With Gully away sunning himself on the English Riviera, host Michael Casey is joined in the co-host seat by Bedford Blues Chief Operating Officer, Gareth Alred!

Gareth gives a synopsis of the past seasons streaming coverage. Then, ahead of this weekend’s Championship Final play off second leg between Saracens and Ealing at The StoneX, the pair are joined by two guys who have seen every club in the league firsthand whilst commentating on the RFU Streams for Saracens, Ealing and Hartpury this season – Jack Zorab and Dave Rogers, as they pick the “Championship Clubs Podcast Team of the Season”.

Northampton Saint Defence Coach Ian Vass joined Mike & Gully to talk about his time in the Championship with Bedford, Northampton & Harlequins as a player and then a coach. 

Vassy talks about the role of the Championship, the progression it offers coaches as well as players. He also gives a frank assessment on promotion and relegation and the impracticalities of having a high number of EPS players in a Premiership season.  

Doncaster Knights Head Coach Steve Boden discusses his life in coaching and the Knights fine 3rd place finish to the 2021 campaign. 

Ealing Trailfinders Director of Rugby Ben Ward joins Mike & Gully to talk project Ealing Trailfinders as the Club go into the play-off finals with Saracens in a few weeks’ time.

The former fly-half discusses the progress made on the pitch and off it as the Club launch their new women’s programme and continue to build their academy in association with Brunel University.

He also discusses promotion and relegation and the need for clarity and stability to allow clubs to plan for their futures.

Championship Clubs Podcast is on Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. Just search @ChampClubsPod to listen, watch and join in the conversation.

Richmond wing Max Trimble is the week's guest on the show. 

The former Coventry flyer discusses and contrasts life in a full time and part time environment as well as giving as insight into life at the RAG & how 'Mond has assisted with his transition to post rugby life.  

This is week Mike & Gully are joined by former Yorkshire Carnegie & Coventry hooker Phil Nilsen. 

Phil played 11 seasons at Headingley before helping Coventry win promotion to the Championship & talks about the state of rugby union in the County of Broad Acres. 

Now living and working in Gibraltar, Phil also discusses life after rugby and transitioning out of the game.

Episode six of the Championship Clubs Podcast features Ampthill RUFC charismatic Director of Rugby Mark Lavery!

Mark speaks about the Mob win over the Pirates last weekend, the impact of the Tongans and his long-term aspirations for Ampthill, in addition to discussing with Gully and Michael his club’s Championship experience to date and the importance of improving diversity and inclusivity in the sport!

Championship Clubs Podcast is on Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. Just search @ChampClubsPod to listen, watch and join in the conversation.

We would also like to thank Trojan Engineering & Fabrication (part of the MF Hire Group) for sponsoring the podcast. We are still looking for up to two other corporate partners to assist us in covering our production costs!

Episode five of the Championship Clubs Podcast goes live today at 17:00.

The Podcast, which aims to provide a positive voice for the league, is available to listen to via Apple Podcast and Spotify and can also be watched on Youtube – just search Championship Clubs Podcast.

Episode five focuses on this weekend’s top of the table clash between Saracens and Ealing Trailfinders at The Stonex. Hosts Michael Casey and Ben Gulliver welcome Saracen’s Richard “Baz” Barrington and Ealing’s Guy Thompson to the mic in a new format for the show this week.

Baz and Guy pull no punches when they discuss all the hot topics in rugby right now - ring-fencing and the importance of promotion and relegation to the rugby pyramid, funding to the sport, the value of the Championship as a development pathway and their experiences at Jersey Reds in addition of course to their preparation for this Sunday afternoon!

In the latest episode of the the Championship Clubs Podcast Tom Youngs talks about how his time at Bedford Blues & Nottingham helped shape him into a British & Irish Lion with 28 England Caps.

We also take a deep dive into the current Championship season with Jersey Reds hooker George Edgson.

Edgy talks about his experiences in the league and as part of Premiership academy with Wasps and answer the questions the question we have all been asking....are you @champ___life?

Check us out on Insta & Twitter @Champclubspod