#6 Champions Cup Returns, Prem Pain, Irish Sides Fire & RWC 2035 Bids

Jim and Goodey open this week paying tribute to Lions lock Hyron Andrews after his tragic passing ahead of the opening round of the Champions Cup. We wish his family, friends, club and everyone who knew him well. On the pitch, Leinster’s young guns ran riot at Clermont, Toulouse edged an 83-point thriller with Exeter, and Gloucester held reigning champions Bordeaux to a 36-36 draw. It was a weekend to forget for most of the other Prem teams apart from Saints, while the Irish sides went unbeaten, Glasgow mauled their way to victory at Sale, and the Stormers and Bulls put over 100 points on Bristol and Stade Français. Plus the race to host RWC 2035, Ed Slater’s inspiring story, plenty of Goode, Bad and Ugly, and your shout-outs. Settle back, enjoy, and make sure you’re subscribed on Spotify. Check for FREE if you are due a refund in 60 seconds at: https://refundclub.co.uk/rugby *Refund Club is a trading style of Sandsford Law LTD. You can pursue a claim free of charge directly to your lender and then to the Financial Ombudsman Service. The FCA has now established a free- to-use Consumer Redress Scheme; it estimates the average redress per agreement will be £829. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back to break down a weekend of action, including Saints and Bath combining for a 119 points result and sparking a debate: are cricket scorelines good for rugby? We look at Leicester’s comeback thriller against Gloucester, Leinster’s return to the RDS, the All Blacks dismantling Australia and the Springboks making their presence felt in the URC, with the Stormers and Bulls laying down serious markers. Plus, Ulster and Munster serve up another draw, Marcus Smith returns in style and we preview the opening round of the Champions Cup on Premier Sports. We’re also joined by Glasgow Warriors legend George Horne to talk try-scoring records and what makes a world-class scrum-half. Elsewhere, an NFL superstar takes to the grassroots rugby pitch, World Rugby cracks down on dangerous tackles and there’s all the latest news, big talking points and grassroots shoutouts. Download SAILY's app and use our code RUGBYPOD at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/rugbypod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gloucester top the Prem, the Sharks lead the URC and The Dragons and Edinburgh are unbeaten, who predicted that pre season?! Jim, Goodey and Biggs break down Bath's 40-34 win over Exeter, Edinburgh continue their strong start to the season, Munster return to winning ways, Gloucester's 48-0 thrashing of Quins, Sale's revenge at Saracens and a wild 33-33 draw between Glasgow and Ulster. Bristol Director of Rugby Pat Lam also joins the pod to talk about the Bears' flying start, Louis Rees-Zammit's form, and why rugby needs to open its doors to the media. Plus news, the Good, Bad and Ugly, and your shout-outs. Settle back, enjoy, and make sure you're subscribed on Spotify. Visit Gullivers Travel to book your Rugby World Cup Package: https://tinyurl.com/yk8bbvrh Get 15% off all e-Sims with code RUGBYPOD at checkout. Just download the Saily app or head to saily.com/rugbypod to try it out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Domestic rugby is back with a bang, and the lads are across an absolutely chaotic opening weekend. Jim reflects on pulling the boots back on for the 745 Game and picking up a broken thumb, before we dive into Saracens’ 12-try thriller against Leicester, big opening wins for Glasgow and Edinburgh, Gloucester ending their 12-year wait at Sandy Park and Louis Rees-Zammit lighting it up for Bristol. Plus, we unpack one of the wildest Test finishes you’ll ever see as Australia somehow survive four yellow cards and finish with 11 men to beat the Springboks 42-38 in Perth, complete with broken comms, referees on mobile phones and late drama. There’s also Dupont magic, Santi Carreras producing an early try-of-the-season contender and all the usual Good, Bad & Ugly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The domestic season is almost here, so the lads are back with a massive preview of the Prem and URC. Jim and Goodey run through all the big summer moves, the teams to watch and make their predictions for the season ahead. TNT Sports’ Craig Doyle joins us to chat all things Prem and the powerful new Lewis Moody vs MND documentary, which he co-produced alongside Brian O’Driscoll. Plus, there’s plenty happening across the Irish provinces, Shaun Edwards’ future, Peter O’Mahony’s explosive new book and all the Other News, as well as some Goode, Bad & Ugly. Enjoy! Check for FREE if you are due a refund in 60 seconds at: https://refundclub.co.uk/rugby Head to uk.holy.com/rugby and use RUGBY5 for £5 off your first order, or use the code RUGBY for 10% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Rugby Pod is BACK for Season 11! Jim, Goodey, Bigs and Producer Rob catch up on a massive summer of rugby, starting with South Africa sealing the Greatest Rivalry series 3–1 over the All Blacks. The lads debate whether the Springboks are now untouchable and what the rest of the World needs to do to close the gap. We also get stuck into Steve Borthwick’s new England deal and his revamped Elite Player Squad, Henry Pollock’s big-money Saints contract, the Six Nations potentially heading to the USA and the latest twists and turns in the club game. Plus, we look ahead to a huge season with some quick-fire predictions for the Nations Championship, Six Nations, Champions Cup and Rugby World Cup Find your forever cookware @hexclad and get 10% off at hexclad.co.uk/INSERTCODE! Offer excludes bundles and other items already on sale. #hexcladpartnerRUGBYPOD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Nations Championship delivered a final weekend of chaos as England survived a seven-card thriller against Argentina, with controversial calls, post-match bust-ups and massive performance from Manny Feyi-Waboso dominating the fallout. The lads debate whether England’s successful tour has eased the pressure on Steve Borthwick, assess Ireland’s costly collapse against the All Blacks at Eden Park and ask whether a gap is emerging between rugby’s top three and the rest. There’s also Scotland’s impressive win in Fiji, another brutal afternoon for Wales against the Springboks, all the latest other news and the final Good, Bad & Ugly of Season 10. Find your forever cookware @hexclad and get 10% off at hexclad.co.uk/RUGBYPOD Check for FREE if you are due a refund in 60 seconds at: ⁠⁠⁠https://refundclub.co.uk/rugby Get £10 off Huel with the Code: RUGBYPOD or by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://my.huel.com/RUGBYPOD⁠ *Refund Club is a trading style of Sandsford Law LTD. You can pursue a claim free of charge directly to your lender and then to the Financial Ombudsman Service. The FCA is likely introducing a free-to-use Consumer Redress Scheme; it estimates the average redress per agreement will be £829. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scotland push the Springboks to the limit and may have revealed a blueprint for troubling the world champions, but a second-half surge by the Boks leaves them wondering what might have been. England stop the rot with an 11-try demolition of Fiji, although questions remain over how much the result really tells us ahead of Argentina. Bigs breaks down Wales’ reality check against Los Pumas and the daunting trip to Durban, while the lads look ahead to Ireland’s shot at ending the All Blacks’ 52-match unbeaten run at Eden Park. Plus, Australia collapse again, France unleash Jalibert and Ntamack together, Rassie’s incredible squad depth, Henry Pollock’s hat-trick and all the latest news from across the rugby world. Check for FREE if you are due a refund in 60 seconds at: ⁠⁠https://refundclub.co.uk/rugby Get £10 off Huel with the Code: RUGBYPOD or by visiting ⁠⁠⁠http://my.huel.com/RUGBYPOD⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We break down a blockbuster opening round of the Nations Championship, with Ireland edging a thriller against Australia, Scotland lighting it up in Argentina, Wales finally finding back-to-back wins, and South Africa overpowering England at Ellis Park. The lads dig into the big tactical talking points, from Ireland’s grit and Scotland’s attacking threat to England’s lack of direction and Borthwick's pressure, before being joined by Springbok legend and World Cup-winning captain John Smit to talk Boks dominance, Rassie’s machine and whether anyone can stop South Africa. Check for FREE if you are due a refund in 60 seconds at: https://refundclub.co.uk/rugby Get £10 off Huel with the Code: RUGBYPOD or by visiting ⁠http://my.huel.com/RUGBYPOD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're celebrating our 500th episode as international rugby returns with the inaugural Nations Championship. We preview all the big North v South clashes, including England’s daunting trip to Ellis Park to face the Springboks, an injury-hit Ireland heading to Australia, Scotland’s shot at revenge against Argentina, Wales taking on a dangerous Fiji side in Cardiff, and France’s weakened squad facing the All Blacks. We look at all the main talking points like England captaincy, some potential weaknesses in the Springbok squad and some big decisions for Andy Farrell. Plus, there’s chat on Ellis Genge exit rumours, Toulouse’s Top 14 dominance, Bledisloe history, and some shoutouts from across the rugby community. Check for FREE if you are due a refund in 60 seconds at: https://refundclub.co.uk/rugby Get £10 off Huel with the Code: RUGBYPOD or by visiting ⁠ my.huel.com/RUGBYPOD⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices