HG Rugby

By Huw Griffin

Telling rugby's untold stories by meeting people, analysing data and starting conversations... more

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How many episodes does HG Rugby have?

The podcast currently has 252 episodes available.

HG Rugby episodes:

June 16, 2026 The Greatest Rugby Match You Forgot: Barbarians vs All Blacks 2009 | Mini-Documentary
The story of the forgotten Barbarians vs All Blacks game of 2009: how one of the strongest Barbarians teams of all time defeated New Zealand at Twickenham. Including the reflections of Bryan Habana, who scored a hat trick on the day and funny easter eggs from the Kiwi broadcast
Full interview with Bryan Habana: https://youtu.be/1VWXYSA368U?si=JgGlzNGKLWIt-mA0
#rugby #barbarians #springboks #allblacks #allblacks #southafrica #newzealand #documentary #habana
follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby
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Chapters
0:00 A Golden Age
1:18 The Teams
3:25 First Half
5:46 Second Half
7:44 The Aftermath

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10min
June 11, 2026 DEBATE: Is A British & Irish League In Rugby Inevitable Or Impossible?
Back with a bonus where I tackle a topic! this week it's the dreaded/desired British & Irish league: are we closer than ever to it happening or is it still the realms of fantasy? I consider the possibilities with the help of Will Kelleher.

Follow me on Twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby

Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:55 Business Sense
3:45 The English Want It
6:27 Toes Being Dipped?
10:20 The Italians & South Africans
12:00 Do The Celts Trust England?
13:40 Will Kelleher

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20min
June 06, 2026 English Rugby's Fight For Survival Explained ft. Will Kelleher
I was joined by @thetimessport journalist Will Kelleher to talk about the English PREM Rugby: the off-field and on-field changes that are turning the league into something new, the reasons for those changes and the risks they bring along the way. We use highlights and analysis to bring the Gallagher PREM 2025/26 into the spotlight and ask what will happen next.#england #rugby #PREM #englishrugby #podcast #debate #sale #harlequins #northampton
Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby
Follow Will on twitter: https://x.com/willgkelleher
Chapters
0:00 Will Kelleher's Journalism Origins
1:30 Northampton Saints Buck The Trend
7:05 Sale & Harlequins Collapse
15:50 Crazy Scorelines
20:15 PREM Hurting England?
25:50 Change Is Needed
29:40 Thoughts On Newcastle RedBulls
34:00 The Soul Of The League?
42:10 The South African Problem
46:45 Ellie Kildunne Thoughts
49:30 Women's Rugby Question
56:05 Steve Borthwick Safe?

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Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured
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59min
June 03, 2026 The English PREM Salary Cap Doesn't Work, Here's Proof...
Breaking down the PREM Rugby salary cap report for 2024/25. Watch the video version by heading over to my YouTube channel and hitting the 'join' button!

PREM Report Substack: https://thepiraterugby.substack.com/publish/post/199629107?back=%2Fpublish%2Fposts%2Fscheduled
PREM Report Itself: https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/M5OO/1BSdBWIjCfFoN5/e6dad4d4-42dd-45cb-a5ce-02ba5f5b9304.pdf
TOP 14 Report Substack: https://thepiraterugby.substack.com/publish/posts/detail/195009524?referrer=%2Fpublish%2Fposts%2Fpublished

Follow me on socials
Twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/

Chapters
0:00 Clubs Spending More
15:45 Player Wages
24:35 The Cap Isn't Working

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Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured
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Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby
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38min
May 25, 2026Why Cheslin Kolbe To Stormers Is A Game Changer & World Rugby's USA Plans Escalate | Rugby Transfer Review - May 2026
Women's Six Nations Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-198430148
My Insta: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/

The topics I cover in this podcast:
Kolbe to Stormers

Scarlets transfers latest

St Helens drama

Lowe to leave Leinster?

Nohamba to Sharks

World Rugby's Six Year Plan

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured
Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby
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31min
May 09, 2026The Rugby Stat Pundits Love But Coaches Hate: Defence Analysis Explained | Mini-Documentary
In this mini-documentary I name the misleading rugby stat that pundits and fans love but defence coaches hate. With the help of writers, analysts and coaches, I explain the nuance of defending in rugby, what people are getting wrong and the tactics teams use to mask defensive weaknesses. The video discusses some excellent defenders like the Springboks' Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and names some poor defenders too...
References:
The Stats Do Lie by Wayne Smith
https://www.therugbysite.com/blog/news-opinions/the-stats-do-lie-by-wayne-smith
Jacques Nienaber Interview (Irish Times)
https://x.com/RugbyKino/status/1746465474123121104?s=20
Missed Tackles: What are they good for? By Sam Larner
https://samlarner.substack.com/p/missed-tackles-what-are-they-good
Will Rowlands Interview (BBC)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66791500
URC official website
https://stats.unitedrugby.com/statistics/2025-26
Gareth Jenkins Interview
https://x.com/jpstafford/status/1690955381155954688?s=20
Shaun Edwards Interview (WalesOnline)
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/shaun-edwards-explains-wales-missed-17074287
Outflanked: How Ireland Exposed England's Defensive Issues Out Wide by Jonathan McCormick
https://t.co/vHIInFED4A
Complete nonsense: What are the NRL'S most overrated stats? By Mike Meehall Wood
https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/07/26/complete-nonsense-what-are-the-nrls-most-overrrated-stats/
Jacques Nienaber and his defence playbook at Leinster by Ultimate Rugby
https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/jacques-nienaber-and-his-defence-playbook-at-leinster/660790
Wales vs France Preview by Jonny McCormick
https://t.co/v05tPZ9xTu
Opta Club Rugby Stats Hub
https://theanalyst.com/club-rugby-stats
Inside Channel: Who is the best defensive Fly-half by Angus Usher
https://analystgus.substack.com/p/inside-channel-who-is-the-best-defensive
Andre Pretorius Interview on HG Rugby
https://youtu.be/9JjVBxg6bbs?si=tJ41JszyO0B6gBm4
Angus Usher Interview on HG Rugby
https://youtu.be/s7HsVMg1a7k?si=cpnk8pV6AsB0tWZt
Analysis by Brett Igoe
https://x.com/brettruganalyst
#rugby #defence #tactics #coaching #analysis #documentary #springboks #southafrica #ireland
Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby
Chapters
0:00 Problematic Numbers
1:17 A Broken Narrative
3:22 Not All Missed Tackles Are Equal
6:52 Making A Tackles vs Being Ran At
9:15 Hiding Weak Defenders (The South African View)
14:37 Which Stats Are Useful?

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Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured
Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby
Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby
Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/
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17min
April 28, 2026How Much Do French Rugby Clubs REALLY Spend? - LNR Financial Report Explained
Link to the substack here
Link to the report here
In this special episode I break down the French CCCP financial report for the 2024/25 season:
how much money was earned

how much money was spent

who made the biggest profit

who made the biggest loss

the mysterious special products...
Follow my French rugby twitter account here: https://x.com/RugbyVous

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured
Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby
Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby
Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/
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18min
April 25, 2026Inside Rugby's Online Content Creation Machine ft. Natasha Coyle
How Social Media is Changing Rugby Union Forever! + Women's Six Nations 2026 Debate
From viral try celebrations to player controversies, social media has completely transformed the world of rugby union. In this video, we dive deep into the impact of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, and LinkedIn on the sport we love. How top players such as Henry Pollock, Finn Russel, the women's games and clubs are building massive personal brands. I was joined by professional rugby social media manager Natasha Coyle to get the insights into social media management in rugby union.
The rise of rugby content creators and fan engagement
Social media disasters that cost players contracts and reputations
How unions and governing bodies are adapting to the digital age
Future trends: Will social media make or break rugby union?
Whether you're a rugby fan, player, coach, or just love the business side of sport, this video breaks down everything you need to know about social media’s powerful (and sometimes dangerous) influence on the game.Drop a LIKE if you enjoy rugby content!
Comment below: Has social media improved or damaged rugby union the most?
#rugby #socialmediastrategy #fans #women #sixnations #journalism #podcast #interview #glasgow
Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby
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Follow Tasha on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tash.coyle/
Chapters
0:00 Becoming A Social Media Manager
4:50 Where Are Rugby Fans?
8:40 Understand The Rugby Audience
12:45 Coping With Trolls
15:15 Social Media Fails
19:55 Attracting New Fans
23:25 Men's Rugby vs Women's Rugby Content
27:30 The Red Roses Debate
33:05 Women's Rugby Marketing
44:10 Impact Of Eddie Hearn
46:05 Leicester Tigers Thoughts
48:00 Working For Glasgow Warriors
52:30 The Truth About Ealing And The PREM

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Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured
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58min
April 21, 2026Where Will Ardie Savea Go? & Why I'm Sick Of Welsh Rugby Rumours | Rugby Transfer Review - March 2026
My Moana Pasifika Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/thepiraterugby/p/the-unpublished-vol2-the-worry-with?r=2nk5sv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

This month's Rugby Transfer Review investigating the potential impact of Moana Pacifica's demise on the rugby transfer market and what next for Super Rugby - are New Zealand holding themselves back? Also discussing:
Australian agents playing the media like a fiddle

All change in Fiji

Scotland trying to do rugby on the cheap?

Welsh rugby vibes latest
Rugby Transfer Hub on twitter: https://x.com/rugby_hub

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured
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32min
April 18, 2026 Super Rugby: Fading Power Or Glimpse Of Union's Future? ft. Rugbycology
Unlock the real story behind Super Rugby’s struggles despite its massive influence on the sport of rugby union. From Super Rugby Pacific 2026 to its ripple effects on Test rugby, club competitions, and the future of the sport in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere — deep insights every rugby fan needs.
I was joined by professional analyst Brendon Shield from Rugbycology to asses the Super Rugby Pacific Season so far and debate the law tweaks that have impacted the global game. We also talked about the evolution of Women's rugby and if the try scoring fever that has gripped rugby is set to continue...
#rugby #newzealand #superrugbypacific #australia #fiji #podcast #analysis #debate #rugbyleague #nrl
Does The Southern Hemisphere Still Control Rugby Union?
Why Super Ruby Is Union's Most Important Tournament.
How The Fear Of NRL Is Changing Rugby Union.
Super Rugby: Fading Power Or Glimpse Of The Future?
Super Rugby is a PROBLEM.
Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby

Chapters
0:00 Moana Pasifika Collapse
8:50 Super Rugby Season So Far
15:00 Aussie Struggles
19:50 Fear Of League
23:30 New Laws Impact
30:10 The Game Changer
36:25 Does Super Rugby Control The Sport?
43:35 Evolution Of Women's Rugby
48:10 What Is Rugbycology?
52:10 Too Many Tries?

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Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured
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1h

FAQs about HG Rugby:

How many episodes does HG Rugby have?

The podcast currently has 252 episodes available.