The Rugby Pod

Six Nations round one is done and there’s a lot to unpack. Jim, Goodey and Bigs dive into Italy’s superb win over Scotland, how Gonzalo Quesada has transformed the Azzurri, and whether this result puts real pressure on Gregor Townsend ahead of a huge Calcutta Cup clash. The lads then turn to England v Wales, looking beyond the scoreline at England’s attacking evolution, George Ford’s control, and whether discipline could become an issue against tougher opposition. Wales’ struggles, green shoots at U20 level, and what a response at the Principality might look like are all on the agenda. We also look at Ireland’s poor performance in Paris, what went wrong in that first half, France’s physical edge, big TMO calls, and what has changed with Ireland. Listener questions, Smartest Call of the Week, news, shout-outs and live shows in Dublin round out a packed episode of proper Six Nations chat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Jim, Goodey, Ryan Wilson, Producer Rob and Slug Hands on the Rugby Pod sofa for some Live Alternate Commentary, bringing you reactions, opinions, nonsense, and proper fan chat as the Six Nations opener between Ireland and France lights up Paris. Questions, hot takes, and post-match reaction, as well as plenty of laughs as the lads share a few beers, as the greatest tournament in rugby kicks off! Brought to you in partnership with Premier Sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a full-noise Six Nations Special as Jim and Goodey tee up a massive opening weekend, with Ireland v France on Thursday night in Paris, England v Wales at Allianz, and Scotland’s trip to Rome. The lads dig into squads amid key absences, new faces and some bans, plus predictions for all three games, and a reminder to join the Pod’s live alternate commentary watch-along for France v Ireland on Thursday night on Youtube. We also have a brilliant sit-down with Scotland and Lions legend Andy Nicol, who reflects on Calcutta Cup glory and Gregor Townsend. We'll cover tournament predictions, some big law-change debates, RWC 2027 fixture news, and some listener questions to round things off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ronan O’Gara and Dan Biggar break down Ireland’s biggest selection call ahead of the Six Nations: who starts at fly-half? From Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast's battle, to Harry Byrne’s late charge, the lads dig into what Andy Farrell really values at ten, in terms of game management, attacking ambition, and long-term best option to take Ireland forward. It’s a proper rugby-nause chat, shaped by two men who know a thing or two about pulling the strings at the very highest Test level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Six Nations around the corner, the lads are fired up as squads drop across the board, bringing big calls, big omissions, and some surprise bolters. We dig into every nation’s squad, from France leaving out some absolute superstars, to England’s depth options, Ireland’s late changes and injury worries, Wales’ omissions, a settled Scotland, and Italy’s hopes despite a mounting injury list. We’re also joined by England’s rugby chef Tom Kirby for a brilliant chat on elite nutrition, monster appetites, and what players at every level should actually be eating. Throw in some Prem and URC chat, punch-ups, plenty of other news, live show news in Dublin, rumours, and it’s a packed episode as the countdown to the Six Nations really begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Massive news with Razor's shock sacking in New Zealand setting the tone for a wild week as Jim and Goodey break down the fallout, the rumours swirling around player power, and where Razor could land next. From there, it’s onto the final round of Champions Cup pool action, with knockout draws confirmed, major upsets delivered and Scottish rugby flying high. Harlequins stun La Rochelle, Castres shock Munster, Leinster find a way, and Glasgow dismantle Saracens. The lads also dive into Six Nations injury concerns, some huge transfer rumours and plenty of other news to round things off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads are on form after a massive round of Champions Cup action, breaking down everything from Saracens win over Toulouse, to Glasgow looking like genuine contenders, Leinster surviving La Rochelle in a bruising classic, and Quins blowing the Stormers away at the Stoop. There’s chat on Henry Pollock being public enemy number one in Bordeaux, Bath’s European march, and why Pool 2 is absolute chaos with everyone still alive. Jim gives the inside line on crisis meetings, second rows and dodgy penalty calls, while we also get stuck into AI coaches and ROG rumours. Plus, the boys announce their first London Six Nations live show at the 12th Knot rooftop at Sea Containers – free for Pod listeners – so it’s one you don’t want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Rugby Pod is back for 2026 and the lads kick off the new year by rounding up a huge festive period of rugby before looking ahead to what promises to be a blockbuster year. Jim, Goodey and Bigs dig into the Premiership at the halfway mark, picking their biggest surprises so far, before a deep dive on England’s wing options as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso steals the show and selection debates rage ahead of the Six Nations. There’s statement wins for Northampton, Leicester and Newcastle, big questions for Harlequins and Gloucester. Over in the URC, the table is turned on its head as the Dragons surge, Leinster and Ulster flex their muscle, and the South African derbies deliver some chaos . The lads also preview a massive weekend of Champions Cup action on Premier Sports, fire through some predictions for 2026, and hand out the first Good, Bad & Ugly of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a Christmas special as Jim, Goodey and Bigs wrap up a huge weekend of Champions Cup action, look back on a cracking 2025, and welcome England full-back Freddie Steward for a very open chat. There’s reaction to Glasgow’s historic comeback win over Toulouse, Leinster grinding it out away at Leicester, big calls on Saracens, the Stormers and the state of the Champions Cup. Freddie talks England momentum, life under the high ball, controversial tackles, TikTok dances, before the lads reflect on the moments that defined the year in rugby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s bonus episode is a special Rugby Pod × Fozcast crossover as Ben Foster and Tom Ochoa join Jim, Biggs and Goodey for a brilliant conversation that digs into what really separates, and connects, elite football and rugby. The lads compare the financial realities of both sports, how contracts work, the demands of training and match preparation, and the very different ways each game handles injuries, stars, player welfare and fandom. They open up on their journeys growing up in academies, the pressure to perform, and the star players who shaped the sports. It’s an open, honest and funny chat, with the lads learning about each other’s world. A fantastic listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices