Episode 28 - Calcutta Cup Preview, France Faulter & Zach Mercer on his England Exile

The lads look back at another hell of a weekend as Europe's best went head to head in the Champions and Challenge Cup semifinals. We'll dissect Quins' performance in Toulouse and Leinster's hard-fought win over Northampton at a sold-out Croke Park. We've also got a chat with Saints and England fly-half, Fin Smith. Plus, Jim is deepening his Saffa ties, hanging out with The Sharks for their Challenge Cup semifinals at the Stoop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Spotify studio was packed this week with two BIG men with big reputations and big Medal collections joining Jim & Bigs. Double Rugby World Cup Winning Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Vincent Koch join the lads to give us some incredible insight on the Springboks, winning back to back Rugby World Cups, what motivates them, their coaches, and what it means to South Africa. The lads open up and give us unbelievable access to one of the most successful teams in the sport. Jim & Bigs also wrap up some of the club rugby and look forward to a massive weekend of Champions Cup action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kon’nichiwa from Japan! We’ve gone global this week, Jim's in Tokyo Japan checking out the heated toilets and hunting bug interviews, Bigs is with us from the South of France and Rob’s sat in sunny Stockton on Tees. We’ve got loads for you this week including some intel on Jim's interviews with Ardie Savea, Eddie Jones and PSDT, Leinster and the monster squad they're building over there in Dublin, a big showdown in the Top 14 and the run-in for the premiership and URC is heating up. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have a genuine enforcer back on the Pod this week as Big Courts joins Jim to look back at all the Champions Cup Quarter-finals, including his own game versus the Bulls, and Lesinter's demolition of reigning champions La Rochelle. The lads give their take on the latest episode of Chasing the Sun and how Courtney would react to Rassie's unusual coaching tactics, and how we rated the Springboks. PLUS we look ahead to 2 class semi finals, including Northampton's trip to the iconic Croke Park for a showdown with Leinster and Harlequins trip to Tolouse. Enjoy and make sure you’re subscribed on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're going big this week with Dan Biggar flying over to our studio from the South of France, and man of the moment Louis Rees-Zammit joining following the massive announcement that he's heading to the Superbowl Champions Kansas City Cheifs. We'll hear how the move came about, how NFL training compares to Rugby, how much players get paid, and what the epic journey looks like from here for the Welsh speedster. We’ll also be chatting Champions Cup action as Jim and Dan review and preview the knock-out matches and give some quality insight. Oh, and Jim saved a life! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads give their take on the massive news, not just in Rugby, with LRZ signing for Superbowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs. We’ll be discussing a crazy weekend in the Premiership with nothing to choose between the top 8 teams.  We'll also take a look at a top of the table win for Leinster over the Bulls in the URC and throw ahead to a mouth-watering weekend of Champions Cup rugby as we reach the Round of 16. Plus, TMO Goddey gets into the detail on some big decisions from the weekend where Bath aint apppy. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Domestic rugby is back with Saracens turning the heat up against Quins and Gloucester claiming an emotional Ed Slater Cup against Leicester. TMO Andy makes a return around the controversy in the booth with Austin Healy's commentary. Plus, we're delighted to be joined by one of the brightest stars in English rugby in Quins backrow Chandler Cunningham-South, who gives an insight into the new generation of England players. Richard Cockvilli also calls in to demand that Wales & Warren G sign a contract for a promotion showdown after Georgia's seventh Rugby Europe Championship win. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Women's Six Nations kicking off this weekend, we're delighted to be joined by two England superstars in Ellie Kildunne & Jess Breach to preview this year's tournament and talk about their careers. Presenter Laura Winter interviews the two Red Roses about their journey so far, the Rugby World Cup, their biggest rivalries, initiations, team tattoos, the growth of the women's game, as well as looking forward to this year's competition. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a hell of a grand finale in the Six Nations, the lads sum up the final round of action with Ireland claiming back-to-back championships. While most Welsh fans are in hiding, Dan Biggar braves the Pod to give his take on where Welsh rugby really is, and what next for Gats and his men. We'll also be discussing Italy's best ever championship, as well as England’s evolution in Lyon, plus Jim gives some insight into what Scottish rugby is missing. We also pick our team of the tournament with a centre partnership that may well echo in eternity! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England managed to produce one of their best performances in recent memory this weekend at Twickenham, stealing the game away from Ireland in the dying moments - the lads, joined by former Ireland International and expert analyst Bernard Jackman, dissect the game with an open cloth. Big Jim vents his frustrations with Scotland following their loss to Italy and we also look ahead to the final round of the Six Nations 2024. PLUS we're joined by England U20's captain & Leicester Tigers Young Gun, Finn Carnduff revealing the freak athletes next to hit the big time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices