Doping Scandals, Coach Sackings & Shock Defeats - Is Georgian Rugby Falling Apart?

I was joined by friend of the show and Rugby Europe expert Carl Dawson to review the 2026 Rugby Europe Championship and explain what on earth is going on with Georgian rugby? We also get the latest on Portugal's shock Rugby Europe Championship win, what the latest is with Spanish rugby and get the inside scoop on Romania, Belgium, Netherland and Germany. Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby #rugby #georgia #podcast #europe #scandal #doping #shocking #portugal #worldcup Chapters 0:00 Portugal Steal The Title 5:20 Georgia Doping Scandal Explained 10:05 Georgian Rugby Collapsing? 22:25 Spanish Rugby Rise 33:55 Are Romania Back? 37:05 Belgium & Netherlands 41:30 Over For Germany? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Italy have just fallen agonisingly short of their best ever Six Nations campaign by losing to Wales in Cardiff. The Azzurri had never won three games in a single tournament before and letting this chance slip is a cruel end to what has been one of the best seasons in Italian international rugby history. In this video we will take a deep dive into the numbers behind Italy’s Six Nations campaign. We will outline the reasons for their vastly improved performances, show where they still have room to improve, and ask the question: is the new Italy here to stay? Follow me on Twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Mike's Interview with Six Nations Rewind: https://youtu.be/tVxAV_tfhmQ?si=G7i41axzGmrSJ-UN Franco's Interview with  @megafoonrugby : https://youtu.be/s09M37ThOSQ?si=cstXkAfTqNU9nwHc #rugbyunion #rugby #sixnations #southafrica #springboks #italy #highlights #analysis #history Have Italy Actually Improved? The Truth About Italy's Six Nations https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCiV3FkwAYUV0Pr_yZ-ddORw/collaboration/UCSiP0ju6Wq9DXkFc-7XC12g Chapters 0:00 il Progress 2:06 il Defence 3:20 il Scrum 6:06 il Problem 8:25 il Debate 11:51 il Future Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TOP 14 Finances substack: https://thepiraterugby.substack.com/p/where-french-rugby-teams-get-their Salary cap video: https://youtu.be/SpP4-a-4gdg?si=HSAXHWNeYmlGTlia Jaminet Affair video: https://youtu.be/KHeLl0ktxXQ?si=yHifQklBgIR29TVY All eyes may be on Les Bleus’ thrilling Men’s Six Nations campaign, but behind the scenes in France, a storm is brewing over that most emotive of topics: the salary cap. Just as the TOP 14 have ushered in radical changes to the cap itself, that are set to have a huge impact on the rugby transfer market, a story has broken that prompted accusations of cheating, a lawsuit for defamation, and the integrity of rugby’s biggest star, Antoine Dupont, being called into question. In this article, we will break down how the French salary cap works, what has changed and why Dupont has been left furious at accusations made by one of France’s biggest newspapers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this podcast I was joined by Glasgow statistician and writer Kevin Millar to tackle the hottest topics in Scottish rugby. Kevin explains how South African Franco Smith has made such a positive impact at Glasgow Warriors and the traits that make them such a brilliant team. We then turn our attention to Gregor Townsend and his legacy as Scotland head coach. Is he unfairly criticised or has he wasted a golden generation? The South African Genius Who Can Save Scotland. Why Scottish Rugby Is In Purgatory. #scotland #rugby #podcast #sixnations #analysis #coaching #debate #wales #glasgow Follow Kevin on twitter: https://x.com/topofthemoonGW Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Chapters 0:00 A Glasgow Man 3:16 Stats Frustrations 8:13 Glasgow Success Secrets 16:51 Fantastic Franco Smith 21:55 The Forwards Issue 26:08 Scotland In Purgatory? 33:13 The Edinburgh Problem 35:20 David Nucifora Impact 41:15 Gregor Townsend Legacy 48:15 Would Franco Be Better? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this months rugby transfer review we will cover: scrum halves headed to France the ripples of the NZ coaching conundrum who could replace a Welsh region in the URC Follow https://x.com/rugby_hub on twitter for all you rugby transfer updates! TOP 14 Digest Podcast Audio Links! Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-top-14-digest/id1870637279?i=1000747916101 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/3oFrVxOaAC5O7LlhoJnB4d?si=oeVSFfV4T266mUnJestezQ The latest French rugby gossip and a look ahead to the Six Nations opener! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I go behind the scenes at the Scarlets trip to play Northampton Saints at Cinch Franklins Gardens in the Investec Champions Cup. Includes interviews with Josh Macleod, Nigel Davies, Phil Dawson & Fraser Dingwall. #scarlets #Wales #northampton #saints #championscup #highlights #vlog #review #podcast Follow HG on Twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow the podcast on twitter: https://x.com/ScarletPembs Chapters 0:00 Behind The Scenes 3:13 First Half 8:21 Second Half 13:04 Post Match Analysis 14:41 Nigel Davies Interview 17:17 Josh Macleod Interview 21:08 Saint Point Of View 23:55 What Next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this documentary I explore the rebuild at the Stormers that has seen them go from goof troop to title contenders. Along with insights from Damian Willemse and John Dobson, I will be using Opta's stats to break down the tactics and reveal the secrets of the Cape Town giants. I will also be deep diving their first defeat of the season against Harlequins and explaining what that performance tells us about their identity as a team and what they still need to fix to become a truly great side. Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Stats from: https://theanalyst.com/club-rugby-stats #stormers #southafrica #springboks #interview #analysis #highlights #rugby #vlog #URCgo Stormers Documentary: How Brains & Brutality Created A Monster. The Stormers Rebuild Is Genius... And Brutal. Why The Incredible Stormers Rebuild Should Scare You. How The Stormers Became Contenders Again. Goof Troop To Undefeated: Inside The Stormers Transformation. Why The Stormers Are Still On Track To Become Champions. Chapters 0:00 The Transformation 2:55 Brutal Defence 5:51 Stormers Rugby Identity 12:15 Attack Explained 14:41 World Class Pack 19:16 The SECRET Weapon 20:44 What Comes Next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LINK TO NEW AUDIO PLATFORM: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NGCYndQuXbXthxgmuPKQG Huw and Maz are back to discuss the rumours that Penaud is off to defend Greenland on his own, the rest of the French squad for the 6 Nations and how French teams faired in round 4 of the European Cups. #FrenchRugby #Top14 #EPCR #ChampionsCUp #ChallengeCup #france #rugby #podcast #sixnations Follow the pod on twitter: https://x.com/RugbyVous Chapters 0:00 French Results 3:30 La Rochelle vs Harlequins 4:30 Munster vs Castres 12:35 Fanny of the Week 17:25 Penaud Dropped? 30:10 Champions Cup Favourites? 34:15 Fijian of the Week 36:05 Next Week Predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are still working on our new audio platform, a few admin issues causing delays unfortunately! As soon as it's set up you will be the first to know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the HG Rugby podcast I was joined by rugby governance expert Nicks Johnston to learn how sporting governance works and what challenges those governing rugby union are currently facing. Nicks explained to me what governance is and how different countries go about their rugby governance. She debates with me on the latest developments regarding the English PREM restructuring and why rugby clubs make such huge losses. We then turn our attention to the WRU and their 'amateurish' proposals for restructuring the game in Wales - what have they gotten so wrong and why are they wasting so much money? Finally, we discuss the R360 start-up and what allowed this chaos even to occur - leading us on to talk about the growth of women's rugby and how best to capitalise on a record breaking World Cup. #rugby #money #government #Wales #England #womensrugby #fail #investing #business Why Club Rugby Doesn't Work. Why Rugby Is Such A MESS. Why Rugby Faces Financial Disaster. Why English Rugby Is DESPERATE For Money. Why Welsh Rugby's Problems Run DEEPER Than You Think... The PROBLEM With Welsh Rugby's Plans... Is English Rugby Financially DOOMED? Headed For Disaster? - Inside Rugby's Chaotic Boardrooms Can Club Rugby Survive? The 'Amateurish' Plan Destroying Welsh Rugby. Chapters: 0:00 What Is Rugby Governance 5:55 Is Rugby Being Held Back? 8:32 English PREM Finances 12:20 Exeter Huge Losses 16:20 Not Enough Games? 19:45 Player Wages Issue 22:30 Welsh Reforms 'Amateurish' 31:00 WRU Leadership Issues 38:15 Government Intervention? 42:50 Terrible CVC Deal 49:35 Why Is R360 Happening? 55:00 Mocking R360 1:00:00 Women's Rugby Is Different Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices