The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

Northampton and England’s Alex Coles “The Educator” looks back on the WWE-style headlock that sparked his unforgettable nickname. He breaks down the intense pressure behind pro-rugby lineout calling, relives the glory of conquering the legendary Blakiston fitness challenge, and explains how he manages to survive the daily chaos caused by teammate Henry Pollock. Alex also reveals the reason George Furbank should never leave Northampton Saints. A classic episode of GBR - and one you definitely don’t want to miss. 00:00 🛞 Sponsored by Continental Tyres 01:57 🏷️ Why They Call Him "The Educator" 02:58 🏉 Hask at Saints — The Untold Stories 08:50 🎉 What Really Goes On at Team Socials 19:01 📣 Inside the Mind of a Lineout Caller 32:25 🚀 2025: The Year Everything Changes 41:15 ⚔️ Beating the All Blacks 43:17 ✈️ The Argentina Tour! 46:45 😅The Brutal Blakiston Challenge 52:07 🔥 The Real Reason Furbank Must Stay at Saints 57:32 😄 New Nickname Unlocked: Corporal Coles 🪽Castore Discount Code: GBR30 www.castore.com  🔐NORD VPN : https://nordvpn.com/goodbadrugby 📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex Payne and Mike Tindall dive into the seismic news of ITV securing the rights to the New Nations Series from 2026-2028, making them the undisputed home of English international rugby. Next year will be the first time in 30 years that all England games will be free to air. We ask… Is this the best thing to happen to the English game since 2003? Is rugby finally ready to grasp the opportunity of free-to-air coverage to widen the sport's appeal. We're joined by Ben Rumsby, Sports Investigations Reporter for The Daily Telegraph, for a deep dive into the state of the sports broadcasting landscape. Plus, England Sevens legend Ollie Phillips dials in to share the truly bonkers challenge he's about to undertake: rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic for three incredible causes (Cure Parkinson's, My Name's Dottie, and the Matt Hampson Foundation). Good luck, Ollie! 00:00 🛞 Proudly Sponsored by Continental Tyres 01:09 📺 ITV Secures England Rugby Rights 16:49 🏉 The Role of Players Promoting Rugby 28:46 🤝 The Significance of ITV's Deal for Rugby 31:39 📡 Club Rugby and TNT's Future 37:58 💶 Comparing Financials: Prem Rugby vs. Top 14 42:46 📉 Prem Rugby's Current State and Future Prospects 49:05 💼 CVC's Investment in Rugby 55:24 🚣‍♂️ Ollie Phillips' Atlantic Row Challenge 🪽Castore Code: GBR30 www.castore.com  🚣‍♂️Ollie’s Row https://www.seaslife.co.uk/donate  📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we welcome World Cup winner - and one of the most feared front-rowers in rugby history - Bismarck du Plessis! Bismarck dives deep into the legendary 2009 Lions Tour and relives the moment of that tackle on Dan Carter (“I’m going to kill that man!”). He gives incredible insight into the Springboks’ scrum dominance and the genius of Rassie Erasmus, explaining how Rassie’s methods have helped build one of the greatest dynasties in the game. He also reflects on his special bond with his brother Jannie du Plessis, as well as his fiercely competitive nature with his kids: “I don’t let them beat me.” 00:00 – 🛞 Sponsored by Continental Tyres 02:07 – 😳 Continental Tyres Grip Strength 03:23 – 🔄 R360 Update 17:52 – 🇿🇦 South Africa’s Scrum Power 33:19 – 🐄 Life on the Farm 38:16 – 💙 Brotherly Bond 39:35 – 💔 Tragic Loss 46:21 – 🦁 The Epic 2009 Lions Series 53:27 – 💥 That Tackle on Dan Carter 🚴 Jannie’s Cycling Heroics: https://theyridealong.co.za/donations/ 📗 The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded is now available:https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After one of the spiciest weekends in rugby, Payno and Tins are joined by Springbok legend Bob Skinstad and Ireland's Geordan Murphy to break down the chaotic Ireland v South Africa card fest and the drama in the Twickenham tunnel. They dig into Rassie’s thumbs-up celebration and debate this big question: Are the Springboks rugby’s ultimate pantomime villain? 00:00 🛞 Sponsored by Continental Tyres 02:41 💪 BIG MOVES in the Continental Tyres Grip Strength  05:15 👀 THAT Rassie Erasmus Celeb 06:56 🔴 Ireland v South Africa card chaos. 23:04 🎭 Springboks: The Pantomime Villains 31:31 🇿🇦 Rassie Erasmus' Impact on South African Rugby 48:00 🥃 Rémy Martin Moment of Excellence 52:16 🌹England Autumn Review 01:05:01💥Tom Curry "Bully = Compliment" 01:11:27🚗 Honda Team of the Week Discussion 📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England make history by beating the All Blacks for only the 9th time in 120 years! The panel breaks down the performance, from George Ford's genius two drop goals to Ben Earl’s incredible work rate. James Haskell slams the "miserable" Kiwi media, while Jonny May reveals what the viral TikTok dance means for the squad's mentality. Season 6 is Sponsored by Continental Tyres 00:00🎙️Introduction  03:21 🇳🇿Discussion on the Haka 10:40💥 Analysing England's Defence 23:37 🔟 George Ford's Impact 30:00 🎵TikTok Dance 39:45 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scotland's Struggles 54:22 🚗 Honda Team of the Week  01:04:09 🌎 New Nations Series  📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available at @Waterstones: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices