My guest this week is three-time Nat Schools winning coach - Sam Howard. This interview was recorded in May of 2023 and we talked through Sam's playing days at Blackheath, Rosslyn Park and Bedford Blues (including promotion to the Premiership!), and an absolutely gold-ridden exploration of Sam's thoughts around coaching, how he builds his attack and a big chunk about the psychology of our sport too. This interview has been a long time coming and it did not disappoint - I hope you enjoy! LINKS Sam Howard on Twitter - @dybrugby1 - https://twitter.com/dybrugby1 Sam Howard on Instagram - @sammyh1015 - https://www.instagram.com/sammyh1015/ SEG Coaching on Instagram - @seg_coaching - https://www.instagram.com/seg_coaching/ Sportplan - https://www.sportplan.net/ Charlton Park RFC - https://www.charltonpark.org.uk/ Blackheath RFC - https://blackheathrugby.co.uk/ Rosslyn Park RFC - https://rosslynpark.co.uk/ Bedford Blues RFC - https://bedfordrugby.co.uk/ PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page. SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is Head Coach of Glasgow's inclusive rugby team - The Glasgow Raptors - Mr Tim Abrams. This interview was recorded in May of 2023 and we talked about Tim's early years in the sport and the behaviour of others that dissuaded him from playing, how he got back into rugby and his passion for coaching, the phenomenal growth of the Raptors under his guidance and the huge number of brand new adult players they are bringing into rugby via summer boot camps for complete beginners. Tim is a tremendous human and this is one of the most important episodes in the podcast's history - I hope you enjoy! LINKS Tim Abrams on Twitter - @TimKlevmark - https://twitter.com/TimKlevmark All links for Glasgow Raptors - https://linktr.ee/GlasgowRaptors International Gay Rugby - https://igrugby.org/ PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page. SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is the outgoing DoR of CS Stags - Chris Swann. This interview was recorded in May of 2023 and we talked about how you build a squad with character, why it's important to listen to your players, the joys of being a club with limited resources and tons of fun stories from the murky world where the amateur and professional games overlap. This episode is packed with great tactics and really took me back to my time playing at a similar level - I hope you enjoy! LINKS Chris Swann on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-s-50137350/ Chris Swann on Instagram - @chris.swann.10 - https://www.instagram.com/chris.swann.10/ Chris' Blog post - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/diary-dor-cs-stags-chapter-chris-swann CS Stags website - https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/civilservicefootballclubru/ CS Stags on Instagram - @cs_stags - https://www.instagram.com/cs_stags/ PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page. SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week coaches rugby in many different environments and his name is Tom Hicks. This interview was recorded in May of 2023 and we talked about his experience under awesome coaches at Clifton, what it means to be a pathway coach, some technical details about what makes a good player, coach development, the challenges around the environment that young players will be going into and the opportunities that are out there. This episode is absolutely packed with great information and terrific stories - I hope you enjoy! https://youtu.be/fNzLc-Tfgvc LINKS Tom Hicks on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-hicks-msc-792891101/ Tom Hicks on Instagram - @tomhicksadventurer - https://www.instagram.com/tomhicksadventurer/ Tom Hicks on Twitter - @tomhicksMSc - https://twitter.com/tomhicksMSc Clifton Rugby - https://www.cliftonrugby.co.uk/ Harlequins - https://www.quins.co.uk/ Ealing Trailfinders - https://www.ealingtrailfinders.com/ East Grinstead RFC - https://www.egrfc.com/ Sussex RFU - https://www.sussexrugby.co.uk/bc/ Toa 7's - https://twitter.com/Try4Matt PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page. SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is Alcobendas RFC Coach - Jonathan Flynn. This interview was recorded in May of 2023 and we talked about Jonathan's extraordinary journey through rugby in Canada, New Zealand, France, Belgium, Germany and even Luxembourg - where Jonathan played for and coached the national side. He's now in Spain and we deep dive into the rugby landscape on the continent. This is a journey through the vagaries and pitfalls of a rugby life just outside the elite level - I hope you enjoy! LINKS Jonathan Flynn on Twitter - @jpflynnlux - https://twitter.com/jpflynnlux Jonathan Flynn on Instagram - @jpflynnlux - https://www.instagram.com/jpflynnlux/ Jonathan Flynn on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-flynn-80b11812/ Alcobendas Rugby Club - https://www.alcobendasrugby.com/ IRANZ - https://iranz.co.nz/ Metz Rugby - https://metz-rugby.fr/ Rugby Club Luxembourg - https://www.rcl.lu/home PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page. SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

On this week's show offer up a selection from the best episodes of my 'Hot Topics' YouTube series. Listen in as I speak with Matt Barton about the Super Rugby ELVs, Simon Elkinson about the Ireland team, Dickon Moon about the Papa Johns Cup, Matt Townsend about England's tactics and Phil Greenaway about AGPs. It's a star-studded episode and I hope you enjoy! https://youtu.be/0toxU0X5hYM LINKS The Great Rugger Run website The Great Rugger Run on Twitter @RuggerRun The Great Rugger Run on Instagram @thegreatruggerrun The Great Rugger Run on Facebook @thegreatruggerrun PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page. SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

I'm delighted to announce the route for this year's Great Rugger Run. West to East through a rugby heartland and with some hugely personal reasons for choosing this location. Come and join me? It's all happening in August this year! LINKS The Great Rugger Run website The Great Rugger Run on Twitter @RuggerRun The Great Rugger Run on Instagram @thegreatruggerrun The Great Rugger Run on Facebook @thegreatruggerrun PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page. SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is long time grassroots rugby coach - Karl Cross. This interview was recorded in March of 2023 and we talked about Karl's incredible entry to rugby, his near-vertical learning curve when playing tighthead prop, a transition into coaching, and some incredible, powerful lessons learnt whilst coaching and we finished by discussing the absolute stream train that is the women's game at the moment. This chat surprised me and inspired me in equal measure - I hope you enjoy! LINKS Contact Karl Cross on Twitter @topoftheprops Bletchley Rugby Club on Twitter @BletchleyRUFC Chesham Rugby Club Karl's BLOG post that we discussed in the pod. PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page. SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is former President of Jed-Forest RFC - Paul Cranston. This interview was recorded in March of 2023 and we talked about Roy Laidlaw, Garry Armstrong and Greig Laidlaw - the three 9's - who all came from Jed and went on to play for and captain Scotland and then represent the Lions, Paul's rugby life playing for Hawick and Jed, the incredible Sevens tournaments held in the borders and a return to regional rugby. Paul is fantastic company and his love of the game is absolute - I hope you enjoy! LINKS Contact Paul Cranston via Jed Forest PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page. SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is vice-president of Stewart's Melville RFC - Jason Conlin. This interview was recorded in March of 2023 and we talked about Jason discovering rugby after fighting with his brother, an incredible experience playing in New Zealand as a young man, his time at Portobello, Stewart's Melville and a stint at Kowloon RFC in Hong Kong, and most importantly, the incredible work that Jason and Stew Mel do to help make rugby available to absolutely everyone. There are tons of great stories in this completely absorbing conversation - I hope you enjoy! LINKS Contact Jason Conlin via Stewart's Melville RFC on Twitter @StewMelRugby1 Portobello RFC on Twitter @PortyRFC Kowloon RFC on Twitter @kowloon_rfc Community day - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1so8Y_JGaCXmmWxwAKsopLnBbLnT_aSpg PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page. SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.