The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

Latest Episodes:

Gordon D'Arcy on Leinster, Leo Cullen & Ireland's Summer Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

Leinster, British & Irish Lions and Ireland veteran Gordon D’Arcy joins GBRXtra to discuss Leinster’s triumph in the URC and the form of Irish rugby ahead of the Nations Championship. Gordon gives his disappointed verdict on the departure of Leo Cullen, praise for Andy Farrell’s extension as Ireland’s Head Coach and his analysis of the Irish pathway system. Speaking of future rugby stars, the lads have a read of Gordon’s latest book, Let’s Play Rugby, the fifth in his series for children. Gordon’s new picture book encourages children to play out every step of a professional a rugby game from kicking off to dizzying celebrations, encouraging a new generation of Henry Pollocks to take to the field.

Let's Play Rugby is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lets-Play-Rugby-Gordon-DArcy/dp/1915071771

01:15 🏆 Leinster URC Triumph 01:52 😐 Why It Feels Flat 03:37 👋 Leo Cullen Steps Down 05:23 🗣️ Leinster Bias Debate 07:01 🛤️ Irish Pathways Problem 09:09 📚 Gordon’s Sports Books For Kids 13:42 ☘️ Ireland Summer Tour Preview 14:33 ⚠️ Player Welfare Crunch 18:09 ✍️ Farrell Extension Reaction 19:11 🎟️ Leinster Atmosphere Fix 21:28 🥃 Rémy Martin & The Barbarians

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Can Northampton’s “Champ Babies” Inspire England? Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Fresh from the Saints' Prem triumph, we ask whether the club’s champion "kids" can provide the spark England need this summer. Payno, Hask and Tins react to Steve Borthwick’s squad for their opening test v South Africa and we also look into why the centre position remains such a puzzle.

00:00 🛞 Season 6 is sponsored by Continental Tyres
00:47 🏉 Full Kit Flanker
02:11 🏆 Prem Final Takeaways
18:11 🔧 Exeter and Baxter Rebuild
21:48 🧶 Henry Pollock and WI Tribute
29:04 ✨ Ruben Love
30:07 🏟️ Neutral Venue Semifinals Debate
33:39 🌹 England Squad Breakdown
35:49 💥 Back Row Selection Arguments
39:56 🔟 Picking the 10-12-13
49:00 ⛰️ Altitude Horror Stories
50:54 🥃 Remy Martin Moment of Excellence
53:01 🇿🇦 Springbok Squad
56:48 🌍 Nations Championship Hype
58:32 ⚡ Super Rugby Final Blowout

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🥃 Rémy Martin Cocktail Recipes https://www.remymartin.com/en-uk/cocktails/

📗 The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded: ⁠https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones

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Dawson & Grayson: The Prem Final, England's Half Backs & Their Story Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

For the week of the Prem Final we have reunited Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson an iconic Northampton half-back partnership, immortalised on the computer game Jonah Lomu Rugby. Joining Payno, they preview the Prem Final, debate whether Fin Smith is ready to make the England No.10 shirt his own, and relive the 2003 Rugby World Cup, including the call that set up Jonny Wilkinson’s famous drop goal.

00:00 🛞 Season 6 Powered by Continental Tyres

02:00 😇 Saints Breathtaking Rugby

04:14 🎓 Dowson Coaching Journey

05:55 🤔 Bath Drop Goal Indecision

10:14 🛁 Wilko 2003 Routine

15:31 🌹 Is Fin Smith Englands Ten?

19:11 🤝 McParland x Dawson similarities

25:52 🧩 Ben Spencer England Puzzle

28:55 🔄 Furbank Quins Move

32:50 🔮 Prem Final Predictions

35:58 💪 Grip Strength Challenge

37:28 📖 Dawson x Grayson Origin Story

41:25 🚑 Neck Injury Scare

43:07 🍺 Housemates And Beer Sponsorship

45:28 🏗️ Relegation And Rebuild

48:11 👥 England Debut Together

53:19 🥝 All Blacks 1997 Test

56:33 👨🏻‍🏫 Woodward Relentless Standards

59:01 📚 1999 World Cup Lessons

01:04:16 💌 2003 Final Letter And Support

01:08:46 🏆 Saints European Cup Memories

🥃 Rémy Martin Cocktail Recipes https://www.remymartin.com/en-uk/cocktails/

📗 The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded: ⁠https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones

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The Sports Psychology Secrets of The Springboks, F1 & Bath Rugby Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

Payno and Tins are joined by Professor Pieter Kruger - clinical psychologist, performance consultant, and one of sport's most sought-after minds. Having worked with the Springboks, Team GB, Formula 1 teams, he now works with Bath as they chase back-to-back Premiership titles, Pieter offers a rare and fascinating window into what really separates good from the great.

00:00 🛞 Season 6 Powered by Continental Tyres 02:25 🧠 What Performance Psychs Do 05:23 🩸 Bloodgate and Rebuild 07:58 🧱 Bath Turnaround Blueprint 13:03 😎 Finn Russell Calm Under Fire 18:03 ❤️ Managing Pre Game Anxiety 21:11 🇿🇦 Brighton Loss Recovery 23:33 🏎️ Cross Sport Culture F1 37:54 🛁 Bath Semifinal Week 46:04 📉 England Form Swings 47:21 🎙️ Media And Trust 56:35 🏆🏆 Boks Under Pressure?

📝LooseHeadz looseheadz.co.uk/24-7s

🥃 Rémy Martin Cocktail Recipes https://www.remymartin.com/en-uk/cocktails/

📗 The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded: ⁠https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones

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Elliot Daly: Joker in the Wolf Pack Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Saracens, England and Lions legend Elliot Daly joins the boys for a wide-ranging conversation that's as entertaining off the field as he is on it. From his infamous first day at Wasps in full school uniform (briefcase very much denied), to three Lions tours, a siege-gun boot, and mentoring the next generation of English talent, Daly proves he's as sharp in the studio as he is at fullback. The lads also look ahead to a crunch Premiership clash with Exeter, dissect Mark McCall's coaching genius, and assess whether England's talented young squad can peak at the 2027 World Cup.

00:00 🛞 Season 6 Powered by Continental Tyres

00:46 🏏 Cricket Chat

05:07 💼 Briefcase Banter

07:17 🐝 First Day as a Wasp

15:20 🌍 Barbarians Tour Chaos

19:55 🩺 Surgery, Rehab & Recovery Timeline

22:36 🎙️ Mark McCall: Lessons from the Top

35:42 🧠 Eddie Jones’ Best Advice

41:47 ⭐ Noah Caluori

48:39 🏟️ Exeter Away

52:58 🔀 Position Preferences:

58:59 🦵 The Siege Gun Boot & Monster Kicks

01:03:05 🦁 Lions Tours & Surprise Selection Calls

01:11:00 💪 Grip Strength Challenge Showdown

🥃 Rémy Martin Cocktail Recipes https://www.remymartin.com/en-uk/cocktails/

🚶‍♂️Lewis Moody Fundraiser Walk https://lewismndwalk.co.uk

📗 The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded: ⁠https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones

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Lifting The Lid On Alfie Barbeary May 26, 2026

Show notes

The lads are joined by a man sporting one of rugby’s most iconic hairdoos, Alfie Barbeary.

From going “full Barbs” in nothing but budgies and a flag as Bath celebrated winning the treble, to navigating back row, hooker and number 8 at Wasps Academy, we untangle Alfie’s irreverent and impressive career.

00:00 🛞 Season 6 is sponsored by Continental Tyres 02:39 🩲 Full Barbs Budgies Story 05:39 🌟 Cult Hero and Team Jokes 16:40 😤 You’re Not My Dad! 19:50 🥃 Remy Martin Fathers Day Moment 21:23 🛁 Bath Exit and Sarries Move 34:11 🏉 Hooker Skills And Scraps 36:50 💪 Choosing Back Row Life 39:07 ⚠️ Wasps Collapse Lessons 40:40 🦟 Kid Prodigy & Wasps Academy 45:53 🌹 Pro Mindset And England Ambitions 48:57 🟥 What To Expect At Sarries 52:05 ☠️ The Bath Poisoner 56:47 🚗 Continental Tyres Grip Strength

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State of Origin: The Union Way May 20, 2026

Show notes

Before professionalism swept it away, the Divisional Championship packed out Twickenham and launched international careers. Today, we're bringing it back. Armed with current pros, regional pride, and very little agreement on eligibility rules, our panel drafts four teams - North, Midlands, London & South, and the South West - and puts it to you to decide who'd win.

Joining the show are World Cup winner and Leicester Tigers legend Ben Kay, and cross-code flying machine Martin "Chariots" Offiah - a man who actually pulled on the London jersey in 1987. Together with Payno and Tins, they argue, haggle, and horse-trade their way through the ultimate fantasy rugby draft.

00:00 🛞 Season 6 is sponsored by Continental Tyres 02:06 🌏 State of Origin Idea 03:16 🏉 Selectors and Memories 08:55 📋 Eligibility Rules 10:14 🔁 Back Three Picks 17:47 ⚔️ Centers 23:40 🎯 Halfbacks 32:07 🔒 NordVPN Break 34:45 💪 Front Row Picks 38:43 🏗️ Second Row Pairings 42:09 🔥 Back Row Debates 52:54 🏆 Who Wins? 54:15 🏟️ Choosing Home Stadiums 57:34 🧠 Picking The Coaches 01:00:04 💭 Can This Concept Actually Happen? 01:01:25 🤜 Grip Strength Challenge

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Thomas “The Tank” Du Toit May 12, 2026

Show notes

The Springbok tighthead, the broken grip strength machine, and a bag of homemade biltong. This one had it all. Thomas du Toit sits down with the boys to talk farm life, front row dark arts, Springbok test weeks, and what England can really expect when they rock up at Ellis Park in July. Simply one of the best guests we've ever had.

00:00 🛞 Season 6 is sponsored by Continental Tyres

01:22 💪 Grip Strength Chaos

03:58 🥩 Biltong And Boerewors

12:49 🚜 Farm Kid To Pro Pathway

15:05 🏉 Schoolboy Rugby Rivalries

23:15 🔧 Machinery and Fixing Stuff

30:00 ↔️ Switching to Tighthead

32:04 📚 Loosehead vs Tighthead Explained

34:44 🎭 Scrum Dark Arts Revealed

39:35 🦸 Scrum Combos and The Avengers Pack

50:20 🇿🇦 Springbok Selection Ups and Downs

54:46 ⛰️ England Test - Ellis Park Altitude

01:00:29 👀 England Front Row Talent Watch

01:05:55 🛁 Bath Depth and Will Stuart Praise

01:07:03 🏆 Try Scoring

01:09:15 🎯 Premiership Goal and World Cup Ambitions

01:13:30 🤝 Most Respected Opponent

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📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones

Welcome to The Good, The Bad & The Rugby with journalist and former broadcaster Alex Payne, England and Lions flanker James Haskell, and World Cup Winner Mike Tindall.

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Ryan Lamb: The Gunslinger May 06, 2026

Show notes

His coach told him to keep the guns in the holsters. Ryan Lamb never listened. The cult Gloucester fly-half who helped light up the Premiership at just 20 years old joins Alex and Tins for a GBR classic. From locking a teacher in a cupboard to calling Stuart Lancaster "Steve", Lamby holds nothing back. He relives the iconic Bristol promotion playoff, his love-hate relationship with Dean Ryan, why he thought Premiership rugby was "quite easy," and what it's like running Plymouth Albion on their promotion charge. Honest, hilarious, and completely unfiltered - this one's not to be missed.

00:00 🛞 Season 6 is sponsored by Continental Tyres

02:48 🌊 Cornwall Cults & Secret Beaches

05:01 🎯 The Plymouth Dream & Five Year Plan

24:05 🔍 The Most Complete 10 in England right now?

24:24 🚪 "I Locked A Teacher In A Cupboard"

25:27 🚀 From School Trials To Prem Finals

27:10 🔫 Keep The Guns In The Holsters? Never

30:46 😬 The Curse Of Gloucester - So Close, So Many Times

34:30 😤 Ryan’s Cantona Moment

37:55 😤 Dean Ryan's Stress Ball

45:28 🚗 Driving Away From An England Camp

50:16 😱 "It's Happening Again" - That Bristol Playoff

54:47 😂 Called Him Steve. Never Got Capped

📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones

Welcome to The Good, The Bad & The Rugby with journalist and former broadcaster Alex Payne, England and Lions flanker James Haskell, and World Cup Winner Mike Tindall.

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Bath: Now Vs Then Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

With Bath chasing a historic double and a Champions Cup semi-final looming in Bordeaux, Tins is joined by two proper club legends, and his former flatmates: Matt Perry and Lee Mears.

Bath Now: The Finn Russell era, a world-class academy at Farleigh House, 9,000 fans watching Bath University games, and a squad that has traded "hope" for "belief."

Bath Then: From Matt Perry earning £1.80 an hour in a tea room to the training-ground fights at Lambridge that led Bath to '98 European Glory.

Plus Lions Tales and why Paul O'Connell begged the 2009 squad to "sacrifice professionalism" to become friends.

00:00 🛞 Season 6 is sponsored by Continental Tyres

01:15 🏆 Bath Legends and Hall of Fame

03:35 🥫 Living With Tins

09:08 🫖Perry Pathway to Pro

18:50 🥊 Training Fights and Culture

22:44 🍷 1998 Bordeaux Glory

28:05 🏉 Bath Today Semi Final Preview

35:08 📉 Why Trophies Dried Up

40:46 🃏 Card School

45:55 🦁 Lions Tour 2001 Lessons

48:28 ❤️ Lions Tour 2009 Culture

50:57 🤔 Should Lions Change?

01:09:12 💪 Grip Strength Challenge

📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones

Welcome to The Good, The Bad & The Rugby with journalist and former broadcaster Alex Payne, England and Lions flanker James Haskell, and World Cup Winner Mike Tindall.

#Rugby #Podcast

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