Hullabaloo and Hand-wringing

"Oh Biggar off." The first cut is the deepest, but that won't stop us. This week, Kath and Lo are making a patchwork podcast via voice note because we are boundary pushers, we are innovators...and we can't find a decent Zoom connection. Enjoy our musings on drop goals, giving your own players stick, ignoring the "narrative", and heroes and villains. It's the Rugby World Cup, lads, and we're on WhatsApp.

Who's excited for the Rugby World Cup? We are. Who's sick and tired of Fiji, Samoa and other competitive, highly ranked nations being called "surprising" and "Tier 2"? WE ARE. Who knows how this World Cup will go? Not us. Are we ready? Probably not. Are we tipsy? Certainly. Are we super psyched? You know it. It's the birth of bimbo rugby and it's beautiful.

We are back, we’re in a bad way...and so is Welsh rugby.  After the men’s third Six Nations 2023 defeat, not even Kath’s spectacularly tasteful flat can disguise the fact that things ain’t pretty. So why pretend?  Lost Forward is ripping off the plaster and letting it all out. We might regret it, we might still be under the influence. We might just be moaning for 30 minutes while battling a cold. Maybe we are. But the truth will set you free. 

It's Valentine's Day and Kath and Lo are crazy in love...with the weekend's action. Lo shares her hot take on Antoine Dupont (before Matt Dawson says it a week later in the paper). Kath shares her extensive notes on a never-in-doubt Welsh victory over Scotland.  Join us as we discuss Ellis Genge's potential as England's replacement fly-half and Zammo's reluctance to bundle Darcy Graham into touch.  There's also a quiz, a Kourtney Kardashian kameo, and an answer to the million dollar question: Rieko or Akira?  Live, laugh, love xxx

Kath and Lo are back at it...but are they even talking about rugby? It's been a while, babes, so we thought we'd return during the Men's Six Nations to muse on: what the hell we've been up to; Lo's vibe curation; whether Welsh rugby has hit rock bottom; who of us is more like Marcus Smith, and how good KL is at renovation work. It's a caulker.  We've missed you. Buckle up. 

What’s happening, mush? This week Lost Forward meets a Swansea hero - Ben John aka The Rugby Trainer 🏉  Ben chats to Kath and Lo about his playing career with the Ospreys, the difficult decision to step away after ongoing issues with concussion, and how he went from PT at a gym to the best rugby trainer on Instagram with over 40k followers! Ben has grown a brilliant following through his tips, tricks and training through lockdown. Follow him @therugbytrainer for cracking drills, analysis and some lols anecdotes from the world of Welsh rugby. He might be all about helping you improve your game, but we hope this chat is also chance to meet the driven, humble rugby-mad man behind the videos. All this and we play a very important new game: Ankle Tap or Through The Gap. Find out at last who makes the best ice cream in Swansea, and whether there’s anything Ben loves more than Rhys Webb’s tan.

Lost Forward meets Zainab “Zee” Alema. Rugby player, mother of three, neo-natal nurse and all-round legend Zee joins us on the pod this week. Zee has founded @studsinthemud - providing rugby boots and equipment for women and children in Ghana - and @muslimahrugby - a group supporting Muslim women in rugby. On top of this, you might have seen her on social media recently because not only is she @thetimes Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year, Zee is sharing her journey to become the first black Muslim woman to play for England @englandrugby. You can follow Zee’s journey @roadtoredroses. In the pod we talk about: her passion for rugby; motivation, positivity and manifesting; how to deal with box ticking, and how her success means success for everyone. We also talk about how awks it was to meet hero Maggie Alphonsi but maintain social distancing 😂and Kath and Lo rebrand as “Tank and Mad Dog” 🔥 We are so excited and honoured to share this episode with you.

This one’s all about love. Continuing our series of interviews celebrating the Women’s Six Nations, Lost Forward meets Bournville Ladies Vice Captain Naomi Gardner.  Naomi‘s love and passion for the game shines through, as we chat about grassroots rugby, including: a surprise childhood rugby memory; players gassing it; and how she keeps her team motivated when things get tough. Naomi and the pod also talk about tackling racism in (and outside of) the game. Naomi shares her thoughts and experiences as a Black woman in the sport, and talks about the importance of access and representation.  It was an honour chatting with you Naomi. Lost Forward sends the best of luck now the Bournville women are back in training - and we hope you’re chuffed that your Super Rugby faves the Chiefs are doing well!

Kath and Lo are back! shooting the (redacted) and working on our natural chemistry. We ponder a thought-provoking start to the Women’s Six Nations and lush feedback from our interview with Megan Jones (check it out!). We also ask: how to analyse women’s Test rugby without considering the unevenness of the playing field?   There’s also hot news from Aotearoa as the Crusaders lose at home (finally!) and the ladies ponder whether the rip is the new jackal. Plus: Lo reveals why she should never meet her heroes, with a heartwarming tale of weeping in front of Sir Bobby Charlton. Review, share, follow! Diolch am gwrando bbz 

Kath and Lo are delighted to share their first ever interview on the Lost Forward podcast! Who better to kick off for us than the inimitable Megan Jones, a Cardiff lass who is pure class!  Born and raised in Cardiff, but English qualified through her mother, Meg moved to England as a teenager to pursue her rugby dream. Meg plays 10 for Wasps Ladies, England Women and GB Sevens, and she's got a fascinating story to share. Meg is set to feature for the Red Roses later today as they take on Scotland in the opener of the Women's Six Nations Championship. Let Lost Forward be part of your pre-match prep! You won't regret it.