Rugby Union Weekly

Are England picking for now or the World Cup? Ugo, Chris and Ashy debate Steve Borthwick’s latest squad, the big omissions and the new faces pushing for a place. Plus, are Bath and Saracens’ rotation policies protecting players or costing them their rhythm? The guys also get stuck into the weekend’s action, have their say on the red card row and ask what went wrong for the Red Roses against Canada.

Danny, Ashy and Chris reflect on a sombre opening weekend of the Champions Cup following the death of Lions and former Sale lock Hyron Andrews. They assess a chastening start for the Prem, with only one win from eight matches. Is it evidence of English rugby falling behind, or just a difficult opening weekend? Glasgow impress in the north west, Connacht turn on the style and Bath lose again. The Red Roses 41-match unbeaten run is over, but will the defeat to Canada prove to be a blessing in disguise? The All Blacks extend their winning run to 13 over the Wallabies and Spain enter the race to host the 2035 World Cup. Rugby in the Nou Camp anyone?

Ashy and Sara are at the Champions Cup launch speaking to a host of big names ahead of the opening round. Jack Conan reflects on the heartbreak of losing another final and the criticism Leinster receive over their Champions Cup record. Can they finally adda fifth star or will the French dominance continue? Ashy is reunited with his old team-mate 'big' Will Skelton, who gives us a the lowdown on why Ronan O'Gara is loved in La Rochelle and what has changed following last year's surprise exit. Nathan Hughes talks about life in Paris at Racing 92 and how a routine pre-season eye check-up saved his sight. Plus, former Wasps back row Nizaam Carr explains just how tough it is playing rugby during Ramadan and why the Champions Cup has struggled to capture the imagination in South Africa.

Can you ever have too many tries? Can a steak be too buttery? Ugo, Danny and Chris tackle all the big topics on this week’s pod after another try-fest at the Gardens. We try to explain why there are so many tries in the Prem and if it is devaluing the product. Ashy’s try record hangs by a thread after Christian Wade’s hat-trick took him to 100 tries. Should there be a draft system for young academy players who aren’t getting enough gametime? We ask Phil Dowson for his thoughts. Shaun Edwards will be coaching at next year’s World Cup, it just won’t be with England.

Irish rugby legend Peter O’Mahony joins Danny and Sara for a special episode reflecting on his extraordinary career. We discuss World Cup heartbreaks, Six Nations success, and the sacrifices he made over 20 years as a pro. O’Mahony gives a fascinating insight into how Joe Schmidt transformed Ireland and unlocked a different level in him, and how team and environment has evolved since Andy Farrell took charge. He tells us how he was deeply affected by the tragic passing of Anthony Foley and how it changed him as a person and a rugby player. We hear how he bonded with Jamie George on the Lions tour in 2017 and why you should think twice before asking Ma’a Nonu for an All Blacks jersey. We also talk rivalries and quiz O’Mahony on his beef with Scotland.