Rugby Union Weekly

Can anyone stop Bath? And how worried should Harlequins and Saracens be? The Prem is back as Ugo, Danny and Ashy assess the weekend’s action, with Bath looking a level above the rest. But can Northampton challenge them? There’s also high praise for Geoff Parling as he continues to impress, guiding Leicester into the top three. But it’s a different story for Harlequins, with questions mounting both on and off the pitch, including whether they can keep hold of Marcus Smith if results don’t improve. Saracens, meanwhile, have little to smile about after conceding 62 points. Plus, wi...

What was the most impressive win of the 2026 Six Nations? The biggest upset? Who was the best player? Ugo is joined by John Barclay and Sam Warburton to wrap up the tournament as France are crowned champions once again. They discuss THAT winning kick from Thomas Ramos and ask if Louis Bielle-Biarrey is now more important to France than Antoine Dupont. England scored seven tries in Paris but lost for a fourth time, what positives can Steve Borthwick take from their worst championship in the Six Nations era? Sam picks out the four players Wales should build their team...

Chris Jones, Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson reflect on a dramatic final day of the Six Nations.

France clinch the Six Nations title thanks to a long-range Thomas Ramos penalty with the clock in the red against England. But it was so close to being Ireland's title, after their win over Scotland. Chris speaks to Tommy Bowe and Andy Nicol in Dublin about a day when both teams hoped they'd lift the crown.

It’s our big Super Saturday preview as Chris arrives in Paris and we link up with the BBC Scotland pod team of Tom English and Andy Burke who have made it to Dublin. Darcy Graham’s comments about Ireland being ‘there for the taking’ have caused a stir. Is this a sign Scotland believe they can finally end their long wait for victory over Ireland? How will they cope without the talismanic Gregor Brown? Is Finn Russell about to cement his legacy as one of Scotland’s greatest players by delivering a Triple Crown or even a Six Nations ti...

It’s the final instalment of our guide series, and this week Chris, Tom and GRO are transporting you to Paris. They discuss their favourite memories of watching rugby in the French capital. Tom recalls Brian O’Driscoll’s hat-trick at the Stade de France and why it’s memorable for all the wrong reasons. GRO tells us about Sir Gareth Edwards’ favourite spot in the city and how he spent an evening with the legendary scrum-half and Jean-Claude Skrela. Where does the atmosphere at the Stade de France rank amongst the other Six Nations venues? And what’s the one you...

Chris is in Verona to assess the mood in the England camp after three successive defeats. Is the shirt weighing heavy on the players? Will we see a new gameplan in Paris? We hear from Steve Borthwick on all this and the exchange between Maro Itoje and Fin Smith in Rome. Ollie Chessum talks about the ‘hurt’ he felt after losing his starting place, and he explains how the players and coaches are as tight as ever despite recent results. We also catch up with our England centurion to get his take on matters. Danny outlines what he wants to s...

Chris, Tom and GRO bring you a bumper preview of what promises to be an epic Super Saturday. Can Scotland win a first Six Nations title? They will have to end their Ireland hoodoo without a host of starters including pod favourite Gregor Brown. Chris dials in from Verona to bring you the latest from the England camp after that chastening defeat to Italy. Will we see a different gameplan from Steve Borthwick’s side in Paris? What did the Maro Itoje clash with Fin Smith say about where this England team is at? Rhys Carre is inspiring the ne...

Round four of the Six Nations did not disappoint! There was drama, shocks and a weekend for the underdogs - Ugo, Sam and John take a deep dive into a really unbelievable few days of rugby.

They start with Scotland who overpowered and outperformed the defending champions at Murrayfield and ask what went right for Gregor Townsend’s side. Attention then turns to matters in Rome…where England lost for the first time against Italy.

Ugo was at the match and gives his thoughts 24 hours on… now that his heart rate has come down! The guys t...

Chris Jones and Matt Dawson reflect on an extraordinary day in the Six Nations.

England beaten 23-18 by Italy in Rome - England's third loss in a row, and first ever defeat to Italy. What's gone wrong since the Autumn Internationals and where does this leave Steve Borthwick?

They're also joined by Johnnie Beattie who saw Scotland run riot against France, 50-40 at Murrayfield, which means Scotland, Ireland and France all have the chance to lift the trophy next Saturday. 

TIMECODES:

00:13 - Greatest day in Six Nations history? 06:48 - Italy punish E...

Warning – This episode contains very strong language.

Chris catches up with Ben Youngs to discuss his new BBC documentary about rugby and player safety. Through honest conversations with former players, medical experts, and teammates, Youngs explores the long-term impact of concussion and repeated head injuries. We hear Ben’s powerful interview with Lewis Moody where he talks openly about living with MND, how it has affected his family and if he has any regrets from his playing days. Does the game still need to do more when it comes to head injuries and player safety? Sam Peters, auth...

Sara Orchard is joined by Tommy Bowe and Philippa Tuttiett with on the whistle reaction from Dublin as Ireland overcome a spirited Wales side to win 27-17. The team reflect on another strong performance from Wales and consider the selection queries that Ireland’s performance has thrown Andy Farrell. Could Rhys Carre’s try be the moment of the Six Nations? Do Wales look good enough to secure their first win of this year’s Championship against Italy? Plus, hear from Antoine Dupont ahead of France's opportunity to win the Six Nations title on Saturday.

Back by popular demand, Chris Tom and GRO bring you another instalment of the Nations Pod guide, and this time we're in Rome. Home to the Azzurri, the Stadio Olympico, the colosseum and the scene of Tom's greatest ever Six Nations meal - just don't ask him to name the restaurant! GRO tells us why you should never confuse a Finn with a Russian. Tom explains why Bologna is the real rugby capital of Italy. We reminisce about the Stadio Flaminio and some of the great matches we've witnessed in the the Eternal City.

Steve Borthwick has made the most changes by an England head coach in the Six Nations era as he looks for a response after the big defeats to Scotland and Ireland. Ashy and Chris dissect his team for the trip to Rome, which sees 12 changes in total with nine players coming in and three positional changes. Seb Atkinson is back on the pod and one half of an all-new centre partnership. He tells us about his relationship with Fin Smith who he first started playing with in the Worcester academy aged 13, and what he hoping to achieve in his...

Will France already be treating their game with Scotland as a potential Grand Slam decider? Chris, Tom and GRO ask whether Gregor Townsend’s side has enough to blunt France’s attacking weapons and possibly derail their campaign. Can we expect significant changes from Steve Borthwick, as his England side travel to Rome. Chris makes the case that a win for Italy could mark the greatest moment in their rugby history. And what of Wales? Is there reason for hope? Plus, Tom wonders whether Ireland have turned a corner. And with no poetry this week, GRO sets a quiz from...

Danny and Chris look ahead to England’s showdown with Italy in Rome as they look to avoid a first defeat to the Azzurri and a third successive Six Nations loss. We hear from Steve Borthwick on where it has gone wrong for England and what they are doing to fix the issues that has derailed their championship. Will they persist with the aerial game? Or will the changes in Rome lead to a new tactical approach? Ollie Chessum talks to us about getting the right mindset and intensity on the field after a big setback. Will we see a...

Are England suddenly in crisis? After the heavy defeat to Ireland, Chris, Tom & GRO dissect what’s gone wrong for Steve Borthwick’s side, whether the fallow week has arrived at just the right moment, and if wholesale changes await for Italy. GRO admits he actually enjoyed watching Wales for the first time in a while, but wonders if they could repeat that display against more physical opposition. Tom, meanwhile, refuses to get carried away by Scotland’s back-to-back wins. Plus, Poetry Corner returns as Chris reads out more listeners’ rugby-inspired poems.

Ugo, Sam Warburton & John Barclay discuss the fallout from round three of the Six Nations as England are humbled for the second week in a row, France march on and Scotland backed up their Calcutta Cup win. So what next for England after another damaging defeat? Does their gameplan need to evolve? And how many changes should Steve Borthwick make for Italy? Ireland showed their attack is back to its best. Were Andy Farrell's men written off too soon? Wales are still without a win, but Sam is optimistic Welsh rugby is no longer in freefall after Saturday’s pe...

Chris is alongside Matt Dawson, Paul Grayson and Donncha O'Callaghan to reflect on Ireland smashing England 21-42 in a record-breaking win at Twickenham. Ireland keep their claim for the Six Nations title alive, whilst England's hopes turn to dust. How did Ireland cut through England, and what confidence will they take from this record win at Twickenham? Plus, the guys discuss England's reluctance to adapt from their set gameplan.

Then, Sara Orchard is alongside Philippa Tuttiett and Andy Nicol at the Principality as Scotland come back to deny Wales a first Six Nations victory since 2023. Having led by...

Maro Itoje is set to become England's latest centurion when he captains the team against Ireland this Saturday at Twickenham. Chris and Ashy sit down with Itoje and reflect on a remarkable 10-year stint with England that has seen him win a Grand Slam, Six Nations titles and reach a World Cup final. Was he always destined to reach this milestone? He picks out his most memorable moments over the past decade and tells us about the coaches that have helped him get to this point. How does he stay motivated? What does he still want to achieve in...

It’s a pod mash-up on this latest episode of Rugby Union Weekly as Sara is joined by former Ireland and Lions scrum half Conor Murray – who stars in one of our sister podcasts, The Ireland Rugby Social.

Conor’s co-presenter BBC Northern Ireland’s rugby expert, Gavin Andrews also comes along for the ride as they take a trip down memory lane – reflecting on past victories… and the losses too against England at the Allianz (or Twickenham as it was known in Conor’s time!)

They chat the selection issues that Andy Farrell might have ahead of...

Henry Pollock gets his first England start. Ollie Lawrence returns. Tommy Freeman is back on the wing. Tom Curry starts. There is plenty for Chris and Ugo to unpick from the England team to face Ireland on Saturday. Why has there been so many changes? Is it a reflection of the performance against Scotland? We are joined by Steve Borthwick who talks through the changes in the midfield and back row and why he felt Henry Arundell deserved another shot after his red card against Scotland. Ollie Lawrence is also on the pod. He chats to us about renewing...

You’ve heard from Gregor Townsend, Sione Tuipulotu and John Barclay after Scotland’s latest Calcutta Cup triumph. Now it’s the turn of Stirling and Limerick’s finest - Tom English. He talks Chris and GRO through his range of emotions at full-time one week after that chastening defeat in Rome. After another stellar display, is Finn Russell now Scotland’s greatest ever player? Can he guide them to a Triple Crown? And can we persuade GRO it’s a big achievement? Things get even better for Tom when a listener shares a poem all about his favourite player. As f...

Ugo, Ashy and a very happy John Barclay review round two of the Six Nations after Scotland regained the Calcutta Cup. Is a first triple crown since 2010 now on the cards? Did Scotland's gameplan expose England's weaknesses? Should it have been Marcus Smith on the bench at Murrayfield? And is his namesake Fin getting enough Test minutes? France flex their muscles in Cardiff as they put 50 on Wales, can anyone stop the defending champions from winning another title? But why are Wales still struggling defensively under Steve Tandy? Ireland's fly-half debate rumbles on, will it be Sam Prendergast or...

Chris is alongside Matt Dawson and Johnnie Beattie as Scotland regain the Calcutta Cup, beating England 31-20 at Murrayfield! The guys reflect on a comprehensive win for Scotland, before hearing from proud Scotland captain, Sione Tuipulotu. They discuss how the squad stepped up for Gregor Townsend in a week where their head coach came under a lot of fire. Then, we hear from England head coach Steve Borthwick, speaking after a 5th Calcutta Cup loss in 6 years. How significant was Arundell's red card to the final result, and where else was the match lost for England? Finally, after hearing f...

Chris has made it to Edinburgh to find Tom English and Andy Burke to analyse the Scotland team for the Calcutta Cup. There is no Edinburgh player in the starting XV since 1998! So, it means there is no place for Duhan van der Merwe again. Is it a gamble to leave out the record try scorer in the Calcutta Cup in the Six Nations era? Can Gregor Townsend survive another defeat, or would it be the final straw for the Scottish rugby public? We also pick through some bold selection calls from Ireland boss Andy Farrell as they welcome...

Sara channels her inner Sue Barker to host Rugby Union Weekly’s first ever Calcutta Cup quiz. And we have two worthy contestants going head-to-head with a combined 15 appearances in this famous fixture between them. John Barclay is back on the pod to represent Scotland, and he takes on our very own Danny Care who is looking for another England victory over the Auld Enemy. Who will lead their team to victory and lay down a marker ahead of Saturday’s showdown at Murrayfield? How many try scorers they can name? Who is taller Martin Johnson or Jim Hamilton? Do t...

Ugo and Chris are inside the England camp with in-form fly-half George Ford and history buff Joe Heyes ahead of this weekend's Calcutta Cup showdown at Murrayfield. We hear all about Ford's love of Pilates and how it's helping improve his game. He also breaks down his crossfield kick to Henry Arundell at the weekend and explains how his rugby league education is still paying dividends at Test level. Heyes talks passionately about the art of scrummaging and what he would like to see instead of in-play adverts when he is packing down. Ugo and Chris also dissect some...

The Nations Pod is back after a tricky opening round for three of the four home nations. Tom laments Scotland and Ireland’s starts - but will Gregor Townsend’s side again pull something out of the bag for the Calcutta Cup? Gro describes the apathy around Wales after a deflating game in Twickenham, although there is one silver lining. And there is the annual rant about Six Nations bonus points.

Ugo Monye, John Barclay and Chris Ashton delve into all the big talking points from an action packed opening week of the Six Nations.

Week one had everything – dramatic losses, freak weather storms and unexpected results.

It proved to be a difficult day in Rome for John as his former side lost in a shock defeat against Italy – John reveals how “gutted” he was.

Ashy was channel hopping between Paris and London – as he witnessed French dominance against Ireland and England’s confident win over Wales.

We also get the latest news on Imma...

Henry Arundell scored a 35-minute hat-trick as England made it 12 wins in a row and heaped more misery on Wales. Was that a statement from England? How good is the depth of Steve Borthwick’s side? Where do Wales go from here after yet another setback on the field? Chris chats to World Cup winners Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson along with Grand Slam winner Alex Cuthbert to discuss all this and more. You will also hear from Ben Earl, who praised England’s relentless display, and Wales head coach Steve Tandy who lamented his team’s poor discipline.

France made the perfect start to the defence of their Six Nations title as they toppled Ireland in Paris. Chris is joined by Irish Grand Slam winner Donncha O’Callaghan and Ashy to reflect on a statement victory on the opening night of the tournament and the growing strength of French rugby. What has happened to Ireland’s attack? Is the jury still out on whether Sam Prendergast should have the keys to the Ireland number 10 shirt? We also look ahead to Saturday’s games as Wales and Scotland name their teams.

To mark the opening day of the tournament, Chris and John Barclay are chatting all of the Six Nations captains. You’ll hear from the great Antoine Dupont as France kick things off in Paris. We hear from his opposite number Caelan Doris on Ireland’s difficult prep ahead of the opener in Paris. England’s vice-captain Jamie George talks about the feel-good factor around England as they look to continue their winning run. Dewi Lake speaks openly about the difficulties facing Wales as they head into the tournament looking to avoid a third successive wooden spoon. Michele Lamaro chats...

Are France really clear favourites? And how real is Ireland’s decline? Chris, Gareth and Tom are back as this year’s Six Nations gets underway on Thursday. Tom argues this is a huge opportunity for Scotland and asks why they shouldn’t aspire to be outstanding. Gareth is less optimistic about Wales, though he believes they still have a couple of genuine match-winners. The guys run the rule over all six sides and ask what success looks like for each. And Chris has been left a little frustrated folowing the release of the World Cup schedule this week.

Chris heads to England's training camp in Girona after Steve Borthwick named his team to face Wales in their Six Nations opener. He sits down with England's centres, Northampton's Tommy Freeman and Fraser Dingwall. They talk golf, how to deal with Henry Pollock's energy in camp and why they click on and off the pitch. Maro Itoje is on the bench, and we speak to the Saints duo and Ellis Genge about how the squad has rallied round the England skipper since losing his mother. Genge also chats about bonding with Fin Smith over UFC and how impressed he’s...

Chris is joined by John Barclay at the Six Nations launch in Edinburgh to quiz the men hoping to lead their nation to glory in 2026. Are England and France the clear favourites for the title? They chat to Steve Borthwick about the added expectation this year after they racked up 11 wins in a row in 2025. Andy Farrell says Ireland are the hunters not the hunted this year, but how will their lengthy injury list impact their chances of regaining their title? Steve Tandy makes his pod debut as he talks openly about the off-field issues that are looming over...

The fourth and final stop on the Nations Pod Guide is Ireland’s Fair City. From Croke Park to the Aviva, from Temple Bar to Ballsbridge - Chris, Tom and GRO discuss what makes Dublin special and so much more than a rugby city. Tom teaches us about Ross O’Carroll-Kelly, we get the lowdown on his favourite Dublin pubs and playwrights, and he even recites some poetry! But it’s not all highbrow conversation, we get stuck into Temple Bar, the Guinness and what’s it like on Paddy’s Day during a Six Nations weekend. How does the Aviva’...

As the Premiership heads into its mid-season break, Ugo and Ashy look back on a packed weekend of action. They start with one of the games of the season as Bath edged Gloucester at Kingsholm, with Charlie Atkinson outstanding. Are Bath still the force they were last year, or are teams starting to work them out? Harlequins are back under the spotlight, with Ashy asking whether, in another sport, Jason Gilmore would already be gone. Is an injury-hit squad finally catching up with Sale, or is their attack the bigger concern? They also reflect on Mark McCall’s pending de...

Ashy and Chris are in the player’s gym at Twickenham to dissect England’s Six Nations squad and chat to head coach Steve Borthwick. He talks through his picks at tighthead and calling up Exeter number eight Greg Fisilau. We ask how close Northampton’s George Hendy was to making the cut and how many of those named on the rehab list will play in the early part of the tournament. Borthwick also speaks about their opener against Wales and being quizzed about selection by fans in the street. Away from the Six Nations, there is also some big ne...

The next stop on the Nations Pod Guide is Edinburgh. GRO teaches Chris and Tom a Max Boyce classic and explains why the trip to the Scottish capital is so special for Wales fans. After initially declaring he doesn’t have much to say about the city, Tom tells us about his favourite pubs and praises the commitment of the Scottish rugby fans despite the lack of success in the Six Nations era. The guys also talk Bill McLaren, Flower of Scotland and recall some of their standout moments at Murrayfield down the years. You’ll also find out why...

Ugo, Danny and Ashy reflect on the final round of pool matches in the Champions Cup as Quins stole headlines by knocking out two-time winners La Rochelle. Glasgow qualified with a 100% record to guarantee home advantage until the final. Are the Scots now serious contenders for the big prize? We look at the big winners and losers of the draw for the knockout stage. We hear from a disgruntled Bristol fan and try to plot who will make the showpiece in Bilbao. Plus, the guys discuss what led to Scott Robertson leaving the All Blacks just 18 months before the...