In Episode 40 of the Gay Rugby Podcast, Jack Higgins and Ozzie Luna face off in a Heated Rivalry Heads Up challenge. The game is simple: guess the name on the screen before the timer runs out. In reality, it turns into chaotic clues, missed guesses, and plenty of rugby banter.The challenge is inspired by the popularity of Heated Rivalry, the bestselling sports romance novel by Rachel Reid from the Game Changers book series. The story follows rival hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, whose on-ice rivalry evolves into a secret relationship that became a massive hit with fans of queer sports romance.In the TV adaptation of Heated Rivalry, Hudson Williams plays Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie plays Ilya Rozanov, bringing the iconic hockey rivalry to life on screen.While Jack and Ozzie are rugby players instead of hockey players, the competitive energy of a heated rivalry between athletes definitely translates. This Heated Rivalry Heads Up game turns that concept into a fast-paced guessing challenge where the clues aren’t always helpful and the competition gets ridiculous.The Gay Rugby Podcast explores gay rugby, LGBTQ athletes in sports, and the culture around inclusive rugby. Sometimes that means serious conversations about rugby and identity, and sometimes it’s games like this Heated Rivalry challenge.Watch the full episode to see who wins the Heated Rivalry Heads Up challenge.

On Friday, March 27th, at the Swamp Romp Rugby Tournament in New Orleans, we recorded this episode live on the ground as the conversation around USA Rugby’s new gender eligibility policy unfolded in real time. USA Rugby has updated its transgender athlete policy, creating a new competitive structure that effectively removes trans women from the Women’s Division and shifts participation into an open framework.

In this episode, we break down who this policy impacts, what actually changed, and why it matters for players and clubs across the country. What does this mean for women’s rugby participation? How will the new open division function in practice? Where do trans athletes fit within competitive rugby moving forward? And why did this decision land now?

Our guest for this conversation is trans woman and rugby player Jacqueline Congdon. She shares perspective from inside the sport and what these policy shifts mean for athletes directly affected. The episode is hosted by Jack Higgins and Ozzie Luna, recorded in community alongside players and tournament attendees who are navigating this change in real time.We also look at how organizations like International Gay Rugby have responded by reaffirming commitments to transgender and non-binary inclusion in rugby spaces. That contrast highlights the broader debate around inclusion in sport, competitive balance, and governance.This conversation explores transgender rugby policy updates, gender eligibility rules, and how national decisions ripple down to local clubs and tournaments. It’s not about taking headlines at face value - it’s about understanding what the policy says, how it’s being interpreted, and what happens next for the rugby community.

This episode is sponsored by Hey Sweet Cheeks, supporting the work we’re doing to bring real conversations about rugby, identity, and sport to the forefront. Check them out at https://heysweetcheeks.co/

If you care about rugby culture, LGBTQ representation in sport, or how policy changes impact athletes on the field, this is a discussion worth hearing.

In Episode 38 of the Gay Rugby Podcast, we dive into the messy reality of gay dating culture, dating apps, and the strange loneliness that can creep in even when you’ve never had more access to other people. With endless swiping, DMs, open tabs, and options everywhere, real connection can start to feel harder to hold onto.We talk about the shift from organic meet-cutes to algorithm-driven attraction, how hookup culture can sometimes feel transactional, and why so many gay men admit they feel emotionally unavailable even when they’re constantly “connecting.” There’s something strange about living in a time where validation is instant but intimacy feels rare.From FOMO and decision paralysis to open relationships and independence, this conversation gets honest about what modern gay relationships actually look like. We unpack the pressure to keep searching for something better, the fear of settling, and the uncomfortable truth that happiness isn’t something you swipe into; it’s something you build.It’s funny, raw, a little dramatic, and very real. If you’ve ever felt exhausted by dating apps, confused by modern gay dating, or caught between craving connection and protecting your independence, this episode will probably hit close to home.

Episode 37 of The Gay Rugby Podcast dives into Bad Bunny’s 2026 Super Bowl halftime show from a hot tub. Filmed the week after the Patriots vs. Seahawks game, this episode turns into a full conversation about the performance and the reaction from the Latinx community, especially what it meant for fans who felt represented on that stage.Ozzie talks about what it was like watching the performance growing up in a Mexican household and why the moment hit differently, while the guys get into the set design, choreography, lighting, and the kind of energy that had everyone talking the next day. It’s part pop culture breakdown, part personal perspective, and very much a hot-tub recap of a halftime show that felt bigger than just music.The Gay Rugby Podcast is a rugby and LGBTQ sports podcast covering gay rugby players, queer athletes in contact sports, and whatever else the group can’t stop talking about that week. Episode 37 is a direct reaction to Bad Bunny’s halftime performance and why it resonated so strongly with Latinx fans and the broader sports and entertainment world.

Episode 36 of The Gay Rugby Podcast breaks down one of the most talked-about sports TV storylines right now: Heated Rivalry.This episode reacts to the HBO series and the central relationship between rival pro hockey players Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, played by Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams. The discussion also touches on supporting characters Kip Grady and Scott Hunter, portrayed by Robbie G.K. and François Arnaud, and how the show is being received by athletes and LGBTQ sports audiences.From the perspective of gay rugby players, the conversation focuses on how Heated Rivalry portrays closeted professional athletes, team dynamics, media pressure, and the reality of competing in high-level sports while navigating identity. The hosts compare the series’ depiction of rivalry, secrecy, and locker room culture with real experiences inside inclusive rugby clubs and LGBTQ rugby communities.The Gay Rugby Podcast is a rugby and LGBTQ sports podcast covering gay rugby players, queer athletes in contact sports, and the evolving visibility of LGBTQ representation in professional athletics. Episode 36 offers a direct reaction to Heated Rivalry and why the series is resonating across sports culture right now.

In Episode 35 of The Gay Rugby Podcast, we sit down with Gabe Garcia (they/them), a former ballerina who walked away from the studio and into the chaos of rugby. Trained in classical dance, Gabe spent years chasing perfection before discovering rugby for beginners - a sport that values presence, teamwork, and showing up exactly as you are.Gabe talks about joining the Phoenix Storm Rugby Club, learning the game from scratch, and finding their footing inside a gay rugby team built on trust and shared effort. We get into the physical shock of contact, how a dance background translates (and sometimes doesn’t), and what makes rugby culture feel different from other sports.The episode also touches on a trans-inclusive rugby match, treated not as a spectacle but as a normal day on the pitch: scrums, tackles, mistakes, and momentum. It’s a small but telling example of why inclusive rugby and LGBTQ rugby clubs have become real entry points for players who never felt welcome elsewhere.This conversation lives at the intersection of rugby podcasts and LGBTQ sports podcasts, offering an honest athlete interview about switching disciplines, starting rugby later in life, and building community through sport. It’s a grounded look at queer athletes in sports, the reality of learning how to start playing rugby, and why rugby keeps pulling in people from unexpected places.

n this special Spanish-language episode of The Gay Rugby Podcast, we speak with the players of Spicy Rugby Querétaro, one of Mexico’s most active gay rugby teams. Diego, Uciel, Ozzie, and Jack share how the team started four years ago, how they recruit players in Querétaro, and how they organize inclusive tournaments like the Spicy Color Surf Rugby.They discuss the challenges of playing rugby as an LGBTQ community in Mexico, from the lack of dedicated tournaments to creating mixed teams and promoting inclusive rugby. The team also shares their experiences in international tournaments and how they connect with other LGBTQ rugby communities in the United States and Canada.Throughout the episode, the players recount stories from games, training sessions, travel logistics, and team life, including building safe spaces and including women in the rugby community. They also explain what it means to represent Mexico internationally and their efforts to grow the LGBTQ rugby community across the country.This episode is for anyone interested in the development of gay rugby in Mexico, the dynamics of inclusive rugby teams, and how sport can become a space for LGBTQ+ empowerment in athletics. While most episodes are in English, this Spanish edition offers a first-hand perspective from Mexican players and their impact on the international scene.

Rugby has a way of taking more than it gives. In Episode 33 of the Gay Rugby Podcast, we sit down with Chris Brandenburg of the Portland Lumberjacks Rugby Club on site in Palm Springs, CA during the Rucktacular Rugby Tournament to talk about what happens when the sport you love breaks your body and why you keep coming back anyway.Chris opens up about serious injuries, breaking his leg twice, long recovery stretches, and the mental toll that comes with being sidelined. But this episode isn’t just about rugby injuries or rehab timelines. It’s about showing up, for your teammates, for your city, and for a community that’s been forced to stay resilient whether it wanted to or not.The Portland Lumberjacks are more than a gay rugby team. They’re a fixture of Portland’s LGBTQ sports community and a rare example of inclusive rugby still thriving at the grassroots level. We talk about what it means to play gay rugby in Portland right now, how the team rebuilt itself, and why inclusive sports spaces matter even more when queer communities feel politically targeted.This conversation lives at the intersection of rugby injury recovery, LGBTQ athletics, and community identity. It’s about pain, stubbornness, and the quiet decision to keep showing up when walking away would be easier. If you’re interested in gay rugby, inclusive rugby clubs, Portland sports culture, or the reality behind comeback stories, this episode keeps it honest.

What does it actually mean to be an inclusive rugby team in 2025? On Episode 32 of the Gay Rugby Podcast, we sat down on-site at the Rucktacular Rugby Tournament in Palm Springs with Danny Jimenez, president of San Diego Armada Rugby, to talk about identity, visibility, and what happens when a team forgets where it came from.The Armada didn’t start as just another inclusive rugby club. It was founded as a gay rugby team, built to give LGBTQ athletes a place on the pitch when few existed. Over time, that identity faded. The roster shifted. The marketing changed. The community presence softened. Eventually, the team found itself asking a hard question: if you’re open to everyone, but no longer home to the people you were created for, are you still truly inclusive?Danny breaks down how they made the decision to reclaim the club’s roots - not by excluding anyone, but by redefining rugby inclusivity in a way that actually serves the gay sports community again. We talk about why being a gay rugby team in a military city like San Diego adds another layer of complexity, where players are constantly coming and going, and how leadership, language, and outreach shape who feels welcome in the locker room.This episode goes deeper than just LGBTQ rugby. It’s about queer athletes in sports, how teams evolve, and why visibility still matters in spaces that claim to be “for everyone.” From rethinking branding to rebuilding culture, Danny shares what it takes to create an inclusive sports team that doesn’t erase its identity in the process.This conversation sits at the intersection of LGBTQ rugby, leadership, and identity in sport - where inclusion isn’t a slogan, but something you have to actively protect. It’s about how teams change, how communities get diluted, and what it takes to build something that actually belongs to the people it was created for.

What’s it actually like to be straight on a gay rugby team? In this episode of the Gay Rugby Podcast, we sit down with Garrett Mack, Vice President of Marketing, and Daniel, Secretary of the San Francisco Fog Rugby Club, to talk about identity, masculinity, and how inclusive sports culture works in real life; not just on paper.Founded in 2000, SF Fog Rugby is the first gay and inclusive rugby team on the West Coast and one of the most established LGBTQ+ rugby clubs in the United States. The Fog welcome players of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and experience levels, creating a team culture built on respect, competition, and community. From beginner-friendly entry points to high-level competitive play, Fog Rugby has become a model for inclusive rugby clubs nationwide and a cornerstone of San Francisco’s LGBTQ sports scene.Garrett and Daniel share how the Fog’s inclusive approach plays out on and off the pitch, including what it means to have straight and queer teammates building trust through full-contact sport. The conversation touches on how inclusive sports teams challenge outdated ideas about masculinity, why representation in rugby matters, and how the Fog continues to grow its reach through community engagement and visibility.The episode also honors the legacy of Mark Kendall Bingham, a Fog Rugby player whose impact extends far beyond rugby. Mark Bingham was one of the passengers who helped stop Flight 93 on September 11, and his legacy lives on through the Bingham Cup, the largest international gay rugby tournament in the world. Hosted every two years, the Bingham Cup brings together LGBTQ+ rugby teams from across the globe and stands as a powerful symbol of courage, inclusion, and rugby for all.Whether you’re searching for a gay rugby team, an inclusive rugby club in San Francisco, or curious about LGBTQ+ rugby history, this episode offers real insight into how inclusive team sports function day to day. If you’ve ever wondered how to join a rugby team, what gay rugby culture is actually like, or how inclusive sports communities thrive, this conversation delivers honest perspective from inside the huddle.Learn more about San Francisco Fog Rugby and how to get involved at fogrugby.com, and explore the global impact of inclusive rugby through International Gay Rugby and the Bingham Cup. Like, subscribe, and share for more conversations about rugby, identity, and community.