The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

Latest Episodes:

State Of The Game: The Free-to-Air Revolution Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

Alex Payne and Mike Tindall dive into the seismic news of ITV securing the rights to the New Nations Series from 2026-2028, making them the undisputed home of English international rugby. Next year will be the first time in 30 years that all England games will be free to air. We ask… Is this the best thing to happen to the English game since 2003? Is rugby finally ready to grasp the opportunity of free-to-air coverage to widen the sport's appeal. We're joined by Ben Rumsby, Sports Investigations Reporter for The Daily Telegraph, for a deep dive into the state of the sports broadcasting landscape.

Plus, England Sevens legend Ollie Phillips dials in to share the truly bonkers challenge he's about to undertake: rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic for three incredible causes (Cure Parkinson's, My Name's Dottie, and the Matt Hampson Foundation). Good luck, Ollie!

00:00 🛞 Proudly Sponsored by Continental Tyres

01:09 📺 ITV Secures England Rugby Rights

16:49 🏉 The Role of Players Promoting Rugby

28:46 🤝 The Significance of ITV's Deal for Rugby

31:39 📡 Club Rugby and TNT's Future

37:58 💶 Comparing Financials: Prem Rugby vs. Top 14

42:46 📉 Prem Rugby's Current State and Future Prospects

49:05 💼 CVC's Investment in Rugby

55:24 🚣‍♂️ Ollie Phillips' Atlantic Row Challenge

🪽Castore Code: GBR30 www.castore.com

🚣‍♂️Ollie’s Row https://www.seaslife.co.uk/donate

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

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Bismarck on his Brother, the Boks and Brutal Hits Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

This week, we welcome World Cup winner - and one of the most feared front-rowers in rugby history - Bismarck du Plessis!

Bismarck dives deep into the legendary 2009 Lions Tour and relives the moment of that tackle on Dan Carter (“I’m going to kill that man!”). He gives incredible insight into the Springboks’ scrum dominance and the genius of Rassie Erasmus, explaining how Rassie’s methods have helped build one of the greatest dynasties in the game.

He also reflects on his special bond with his brother Jannie du Plessis, as well as his fiercely competitive nature with his kids: “I don’t let them beat me.”

00:00 – 🛞 Sponsored by Continental Tyres

02:07 – 😳 Continental Tyres Grip Strength

03:23 – 🔄 R360 Update

17:52 – 🇿🇦 South Africa’s Scrum Power

33:19 – 🐄 Life on the Farm

38:16 – 💙 Brotherly Bond

39:35 – 💔 Tragic Loss

46:21 – 🦁 The Epic 2009 Lions Series

53:27 – 💥 That Tackle on Dan Carter

🚴 Jannie’s Cycling Heroics: https://theyridealong.co.za/donations/

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

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The Springboks - The Ultimate Pantomime Villain? Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

After one of the spiciest weekends in rugby, Payno and Tins are joined by Springbok legend Bob Skinstad and Ireland's Geordan Murphy to break down the chaotic Ireland v South Africa card fest and the drama in the Twickenham tunnel. They dig into Rassie’s thumbs-up celebration and debate this big question: Are the Springboks rugby’s ultimate pantomime villain?

00:00 🛞 Sponsored by Continental Tyres

02:41 💪 BIG MOVES in the Continental Tyres Grip Strength

05:15 👀 THAT Rassie Erasmus Celeb

06:56 🔴 Ireland v South Africa card chaos.

23:04 🎭 Springboks: The Pantomime Villains

31:31 🇿🇦 Rassie Erasmus' Impact on South African Rugby

48:00 🥃 Rémy Martin Moment of Excellence

52:16 🌹England Autumn Review

01:05:01💥Tom Curry "Bully = Compliment"

01:11:27🚗 Honda Team of the Week Discussion

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

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England Beat The All Blacks Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

England make history by beating the All Blacks for only the 9th time in 120 years! The panel breaks down the performance, from George Ford's genius two drop goals to Ben Earl’s incredible work rate. James Haskell slams the "miserable" Kiwi media, while Jonny May reveals what the viral TikTok dance means for the squad's mentality.

Season 6 is Sponsored by Continental Tyres

00:00🎙️Introduction

03:21 🇳🇿Discussion on the Haka

10:40💥 Analysing England's Defence

23:37 🔟 George Ford's Impact

30:00 🎵TikTok Dance

39:45 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scotland's Struggles

54:22 🚗 Honda Team of the Week

01:04:09 🌎 New Nations Series

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

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The Litmus Test: England v All Blacks Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Former All Black Nick Evans joins the team to unpack an epic Test weekend! We deep-dive into the Springboks' win over France, and ask… Are the Springboks the greatest side of all time? Plus we have a heavyweight preview of England vs. All Blacks and Hask gives some mind-blowing analysis of how the breakdown will be won and lost.

Season 6 is Sponsored by Continental Tyres

00:00🎙️ Introduction

04:39 🛞 Continental Tyres Grip Strength Challenge

06:03 🏟️ France vs South Africa Analysis

23:00 🇿🇦 The Greatest Ever?

32:37 🥃 Remy Martin Moment of Excellence

56:44 🚗 Honda Team of the Week

01:02:05 🌹England vs New Zealand Preview

🎙️Birmingham (ish) Live Show: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-good-the-bad-the-rugby-live-from-harvey-norman-merry-hill-tickets-1952083206419

📗New Book: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones

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Borthball & The Golden Pollock Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

Join Alex Payne, Mike Tindall, James Haskell, and Ben Kayser as they look back on England’s win over Australia and discuss Henry Pollock's unbelievable luck... and genius! The team gets fired up over the "orgasmic" success of Borthwick's Borthball tactics. Plus, they preview the massive France vs. Springboks "Payback" rematch, with Ben Kayser revealing the trauma still gripping the French following RWC 2023.

Season 6 is Sponsored by Continental Tyres

00:00 🎬 Introduction

03:58 💪 Lewis Moody - “Nutball”

09:05 🏆 England's Winning Streak

26:53 🏉 England vs. Fiji

31:09 🛞 Continental Tyres Grip Strength Challenge

35:06 🍀 Red Card Controversy

51:03 🚗 Honda Team of the Week Selection

57:30 🇫🇷 France vs. Springboks Preview

01:11:29 🥃 Rémy Martin Moment of Excellence

📗Signed copies of our new book The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unlocked are now available to pre-order @Waterstones. Pre-order to secure your copy here: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones

#Rugby #Podcast

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State Of The Game: Rebuilding Welsh Rugby Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

The Autumn Internationals are around the corner but Welsh Rugby is due for major surgery… which region will the Welsh Rugby Union cut by the end of the 2027/28 season?

Payno, Hask and Tins are joined by the man at the heart of the Cymru Crisis: Dave Reddin, current Director of Rugby & Elite Performance at the WRU. Having worked alongside icons such as Sir Clive Woodward and Sir Gareth Southgate, Dave is a turnaround specialist renowned for creating elite winning cultures. The lads dissect Dave’s masterplan for reinvigorating Welsh rugby.

Season 6 is Sponsored by Continental Tyres.

⏰ 00:00 – Introduction and Current State of Welsh Rugby

🌍 03:12 – Rugby 360 and International Rugby Discussions

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿05:57 – Tom Willis and England Squad Insights

📅 09:00 – Upcoming November Matches and Expectations

🎙️ 11:08 – Interview with Dave Redden: Background and Role

⚔️ 13:16 – Challenges and Opportunities in Welsh Rugby

🧩 28:35 – Proposed Action Plan for Welsh Rugby

💔 30:46 – Fan Reactions and Emotional Costs

🔮 36:13 – Future of Welsh Rugby Clubs and Mergers

🌱 40:01 – Developing Young Talent

⏳ 53:43 – Timelines and Expectations for Change

📋 59:49 – Coaching Strategies and Team Identity

🥇 01:11:15 – Remy Martin Moment of Excellence

🎟️ Tour Tickets: https://myticket.co.uk/artists/the-go...

📘 GBR Book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/relo...

⁠#rugby⁠ ⁠#podcast⁠ ⁠#tindall⁠ ⁠#haskell⁠

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The England Fly-Half Debate Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

The first major peak of the season is nearly here with the Autumn Nations Series, and the new England squad announcement has delivered two massive headlines: the departure of Tom Willis to France, and the inclusion of teenage try-scoring sensation Noah Caluorie.

But the real debate is at fly-half. From Andrew & Barnes, Wilkinson and his challengers, Farrell to Ford, the England number ten jersey has always been a national talking point. Now, with George Ford, Fin Smith, and Marcus Smith all vying for the starting spot, who will Steve Borthwick hand the keys to ahead of the next World Cup cycle?

Joining Payno this week are two men who know the pressure cooker of fly-half selection better than anyone: former England 10s and World Cup stars Charlie Hodgson (38 caps, Premiership's all-time top scorer) and Toby Flood (60 caps, 2011 Six Nations winner).

Season 6 is Sponsored by Continental Tyres

00:00 🎙️ Introduction

03:18 🏉 Charlie and Toby’s Rugby Careers

13:42 💪 Continental Tyres Grip Strength Challenge

15:40 🌹 Discussion on the new England Squad

16:50 🌟 Noah Caluori: Rising Star

22:07 🤔 Debate on England's Fly Half Selection

31:48 🎯 Owen Farrell's Future

49:25 🔄 Debating England's Centre Combinations

55:53 🌍 The Fly-Half Debate in Global Context

01:04:16 🇫🇷 Tom Willis' Move to Bordeaux

🎟️ Tour Tickets: ⁠https://myticket.co.uk/artists/the-good-the-bad-the-rugby

🥃 Rémy Martin x Barbarians Live Show: ⁠https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-with-barbarian-legends-x-remy-martin-vsop-tickets-1777685728869

🍀O’Neill’s Live Show : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gbr-x-oneills-autumn-nations-show-england-v-all-blacks-preview-tickets-1691405211519?aff=erelexpmlt

📘 GBR Book: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/reloaded-the-good-the-bad-and-the-rugby/james-haskell/mike-tindall/9780008786373 🏉 Rugby Buddy: https://www.rugby-buddy.com

⁠#rugby⁠ ⁠#podcast⁠ ⁠#tindall⁠ ⁠#haskell⁠

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Andy Farrell: The Making of a World-Class Coach Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

Hask and Payno explore the making of Andy Farrell, a two-time Man of Steel forged in a tough Wigan environment. Sitting down to launch his new book, The Only Way I Know, he discusses how becoming a father to Owen at 16 cemented his focus, recalling the shock: "We were devastated, we felt we'd let our parents down." That early responsibility and drive became the blueprint for his world-class coaching success. Season 6 is Sponsored by Continental Tyres.

00:00 🎥 Show Intro & Welcome: Andy Farrell

02:18 📘 The Farrell Book: From Wigan Debut at 16 to Lions Coach

07:53 🏉 Once A Wiganer Always A Wiganer

09:23 ⚔️ Rugby League: The Ashes, NRL & The War of Attrition

17:26 🎶 Richard Ashcroft & Oasis

29:33 👨‍👦 Becoming a Dad

38:23 🧠 “You Never Let Him Win": Andy on Competing with Owen Farrell

40:29 💪 Grip Strength Challenge: Two-Time Man of Steel on the Leaderboard

52:40 🧭 Coaching Evolution: From Ruthless Standards to Modern Man Management

01:06:53 🏆 Why Andy Moved to Union & What’s Next 🎟️ Tour Tickets: https://myticket.co.uk/artists/the-good-the-bad-the-rugby 🥃 Rémy Martin x Barbarians Live Show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-with-barbarian-legends-x-remy-martin-vsop-tickets-1777685728869 📘 GBR Book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/reloaded-the-good-the-bad-and-the-rugby/james-haskell/mike-tindall/9780008786373 🏉Rugby League Ashes: https://tinyurl.com/p322anfw

#rugby #podcast #tindall #haskell

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Brown v May: When England Teammates Clash Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

Former England teammates Mike Brown and Jonny May join the dream team for a revealing chat on the intense world of professional rugby. Brown, fresh from retirement and a corporate career change, offers candid insights into the psychological toll of the professional game, and the lads debate contrasting experiences under Eddie Jones. May and Brown also reveal the ups and downs of their volatile relationship on and off the field, including a training ground injury that ended in 11 stitches. Finally, the pair get stuck into an England selection debate ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.

Lewis Moody gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lewis-moody-fundraising-appeal

Tour Tickets: https://myticket.co.uk/artists/the-good-the-bad-the-rugby

GBR Book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/reloaded-the-good-the-bad-and-the-rugby/james-haskell/mike-tindall/9780008786373

00:00 🎬 Introduction: Welcome to the Good, The Bad, and The Rugby

01:01 🗣️ Fan Feedback on the previous episode with Peter O'Mahony

03:42 🏉 Mike Brown joins: Life after rugby

05:00 💔 The devastating news of Lewis Moody's MND diagnosis

09:54 🎉 Celebrating Mike Brown's career

15:47 🎤 Brown's bizarre interview for Southampton FC Academy Director

15:09 🐅 Joining Leicester Tigers: the nervous week's trial

21:41 ⚡The Eddie Jones Experience

44:00 🚗 Continental Tyres Grip Strength Challenge

45:22🤝 The Brown-May Relationship

52:43 🔄 The England Selection Debate: Ford, The Smiths, or Farrell?

01:04:16 😡 The "Mr. Angry" Persona, clashes with Eddie and Ben Te'o

01:12:47 😬 Brown's "awful" start to international rugby

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