The Magic Academy

Rusty chats with Roos  currently a science and research consultant for World Rugby, where his role is basically to support all strategic decisions that involve player welfare (so injury, concussion, player health), High Performance (performance analysis, performance audits) and Law (law change and monitoring).

Fletch catches up with Geoff Parling who takes us through his rugby journey from Newcastle to Melbourne!!

Rusty and Fletch do a special pre-WC pod with Gavin Allinson, rugby coach and the man who will prevent Fletch from eating Scotch Eggs and Smarties in Service Stations for at least the next 6 weeks.

Rusty chats with Garry Banford, ex-Special Forces, culminating in him being senior recruiter for UK Special Forces. Rusty and Garry discuss principles that connect both his world and the world of sport. Amazingly Rusty manages to use the phrase 'killing baddies'.

Rusty turns to the world of S&C this week as he chats with Tom McLaughlin, High Performance Manager of Ealing Trailfinders. Some great conversation including top tips for Grass roots coaches on bringing fitness to games! Tom boasts a wealth of experience from working in professional environments such as Bristol, Connaught and Wasps since the genesis of professional rugby!

Waited a long time to write this! Fletch catches up with the legend that is Walts down in Malvern after watching some rugby together! This will be essential listening!

Rusty chats with Fiji general manager Geoff Webster

The lads sit down after a long day at Sedbergh to reminisce and reflect on 1 year of The Magic Academy and the million steps a day that Rusty is currently doing!

On the agenda... Rusty's admin, Fletch's work on's and a job application for the Crusaders! 

The lads are grafting hard at the famous Sedbergh Camp this week and Rusty took the opportunity to catch up with Crista Cullen, Hockey player, drag flicker, conservationist, coach and living in a house with Fletch and Rusty for 4 days in Sedbergh....oh and by the way its probably cool to mention she's a Triple Olympian,Gold & Bronze Medallist as well as an MBE!

In this weeks episode - Rusty chats with Canterbury Crusaders Team manager Shane Fletcher.... My favourite expression in this pod...???? "Saturate them with performance"
Love Magic Stig