Stick to Rugby

The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes former Ireland and British & Irish Lions centre Rob Henderson to the panel alongside Lawrence Dallaglio, Tom Shanklin and Katy Daley-Mclean for a fast-paced and emotional deep dive into Irish rugby’s rise, Lions heartbreak and life on tour.

Henderson opens up about his late start in rugby, why it was “always Ireland” for him, and how the iconic 2001 win over England became a defining moment for Irish rugby. He reflects on the Lions tour to Australia, the devastation of the Test series loss, and the famous “we ran out of petrol” line that still haunts him.

There are tales of chaos and camaraderie; sharing a room with Lawrence, getting fake tanned before games, and when the Irish team met the Pope. He reveals how Clive Woodward changed his career, why “you hate losing more than you like winning”, and what it meant to earn his first cap.

From huge hits to wild stories, this episode captures the full spectrum of rugby life: unfiltered, hilarious, and deeply personal.

Once a Lion, always a Lion. Don’t miss it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We take Stick to Rugby on the road this week, brought to you by Defender, as Lawrence Dallaglio, Tom Shanklin and the returning Joe Marler jump in for some front-seat rugby chat (and chaos).

From Shaun Edwards banning music in the dressing room, to Joe Marler’s obsession with coleslaw and his death row meal pick — this is a no-filter ride through rugby’s funniest, weirdest, and most unexpected stories.

The lads also lift the lid on what it’s really like being a “bench captain”, debate the direction the game’s heading, and reveal their dream five-a-side team made entirely of rugby players.

One car. Three legends. Unlimited nonsense.

00:00 – Marler’s Back

01:46 – Young Joe Marler

02:26 – One Thing Joe Regrets

04:46 – Inside the ‘Bench Captain’ Role

09:56 – Andy Powell & Bench Stories

11:50 – Motorway Service & Dressing Rooms

15:55 – Feedback: Giving & Taking It

19:03 – Death Row Meal

25:29 – Initiation Songs & Marler’s 5-a-Side Team

28:44 – Dan Cole Appreciation

31:40 – Social Media: Good or Bad for Rugby?

33:34 – Stick to Rugby: The Movie Cast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes England’s youngest-ever captain Will Carling to the panel alongside Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, Tom Shanklin & Scott Quinnell for a personal and honest conversation about leadership, pressure, and life beyond the game.

Will opens up about being handed the England captaincy at just 22, the internal battles he faced, and the moments he knew he bottled it. He shares how handwritten letters helped him connect with his teammates and why leadership is about “the little touches.”

The team revisits his media challenges, post-career struggles, and the mental toll of going from national icon to “car crash years.” Carling also lifts the lid on his role under Eddie Jones, why Clive Woodward built the better environment, and how English rugby has struggled to replicate success since 2003.

There are plenty of stories along the way — from meeting Nelson Mandela and Robin Williams, to why his teammates bet on how long he’d last as captain, and how Peter Winterbottom terrified everyone.

One of English rugby’s most defining figures joins the show for a look back on legacy, leadership and life in the spotlight.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, sees Adam “Bomb” Jones join Lawrence Dallaglio, Tom Shanklin, Katy Daley-McLean, and Scott Quinnell for a brilliantly unfiltered chat about World Cup pain, Welsh rugby politics, and his infamous fallout with Steve Hansen.

Adam opens up on the toughest moments of his career—from being hooked after 30 minutes by Hansen to the emotional toll of World Cup failure. He reveals how that moment changed him, what really happened behind the scenes, and why it became the turning point in his career.

He shares heartfelt memories of Jerry Collins, his surprising coaching ambitions with Wales, and how Joe Marler became one of the most misunderstood players in rugby.

From raw honesty to all-time tour stories, this one’s packed with character, chaos and a few emotional curveballs.

🚨🔔 Subscribe now and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes Henry Pollock to the panel alongside Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, Tom Shanklin and Scott Quinnell—fresh off the back of his Lions call-up.

Pollock opens up on how he found out—live on TV with no heads-up—and the chaos that followed, including a missed call to his mum and the emotional moment it all hit. He reflects on the Leinster semi-final as his “now or never” moment, how he’s coping with the hype, and why the pressure is only just beginning.

He also lifts the lid on his whirlwind rise—from schoolboy fancy dress to Lions selection in just 12 months—plus insight into the squad WhatsApp (or lack of one), meeting Maro Itoje, and what the Lions kit bag really means.

With talk of Northampton vs Leinster, the upcoming Champions Cup final, and how Pollock plans to prove why he’s been picked.

00:00 – Intro

06:01 – Behind the Scenes & Delicacy of the Week

07:15 – WHO AM I? Panel Game

13:00 – Lions Call-Up Moment

14:40 – Henry’s Diogo Dalot Celebration

17:24 – Looking After BIL the Lion

20:25 – Messages from Famous Players

21:58 – Telling His Parents About the Lions Call-Up

23:06 – Henry’s Rapid Rise

24:34 – Early Lions Memories

26:00 – Tour Stories & Squad Antics

29:35 – World Cup Win vs Lions Tour Win?

31:11 – Biggest Admission from the Squad

33:01 – Who Henry’s Most Excited to Meet

35:00 – Worst Roommate Story

35:55 – Family Sporting Background

38:07 – When Henry First Got into Rugby

39:20 – School Days & Education Path

40:47 – Rugby Heroes Growing Up

42:50 – Youth Career & Development

44:44 – Career Highlight (So Far)

51:15 – Drama of the Leinster Semi-Final

52:58 – Champions Cup Final vs Bordeaux

54:10 – Winning vs Losing: Henry’s Mindset

55:30 – Big Goals & Ambitions

56:19 – Favourite Position on the Pitch

58:55 – Challenge Cup Predictions

1:02:07 – Pre-Season Plans

1:02:44 – Panel Quiz Finale!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest special episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, sees Warren Gatland return to the panel alongside Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean and Tom Shanklin for a no-holds-barred look at the chaos, controversy and legacy of the British & Irish Lions.

Back for his second appearance, Gatland reflects on the moments that shaped — and nearly sank — his time as Lions head coach. From off-field issues that split squads to the brutal selection calls he still stands by.

He opens up on the “clown nose” backlash, the fallout from dropping Brian O’Driscoll, and the tensions that ran through multiple tours. There’s insight on managing Sexton, the rivalry with Farrell, and the pressure that comes with leading the Lions.

Off the field, Gatland recalls a near-death experience abroad, the need to restore pride in the jersey, and the text Phil Vickery got from his mum after getting dropped.

A brutally honest conversation with one of rugby’s biggest coaching figures — this is the Lions, unfiltered.

🚨🔔 Subscribe now and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode!

00:00 - Welcome Back Warren Gatland

00:30 - What Makes the Lions So Special?

01:19 - The Best Advice

03:11 - Teaser

04:10 - First Time Inside a Lions Camp

06:30 - Coaching His First Lions Tour

08:55 - 2005 vs 2009: A Tale of Two Tours

10:35 - Brutal Selection Calls & Squad Morale

11:58 - Gatland’s Most Iconic Lions Games

14:41 - The Toughest Part of Coaching the Lions

17:01 - Schalk Burger’s Eye Gouge Incident

18:08 - O’Driscoll Concussion & 2009 Injury Chaos

20:12 - Getting Close to Rival Nations

21:24 - Phil Vickery’s Mum

22:00 - Safari Story

22:58 - Comparing 2009 and 2013 Lions Tours

25:25 - Wales’ 2008 Tour of South Africa

26:31 - The Truth Behind Dropping Brian O’Driscoll

30:30 - Knowing When the Game’s in the Bag

34:07 - Inside the 2017 Lions Tour

38:33 - Taking on the New Zealand Media

43:45 - Reflections on Selections & Leadership

44:22 - Drawing the 2017 Series

46:59 - Owen Farrell & Managing Johnny Sexton

49:43 - Gatland’s Any Other Business

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes Freddie Steward to the panel alongside Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, Tom Shanklin, and Scott Quinnell for an exclusive deep dive into his England career, the Red Roses’ Grand Slam, and life at Leicester Tigers.

Steward opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of England’s World Cup semi-final heartbreak, how media pressure fuelled the squad, and the lasting impact of that South Africa defeat. He also lifts the lid on his rivalry with Marcus Smith, dealing with being dropped, and what it’s really like when a fly-half takes your shirt!

The panel dives into the Red Roses' Grand Slam triumph, the brutal difference between club and international rugby, and the fierce competition for England shirts.

Steward also reveals how working with sports psychologists transformed his career, why Ellis Genge’s leadership was crucial, and how Michael Cheika reignited Leicester’s charge this season.

And don’t miss Freddie’s verdict on the best full-back in world rugby right now!

A revealing and honest conversation with one of rugby’s fastest-rising stars—don’t miss it!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.