T/W This episode includes themes of mental health, self-harm and suicide. For support on any of the topics discussed, you can follow the links below to organisations who can help. 

At a time when high profile players and officials are taking a break from international duties to protect and prioritise their mental health, Lawrence, Sarra and Steve welcome Simon Trower onto the podcast to discuss some of the issues surrounding this topic. Simon is the founder of the charity Brave Mind and shares his own personal mental health journey and why he wanted to focus on the rugby community to open up conversations about mental wellbeing. 

Lawrence reveals what helped him deal with his emotions as a player and how the tragic death of his sister, Francesca, in 1989 had a major effect on how he viewed the highs and lows of his career. 

Simon tells the team about how Brave Mind is supporting players across all levels of rugby and what the most pressing mental health challenges are for people from grass roots, right up to international captains and how we can all do our bit to support each other. 

Later in the episode, Lawrence, Sarra and Steve are joined by the Evening Standard rugby correspondent, Nick Purewal, as the discuss the struggles facing Newcastle and whether rugby’s governing bodies need a new plan to move the game forward. 

Plus they pick the most mouth-watering fixtures as look ahead to the opening weekend of European Rugby and chat about what makes this competition so special. 

In partnership with Voxpod Studios.

If you or a friend or loved one need help and support with mental health, please contact one of these charities: 

Brave Mind https://www.bravemind.co.uk/

Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org/

Mind https://www.mind.org.uk/

Shout https://giveusashout.org/

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