The Nations Pod - Melbourne Test week

We’re podding from the Lions team hotel after Andy Farrell named his squad for the third Test in Sydney. Chris, Ugo and John Barclay discuss the two changes to the Lions starting XV with Blair Kinghorn replacing James Lowe on the wing and James Ryan coming in for Ollie Chessum at lock. Joe Schmidt has turned to veteran scum-half Nic White who bows out from international rugby on Saturday, but there is no Rob Valetini or Carlo Tizzano for the Wallabies. Can they match the performance they produced at the MCG to spoil the Lions’ party?

1997 or 1974? Two iconic tours to South Africa, but which one ranks higher? In the final episode of our top 10 series, Lions legends Jamie Roberts and Matt Dawson join Chris to rank the best tours of all time. We ask Jamie to rate his two tours - the 2013 win in Australia and the epic series against South Africa in 2009. We debate what makes a great tour - is it all about winning the Test series or are there other factors that determine success? And where does the only Lions series win against the All Blacks feature in our list?

We're in Sydney next to the opera house chatting to Wallabies legend Michael Hooper to get his take on THAT clearout and to discuss the health of Aussie rugby following the series defeat with the World Cup coming up in two years. We also chat to World rugby boss Alan Gilpin who has rejected Joe Schmidt's claim that the decision at the end of the second Test contravened the sport's player welfare drive. Chris also heads into the victorious Lions camp to chat to the captain Maro Itoje. Who has he bonded with on this tour? And what value are they putting on winning the series 3-0?

What is the greatest moment in a Lions Test? Matt Dawson and Jamie Roberts join Chris to rank those iconic moments that every Lions fan will remember. Is Jeremy Guscott’s drop goal better than JPR Williams’? Which player had the howler of all howlers? And Chris tries his hand at recreating one of the all time great sporting speeches.

Chris and Tom have made it to Sydney for final Test week and GRO is back in the Nations pod squad having been declared fit for selection. There is lots of love for Finn Russell and how he orchestrated the final moments of the game. Of course, Jac Morgan’s clearout is also a hot topic of conversation as another series delivers another controversial moment at the death. Do this Lions team need to win the series 3-0 to be considered one the greats? They have not whitewashed their opponents in the Test series since they toured Argentina in 1927.

What a match! The second Test in Melbourne had everything – drama, comebacks, grit and fight as the Lions fought hard to beat a much improved Wallabies side by 29 points to 26 – to take the series victory, meaning they have won a series for the first time in 12 years. Chris is joined by Lions rugby royalty – Matt Dawson, Andy Nicol and Jamie Roberts - live from a bar with all the on the whistle reaction. Andy wishes Australia played like that in the first Test, for Matt it was a match that had him on the edge of his seat and for Jamie it was one of the greatest Test matches… ever! The guys debate that and so much more – including the brilliant performances from Itoje, Russell, Kinghorn, Aki, Gibson-Park and Morgan to name but a few! They also chat what didn’t go to plan for the Lions in the first half and why Australia were so class. But one thing they all agree on is that this was a ‘magic’ Test match and the Wallabies finally came to the party!

Can Australia bounce back at the famous MCG to level the series? Or will the Lions clinch a second successive series down under? With nine Irishman in Andy Farrell’s team, Chris gets the Irish perspective on the second Test with friend of the pod Murray Kinsella from The 42. We also hear from Lions assistant coach John Fogarty on the significance of playing at Australia’s most iconic sporting venue and find out what legendary Lions captain Martin Johnson said to the players when handing them with their jerseys. And we track down one of the winning Wallabies from the 2001 Lions series, Nick Stiles gives us the lowdown on Aussie rugby and how he would make them competitive again.

Chris, Ugo and John Barclay react to Andy Farrell's team for the second Test against Australia. There's no Sione Tuipulotu or Garry Ringrose as Huw Jones and Bundee Aki make up the midfield. But Jac Morgan does make the 23 to give the huge travelling Welsh support something to shout about. What can we expect from the Wallabies at the MCG now they have Rob Valetini and Will Skelton in their side? And how much will conditions effect what we see on Saturday?

Will Andy Farrell make big changes for the second Test? Will the fitness of Joe McCarthy force his hand? Lauren steps in for GRO this week as we are forced to make our own selection calls ahead of the second Test. Has Jac Morgan done enough to force his way into the 23? A rugby nation holds its breath. We hear about Tom’s burgeoning love of cricket after a trip to the MCG as the Lions look to wrap up the series at one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world. There’s also big news out of the WRU to discuss as Steve Tandy leaves Scotland to become the new Wales head coach.

Chris Jones and former Lions and Wales wing Alex Cuthbert give their on the whistle reaction as the Lions faced a test against the First Nations and Pasifika XV in Melbourne. It was a tight match but the Lions had the edge in the end – in what was an exciting 80 minutes at Marvel Stadium.Alex and Chris dissect what went right on the pitch – especially the first ten minutes for the visitors - and where improvements could be made with some set pieces not ‘clinical’ enough on the night. Captain Owen Farrell gets a shout-out as does Darcy Graham who made his debut, scored a try then went off the injured - and the guys get the latest on Marcus Smith’s HIA. Alex also receives some gifts from some fans at the ground and tells Chris what it’s really like playing golf with some actual wallabies!