Rugby Legends with Arthur Dickins

In this episode of Rugby Legends, Arthur Dickins sits down with Saracens scrum-half Charlie Bracken, son of England World Cup winner Kyran Bracken, to talk about carving out his own identity in the game, the demands of playing at the top level, and the mindset that's fueling his rise through the Gallagher Premiership.

Charlie shares his journey from crying on the pitch at his first ever training session, to falling in love with rugby at Barnet Elizabethans, joining the Saracens academy at 14, and balancing university at Loughborough with his professional career. He opens up honestly about being...

Northampton Saints and England winger Ollie Sleightholme joins Arthur Dickins to share the setbacks, lessons and mindset behind his rise through professional rugby.

Ollie explains what it feels like to miss out on a major moment with your teammates, how repeated injuries changed his relationship with rugby and why finding goals away from the game helped him through rehabilitation.

He also looks back at his pathway into the Saints Academy, being dropped before earning another opportunity and the environment that helped him develop into one of the Premiership’s most dangerous finishers.

Away fr...

In this episode of Rugby Legends, Arthur Dickins sits down with England international and Leicester Tigers winger Ollie Hassell-Collins to uncover the skills, mindset and work ethic that have taken him from grassroots rugby to the very top of the professional game. 

Ollie shares the journey from playing at Newbury RFC with his dad as coach, through the England pathway and London Irish, to representing England and becoming one of the Gallagher Premiership's most dangerous wingers. Along the way, he reveals the technical details that separate good wingers from great ones, from catch-pass a...

In this episode of Rugby Legends, Arthur Dickins is joined by England and Sale Sharks prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour to explore one of the toughest and most misunderstood positions in rugby.

Asher shares his journey from the backline to the front row, revealing how a position change transformed his career and ultimately helped him earn England honours. From learning the technical demands of tighthead and loosehead to handling the physical battles that come with life in the scrum, Asher gives a fascinating insight into what it really takes to succeed as a modern prop.

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In this episode of Rugby Legends, Arthur Dickins is joined by Tommy Freeman, one of the most exciting backs in world rugby. Fresh from a remarkable rise that has taken him from academy rejection to the very pinnacle of the game, Tommy shares the lessons, setbacks and experiences that shaped his journey.

Tommy looks back on his early sporting life, from football and hockey to discovering rugby and eventually falling in love with the game. He opens up about being a late developer, struggling physically against bigger players, and the moments where frustration...

Olympic rugby changes how a player sees the game, and in this episode of Rugby Legends, Marcus Watson explains exactly why. From choosing World Rugby Sevens Series over the traditional fifteen-a-side route, to discovering how brutally demanding elite sevens really is, this conversation opens up a side of rugby many supporters never fully see.

Marcus talks honestly about the physical and mental demands of tournament rugby, why raw speed is never enough on its own, and how recovery between games often matters as much as performance itself. He also reflects on players who shaped his thinking, including...

Kenny Logan joins Rugby Legends for a brilliant, honest conversation that moves far beyond career highlights. From Scotland’s current Six Nations challenge to the reality of life before professionalism, this episode gives young players and long-time rugby fans a rare look at how the game has changed through the eyes of someone who lived both eras.

Very early in the conversation, Kenny gives a sharp view on where Scottish rugby sits now, why Ireland has become the biggest problem, and what modern Scotland still needs if they want to take the next step. From there, the st...

Arthur sits down with Ben John, known to millions as The Rugby Trainer, for a conversation packed with practical advice for young players, parents, and coaches who want to understand what really improves rugby performance. From building the world’s biggest rugby coaching channel to working with elite names like Marcus Smith, Ben explains why simple habits repeated daily often matter more than flashy sessions once a week.

The episode moves through Ben’s own playing story, from academy rugby and Welsh age-grade honours to professional rugby with Ospreys, including what it felt like running out in fron...

In this episode of Rugby Legends, Arthur Dickins is joined by James Haskell, one of the most recognisable personalities English rugby has produced. A former England and Wasps flanker with 77 caps, James is also now one of the voices behind The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, and a performer in a whole new world as a DJ.

James takes Arthur right back to the beginning, including the hilarious moment his mum lied about his age and signed him up early at Maidenhead Rugby Club. From scoring his first “try” behi...

In this episode of Rugby Legends, Arthur Dickins is joined by Fin Smith, one of England’s most composed young fly-halves and a key leader at Northampton Saints. Still only 23, Fin already brings calm control, sharp communication, and a clear rugby brain to every game he plays.

Fin talks openly about life in the number 10 shirt. He explains why fly-halves make more mistakes than anyone else on the pitch, how elite players learn to reset quickly, and why communication can matter more than size or strength. From handling nerves at Twickenham to...

In this episode of Rugby Legends, Arthur Dickins sits down with England World Cup winner and three-time British & Irish Lion, Will Greenwood, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, learning, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of getting better.

Will reflects on life beyond the pitch, from his early days balancing amateur rugby with a career in banking, to his current role in the world of artificial intelligence. He explains how elite sport prepares you for the real world, why curiosity matters more than talent alone, and how the best players are always “learn-it-alls”, never “know-it-alls”.

The conversa...

In this episode of Rugby Legends, Arthur Dickins is joined by one of the most respected figures the game has ever produced — Martin Johnson. Former England captain, World Cup winner, Lions leader, and a player who defined what standards really mean at the highest level.

Martin breaks down what it actually takes to beat the All Blacks, why England’s current squad depth is the strongest it’s been in years, and how small decisions — like when to take points — can change the psychology of a Test match. He also shares his honest thoughts on Six Nations contenders...

Inside this special Rugby Legends episode, Arthur sits down with England fullback Freddie Steward for a conversation that lifts the curtain on elite rugby life. From inside jokes at Pennyhill Park to the toughest opponents he has ever faced, this episode offers young players real insight into what the pathway to the top truly feels like.

Freddie shares how England camp really works behind the scenes, the pressure that comes with international selection, and the moments that make it all worthwhile. He talks about switching from fly half to fullback at 16, the players who shaped his mindset...

Charlie Hodgson joins Arthur to share the real thinking game behind playing fly half at the highest level. From being a nervous nine year old who would not get out of the car, to becoming the Premiership’s all time leading points scorer, Charlie talks through the lessons that shaped him.

He explains how confidence grows, how to bounce back after bad games, and why watching full matches matters far more than highlight reels. He also breaks down goal kicking routines, defensive struggles, and what it felt like competing with Jonny Wilkinson for the England ten shirt. Yo...

Lewis Moody, also known as “Mad Dog,” joins Arthur Dickins on Rugby Legends to share stories from his journey as one of England’s fiercest flankers. From his first tackles as a five-year-old to winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Lewis opens up about the mindset, sacrifices, and lessons that shaped his career.

In this episode, Lewis talks about balancing multiple sports before committing fully to rugby, how an accidental position switch from centre to flanker transformed his future, and what it felt like to debut for Leicester Tigers at just 18. He also reveals the rituals he used to dea...

Richard Hill – World Cup winner, England legend, and the ultimate back row warrior. In this episode of Rugby Legends, Richard opens up about his journey from multi-sport beginnings to becoming one of the most respected flankers in rugby history.

He shares the secret ingredients that shaped his success – from the friendships forged in the game, to the toughest coaches that pushed him further than he thought possible. Richard reveals what it really takes to master the flanker position, overcome devastating injuries, and keep performing at the very top level.

We hear about the matches that defi...

Jim Hamilton, former Scotland lock and British & Irish Lion, joins Arthur Dickins on Rugby Legends to share his journey from football pitches in Coventry to the world’s biggest rugby stages.

Jim talks openly about his late start in rugby, the struggles of learning skills at speed, and the setbacks that shaped his career. From Leicester to Saracens, and 63 Scotland caps, he reveals the brutal truths of injuries, leadership, and what it takes to survive at the top.

This episode also dives into Jim’s mantras, his biggest inspirations, and his transition into podcasting. Alongside care...

Jack Nowell’s journey from the Cornish coast to the international rugby stage is packed with surprises, challenges, and lessons every young player can learn from. In this episode, Arthur sits down with the England and British & Irish Lions star to uncover the real stories behind his career.

From an unexpected switch in sports to becoming one of the game’s most recognisable wingers, Jack shares how belief, adaptability, and hard work shaped his success. You’ll hear about the coaches who inspired him, the teammates who pushed him, and the pivotal moments that changed the course of his...

Ugo Monye’s journey from a 13-year-old beginner to an England winger, British & Irish Lion, and TV presenter is packed with lessons for young players. In this Rugby Legends episode, Arthur Dickins sits down with Ugo to uncover the mindset, habits, and values that helped him succeed on and off the pitch.

Ugo shares how belief was the turning point in his career, why backing yourself matters more than raw talent, and the role fun has played in every stage of his life. He reflects on career highs like winning the Premiership with Harlequins, representing the Lions, an...

Greig Laidlaw’s rugby brain is one of the sharpest the game has ever seen. This episode dives into what really goes into being a captain, goal-kicker, and decision-maker at the highest level.

From his early days in Scotland to leading his country through epic Six Nations clashes, Laidlaw breaks down the pressure moments that defined him. He opens up about how to earn team trust, how to make calm calls when the crowd’s roaring, and why confidence isn’t always loud.

There’s deep insight here—not just about rugby but about leadership, discipline...

David Flatman isn’t your average rugby legend. He’s honest, funny, and absolutely packed with stories from his playing days and beyond. In this episode, he breaks down the reality of pro rugby—injuries, team dynamics, and the mental grind most fans never get to see.

From being forced into a position he didn’t choose, to handling heartbreaks like missing out on World Cup squads, Flatman’s story shows the raw side of rugby. But it’s not all heavy—he brings his signature humour and straight talk to every story, making this one of the most enter...

Leon Lloyd's story is packed with moments that’ll inspire anyone chasing their dreams. In this episode, Leon takes us through the highs and lows of his rugby journey - from football heartbreak to playing professional rugby by the age of 17.

He shares what it felt like to face Jonah Lomu on the field, and how he handled the massive expectations that came with debuting so young. There’s a powerful moment where he opens up about the injury that cut his career short, and how he found strength in moving forward.

We also get a be...

What makes someone give up one dream to chase another?

In this episode, Ollie Lawrence shares how he left behind a promising football future to go all-in on rugby—and went pro at just 16. He talks about the pressure of making that decision, and how his childhood heroes helped shape his playing style.

We get into what it really takes to play centre at the highest level—plus the lesser-known skills that separate the good from the great. Ollie breaks down the advice that stuck with him, how he bounced back from injury, and what his...

What does it take to win a World Cup—not just as a player, but as the coach leading your country to victory?

In this episode of Rugby Legends, Arthur interviews Sir Clive Woodward, the coach who led England to glory in 2003. But this isn’t just about lifting trophies. It’s about the mindset behind it all. The mistakes, the habits, the leadership—and the importance of never settling for average.

Sir Clive explains how he spots potential in young players, how he teaches teams to bounce back from setbacks, and what makes a great ca...

Arthur Dickins sits down with one of the biggest minds in rugby—Steve Borthwick, England head coach and former international captain. From his early playing days to standing at the front of the national team, Steve shares the lessons that made him who he is.

In this episode, Steve compares coaching to playing, and which one really pushed him more. He talks about how he picked his position, how to handle nerves before a game, and the right way to bounce back after a performance you’re not proud of. He also shares what makes a good team...

In this opening chapter, Arthur Dickins kicks off his conversation with Dan Biggar, one of Wales’ most legendary rugby players. Dan has played over 100 times for Wales, been on two British & Irish Lions tours, and captained his country. But what makes this moment special is that Dan is speaking directly to you—young players who are just starting their own rugby journeys.

Arthur explains why he started this podcast, and why he wanted Dan to be one of his very first guests. Dan shares a few highlights from his career and sets the tone for an episode full...

Welcome to Rugby Legends – the podcast that brings you insight and advice from international players and coaches for young rugby players who are keen to learn and get better.

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