#35 Rivalries Boil Over, Rugby Millionaires & Fly Half Journeyman Billy Searle

The lads are back from Hong Kong, with plenty to unpack from the trip before getting into a big weekend of rugby. Off the pitch there’s fresh investment across the Premiership, Russell signs with Matchroom and questions around the future with Moana Pasifika and the NRL Super League talk. In the Prem, Saints edge Chiefs, Bristol put Gloucester away, Saracens hammer Sale and the race for the top four is wide open. URC wise, Leinster win in Belfast and Connacht get a big one in Cape Town. Leicester fly half Billy Searle joins us after that 62–3 win. We chat form, confidence, life at Tigers and whether England is now in sight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Champions Cup semi-finals are locked and loaded after a weekend of knock out rugby. Bath produce one of the all-time European comebacks, overturning a 21-point deficit in an 84-point thriller against Saints, with the Bomb Squad delivering yet again and Finn Russell pulling the strings. Leinster grind it out for an hour before blowing Sale away, with Hugo Keenan reminding everyone he’s world class, while questions remain around their scrum. Toulon then rip up the script, ending Glasgow’s 12-game unbeaten run at Scotstoun to set up a huge semi, and Bordeaux take down Toulouse in a proper heavyweight clash to keep their double hopes alive. On top of that, we get into biting bans, Lions selection noise, big transfers, injuries, and plenty of chaos off the pitch. It’s a stacked episode… settle in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Knockout rugby is back and it delivered, with niggle, tries, and drama across the Champions Cup. Northampton edged a 13-try thriller against Castres with Furbank pulling the strings, while Bath saw off Saracens to set up a huge all-English quarter-final. Sale got the job done against a flat Quins side, but injuries are stacking up ahead of Leinster, who look dangerous but not flawless after a messy win over Edinburgh. The big favourites though are set for a clash with Bordeaux and Toulouse blowing teams away and looking like the sides to beat. Meanwhile all the South African teams crash out early, plus, Storm Dave chaos in Glasgow, Toulon heartbreak for the Stormers, and plenty of chat on England selection, transfer rumours and what’s next as the competition really heats up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a blockbuster Big Match weekend, the lads dive into all the Premiership action as Leicester blow Gloucester away, Northampton edge Saracens in a statement win, Quins finally snap their losing streak with a gritty performance at Bristol and Bath’s comeback win over Sale. We’re also joined by former England international Mark Wilson, who shares an unbelievable story from completing the brutal Bob Graham Round and life after rugby. Plus, a look at all the URC action and looking ahead to the Champions Cup and all the latest news from around the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Domestic rugby is back and there’s plenty to get stuck into this week. Glasgow go top of the URC after a big win again Leinster, Leicester move into the Prem top three with a win over Bristol, and Gloucester add to a tough run for Quins. Plus we cover Bath’s huge win against Saracens and Exeter’s push into the top four. We’re also joined by Springbok centurion and World Cup winner Jean de Villiers, who gives his take on the Six Nations, England’s struggles, Irish rivalry, and how the northern hemisphere stacks up against the Boks. Settle back, enjoy, and make sure you’re subscribed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Three teams in the hunt on Super Saturday and it all comes down to a Frenchman’s boot in a 48–46 classic in Paris. Bigs was in the stadium for one of the all-time atmospheres as England finally clicked… but still found a way to lose it. Is it progress or same old story? Ireland quietly rebuilt after early pressure, found depth, and may have solved their fly-half headache. And Scotland… was this their best shot at a title gone begging? The lads get into it all and lots more. Plus Wales finish strong, Italy crash back to earth, and we wrap what has probably been one of the greatest Six Nations Championships of all time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former England and Leicester player, and now one of the most coveted attack coaches in the game, Sam Vesty joins Bigs for a deep dive into the state of modern attacking rugby. The lads give their take on England’s misfiring attack and kicking strategy, why they’re struggling to convert chances in the 22, and whether confidence or system is the bigger issue. Vesty also talks about player connections in coaching, the impact of Premiership rugby on international readiness, and the growing trend of utility backs in the modern game. From Ireland’s layered attacking shape to Scotland’s impressive Six Nations form and France’s apparent chaos that somehow produces magic, the conversation breaks down what makes the best attacks tick. Bigs and Rob also take a look at the final round of Six Nations and preview what promises to be a nervous day with the Championship and Wooden Spoon up for grabs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Absolute chaos in the Six Nations this week and we're here for it. Jim, Goodey and Producer Rob react to one of the wildest rounds the tournament has ever seen: Italy’s historic first-ever win over England in Rome, piling the pressure on Steve Borthwick, Scotland producing a sensational 50-point performance to blow France away at Murrayfield, and Ireland grinding out a tough win over Wales in Dublin. The lads dig into what’s gone wrong for England, how Scotland executed their gameplan to perfection, and look ahead to a massive final round with the title still in play. We get all the inside chat and reaction from pitchside at Murrayfield . 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

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