Rugby Union Weekly

Are England suddenly in crisis? After the heavy defeat to Ireland, Chris, Tom & GRO dissect what’s gone wrong for Steve Borthwick’s side, whether the fallow week has arrived at just the right moment, and if wholesale changes await for Italy. GRO admits he actually enjoyed watching Wales for the first time in a while, but wonders if they could repeat that display against more physical opposition. Tom, meanwhile, refuses to get carried away by Scotland’s back-to-back wins. Plus, Poetry Corner returns as Chris reads out more listeners’ rugby-inspired poems.

Ugo, Sam Warburton & John Barclay discuss the fallout from round three of the Six Nations as England are humbled for the second week in a row, France march on and Scotland backed up their Calcutta Cup win. So what next for England after another damaging defeat? Does their gameplan need to evolve? And how many changes should Steve Borthwick make for Italy? Ireland showed their attack is back to its best. Were Andy Farrell's men written off too soon? Wales are still without a win, but Sam is optimistic Welsh rugby is no longer in freefall after Saturday’s performance and turnout at the Principality. France are now one bonus-point win from the title, but can Scotland reproduce the clinical display they showed against England and blow the championship wide open?

Chris is alongside Matt Dawson, Paul Grayson and Donncha O'Callaghan to reflect on Ireland smashing England 21-42 in a record-breaking win at Twickenham. Ireland keep their claim for the Six Nations title alive, whilst England's hopes turn to dust. How did Ireland cut through England, and what confidence will they take from this record win at Twickenham? Plus, the guys discuss England's reluctance to adapt from their set gameplan.

Then, Sara Orchard is alongside Philippa Tuttiett and Andy Nicol at the Principality as Scotland come back to deny Wales a first Six Nations victory since 2023. Having led by 15, there are plenty of positives for Wales to take, but their search for a Six Nations win continues. Scotland build on the back of their Calcutta Cup win to take temporary top-spot. 

TIMECODES:

Maro Itoje is set to become England's latest centurion when he captains the team against Ireland this Saturday at Twickenham. Chris and Ashy sit down with Itoje and reflect on a remarkable 10-year stint with England that has seen him win a Grand Slam, Six Nations titles and reach a World Cup final. Was he always destined to reach this milestone? He picks out his most memorable moments over the past decade and tells us about the coaches that have helped him get to this point. How does he stay motivated? What does he still want to achieve in an England shirt? And if he had to pick his favourite second row partner, who would it be?

It’s a pod mash-up on this latest episode of Rugby Union Weekly as Sara is joined by former Ireland and Lions scrum half Conor Murray – who stars in one of our sister podcasts, The Ireland Rugby Social.

Conor’s co-presenter BBC Northern Ireland’s rugby expert, Gavin Andrews also comes along for the ride as they take a trip down memory lane – reflecting on past victories… and the losses too against England at the Allianz (or Twickenham as it was known in Conor’s time!)

They chat the selection issues that Andy Farrell might have ahead of the team being announced, as well as debating that 10 position in the Ireland squad – and the pressure it puts on the players.

And Conor lets us in on what really happened in Las Vegas with Alex Mitchell – and the guys give their predictions with both giving very different answers…

Henry Pollock gets his first England start. Ollie Lawrence returns. Tommy Freeman is back on the wing. Tom Curry starts. There is plenty for Chris and Ugo to unpick from the England team to face Ireland on Saturday. Why has there been so many changes? Is it a reflection of the performance against Scotland? We are joined by Steve Borthwick who talks through the changes in the midfield and back row and why he felt Henry Arundell deserved another shot after his red card against Scotland. Ollie Lawrence is also on the pod. He chats to us about renewing his partnership with Fraser Dingwall and battling with Freeman for the number 13 shirt. We also go deep into his hair regime and find out why he’s unable to get his haircut until England head to Rome in March.

You’ve heard from Gregor Townsend, Sione Tuipulotu and John Barclay after Scotland’s latest Calcutta Cup triumph. Now it’s the turn of Stirling and Limerick’s finest - Tom English. He talks Chris and GRO through his range of emotions at full-time one week after that chastening defeat in Rome. After another stellar display, is Finn Russell now Scotland’s greatest ever player? Can he guide them to a Triple Crown? And can we persuade GRO it’s a big achievement? Things get even better for Tom when a listener shares a poem all about his favourite player. As for England, how will Steve Borthwick react to that defeat in Edinburgh? Will we see a change in personnel or a change in tactics? What can we expect from Ireland this Saturday? Is there enough x-factor in Andy Farrell’s side? We also touch on Wales as GRO tries to find the positives following another heavy defeat.

Ugo, Ashy and a very happy John Barclay review round two of the Six Nations after Scotland regained the Calcutta Cup. Is a first triple crown since 2010 now on the cards? Did Scotland's gameplan expose England's weaknesses? Should it have been Marcus Smith on the bench at Murrayfield? And is his namesake Fin getting enough Test minutes? France flex their muscles in Cardiff as they put 50 on Wales, can anyone stop the defending champions from winning another title? But why are Wales still struggling defensively under Steve Tandy? Ireland's fly-half debate rumbles on, will it be Sam Prendergast or Jack Crowley lining up at Twickenham? And what is the biggest obstacle preventing Italy from being in the title hunt one day?

Chris is alongside Matt Dawson and Johnnie Beattie as Scotland regain the Calcutta Cup, beating England 31-20 at Murrayfield! The guys reflect on a comprehensive win for Scotland, before hearing from proud Scotland captain, Sione Tuipulotu. They discuss how the squad stepped up for Gregor Townsend in a week where their head coach came under a lot of fire. Then, we hear from England head coach Steve Borthwick, speaking after a 5th Calcutta Cup loss in 6 years. How significant was Arundell's red card to the final result, and where else was the match lost for England? Finally, after hearing from Gregor Townsend, the guys discuss whether Scotland can back this up next week and beyond. 

Chris has made it to Edinburgh to find Tom English and Andy Burke to analyse the Scotland team for the Calcutta Cup. There is no Edinburgh player in the starting XV since 1998! So, it means there is no place for Duhan van der Merwe again. Is it a gamble to leave out the record try scorer in the Calcutta Cup in the Six Nations era? Can Gregor Townsend survive another defeat, or would it be the final straw for the Scottish rugby public? We also pick through some bold selection calls from Ireland boss Andy Farrell as they welcome Italy to the Aviva on Saturday. Chris heads to the England team hotel to catch up with captain Maro Itoje as he prepares to win his 99th cap after a tough few weeks on a personal level. He shares how his faith has helped him deal with the loss of his mother. He speaks candidly about the huge influence she had on all aspects of his life and how much the reaction of the Twickenham crowd meant to him after coming off the bench last week.