The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes football icon Stuart Pearce to the panel alongside Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, Tom Shanklin & Scott Quinnell for a no-filter crossover into rugby, football, and everything in between.

Pearce opens up about the terrifying mid-air health scare that nearly ended in disaster, how he found strength in rugby league culture, and the surprising bond he shares with Warrington Wolves. From Brian Clough’s old-school genius to his secret life as “Yak Yanson,” a Russian goalkeeper in Sunday League, the stories don’t get more surreal than this.

There’s plenty of love for Gazza’s wildest moments, Pearce’s memories of Euro ‘96 pressure, and the truth behind the Nottingham Forest applause that had him thinking “I’m not dead yet.”

Plus, punk gigs with Gareth Southgate, the Stranglers with Mike Tindall, and why Roy Keane was a midfield war.

A hilarious, heartfelt, and totally unexpected episode with one of England’s hardest men in football—don’t miss it!

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The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes World Cup winner Phil Vickery to the panel alongside Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, Tom Shanklin and Scott Quinnell for an emotional, hilarious and no-holds-barred look at life in and out of the game.

Vickery opens up on the fear of failure that fuelled his career, how farming forged his toughness, and what it was like getting cited and banned on his England debut.

He relives the brutal battles against South Africa’s ‘Beast’, reflects on sharing the pitch with legends like Julian White and Tom Smith, and gives a heartfelt tribute to his father and what it meant having him in the stands for the World Cup final.

There’s talk of Lions tours, training with John Thomas and Simon Shaw, and the unforgettable moment Shaun Edwards made him cry. Plus: how he found purpose after rugby and his surprising passion for bodybuilding.

The crew also dive into the Women’s Six Nations, why Phil prefers watching the women’s game, and which Red Roses star he’d pay to watch.

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The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, features a no-holds-barred chat with Joe Marler as he opens up about life after rugby, retirement, and the Celebrity Traitors rumours.

In this big sit-down since stepping away from the game, Joe gets candid about why he “couldn’t go on,” his unexpected call to Jimmy Bullard, the real reason he walked away mid-season, and what he misses (and doesn’t) about rugby life.

He also reveals the strange gigs he’s said “yes” to since retiring—including pretending to be a dog—and how he’s navigating post-rugby purpose, parenting, and mental health.

Plus, the panel grill Joe on the Traitors rumours. Has he been cast? Was he Andy Murray’s replacement? And what kind of player would he actually be: traitor or faithful?

There’s also chat about greyhounds, scrummaging, being “distracted, disruptive and rude” at school, and why he’s now working directly with Team England in a unique new role.

A funny, raw, and refreshingly honest conversation with one of rugby’s most unpredictable characters—don’t miss it.

Check out the amazing tool Lawrence mentions on this episode where you can educate yourself on all topics from people with lived experience and experts - The step before talking - www.jaaq.org

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The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes Welsh legend Scott Quinnell to the panel alongside Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, and Tom Shanklin for a rollicking ride through rugby’s past, present, and future.

Quinnell talks about his unmatched Welsh rugby bloodline, the moment he nearly dropped the ball before Scott Gibbs’ iconic try, and why Lawrence’s Wembley heartbreak might’ve led to England’s World Cup success. From Austin Healy’s £35,000 Rolex blunder to wild tales of Wigan’s sevens dream team–no story is off-limits.

The crew also relive their worst days in rugby, get nostalgic about the Five Nations era, and debate the modern game’s professionalism in “You Couldn’t Get Away With That Now.”

Plus, the latest on the Women’s Six Nations, Red Roses dominance, and who might make the 2025 Lions squad—with bold claims about Tomos Williams, Henry Pollock, and Talupe Faletau.

And don’t miss Quinnell’s take on Andy Farrell’s coaching rise, Shaun Edwards' Wembley red card, and the secret Lions selection dinner with his dad!

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The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes World Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne to the panel alongside Katy Daley-Mclean, Lawrence Dallaglio, and Tom Shanklin for a wide-ranging and inspiring chat on stardom, pressure, and what’s next for the women’s game.

Ellie opens up on the whirlwind journey from A-Levels to being crowned the best in the world, how she handles the pressure of expectation, and why she’s never tried to be anyone but herself. She discusses the challenges of life as a dual-career athlete, being made redundant during COVID, and her Olympic dream that almost slipped away.

Away from the pitch, Ellie reveals how photography became her creative escape and why she believes it helped her feel truly understood. Plus, the panel dives into the growth of the women’s game, how players can harness social media to become household names, and what England must do to win the World Cup on home soil.

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The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, sees Joe Marler & Marlie Packer join Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, and Tom Shanklin for a no-holds-barred breakdown of the Six Nations, mental health in rugby, and the realities of life after the game.

Marler and Packer reflect on England’s emphatic win over Wales and whether this was a turning point for Steve Borthwick’s side. They also preview the Women’s Six Nations, discussing the contenders, England’s dominance, and what to expect from the tournament.

Marlie shares her raw emotions on losing the England captaincy, what it meant to step back, and whether she ever considered walking away from the sport altogether. Meanwhile, Joe opens up about retirement—both the fear of stepping away and the lack of aftercare rugby offers once players hang up their boots.

The panel also breaks down the PWR Final, Marlie’s take on the intensity of the competition, and what it means for the future of the women’s game.

The conversation expands into the bigger picture of mental health in rugby, the pressures of leadership, and why so many players feel lost when their careers come to an end.

⚠️ This episode includes discussions on mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, visit one of the following organisations: 

Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/

NSPCC - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

FRANK - https://www.talktofrank.com/

Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/

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The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes Warren Gatland to the panel alongside David Flatman, Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, and Tom Shanklin for an exclusive deep dive into his Wales exit, coaching highs, and the future of rugby.

Gatland opens up about the emotional decision to return to Wales, the brutal challenges he faced, and whether he has any regrets. He reveals how the pressure of 14 straight defeats impacted him and the squad, why he never tried to protect himself, and whether he feels let down by former players.

The panel also revisits his Wasps legacy, what made that team so dominant, and how coaching Brian O’Driscoll shaped his early career. And, of course, there’s plenty of Lions talk—from selection secrets to why Marcus Smith has to be in the squad.

Plus, Gatland’s take on rugby’s bomb squad debate—should World Rugby step in?—and why he thinks Australia will be dangerous on the upcoming Lions tour.

A brutally honest conversation with one of rugby’s biggest coaching figures—don’t miss it!

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The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes Cadan Murley to the panel alongside David Flatman, Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, and Tom Shanklin for a deep dive into the Six Nations, England’s tactics, and Murley’s whirlwind debut.

Murley opens up about the highs and lows of his England debut, from scoring with his second touch to the harsh realities of international rugby. He reflects on the injury setback that cut his Six Nations dream short and reveals the hilarious debut initiation song he belted out in front of the England and Ireland squads.

The conversation turns to England’s style of play—is their attack too conservative? Murley weighs in on the Marcus Smith fullback experiment, his close friendship with the playmaker, and whether England’s attack is being limited by their system. The panel also debates Finn Smith vs Marcus Smith for England’s No.10 shirt and how England can take their game to the next level.

Elsewhere, the team discuss Ireland’s intensity and ability to disrupt opponents, the brilliance of Antoine Dupont, and whether Scotland are under pressure heading into the final rounds. Plus, Murley gives his take on the future of England rugby, the next generation of stars, and what it will take for the squad to become one of the best teams in the world.

A brilliant mix of insight, debate, and behind-the-scenes rugby stories—don’t miss it!

To find out how Funding Circle can help get your business goals over the line, visit ⁠https://fundingcircle.com/rugby

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The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, gets stuck into the dark arts of rugby—who are the true masters of the game’s most controversial tactics, what really happens at the breakdown, and how far teams will go to get an edge.

Then, it’s all about the Six Nations fallout—was Scotland tactically better despite the loss? Are England just not good to watch? And did Wales take confidence from their near-miss against France? The panel also debate whether Damian Penaud’s performance raised questions or silenced critics.

Next up, it’s British & Irish Lions selection talk—should Marcus Smith be on the plane? Who’s making a late push for a spot, and which players have already locked themselves in?

Finally, the conversation takes a personal turn as the panel shares the moment they knew it was time to retire—how tough is it mentally, what happens when your body can’t take it anymore, and is stepping away ever truly on your own terms?

A massive episode packed with rugby’s dark arts, Six Nations drama, bold Lions predictions, and emotional retirement stories—don’t miss it!

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The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, sees Jodie Ounsley join David Flatman, Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, and Tom Shanklin for an inspiring and hilarious conversation about her unique journey—from rugby to Gladiators and everything in between.

Jodie opens up about growing up deaf, the challenges she faced in rugby, and how she turned her biggest obstacle into her greatest strength. She shares the moment she didn’t hear the whistle and got sent off, the reality of playing top-level sport with a cochlear implant, and why she’s taking a break from rugby.

The team also dives into her rise as ‘Fury’ on Gladiators—what it’s really like behind the scenes, how she switches from being shy to fierce, and the brutal 11-day filming schedule that left her body battered. Plus, she reveals the weirdest fan request she’s ever had!

Beyond sport, Jodie discusses representation, being a role model, and her new children’s book, Keep Smashing It, designed to inspire the next generation to embrace challenges head-on.

With plenty of laughs, big topics, and some wild stories (including a World Coal Carrying Championship?), this episode is not to be missed!

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