Episode 34 - Lions Squad Debrief and Fin Smith Joins the Pod

The dust has settled after Andy Farrell's Lions squad announcement, so Big Jim and Goodey are back to pick it apart - surprises, snubs, captaincy chat and a look at what it says about how the tour will be played. England, Northampton Saint, and now British & Irish Lion Fin Smith joins us fresh from his Lions call-up to chat about a whirlwind year, the Saints' run to the Champions Cup Final, and who he’s most buzzing to link up with this summer. Plus, all the usual Rugby Pod craic, so make sure you're subscribed on Spotify and Saints fans, get your tickets to next week's live show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s episode is packed after a seismic weekend in the Champions Cup. Jim’s got some apologies to make as Northampton Saints pulled off the unthinkable in Dublin, knocking out Leinster in their own backyard. We have Bigs on to break down exactly how his former club did it, where Leinster got it wrong, and what it means for the upcoming Lions squad announcement. Plus, we’ve got all the fallout from Jordie Barrett’s bench role, Caelan Doris injury whispers, Fin Smith and Polock’s meteoric rise, and some listener questions, including who from Lions history we’d bring back for 2025 and whether 100 Jim Hamilton could actually take down a gorilla. We also dive into Bath’s win over Edinburgh to reach their first European final in over a decade, Bordeaux’s breakout moment as they dismantled Toulouse and how the final might play out against Saints. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The business end of the season is heating up with Leicester peaking at the right time, Sale’s masterclass over Jim’s Sarries, and Gloucester hammering Exeter. The lads cover all this plus a bit of giant-killing down in Wales with Cardiff and Scarlets getting one over their Irish brethren. We’re also joined by Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt to get his thoughts. Plus, new Prem TV deals, academy dramas, new idea from Rassie Erasmus, and plenty more other news. Settle back, enjoy, and make sure you're subscribed on Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re into the business end of the season, but is rugby itself on the verge of its biggest transformation yet? Jim and Goodey dig into the new Premiership franchise model being floated! We chat fan culture, flares, and whether rugby needs a football-style edge in the stands. We also chat about the runs for both the Prem and URC as tams are chasing the final knock out spots. Plus, we’re joined by Indian rugby president, Bollywood star and former international Rahul Bose to talk about the launch of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) in India, what it means for the sport there, and why the Bollywood blueprint could be rugby’s best play. Plus, listener questions, Lions selection debates and lots more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a global edition of The Rugby Pod as Jim dials in from Texas, Goodey from the UAE, and Biggar from France, fresh off announcing his retirement. We reflect on Bigs’ epic career while diving into the Champions Cup quarter-finals: Leinster and Northampton steamrolled their way to the semis, Bordeaux dazzled in attack to beat Munster, and Toulouse edged Toulon in a French classic. We celebrate standout players like Jordie Barrett and Henry Pollock, talk bizarre ref calls, and ask - can anyone stop Leinster at the Aviva? Plus, Cardiff’s collapse, Faz-watch continues, Bath’s trophy hunt, and lots more In Otttthhhheerrr Neeewwws! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on The Rugby Pod, Goodey returns to the studio fresh off Champions Cup knockouts, while Big Jim dials in from Austin, Texas. The lads dive into Munster’s gritty win in La Rochelle, Saints turning the tables on Clermont with a Tommy Freeman masterclass, and Warriors lighting up Glasgow with some flair. We also celebrate the dramatic revival of Worcester Warriors, chatting to new CEO Stephen Vaughan about rebuilding the club, how they managed to get straight back into the Championship, and rugby’s sustainability crisis. Plus, there's a scorefest in Toulon, Leinster embarrass Quins, Toulouse pull away from Sale. Plus, we preview next week’s Champions Cup quarters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on The Rugby Pod, Jim’s a new man after Hong Kong – writing poems, 5 am gym sessions, and solving riddles. Goodey gives his take on Andy Farrell’s newly-named Lions coaching ticket, and we dissect what it means for squad selection. Rob’s sniffing out the latest on some massive player moves – Finn Russell to where?! Plus, we dig into all the Prem and URC action, Sweeney staying, Henry Pollock’s a red jersey bolter, Bath looking unstoppable and Leinster young guns showing up against the Sharks. Subscribe on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jim and Goodey unpack a massive weekend of rugby, starting with Quins pulling off their first away win over Saracens in 13 years at The Showdown in front of 54,000 fans — and with a few famous faces in the crowd too. Jim spills the beans on the London craic and post-match scenes, while the lads debate what went right for Quins and wrong for Sarries. There's more drama in the Prem as Leicester smash Saints, Bath flex against Glos, and Bristol and Exeter set a new record with ten first-half tries. We also head stateside for a cracking chat with Peter Bernick, co-owner of the Chicago Hounds, who lifts the lid on building rugby in the US, the upcoming United States of Rugby doc, and how MLR is gearing up for RWC 2031. Plus, the Bulls break Leinster’s unbeaten URC streak, Fin Smith to Toulouse rumours, and the lads react to a rabbit punch and a big shout to Rassie’s new pod — all that and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on The Rugby Pod, we wrap up an action-packed final round Six Nations action, with France lifting the trophy in Paris, England finishing second after their biggest-ever win over Wales, and Ireland pushed hard by Italy in Rome. Dan Biggar joins to break down England’s resurgence, and Wales’ ongoing struggles. Jim and Goodey also dive into France’s triumph over Scotland, some refereeing controversies, and what’s next for Gregor Townsend’s side. Plus, Scotland and Saracens’ Andy Onyeama-Christie joins us to chat about his incredible return from a brutal injury, ahead of Sarries vs. Quins at Spurs’ stadium. Don’t forget—we’re live at The Showdown 5 this weekend, so come and say hello. Subscribe now on Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Biggar catches up with Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll to chat Ireland's Six Nations as well as giving his take on the current best centre pairings in the game. They take a walk down memory lane, revisiting Lions tours of the past, as well as discussing some of the harshest on field banter they experienced. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices