#21 Six Nations Is BACK! Previews, Predictions & Scotland Legend Andy Nicol

The lads take a look at where the championship stands after three rounds and ask the big questions. Are France operating on a different level, and how do Scotland stop their transition game at Murrayfield? Is England’s discipline and defence about to cost them in Rome, and could Italy finally make history? We get into the numbers around England’s 22 efficiency, missed tackles out wide, scrum battles and turnover issues, plus what tactical tweaks could change the picture. And we’re joined by Italy fly half Paolo Garbisi. He talks Quesada’s influence, the shift in mentality, Italy’s dominant scrum, and what they’re targeting against England this weekend. And after that huge win at Twickenham, have Ireland flipped the narrative of their tournament and will they back it up against an improving Wales? Sign up to NordVPN by going to nordvpn.com/rugbypod to get a Huge Discount off your NordVPN Plan + 4 additional months free. It’s completely risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on The Rugby Pod, Ireland sent out a statement with a ruthless 42-21 dismantling of England at Allianz, turning the Six Nations on its head and reminding everyone what they’re capable of. Jim and Goodey break down Ireland’s clinical edge, Caelan Doris’ captain’s performance, and why England’s balance, and identity are suddenly under massive scrutiny. What needs to change for the final two games and what's at stake for Borthwick. There’s also reaction to Scotland edging Wales in Cardiff thanks to some Finn Russell’s genius, France continuing to look like world beaters, and big news off the field including upcoming live shows and a massive Dublin event with Conor Murray. Settle back, enjoy, and make sure you’re subscribed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

British & Irish Lion and Munster legend Simon Zebo joins The Rugby Pod and Big Jim for a brutally honest look at Irish rugby right now. Zeebs opens up on Ireland’s current trajectory, Andy Farrell’s emotional connection with the squad, and the growing pressure and online abuse facing young players. He reflects on his own Ireland career, the highs and lows, the fierce Munster-Leinster rivalry, playing for Rassie, and the pride of representing Munster and Ireland. Plus, his take on life in France, Finn Ruseell, the England v Ireland clash, life after retirement It's an awesome interview. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scotland lit up Murrayfield to snap England’s 12-game winning streak, with Finn Russell pulling the strings and exposing some questions around England’s defence and decision-making under pressure. All the lads were at the game and give us all the behind-the-scenes details in the build-up and post-game. Italy proved Rassie Erasmus might have been right, pushing Ireland to the brink and showing they’re no longer just participants but genuine contenders, while Ireland’s scrum issues come under the microscope ahead of a huge clash with England. And France continue to look like a runaway train, running in eight tries to dismantle Wales. The lads break down all the big moments, the controversies, and what it means for the rest of the Six Nations, so settle back, enjoy, and make sure you’re subscribed on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jim and Goodey are joined by England, Leicester & British & Irish Lion Ollie Chessum this week for a deep dive into his career. From the turning points that shaped his journey, welding on his day off at Nottingham to becoming a Lion, Ollie opens up on setbacks, standards, Lions chat, England ambitions, career-defining moments, Six Nations rivalries, plus a look ahead to what dreams still drive him, including whether the England captaincy is on the horizon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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