Episode 31 - Rugby’s Big Shake-Up - From Bollywood to French Revolutions & Franchise Models
23 April 2025 - 1 hour 6 minsWe’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 mo...
Series Episodes
#22 Italy Dreaming, Scotland & Ireland Doubting, and England Dominating
Six Nations round one is done and there’s a lot to unpack. Jim, Goodey and Bigs dive into Italy’s superb win over Scotland, how Gonzalo Quesada has transformed the Azzurri, and whether this result puts real pressure on Gregor Townsend ahead of a huge Calcutta Cup clash. The lads then turn to England v Wales, looking beyond the scoreline at England’s attacking evolution, George Ford’s control, and whether discipline could become an issue against tougher opposition. Wales’ struggles, green shoots at U20 level, and what a response at the Principality might look like are all on the agenda. We also look at Ireland’s poor performance in Paris, what went wrong in that first half, France’s physical edge, big TMO calls, and what has changed with Ireland. Listener questions, Smartest Call of the Week, news, shout-outs and live shows in Dublin round out a packed episode of proper Six Nations chat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hour 11 mins
10 February Finished
Live Rugby Pod Watch-Along & Match Reaction - Six Nations
Join Jim, Goodey, Ryan Wilson, Producer Rob and Slug Hands on the Rugby Pod sofa for some Live Alternate Commentary, bringing you reactions, opinions, nonsense, and proper fan chat as the Six Nations opener between Ireland and France lights up Paris. Questions, hot takes, and post-match reaction, as well as plenty of laughs as the lads share a few beers, as the greatest tournament in rugby kicks off! Brought to you in partnership with Premier Sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2 hours 24 mins
6 February Finished
#21 Six Nations Is BACK! Previews, Predictions & Scotland Legend Andy Nicol
It’s a full-noise Six Nations Special as Jim and Goodey tee up a massive opening weekend, with Ireland v France on Thursday night in Paris, England v Wales at Allianz, and Scotland’s trip to Rome. The lads dig into squads amid key absences, new faces and some bans, plus predictions for all three games, and a reminder to join the Pod’s live alternate commentary watch-along for France v Ireland on Thursday night on Youtube. We also have a brilliant sit-down with Scotland and Lions legend Andy Nicol, who reflects on Calcutta Cup glory and Gregor Townsend. We'll cover tournament predictions, some big law-change debates, RWC 2027 fixture news, and some listener questions to round things off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hour 11 mins
3 February Finished
#20 Who Starts at 10 for Ireland? O'Gara and Biggar Go Head-to-Head
Ronan O’Gara and Dan Biggar break down Ireland’s biggest selection call ahead of the Six Nations: who starts at fly-half? From Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast's battle, to Harry Byrne’s late charge, the lads dig into what Andy Farrell really values at ten, in terms of game management, attacking ambition, and long-term best option to take Ireland forward. It’s a proper rugby-nause chat, shaped by two men who know a thing or two about pulling the strings at the very highest Test level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hour 2 mins
1 February Finished
#19 Monster Appetite - Six Nations Squad Drops, & The Rugby Chef Reveals All
With the Six Nations around the corner, the lads are fired up as squads drop across the board, bringing big calls, big omissions, and some surprise bolters. We dig into every nation’s squad, from France leaving out some absolute superstars, to England’s depth options, Ireland’s late changes and injury worries, Wales’ omissions, a settled Scotland, and Italy’s hopes despite a mounting injury list. We’re also joined by England’s rugby chef Tom Kirby for a brilliant chat on elite nutrition, monster appetites, and what players at every level should actually be eating. Throw in some Prem and URC chat, punch-ups, plenty of other news, live show news in Dublin, rumours, and it’s a packed episode as the countdown to the Six Nations really begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hour 25 mins
27 January Finished
#18 Razor's Shock Sacking, Glasgow Flying High & European Knockouts Are Locked In
Massive news with Razor's shock sacking in New Zealand setting the tone for a wild week as Jim and Goodey break down the fallout, the rumours swirling around player power, and where Razor could land next. From there, it’s onto the final round of Champions Cup pool action, with knockout draws confirmed, major upsets delivered and Scottish rugby flying high. Harlequins stun La Rochelle, Castres shock Munster, Leinster find a way, and Glasgow dismantle Saracens. The lads also dive into Six Nations injury concerns, some huge transfer rumours and plenty of other news to round things off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hour 8 mins
20 January Finished
