Rugby Union Weekly

It’s World Cup quarter-final weekend, Ugo and Sara preview to Sunday’s matches in Bristol and Exeter – and the weather! Can Scotland beat England for the first time since 1999? Or will the Red Roses march into the semi-finals? We hear from returning captain Zoe Aldcroft and get the inside scoop on her weekend with the Princess of Wales in Brighton. Holly Aitchison also discusses her return from injury and her shopping addiction. Aoife Wafer returns for Ireland, but how fit is she? After falling short against New Zealand last week, are Ireland capable of causing the biggest shock of the World Cup so far?

On episode four of Barely Rugby Harriet, Meg and Hannah chat everything dating - from going out with fellow rugby players, advice for all the single listeners out there and bad Hinge dates. And as always all the big questions try to get answered... is Hannah or Meg a connector, are running clubs the new dating apps and if Hannah was a boy what name would she have?And Meg and Hannah debate whether Harriet should dip her toes into the rugby world and date a player!And is today the day that Ilona Maher finally, finally answers the phone to Hannah...

Ugo Monye, Sara Orchard, Black Ferns World Cup winner Ruby Tui, 2014 World Cup winner Katy Daly-McClean and former Ireland backrower Anna Caplice are in Brighton as New Zealand thrash Ireland 40-0. Teenage wing Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored a hat-trick of tries in a ruthless display to set up a quarter-final against South Africa. Anna talks why Ireland just couldn’t get into their flow and where they go from here as they face France next. The team also reflect on the whole weekend including where England need to improve as we enter the knockouts, plus Fijis huge win over Wales.

On the whistle reaction as England beat Australia 47-7 in Brighton.Sara Orchard is joined by commentator Claire Thomas and World Cup winner Rachael Burford as England see off Australia despite a shaky first half performance. Sadia Kabeya and Kelsey Clifford both scored two tries to set up a quarter-final against Scotland. It was a World Cup whitewash for Wales who lost 28-25 to Fiji in an entertaining match in Exeter. How quickly can Wales fix their issues and where has it gone wrong at this World Cup?

On episode three of the pod Harriet digs deep into the lives of Hannah and Meg before their actual day jobs as professional rugby players! Meg tells the tales of being a delivery driver and the issue of not having toilet breaks - and Hannah on working as a painter and decorator.The chat then turns to how Hannah and Meg both switch off - Meg's girlfriend is her hobby and looking after her dog, whereas Hannah likes colouring by numbers and is an actual golf fashionista! All the big questions get answered too - like could Hannah be a swimwear model?And does Ilona Maher finally, finally pick up the phone to Hannah?

Ugo, Sara, Katy Daley-McLean and Philippa Tuttiett reflect on a mixed day for the home nations at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. England and Scotland are into the quarter-finals, but defeat to Canada sees Sean Lynn’s Wales eliminated. Despite their tournament ending after only two matches, are there still plenty of positives for Wales to draw upon? The 92-3 victory over Samoa was the Red Roses’ biggest in World Cup history, but did the moment of the game belong to the Pacific Islanders? And who from an England perspective shone in Northampton? We also discuss Scotland reaching the last eight of a World Cup for the first time since 2002.

Can Wales shock Canada this weekend? Will Scotland and Ireland book their place in the quarter-finals? Sara and Philippa Tuttiett look ahead to a huge weekend for the three home nations. Sean Lynn has made a raft of changes, but are his side capable beating one of the tournament favourites to stay in the World Cup? Former Ireland international Anna Caplice explains how Scott Bemand how transformed the team on and off the field since taking charge and how far they have come since her playing days. Andy Burke from the BBC's Scotland pod outlines their progress and who could be the breakout star of their team. Plus, there is an injury setback for the Red Roses ahead of their clash against Samoa in Northampton.

On this episode of the pod Harriet gets some insight from Hannah and Meg all about life on tour - and secrets will be spilled!Harriet finds out what's good and bad sharing room etiquette; from DJ'ing in the bedroom, having multiple alarms and why Hannah is a bad roommate... snoring might be involved! As we know Hannah is the social animal of the group and she lets us in on some team bonding exercises from dirty bingo, to karaoke and darts (it basically turns into a stag do!)Lock 'ins happen occasionally on tour and when they do chaos ensues! From smashing plates at Greek night, dressing up as Harry Potter characters, to a bit of cat play - nothing is off limits! We also discover why Tatyana Heard is called "Princess Tat", and Meg lets us know why Ellie Kildunne takes ages to get ready - and they reveal how Maud Muir ended up with chocolate custard over her face!And does Ilona Maher finally pick up the phone to Hannah...?

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 tries against the United States? Ireland also opened with an impressive bonus-point win with one player in particular catching the eye.

On the whistle reaction as England beat the USA 69-7.Sara Orchard is joined by 1994 World Cup winning Red Rose Giselle Mather and commentator Claire Thomas to reflect on England’s emphatic start to their World Cup campaign and the huge sense of occasion created at the Stadium of Light for the opening match. Was Ellie Kildunne the right call for player of the match? And how did the Red Roses still not exhibit their best play? Plus, should the USA’s Alev Kelter have been given the yellow card? And where do the Americans go from here?