Rugby Union Weekly

Does this Six Nations title signal the start of a dominant period for France? Have England laid down a marker with their record win in Cardiff? And where do Wales go from here, after an 17th successive test defeat? Fraser Brown, Sara Orchard and Chris Jones react to France’s win over Scotland in Paris to claim the 2025 Men’s Six Nations championship and reflect on the tournament. Shaun Edwards joins the pod after becoming the first man to win the six Six Nations titles. We’re in Cardiff with Matt Dawson and Ken Owens after a statement 68-14 win for England condemns Wales to record-equalling defeat. And we’ll discuss what impact the final weekend of the championship might have on Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions selections.Timecodes: 01:00 – France Scotland reaction 07:35 – Shaun Edwards interview 16:06 – A statement win for England? 28:13 – Where do Wales go from here? 36:50 – Where does this Six Nations leave Lions selections?

Is this finally the weekend Wales end their losing run? Chris is greeted in Cardiff by Wales and Lions legend Jamie Roberts to preview the fixture he says brings the best out of the every aspect of Welsh rugby. Tomos Williams discusses his form and teaming up with his Gloucester team-mate ‘Chicken’ on international duty. Chris then heads into the England camp to speak to Sale’s Tom Roebuck ahead of his first Test start. There’s still more to unpick from that England backline with the rugby correspondent for the Times Alex Lowe and Jack Crowley’s selection at 10 this weekend prompts more Lions fly-half debate.

Marcus Smith is back in the starting XV. Tommy Freeman moves to outside centre. Tom Roebuck get his first Test start, but there's no room for Ollie Sleightholme. All this and more for Ugo and Sara to discuss as Steve Borthwick names his England team to face Wales in Cardiff this Saturday. Ben Earl is also on the pod as we get his take on playing in Cardiff, facing the 'phenomenal' Jac Morgan and lining up alongside the Curry brothers once again.

Bielle-Biarray, Penaud, Freeman… a few of the players who have made their try-scoring mark on this year’s Six Nations. With a number of individual records up for grabs on Super Saturday, Chris and Ashy discuss the men who have taken the Championship by storm. Tommy Freeman is our guest as he looks to become the first Englishman to score a try in every single round of the Six Nations. And we are joined by Bordeaux coach Noel McNamara who tells us what it is like to coach some of France’s most electric players, with Bialle-Biarray on the verge of tournament history and Penaud closing in on French rugby greatness.

Tom Hamilton, a Senior Writer at ESPN and rugby expert, joins the conversation to dissect the monumental challenge of facing Ireland in Dublin. Shaun Edwards believes it's the ultimate test, and Hamilton highlights how Fabien Galthie's strategic mind games are in play. The episode examines Sam Prendergast's pivotal moment in his emerging career and France's bold 7-1 bench split. The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape of Irish rugby and the immense pressure faced by Scotland and England as they navigate the Six Nations gauntlet.

Johnnie Beattie, a former rugby player and commentator, joins Paul Eddison, a seasoned French rugby journalist. They discuss the critical France vs. Ireland match, debating whether France needs a win to silence critics. Johnnie shares insights on Wales' visit to Murrayfield, despite their poor form. The talk also explores tactical choices like the 7:1 bench split and player selections, including Romain Ntamack’s return and Jamie Osborne’s debut. The duo highlights the pressure on both teams and the emotional stakes at play.

Fraser Dingwall, a promising rugby player for Northampton Saints and England, joins the discussion as he prepares to take on Italy. The lineup changes have sparked conversations about the team's dynamics, especially with Marcus Smith benched. Fraser shares insights on the fun challenges keeping spirits high in camp and the unique thrill of playing alongside his Northampton teammates. The dynamic partnerships in the midfield are analyzed, emphasizing camaraderie and strategic gameplay as England gears up for a crucial match.

In this chat with Jamie George, the England rugby legend, listeners get an inside look at his feelings around achieving 100 caps. He describes the moment as "surreal" and discusses losing the captaincy, sharing how head coach Steve Borthwick broke the news to him. Jamie reflects on the importance of resilience and family support throughout his career. The conversation also features a fun quiz, where Jamie showcases his knowledge of rugby trivia, and strategic insights on player roles as the Six Nations approach.

Is this the week Ireland take a huge step towards Six Nations history? The pod is back as we start the build-up to round four with Grand Slam winner Donncha O'Callaghan. What impact will the trio of retiring greats have? One man who will miss the France showdown is centre Garry Ringrose, but we lament the process that means he will only miss the one championship match. Plus, Felix Jones has a new job, there's a big departure at Leicester and we wrap up the PWR semi-finals.

England regain the Calcutta Cup and Ireland remain on course for a Grand Slam. Round three of the 2025 Six Nations is in the bag and Ugo is alongside John Barclay and Sam Warburton to wrap it all up. Wales impressed under new interim boss Matt Sherratt despite slipping to another defeat. What would Warren Gatland have made of the performance? England backed up their win over France with another narrow win and a first over Scotland since 2020, but what are the question marks still hanging over Steve Borthwick’s side? What next for Scotland and Gregor Townsend after their title hopes were dashed at Twickenham? Plus, John and Sam update their Lions teams from round one, and we get a masterclass on how to pronounce Louis Bielle-Biarrey.