Rugby Union Weekly

After South Africa crushed the All Blacks to seal a 3-1 victory in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, Ugo, Danny and Chris debate how you beat the Boks, and if anyone can stop them winning a record third successive World Cup. We react to your messages following our exclusive with Conor O’Shea and get Danny’s take on Steve Borthwick’s contract extension. Will we see a Six Nations match in the USA? World Rugby is keen, with the 2031 men’s and 2033 women’s World Cup heading Stateside, but would it actually help rugby break America, or would the tournament be selling its soul? We also discuss the new 4.5 size ball that is being trialled in WXV as the Red Roses come from behind to beat Australia.

Ugo and Chris sit down with the RFU performance director Conor O’Shea for a wide-ranging conversation about the big issues shaping English rugby. O’Shea reveals they plan to extend Steve Borthwick’s contract to cover the 2028 Six Nations and prevent speculation around his future. They discuss the importance of the upcoming autumn and despite a poor 2026 O’Shea tells us England can go all the way at the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Should the RFU scrap the rule preventing overseas-based players being picked for England? And how do they improve the coaching pathway for English coaches to make the jump from domestic to international rugby? They also quiz O’Shea on the Red Roses’ dominance and the succession plan for John Mitchell.

The big-name guests keep on coming on the pod as we continue our build-up to the new season. On this episode Chris and Ashy chat to four players who have made big moves over the summer. First up is England centurion Courtney Lawes. Why Sale? Which Prem ground is he most excited to play at? And will we see him play for England again? There has been plenty of Welshman on the move. Prop Nicky Smith talks scrums and reflects on a disappointing summer tour with Wales. Jac Morgan talks us through swapping Ospreys for Gloucester and how he’s finding life in Cheltenham. We are also joined by scrum-half Raffi Quirke, who hopes to rediscover his best form at Newcastle. After a plethora of new signings, is this finally the year Red Bull see a return on their investment?

The pod is back after the summer break and we have three big-name guests to kick off the new season. Chris and Ashy chat to Maro Itoje who reflects on being rested by England this July and about becoming a father later this month. We chat to Finn Russell about weddings, chilling on yachts in Cannes and a big year ahead for club and country. And fresh from making his England debut in the summer, centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg makes his pod debut. Chris and Ashy also catch up with Ugo and Danny to discuss the ‘Greatest Rivalry’ series so far and debate Rassie’s last-minute changes to his team.

It’s a full house on the pod this week as Ugo, Danny, Ashy and Chris bring the curtain down on the summer window of the Nation’s Championship. There is plenty of fallout from England’s victory over Argentina. Ugo and Danny have their say on Felipe Contepomi’s criticism of England’s post-match celebration and Steve Borthwick hits back at the media. We ask if the All Blacks are back after they dismantled Ireland at Eden Park. And with Chris arriving fresh from The Open at Royal Birkdale, we discuss who is on par for the summer and if the past three weeks has shaken up the world order.