French rugby takes centre stage this week after a dominant EPCR finals weekend, with Bordeaux-Begles battering Leinster 41-19 to claim the Champions Cup and Montpellier beating Ulster 59-26 in the Challenge Cup. The lads dig into how the Top 14 has opened up a serious gap on the URC and the Premiership teams, what went wrong at Leinster, whether Leo Cullen is under pressure, and how teams can bridge the gap. There’s also chat on Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s Player of the Year, Cheslin Kolbe's South African return, Steve Diamond’s brutal Newcastle exit, a Hollywood ending as Ealing are shocked in the Championship, rugby spying scandals from bushes to hotel fire alarms, and a few grassroots shoutouts from Middlesbrough, Mold RFC and Syracuse.

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It’s a massive week as the lads react to the URC quarter-finals being locked in, Glasgow’s statement win in Belfast, Cardiff’s huge result over the Stormers and Connacht emerging as dark horses. We look ahead to the Champions Cup final in Bilbao and whether Leinster can topple Bordeaux. We also ask whether rugby has a growing drug problem after major bans in Georgia and South Africa. We dive into South Africa’s club rugby future with rumours they may be dropping out of Champions Cup, the potential URC-Prem merger, Eddie Jones’ suspension, England’s new-look training squad and the Premiership chaos after Saints put 94 points on Bristol.

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This week on The Rugby Pod, the lads dive into the RFU backing Steve Borthwick despite England’s worst Six Nations in 50 years, as questions continue to be asked about direction. There’s plenty of beef across the Premiership and URC with Saracens finding form, Leicester battering Northampton, Leinster eyeing top spot and controversy everywhere from croc rolls to red cards and VAR. Plus club takeovers, Ealing to the URC rumours, Halfpenny retirements and a huge live show announcement at Everton’s new stadium.

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European rugby finally delivered the chaos it’s been promising. Bigs joins Jim and Goodey to break down a weekend of semi-final action, with two blockbuster finals now locked in. From Bordeaux’s ruthless efficiency dismantling Bath, to the growing controversy around French TV coverage and TMO decision-making, there’s plenty to get stuck into.

Leinster grind out a statement win over Toulon, showing a less flashy but more resilient edge that could see them finally get their fifth star. Ulster book their first European final in 14 years with a dominant win over Exeter, and Montpellier scrape past the Dragons to reach a final.

Away from the pitch, the boys react to winning Best Sports Podcast at the Oscars of sport, Eddie Jones’ latest rant, Bristol’s “marketing agency” comments, and George North’s retirement. We cover all the big calls as we gear up for Bilbao.

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The lads are back in studio covering all the latest from URC and Prem, as well as a proper grassroots story, joined by Harlequins and England legend Nick Easter and Chinnor stalwart Alun Walker. The lads get stuck into the Champ’s underdog rise, what life’s really like in the second tier, and the big debate around ring-fencing the Prem and whether promotion and relegation has a place in English rugby. There’s plenty to get into from the weekend too with the Stormers putting Glasgow to the sword, Leinster’s aura taking a hit after a loss to Benetton, and lots going on at the top of the Premiership with the top four race blown wide open. Add in Lions tour rumours to France, some big injuries, and lots more. Get stuck in.

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The lads are back from Hong Kong, with plenty to unpack from the trip before getting into a big weekend of rugby. Off the pitch there’s fresh investment across the Premiership, Russell signs with Matchroom and questions around the future with Moana Pasifika and the NRL Super League talk. In the Prem, Saints edge Chiefs, Bristol put Gloucester away, Saracens hammer Sale and the race for the top four is wide open. URC wise, Leinster win in Belfast and Connacht get a big one in Cape Town. Leicester fly half Billy Searle joins us after that 62–3 win. We chat form, confidence, life at Tigers and whether England is now in sight.

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Champions Cup semi-finals are locked and loaded after a weekend of knock out rugby. Bath produce one of the all-time European comebacks, overturning a 21-point deficit in an 84-point thriller against Saints, with the Bomb Squad delivering yet again and Finn Russell pulling the strings. Leinster grind it out for an hour before blowing Sale away, with Hugo Keenan reminding everyone he’s world class, while questions remain around their scrum. Toulon then rip up the script, ending Glasgow’s 12-game unbeaten run at Scotstoun to set up a huge semi, and Bordeaux take down Toulouse in a proper heavyweight clash to keep their double hopes alive. On top of that, we get into biting bans, Lions selection noise, big transfers, injuries, and plenty of chaos off the pitch. It’s a stacked episode… settle in.

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Knockout rugby is back and it delivered, with niggle, tries, and drama across the Champions Cup. Northampton edged a 13-try thriller against Castres with Furbank pulling the strings, while Bath saw off Saracens to set up a huge all-English quarter-final. Sale got the job done against a flat Quins side, but injuries are stacking up ahead of Leinster, who look dangerous but not flawless after a messy win over Edinburgh. The big favourites though are set for a clash with Bordeaux and Toulouse blowing teams away and looking like the sides to beat. Meanwhile all the South African teams crash out early, plus, Storm Dave chaos in Glasgow, Toulon heartbreak for the Stormers, and plenty of chat on England selection, transfer rumours and what’s next as the competition really heats up.

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After a blockbuster Big Match weekend, the lads dive into all the Premiership action as Leicester blow Gloucester away, Northampton edge Saracens in a statement win, Quins finally snap their losing streak with a gritty performance at Bristol and Bath’s comeback win over Sale. We’re also joined by former England international Mark Wilson, who shares an unbelievable story from completing the brutal Bob Graham Round and life after rugby. Plus, a look at all the URC action and looking ahead to the Champions Cup and all the latest news from around the game.

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Domestic rugby is back and there’s plenty to get stuck into this week. Glasgow go top of the URC after a big win again Leinster, Leicester move into the Prem top three with a win over Bristol, and Gloucester add to a tough run for Quins. Plus we cover Bath’s huge win against Saracens and Exeter’s push into the top four. We’re also joined by Springbok centurion and World Cup winner Jean de Villiers, who gives his take on the Six Nations, England’s struggles, Irish rivalry, and how the northern hemisphere stacks up against the Boks. Settle back, enjoy, and make sure you’re subscribed.

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