. 34
WRP 188 - Pac 4 power. Canada have had a brilliant week, winning the Pacific 4 title! Sarah Bern chats about this and the impact it might have on Canadian rugby, especially with the country hosting wXV1 later this year but also the wider game; beating New Zealand in New Zealand is no mean feat! The USA also finished on a high in the "Pac 4," this is spoken about too. Qualification for the three wXV tournaments have had some developments, Berner gets us up to speed on those. The PWR, in England, ...
May 24, 2024•53 min•Season 5Ep. 33
WRP 187 - Captain Red Rose is back! Our Grand Slammer Sadia Kabeya is back in the studio joining Sarah Bern. The Red Rose star is in fine form after a brief holiday to look back and reflect on the whole 6 Nations. She dives into the impact of new coach John Mitchell, the amazing crowds, the new philosophy and her debut as her country's captain! Berner "fresh" from Zoe Aldcroft's hen do, chats with Sadia about the opposition that England faced; what they made of their old coach Scott Bemand's Ire...
May 09, 2024•55 min•Season 5Ep. 32
WRP 186 - Team of the 6 Nations with Scrum Queens. After a brilliant conclusion of the 6 Nations, WRP teams up with Scrum Queens for their annual "team of the tournament" pod. Ali Donnelly, the creator of Scrum Queens and BBC broadcaster, Sara Orchard join Johnnie to go through in detail every position and as ever most are hotly debated. Who will play at fly half, what is the make up of the back row, is full back a certainty, who misses out and is each nation represented?!? Before getting into t...
May 02, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 31
WRP 185 - Super Saturday. The final round of the 6 Nation is upon us with England going over to France for the Grand Slam game against France. Ireland take on Scotland in a fascinating contest in Belfast and Italy and Wales battle it out at The Principality stadium for the wooden spoon. Injuries Red Rose star Sarah Bern gives her incredible insight not only to the final round of games but also events last weekend. "Berner" was at Twickenham to witness another great occasion and tells us what it ...
Apr 25, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 5Ep. 30
WRP 184 - Mac is back! Sarah Bern is back to talk all things 6 Nations; looking back at The England win over Scotland at a sold-out Hive Stadium, The French breezing past Italy and Ireland's seismic victory over Wales. Also joining us is former Ireland coach Greg McWilliams, obviously so knowledgeable about this group; he tells us about his joy in seeing their improvement both on and off the field. Greg talks about the influence Scott Bemand has had, the continued change he has seen from just a ...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Season 5Ep. 29
WWRP 183 - Our very own rosarian. She's back, England coach and our co-host Sarah Hunter returns after a rather busy time! "Sunter" tells us about coaching in the 6 Nations rather than playing in it; her comfort levels following that transition and where the line is drawn in number of games of Tuk Tuk (listen to fully understand!). The opening two performances of The Red Roses are digested, where things have gone right, where needs to be tightened up and what we can expect in terms of selection ...
Apr 06, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 5Ep. 28
WRP 182 - What a start & more to come! An incredible start to the 6 Nations, history made, sensational tries, heroic defence and round 2 is days away, and Sarah Bern, the injured Red Rose star unpicks it all! Also on the pod, scorer of one of the tries of round 1, Coreen Grant. The wingers chats about the mood in the Scotland camp, just how tough the game was against Wales, the renewed confidence in the camp & how much they are looking forward to welcoming France at the weekend. "Berner"...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 27
WRP 181 - 6 Nations - Ding, ding....round 1! The third pod of the week looking in depth at the teams selections for all three 6 Nations games. There's fascinating insight into the England camp where Berner spent some time with this week; what are the differences to this camp under John Mitchell to previous years? What is England's approach to selection through this 6 Nations, why has this XV been chosen to open up The Red Roses campaign, what will be new?! Wales and Scotland always have great ba...
Mar 22, 2024•59 min•Season 5Ep. 26
WRP 180 - 6 Nations preview part 2 - Captains' log. In the second instalment of this week's previews we concentrate on the players, the captains. We spoke to all six captains at the 6 Nations launch; Marlie Packer, Rachel Malcolm the Scotland skipper, Eilsa Giordano from Italy, Wales leader Hannah Jones and Ireland co-captain Sam Monaghan. The chats go from moods in the camp, who's new, who is training the house down to you would you pick from any other nation to play on your side?! The opening ...
Mar 21, 2024•46 min•Season 5Ep. 25
WRP 179 - 6 Nations - Coaches' corner. It is 6 Nations week here in Europe so a huge week on the pod. In the first of this week's episodes we hear from the lady and gentlemen who will be guiding their teams through the tournament. From Scotland Bryan Easson with a very settled squad, talks about the tweaks they have been making, the growing depth of his squad and the selection headaches he now has. Gaelle Mignot and David Ortiz, the joint head coaches of France chat about moving their games arou...
Mar 20, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 24
WRP 178 - Squads everywhere. Just days away from the 6 Nations the last four squads have been announced. Sarah Bern, the injured Red Roses star gives her views on who has been selected not only for the squad but potentially for the first few games. She speaks of the experienced heads returning, like Zoe Harrison, Zoe Aldcroft and Emily Scarratt and gives her unique insight to them. Where will John Mitchell, the head coach, will have his biggest headaches, the back five of the scrum, the midfield...
Mar 15, 2024•57 min•Season 5Ep. 23
WRP 177 - News round - up. A short sharp pod this week, with a catch up on all the news from all over the globe with our very own Moira Stuart - Rori Taylorson. There are results from England, France, New Zealand; we catch up on 7s from Los Angeles where lots of milestones were reached by some amazing women in our sport. Where are this year wXV tournaments being held, who is the last to qualify for wXV, who won the Varsity match here in England and what is going on in Italy and contracted player...
Mar 08, 2024•13 min•Season 5Ep. 22
WRP 176 - Meg-a weekend. Sadia, Berner and Johnnie have so much to talk about this week with Meg Varley as a guest too. The Bristol centre turned winger has just been named in the Scotland squad. We get her reaction to the call up, how she was asked and the feelings of playing in that Scottish backline with the likes of Chloe Rollie, Emma Orr and Lisa Thompson. Meg also chats about her move to Bristol, how she is finding her new club, her new position and how she thinks "Briz" are playing at the...
Feb 29, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 21
WRP 175 - All round the world. This week Red Roses Sadia Kabeya, Sarah Bern and broadcaster Johnnie Hammond with the help of our new newscaster, Rori, get you up to date with all the news from around the world. The new Wales 6 Nations squad is discussed, with the return of injured players and some that have not involved for sometime, plus fresh faces and those playing in the English league, The PWR. Sards and Berner know many of the Welsh players and give us the inside line on playing with them ...
Feb 21, 2024•53 min•Season 5Ep. 20
WRP 174 - Sharks' Tails! Red Roses star Sarah Bern and Johnnie Hammond are joined by two guests this week, Sale Sharks coach Rachel Taylor and Helen "Flip" Street - wife of Gary and Rori has all the news. The latest round of games from the PWR (Premiership Women's Rugby) are reviewed including Saracens win at The Duel and the last minute winner in the west country derby between Bristol and Gloucester-Hartpury. The former Wales captain and Sale Sharks Performance coach, joins us this week after a...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 19
WRP 173 - Centres of excellence. Here again this week and every week at the very heart of women's rugby. Not one but two centres of excellence joining Sadia Kabeya, Sarah Bern and Johnnie Hammond. Doctor Phoebe Murray, from Bristol, joins us to chat about their superb win over Exeter at the weekend; what the tactics were, what was said at half time to prompt the second half performance and just what a result like that means. Plus there's chat around the Bristol squad and a first for the pod, the...
Feb 07, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 18
WRP 172 - Pod and Bern. Big news for us on The WRP......we have a new co-host joining us for the foreseeable, none other than Sarah Bern!! The Red Roses star has already amassed 61 caps, appeared in two World Cup finals and won multiple 6 Nations titles. "Berner," currently in rehab for a knee injury joins Sadia and Johnnie to discuss all this week's news. Sadia, fresh from England camp, gets us up to speed on what the Red Roses have been up to, what exactly what the "1200" is and we find out if...
Feb 01, 2024•44 min•Season 5Ep. 17
WRP 171 - Anything but flakey! This week Sadia is away in England camp so Johnnie flying solo but with a brilliant guest, Lleucu George the Gloucester-Hartpury and Wales fly half. Lleucu tells us all about that impressive win over league leader Saracens, in The PWR; only their third ever victory over the Londoners and their first at home. The pair also chat more generally about Gloucester-Hartpury, the reigning champions, starting with sevens wins from seven, and their approach to the rest of th...
Jan 26, 2024•28 min•Season 5Ep. 16
WRP 170 - The Full Roar! Huge week for the women's game, not just here in the United Kingdom but news that will travel the globe. The British and Irish Lions have announced a team to tour New Zealand in 2027. We were at the launch and spoke to the Chair Ieuan Evans, CEO Ben Calverley and two former player who have been involved in the journey so far, Irish legend Niamh Briggs and Scotland's Megan Gaffney. They all convey the excitement but also answer some of the more difficult questions; rebuff...
Jan 19, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 15
WRP 169 - Emma......Emma Orr! This week Sadia Kabeya, the Red Rose star and Johnnie Hammond are joined by Scotland centre Emma Orr. The young centre, with such a bright future ahead of her talks about the historic Edinburgh side she is playing with in the Celtic Cup.Emma also chats about her role within the side, tactically where have been and where they can improve with a trip to Wales at the weekend. With the 6 Nations around the corner, Emma's hopes for the tournament and the future is touche...
Jan 10, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 14
WRP 168 - Talking Talia. Happy New Year! On the first pod of 2024, Sadia & Johnnie catch up on all the goings-ons over the festive season, from board games to worldie tries! After the first, historic, round of this year's Celtic Cup, Talia John, the Welsh international join us. The Celtic Cup (teams from Wales, Ireland & Scotland) returns & the second row also returns after many months out played for Brython Thunder against Gwalia Lightning in the Welsh derby. The Irish & Scottis...
Jan 05, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 13
WRP 167 - Kabeya is back! Sadia Kabeya makes her long-awaited return to the field for Loughborough Lightening and she co-hosts the pod, alongside Johnnie Hammond, The Red Rose star reveals the emotions around her return and the disappointment in her team's loss. All the other PWR round 4 games are reviewed; Exeter's big win at The Stoop and Ealing's historic victory. Guinness have launched (well...re-launched!!) into the women's game, Sadia and Johnnie reflect on that positive story. Plus there'...
Dec 14, 2023•43 min•Season 5Ep. 12
WRP 166 - All round the world. This week Sadia Kabeya alongside Johnnie have lots to catch up on; as there is news from around the world!! The English league, The PWR, completed round 3 at the weekend, with wins for Saracens, Loughborough Lightening and reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury, the games, tactics and key players are discussed. There is chat about the world of 7s, with the shiny new world series started up again in Dubai, with a big win for Australia, break NZ history! Results from...
Dec 08, 2023•48 min•Season 5Ep. 11
WRP 165 - Shark bite! After another intriguing round of PWR (Premiership Women's Rugby) here in England, where the standout results was Sale beating Harlequins, the 2021 champions, for the first time. Sadia and Johnnie reflect on that with England U20s and Sale hooker Niamh Swailes. The Shark takes us inside the Sale Sharks' camp; how and where they beat Quins, how the season is going so far, the new signings and more. But also the journey, as short as it is, that Sale have been on and their amb...
Nov 30, 2023•51 min•Season 5Ep. 10
WRP 164 - Scottish Tiger. Scottish international Eva Donaldson joins us this week in a short pod (Johnnie has man-flu!!!!!). The rising star in the navy blue of Scotland reflects on a whirlwind 24 months, making her debut, playing in wXV and now starting a new club making their debut in a new competition! Eva chats about all of it, including the game last weekend with Leicester Tigers, at Welford Road; the historic match and the atmosphere at the iconic ground. There is news from all around the ...
Nov 24, 2023•21 min•Season 5Ep. 9
