Pathway Progression - Exclusive Interview with Tim Westwood

A week early due to Hannah's thespian-related commitments (theatre kids, honestly!), here is your preview of the PWR opener against Saracens away. We talk Tigers Women getting left out of the Jaecoo PWR advert, before reviewing the Next Gen Cup as a whole. Then there is an exclusive interview with Fraser Goatcher so sit tight for that one. We then preview Sarries, a team with players who have played a lot of rugby in the cup and for their countries in WXV, so are there any opportunities for Tigers Women to exploit? Will Goatcher go full bore with regards to that pesky plastic pitch, and what constitutes a good result? We discuss all the above in this episode. Enjoy!

 It's been a hectic week for Leicester Tigers Women as the club announced the immediate departure of five players, including star and fan favourite Jordan Russell. Jacob and Vitty react to this news, as well as talking Red Roses, Lions vs France and tres cher heritage stash. There's also a discussion on Leicester's 2026 Annual Report & Financial Statements and what it tells us about the women's programme. It's a lengthy one but we hope you enjoy! 

The two JBs are reunited once again as Jess Bunyard returns to give a bit of a catch-up. The two chat about possibly the best women's rugby international match ever played between the Red Roses and the Black Ferns, in which Jess was in attendance. The pair also talk about Tigers Women involvement across in WXV as the USA beat Wales, South Africa  beat Italy and Australia beat Scotland. Enjoy this bonus podcast! 

Hannah returns to offer as much optimism as a Welsh fan full with dread can muster ahead of Tigers Women's competitive return to action in the 2026-27 season with a home opener against Saracens. Before then, Hannah and Jacob discuss 'Laurence of iPlayer-gate', WXV and the backlash to Sydney Sweeney's advert, and how women's rugby players present themselves on and off the pitch has long been a sensitive issue within the sport. Hear exclusive interviews from Tigers Women's head coach Fraser Goatcher and captain Tess Feury then Jacob and Hannah ponder as to how strong the side will be, will the match be competitive unlike so many Saracens games in the past... and actually, is that elusive win a genuine possibility? Enjoy!

Freelance Sports Journalist and Tigers supporter Vitty de Lazzer hops on to the Fancast to talk about the Black Ferns/Springbok Women game/preview WXV, of course a mention about 4.5 balls and we react to the news that Brewdog is becoming a sponsor of Leicester. Then, Jacob showcases his talent at sharing a zoom screen (or significant lack thereof) as we do on an overview of the Tigers squad and try and predict where this team could go this season in the PWR and Next Gen Cup. 

Leicester Tigers Women were back in action as they were hosted by old enemies Cheltenham Tigers on the 27th August. Was it a joint training session, was it a proper fixture, was it an U23s development game? As discussed by Jacob and returning guest Bluebell (from She's the Champ pod) the answer was a combination of all three. Before we discuss that game, we react to Tigers signing Welsh winger Lisa Neumann, Tigers involvement in WXV squads and the shock news that Swys de Bruin has left his role as head coach of Springboks Women! Enjoy!

Head of University of Nottingham WRFC and Lichfield Ladies Head Coach Tim Westwood once again joins Jacob for an exclusive chat to preview the impending season. Westwood reflects on last season, how Nottingham can do one better this season and achieve promotion to BUCS Super Rugby Women's (BSRW), his excitement at the continuing partnership with Leicester and his ambitions for Lichfield.

Huw Griffin joins Jacob to discuss Tigers kit (isn't everyone) and all the reasons behind this off-season being CRAZY in terms of PWR transfers. From Ruby Tui joining Trailfinders, Marlie Packer swapping Sarries for Quins, and World-class Wallaroos heading to Leicester, the PWR next season looks to be better than ever. 

In this bonus podcast, Jacob provides an audio-visual version of his substack article looking at what's behind all these Australians rocking up to Mattioli Woods Welford Road next season. Over a month ago, Rugby Australia officially announced a partnership with various PWR clubs, although Leicester Tigers seem to be the club that have considerably benefitted so far. So, how is this partnership going to benefit Tigers next season, will it turn the club’s fortunes around, and what do Rugby Australia get out of this arrangement? Enjoy this bonus episode and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Hannah returns to talk to Jacob about the insane transfers happening in the PWR at the moment, as well as a bit of Lions chat. We speculate whether a certain Gabrielle Vernier or Ellie Kildunne could be wearing the red, green and white next season. After that we break down the East Mids Derby, in which Tigers Women saved their best performance till last, but it was not enough to achieve that elusive win. Enjoy this last episode of Season 3 of the Fancast!