RugbyBits

Kooks, Shaun and Thala break down the big European rugby finals weekend, as Bath and Bordeaux win their finals in Cardiff.

We look at why and how Bordeaux were able to beat Northampton. We discuss if Maxine Lucu is one of the best scrumhalves in the world right now, what Jalibert possibly proved to Fabien Galthie by winning this final and how Ben Tameifuna helped to turn the game to Bordeaux in the 2nd half. Then we turn into some of the controversy from the final, including the post match scuffle and digs directed at Henry Pollock. Shaun and Kooks share their thoughts on whether rugby fans really want personalities in the game.

Shaun celebrates Bath winning the Challenge Cup over Lyon and discuss if the treble is on. We then wrap up some of the other rugby news, including Moana Pasifika being destroyed by the Chiefs, why rugby pundits must get off Ilona Maher’s back, Great Britain cutting their Sevens program and why Ben Smith remains the best troll in rugby.

Thala, Kooks and Shaun take a deep dive into all of the rugby from this weekend, we look at the URC and come to a final conclusion on the Sharks, we've decided the Bulls are best set for the play off's and admire what Dobbo has done with the Stormers depth.

We pay our respects to a man who's story, determination and infectious smile hooked us all, from the Cheetahs to the SA 7's to the biggest stage of it all, how he reinvented himself after another set back. RIP Cornal Hendricks, you will be missed.

We let Kooks have a moment as he unpacks the Thursday night kick off of the 6 Nations, he outlines his key focus role if he becomes head of World Rugby.

Shaun takes us through the crazy round of Premiership Rugby action with the Saracen's season all but done and Bath marching on.

Thala chats Pacific Four and the team unpack who can challenge the Red Roses at RWC2025 with a heap of teams hitting their straps, Shaun wants Aseza Hele to cook and highlights the depth the Women Boks have since the last World Cup.

We chat Cheslin Kolbe and Sam Cane in the Japan Rugby League One and look into a crazy Racing 92 win and wonder if Stade Francais Paris can salvage their season

Shaun and Thala look back on Round 17 of the URC, where the Stormers joined the Bulls and Sharks in the URC knockouts.

We first start by looking back at the Sharks victory over Ospreys and discuss the form of their backs and we debate Ethan Hooker v Jurenzo Julius.

We then look at the Bulls beating Cardiff and the worries about Johan Goosen reinjuring his knee, whether Keegan Johannes can step up, Jake White being frustrated about Kurt-Lee Arendse not coming back and whether Cardiff not receiving a bonus point will cost them at the end.

We then reviewed the Stormers beating the Dragons and rave about Seabelo Senatla’s performance and how will John Dobson fit Manie Libbok back into this team.

Finally, we look at the Lions who were the only South African losers against Scarlets, who had Sam Lousi and Vaea Fifita impressing for them.

We preview and predict the final round of the URC, looking at Munster and Benetton’s effective knockout game, if Cardiff and Scarlets can get results in South Africa and surely Edinburgh can’t mess up against Ulster?

Finally we do a round up of the other rugby news, including the race for the Premiership knockouts and the deep trouble Stade Français find themselves in as they face relegation.

Kooks and Thala react to the British and Irish Lions tour squad announced by Andy Farrell.

We go position by position to analyse who’s in and out and what does this say about how the Lions will play Down Under.

Find out our reaction to Maro Itoje being selected as captain, who the biggest snubs are, who would make our test squad and how they match up to the Wallabies.

Kooks, Shaun and Thala review the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi finals, where Northampton and Bordeaux deliver shock victories.

We review the Saints upsetting Leinster and talk about fantastic performances from Tommy Freeman, Fin Smith and Henry Pollock. We also discuss Leinster benching Andrew Porter and Jordie Barrett and whether Leo Cullen will keep his job.

We then look at Bordeaux beating Toulouse on the back of another fantastic Louis Bielle-Biarrey performance. We debate whether Toulouse got sucked into playing too much running rugby and if Bordeaux have the best backline in club rugby.

We look at the Blitzboks winning the Sevens World Championship and the Sevens crazy tournament format, the Baby Boks losing to Australia and what players to look out for and a preview of the URC Round 17 fixtures.

Shaun and Thala wrap up Round 16 of the URC which saw the South African teams complete a weekend sweep.

We start with the Bulls and Sharks completing an unbeaten European tour. The Bulls get revenge on Glasgow with Jan Hendrik Wessels stealing the show. The Sharks completed yet another second half comeback beating Ulster and we debate whether Jurenzo Julius needs to be played more.

On the home front, we discuss the Lions victory over Connacht and the impressive Renzo du Plessis performance. We also review the Stormers thrashing Benetton and Shaun has a spicy take about Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu’s hot form.

We round up the URC results and look at playoff permutations. Shaun reviews England Red Roses insane 43-42 victory over France to complete the Grand Slam. Shaun also shares why Gloucester were especially keen to put 13 tries on Exeter and what Daffyd Jenkins might have said about them.

Finally we preview the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi finals and agree we want a Racing/Bath Challenge Cup final, why Northampton need Susie the waitress to beat Leinster and the importance of Ben Tameifuna for Bordeaux to beat Toulouse.

Shaun and Thala break down the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup rounds, where the Bulls were knocked out by Edinburgh, ending South African participation.

We start with Leinster's dominant victory over Glasgow and discuss how is Leinster peaking right now and the superb Jordie Barrett performance. Then we talk about Bordeaux's entertaining win over Munster and how Bordeaux will always give you a chance, the struggles Munster had with their lineout and whether Pete Samu should be in the reckoning for the Wallabies.

We then talk about the try celebrations in the Northampton victory over Castres. We debate whether Henry Pollock is the new England rugby villain and what chance they have to beat Leinster in the semifinals. Finally, we talk about Thomas Ramos' last minute kick to beat Toulon and whether Toulouse is now part of the pack of great French sides without Antoine Dupont.

We also look at the other Challenge Cup quarterfinals and which of Racing or Bath are favourites to win it and whether Lyon can spoil the party and look forward to massive URC fixtures for the South African teams, including the Sharks welcoming back Eben Etzebeth and other Springboks.

Kooks, Shaun and Thala review the final weekend of the 2025 Six Nations and grade the performances of the teams in the tournament.

We discuss each team’s player of the tournament and their most improved player, what the coaches learned from this tournament and what each team needs to improve on.

Listen as we discuss if France has any weaknesses, why Fin Smith has unlocked the England attack, whether it’s time to worry about Ireland and what can Wales take from this Six Nations.

We then discuss some Team of the Tournament certainties, which players are locked into the British and Irish Lions test team and do a quick preview of the upcoming URC games.

Kooks and Thala wrap up an entertaining Round 4 of the Six Nations.

We start with wrapping up the news on the Antoine Dupont and Ollie Lawrence injuries and how they impact their teams. Then we look back on Super Rugby’s weekend of upsets, including the Brumbies winning in Eden Park and the Drua upsetting the Chiefs with Nick Phipps comments that Super Rugby would dominate northern hemisphere club rugby.

We then recap the Six Nations. We discuss how England are improving their attack and the problems with Italy’s defence. We think about if Tom Jordan and Taulupe Faletau are potential British and Irish Lions bolters.

We then focus on the Ireland and France clash. We discuss the impact of France’s 7-1 split, whether Ireland’s golden generation is done and why France might be the Boks’ toughest test in November.

Shaun and Thala look back on Round 12 of the URC which saw shock wins for the Stormers and Lions in their South African derbies.

The Bulls slipped up in the rain at Loftus after a dominant performance from Evan Roos and a big game from Jurie Matthee. We discuss whether the Bulls missed the likes of Cameron Hanekom and whether it is time to stop the Willie le Roux flyhalf experiment.

The Lions get a bonus point win over the Sharks giving Shaun flashbacks to the horrible URC season in 2024. We also preview a massive reverse fixture this weekend with massive URC log implications.

We do a quick summary of the other domestic results, including Ospreys shocking Glasgow, Munster losing to Edinburgh and the run of losses La Rochelle are on.

Finally we preview round 4 of the Six Nations and look at the massive clash between Ireland and France. We also ponder whether Wales could shock Scotland and we wonder if England can improve their performance against Italy.