Maul or Nothing

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So it finally happened England have regained the Calcutta Cup. Despite conceding more tries, missing more tackles, less possession, less territory, less metres carried, less line breaks, less tackle breaks and less offloads, they beat Scotland to prove stats matter less than points. Max and Ryan go head to head in the feelings around this one.

Winning is winning right?

What about the Tommy Freeman try? Doesnt matter as long as the ref thinks you scored!

At the end of the day, despite The Afrikaner Android that is Duhan Van der Merwe's best efforts it wasnt to be for Scotland. That said should big Dwayne have tried to get it closer to the posts to helps Finn Russell for that final missed kick??? Maro "the octopus of chaos" Itoje and his Red Roses won't care, just ask Max he was out with them after the match and gives us the lowdown on the partying.

Listen out for the sheer volume of name drops from Ryan and Max after their day (and night) out in London. A who's who of rugby royalty.

Over in Cardiff a resurgent Wales produced their best performance for a very long time to put the heebie-jeebies up the Irish. Ultimately, Ireland doing what they do best, winning. Can anyone stop the green army marching towards a second grand slam in 3 years? Over to you France!

Speaking of the French... how many of you claimed Antoine Dupont was human because of 1 below his superlative standards performance against England…. Demi God Dupont activated in a absolutely harrowing match for the Italians.... The French are cooking, round 4 looks like the tournament decider in Dublin.

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This Episode is sponsored by NordVPN

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/maul Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee

our link will also give you 4 extra months on the 2-year plan. 

In this weeks show the boys look ahead to Round 3 of the Six Nations and some tasty ties to look forward to.

It’s a new dawn for Wales, new head coach in Matt Sherratt, some new faces and hopefully a new result for them. But is there a more daunting task in world rugby right now than the Irish coming to town?

The boys discuss the Irish weaknesses (hint: there are none) and their mindset as they look to continue their barnstorming Six Nations tournament so far.

Meanwhile Ryan will be down at Twickenham for the Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland…. The Scots hoping to make it five wins in a row but the English are riding a wave of optimism after beating France at the death in round 2.

How do the boys see this one shaping up? How are the Scottish boys feeling after that chastening defeat at the hands of the mighty Irish? Ryan is worried but always picks his heart above his head…. Can Scotland put in that performance that continues this stranglehold they have over England these last few years?

And finally France head to Rome to take on the Italians buoyed by that impressive win over Wales. Which France will we see? The one who couldn’t catch a train when it mattered against England or the one that battered Wales? Surely Antoine Dupont can’t be human two games in a row?

We also hear about Max’s week having beaten Bath and the existential crisis he’s having with not being a slave to the rugby schedule while Ryan went on a competing podcast. We hear how his Trojan horse attempt worked out!

Enjoy!!

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It's the victory they craved, the victory they needed, the victory they deserved and the victory they delivered...

England have finally beaten a tier 1 nation and delivered a win that finally puts the Borthwick doubters back in their seats... Or has it? What do the boys think?

Test rugby is a game of fine margins and how much luck was involved with France seemingly playing all the rugby but with a sadomasochistic contempt for the try line.... Dupont is human after all....

Who were the stand out performers? Who has helped their Lions cause no end?

The boys single out Tom Curry for praise but the highest accolades are sent the way of Fin Smith. Has the fly half debate been settled?

What actually happened to France?

Over at Murrayfield Ireland were serving up the blueprint for away wins in the Six Nations according to Ronan O'Gara. Absolutely dominating a strangely subdued Scotland team.

On this form does anyone bet against them to march to a grand slam in style?

And what a win for Italy....Wales didn’t feel like a scalp..... More the new order…..

But what of Wales? Is there any light at the end of the tunnel... can they take any benefits from their first loss at the Stadio Olimpico in their history?

The boys give you a full round up of a dramatic round of Six Nations Rugby.. Enjoy!

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What a treat we have for you all this week. We’re joined by none other than Scotland Centre and purveyor extraordinaire of tries Huw Jones.

Huw takes through the triple meat pie and the “it’s happening again” moment when Italy drew level at 19-19. But there’s a new found resilience to the Scots and ultimately they did everything they needed to do to pick up the 5 points. First banana skin avoided!

We hear Huw’s thoughts on what’s going on inside the Scotland camp but also have a chance to beat his wild journey to the top. Some real sliding doors moments that might never have seen the dynamo Midas centre hit the highs of winning the URC or winning over 50 caps for his country. 

And what about the other games?

Close and no cigar seems to be a recurring theme for England but this was more comprehensive. Beaten soundly by the Green machine. Ireland showing no signs of being Dads army actually accelerating through the gears in the latter stages. Ireland vs France sure promises to be an absolute blockbuster. 

But what of the English? What does Steve Borthwick do? all questions wonderfully answered by the boys.

We also go through the Wales nadir against France in Paris. Rarely has there been a more one sided game in recent years in the six nations. What can Warren Gatland do?

France through purring like a well oiled machine despite injuries and a very callow side they blew the Welsh away!

We also hear from the lads Max gives us his take on being destroyed by an almost entire Wallaby side as Bristol are taught a heavy lesson against the Queensland Reds. Silver lining though… Max scored a try!

It’s another blast with the boys enjoy!

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It’s the big preview show!

The boys look ahead to the most tantalising of Six Nations tournaments. 

What are each team's chances?

Can England be the kingslayers in Dublin? Or will the wily men of the Emerald Isle defy some outrageous soothsaying of their temporal demise…. (Over the hill….) 

Will the Super Maro Borthers team do the double against Ireland?

Can France refind their va va voom, lost last year in an underwhelming campaign? The return of Antoine DuPont and Romain Ntamack is ominous for those who dare dream of beating Les Bleus…

What about Scotland? Can they overcome losing their talisman and captain (and all round legendary bloke) Sione Tuipolotu. Can their forwards front up and lay the platform for their supercharged star studded back line?

And what of the Italians…. This is surely their time! Powered by their majestic midfield duo of Brexoncello (Brex + Menoncello, just in case you didn’t get it) the most passionate of captains in (friend of the show) Michele Lamaro and a core of the Benetton squad who just beat La Rochelle to seal their place in the Champions Cup knock outs….. The future looks Azurri!

Which brings us to Wales…. As Yazz once sung… “The Only Way Is Up”. After the most crushingly poor autumn nations series and a record losing streak some of the big guns are finally back. Lions heroes Liam Williams and Josh Adams are where they belong to bring some fire, guile and most importantly, experience to a young talented group.

Tasty tasty tasty tasty.

The boys also whip round the Prem and URC and verbally joust as always.

Enjoy and we love you!

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The boys welcome England and Sale all action back row hero Ben Curry to get his thoughts on the Champions Cup weekends most outrageous piece of skill from a forward....

Visibly awkward at winning player of the match every week and even player of the month we hear about what was going through his head in that fabulous victory over Toulon.

He also takes us through nilling Max's Bristol, playing for England with his twin brother Tom Curry (they were on the field for 1 second together....)

Being identical does Ben ever step in for Tom? (answer yes...)

Who is faster out of the twins? and do the players get confused with them around.

Its also time to celebrate Max Lahiff after reaching 100 caps for Bristol. What a man, what a landmark. He deserves all the plaudits and also tributes from players and the MoN team.

There's also time to talk through all the Champions Cup matches as the Round of 16 is decided plus the six nations squad announcements are here....

• Maro Itoje New England Captain
• Prendergast vs Crowley - Ireland’s old guard
• Wales and Fly halves

There's also time for Max to give a touching tribute to his friend Anthony Watson who has decided to retire from rugby

Enjoy and as always... we love you!

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The lads are mostly back but are rolling a man down this week as Marc takes to the skies...in first class of course...and so Ryan and Max are delighted to be joined by Bath and England's midfield maestro Ollie Lawrence!

They talk tiktok vlogs (https://www.tiktok.com/@ollielawrence13), Fortnite vs COD, and Marcus vs 'the Muscle'!

They also cover a bit of rugby; from a Champions Cup review to anxious waits for 'the call' and an insiders 6 Nations preview!

Are Ireland waning? Is this Scotland's year? Can England do them a favour? And who will be the bolters when Borthers...sorry Steve...announces his squad??

Plus Ryan makes his latest, locked-in, absolutely final, Champions Cup predictions and Max reveals which player is fuelled by the absolute belief that he's an 80s action hero!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

After a quick holiday hiatus the boys are back to discuss the last few weeks of rugby and rest and ridiculous New Years resolutions.

Most importantly though Which Agent Smith should be England's key lynchpin for the 6 nations... Magic Marcus with another 18 point haul against Newcastle or all singing all boshing Fin with a performance masterclass to take down the Prem leaders Bath?

The boys round up the weekends action including Bristols dire couple of weeks plus theres a lookahead to the tastiest of ties in the Champions Cup...

La Rochelle vs Leinster anyone? Or how about Dupont, Toulouse vs Eben and the superstars at the Sharks? Almost a France vs South Africa rematch from the World Cup....

Apart from that Ryan explains his ridiculous attempt at not wearing shoes, Max's new years resolutions and why Tom Willis is an absolute rugby warlord

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It’s the Christmas special!

This year, the boys are joined by Bristol Bears flyer Gabriel Ibitoye, bringing some extra holiday cheer and rugby chat. And, of course, to give it that Fijian flair—because we are the official unofficial Fiji podcast—Ryan’s old team mate and friend of the show, Niko Matawalu, is back (just about) to add to the festive fun!

From worst Secret Santa stories to Niko’s Christmas chaos, there’s no shortage of laughs. Plus, Marc brings his signature touch with some curious venue and gift decisions!

Tune in for some epic exchanges, hilarious banter, and a whole lot of Christmas spirit. Whether you're listening or watching on YouTube, this is the perfect episode to get you in the holiday mood. Merry Christmas to one and all!

Use the code MON10 at absoluterugby.co.uk for 10% off

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Head to absoluterugby.co.uk for all your Christmas rugby needs, with the code MON10 for 10% off.

We're delighted to be joined by Saints and England star, Tommy Freeman, fresh off the plane from a fabulous win in South Africa over the Bulls.

The flying winger talks us through the altitude, King Troll Henry Pollock, some serious niggly play, hearing some pretty harsh heckling, how enjoyable the win was but also just how beautiful South Africa is.

He also runs us through his England experience so far, looking ahead to the Six Nations and what its been like having so many of his Saints mates in the squad with him.

We also dissect the Bristol Bears Champions Cup clash with La Rochelle and how it went for Max when he was supposed to just be a substitute..... the mindset shift and joking around with Will Skelton. Also what was that Jack Nowell finish?!?

What did they get up to after the match and which players led the charge in La Rochelle....

Ryan was non stop punditing at the Champions Cup... what was it like watching Max in a Dublin pub... and how did Benetton manage to hold on for the win over Bath trying to do everything to lose that!

The boys also give a full round up of the Champions Cup including the failure of all the South African sides to pick up a win. Do they want to be in this competition? Do they care? Is it better than Super Rugby for the Saffa sides?

We hear all the hot takes from the fellas.

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