Former Northampton lock and current head of the Rugby Players Association in England, Christian Day, joins Conrad and Rachael to discuss player load, match and training limits as we ask - how much is too much? Subscribe to make sure you get EVERY episode of the Players Podcast from International Rugby Players Association!

After the announcement this week that the Nations Championship and Nations Cup will kick off in 2026, Conrad and Rachael examine the plans for the new global tournaments which kick off in 2026. Subscribe and check out International Rugby Players Association on Instagram and YouTube for more info!

In Episode 3 of the Players Podcast, Conrad and Rachael speak with World Rugby referee manager Brendon Pickerill, who discusses some of the issues facing international refs and what the governing body are doing to tackle issues around laws of the game. Make sure to subscribe to get the latest episodes as they drop and get more details on rugbyplayers.org!

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Players Podcast from International Rugby Players Association.

In this episode, we dive into two compelling stories: the impact and controversy of the 20-minute red card rule in modern rugby, and an in-depth look at the Women’s British & Irish Lions ahead of their landmark 2027 tour.

The new-look Players Podcast is back!

Check out the latest episode where Conrad Smith and Rachael Burford discuss R360, new rugby competitions and look back on the success of the Women's Rugby World Cup.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, a lot has been going on behind the scenes around a future Global Season for Rugby. Episode 19 of the Players Podcast talks to our very own International Rugby Players CEO, Omar Hassanein, who's been involved in the discussions with Rugby's power brokers since the Rugby came to a shuddering halt in March 2020.

This episode comes as Rugby marks it's 25th anniversary of professionalism and so we look back on what professionalism has brought us - good and bad - and what we can learn for the future. Have a listen and check out rugbyplayers.org for more!

Fresh from negotiating and agreeing one of the most high-pressure deals in sport, NFL Players’ boss DeMaurice Smith joins us for Episode 18 of the Players Podcast.

A former trial lawyer, Smith talks candidly about the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between players and owners and how it’s one of the most stressful deals he’s ever done.

He also talked about the resistance from some players to adding an extra game to the season, the impact of social media on the deal and how players were split on other aspects of the CBA.

In a wide ranging chat with host Eoin McHugh, concussion in the sport, politics and the impact of Covid-19 was also covered.

Enjoy and check us out on rugbyplayers.org for much more!

Conrad Smith knows a thing or two about winning Rugby World Cups - the former All Black centre was part of the team that claimed the William Webb Ellis trophy in 2011 and again in 2015.

In conversation with Eoin McHugh, the Taranaki native talks about the dark days in the aftermath of New Zealand’s early exit from RWC 2007, rebuilding the squad, the pressures of playing in a World Cup on home soil...and doing it all over again in 2015.

But his main message to those wanting to win a Rugby World Cup? Deal with the unexpected.

Enjoy, share with your mates and check out rugbyplayers.org for more!

One of the boldest moves made by South Africa's Rugby World Cup winning coach Rassie Erasmus was to include the head of the country's players association in his management team for Japan 2019. Eugene Henning, CEO of MyPlayers, was appointed player affairs manager and helped make sure the schedule was manageable, the environment was positive and that the squad were treated as "humans first". Eugene told the Players Podcast about his time with the RWC winners, his role... and how it could set the trend for putting the player front and centre in international rugby. Check it out!

Steve Hoiles grew up learning from the Australian greats in Randwick before going on to win over 100 Super Rugby caps with the Brumbies and a Super Rugby championship with the Waratahs along with the Wallabies.

Always a straight shooter, Steve spoke to Eoin McHugh about the state of Aussie Rugby, their chances in the upcoming RWC and what he’s been doing since retirement.