The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

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French Lessons: England's Cross-Channel Wake-Up Call May 03, 2025

Show notes

As French club rugby thrives, English rugby finds itself at a crossroads. Alex and Tins are joined by Jonny May, Courtney Lawes, and rugby powerbroker Simon Gillham [OBE] for a timely conversation on what England can learn from across the Channel. From the dominance of ProD2 and the booming Top 14 to the structural chaos at home, the team digs into the future of the English game.

Plus: Courtney’s Lions ambitions & Investec Champions Cup semi-final previews. Tickets are selling fast for finals weekend in Cardiff on the 23rd and 24th of May, head to EPCRugby.com for more details.

Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres.

WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form

🛞 00:00 – Buckle Up with Continental Tyres
🎙️ 02:00 – Meet Simon Gillham OBE: Rugby’s Quiet Powerbroker
🤝 05:47 – When Brive Signed Courtney Lawes: Inside the Transfer
🏆 11:14 – Why Promotion & Relegation Still Works
🇫🇷 21:13 – What English Rugby Can Learn from France
📺 27:30 – Prem Rugby’s £200M TV Deal: Gamechanger?
⚠️ 40:18 – The Hidden Problem with Premiership Academies
🏗️ 45:47 – Franchise Model: Big Questions
🔥 51:35 – Investec Champions Cup Semi-Final Preview
🔍 56:59 – Courtney’s Saints Scouting Report
🦁 01:04:00 – Lions 10 Debate: Smith, Prendergast, Ford, Farrell?
🇫🇷 01:09:49 – Bordeaux v Toulouse: All French Affair
🔮 01:11:50 – Semi-Final Predictions: Who’s Going to Cardiff?
🎯 01:13:50 – Courtney on a 3rd Lions Tour?
🧠 01:18:00 – England’s New Coaching Team & Players to Watch this Summer
🐉 01:21:25 – Dave Reddin Joins Wales

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From Lions Coach To Life Coach: Craig White Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

The Godfather of Strength and Conditioning.

Fresh from the misty mountains of Peru, Al and Hask are joined by Hask's former Conditioning Coach at Wasps, Craig White; a man whose influence has shaped the face of High-Performance Coaching in rugby.

With troublesome tales of managing Trevor Leota at Wasps alongside Shaun Edwards, Craig shares the biggest lessons he learned working with Clive Woodward and Warren Gatland on the 2005 and 2009 Lions Tours. For Craig, everything changed when he took a breather from the hyper-masculine world of rugby just months before the 2011 World Cup to go on a yoga retreat that opened his eyes to mindfulness, nature and a more spiritual style of coaching…

Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres.

🛞 00:00 - Strap in with Continental Tyres

🐝 01:00 - A Wasps Reunion

💪09:38 - Prescribing Brotherhood

⚽🏉 16:07 - Football V Rugby, Allardyce V Gatland

🤯 20:26 - How Do You Manage Trevor Leota?

🦁 25:02 - 2005 + 2009 Lions Tour Double

🐯 34:54 - Crouching Tigers Hidden Craig

🧘‍♂️ 38:24 - The Life-Changing Yoga Retreat

💥 45:19 - Hitting Rock Bottom & Learning How To Feel

🌿 52:03 - Get Children Off Screens & In Nature

🌍 55:46 - Tier 2 Champion: Uruguay and Chile

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Henry Pollock: He’s in your head! PLUS Jack Willis joins from Toulouse Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

2-time Investec Champions Cup Winner Geordan Murphy joins Hask and Payno to break down the weekend’s action. Leinster have activated cheat mode with Jordie Barrett at 12 and the RG Snyman wrecking shop. Jack Willis checks in from Toulouse to reflect on a gritty win in Toulon, life without Dupont, and his Lions ambitions. Plus: Furbank’s return, Vesty’s attack and Pollock’s swagger lighting up English rugby.

Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres.

WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form

🛞 00:00 – Buckle Up with Continental Tyres

🤣 03:28 – Hask’s WILD Rory McIlroy Story

⚡ 06:15 – Leinster Go FULL Cheat Mode

🧠 14:52 – How should Leinster deal with Pollock?

😲 26:54 – The Reason Tommy Freeman Left Leicester

🔥 29:00 – Just How Lethal is Sam Vesty’s Attack?!

🇫🇷 33:20 – Bordeaux Lucu Good

👬 39:16 – Willis x Hask Reunite

⚔️ 41:51 – Toulon vs Toulouse: Hostility & History

🔍 45:00 – Who Really Is Ugo Mola?

😢 53:29 – The Dupont Void: How Big a Loss?

🫡 57:30 – What It Means to Captain Toulouse

📈 01:00:00 – Jack’s Rise On & Off the Pitch

❤️ 01:07:00 – Brotherly Love: Tom & Jack’s Bond

🦁 01:11:00 – Jack’s Lions Nibble

🌟 01:17:30 – Investec Dream Team

🧩 01:25:00 – New Tigers Coach? No.10? Fin Smith Rumors Fly!

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Epic Cup Knockouts & Lions Spots on the Line! Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

Benjamin Kayser joins Hask and Tins to break down all the action from the Investec Champions Cup knockout stages.

What’s next for La Rochelle under O'Gara’s leadership? Has Tadhg Beirne’s recent performances shifted our Lions XV? And with 4 English teams falling in the Round of 16, the guys question whether England's eligibility rules should be changed for Jack Willis.

Plus, don’t miss the latest round of Who The Ruck Is That? Can Connor from Aylesford Bulls Rugby Club win £5k for his team?

Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres.

WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form

🦓 00:00 – Welcome to the Investec Quarters

🪂 01:00 – Parachute Chaos in Toulouse

🤔 04:30 – Can O’Gara Turn La Rochelle’s Fortunes Around?

👑 11:20 – Tadhg Beirne: Sorry Not Sorry

🌹12:30 – A Tough Weekend for the English Sides

🧠 21:19 – The Marcus Smith Dilemma

🇫🇷 26:00 – Jack Willis: The French-Based Lion?

📈 32:32 – Lions Watch: Who’s Rising? Who’s Falling?

🎯 39:00 – Munster’s Miracle Run: Can They Go All the Way?

🇫🇷 41:22 – Why the French Still Care About Europe

💙 43:23 – Leinster’s Dream Draw

🔮 48:15 – Quarter-Final Predictions: Who Makes the Final?

🍚 49:30 – Elevate Your Plate: Tilda Rice Time

🏉 50:59 – Ultimate Investec Partnerships: The Half-Back Debate

🛁 58:53 – Bath for Bath: Tins Caught in a Club Conundrum

🏟️ 59:43 – Worcester are Back! But What About Wasps?

🕵️ 01:01:17 – Who the Ruck is That?!

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Richard the Lionheart: Wigglesworth’s Next Crusade Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

Fresh from his appointment to the British & Irish Lions coaching team, Richard Wigglesworth joins The Good, the Bad & the Rugby for a deep dive into his remarkable journey—from record-breaking Premiership player to key figure in England’s coaching setup. Hask and Tins catch up with their old teammate to discuss the challenges of Lions selection and his reflections on England’s Six Nations campaign under Steve Borthwick.

With the Investec Champions Cup knockout stages looming, and with his Lions hat on, Wigglesworth shares his thoughts on the key games and match-ups.

Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres.

WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form

🎂 00:00 – Hask Turns 40! Birthday Surprise

🏉 01:00 – Welcoming Richard Wigglesworth

🔥 05:00 – England’s Six Nations: The Review

🌹 08:30 – Life Under Steve Borthwick

⚡ 14:30 – The Moment It Clicked for England

🏆 16:30 – Fin Smith: Winning Machine

🔄 18:40 – Hybrid Players: The Future of Rugby?

💥 20:16 – Henry Pollock Impact

🍚 25:28 – Elevate Your Plate with Tilda Rice

🦁 27:00 – Becoming a British & Irish Lions Coach

🤜🤛 30:30 – Wigglesworth & Farrell: The Bond

🧐 36:21 – GBR’s Lions Selection & Tough Calls

🦓 43:39 – Investec Champions Cup: Who’s Got the Edge?

💼 59:30 – Bill Sweeney Survives!

⏱️ 01:01:00 – Win Big! Watches of Bath Competition

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John Mitchell: From All Blacks to Red Roses – And Everything In Between Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Alex, Hask, and Tins sit down with Red Roses Head Coach John Mitchell to reflect on his diverse coaching career. At just 37, he became Head Coach of the All Blacks, facing intense media scrutiny after their exit from the 2003 Rugby World Cup. His journey then took him to coaching roles in Australia and South Africa, where a life-changing armed robbery shifted his perspective. Now in his third stint with England—having previously worked under Clive Woodward and Eddie Jones—is Mitchell the coach to deliver World Cup glory later this year?

Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres.

WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form

🚗 00:00 – Strap in with Continental Tyres!

👴 04:30 – The Tindall x Mitchell Reunion

🇳🇿 19:56 – Crashing Out of the 2003 World Cup

🔪 25:50 – The Johannesburg Knife Attack

👶 36:05 – 37 Years Old & Head Coach of the All Blacks

🦫 42:05 – Working for Eddie Jones

🏏 48:31 – Being Father to an International Cricketer

🌹 53:18 – The Women’s Rugby World Cup

🥇 01:04:54 – Greatest Achievement

💔 01:05:29 – Toughest Moment

🏉 01:09:03 – Best Player & Memories of Jonah Lomu

🇺🇾 01:12:00 – Retirement Plans

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Are England The Dog’s Pollocks? Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

Alex, Hask, and Tins break down the final weekend of the Six Nations, with England finishing on a high and France securing the title. They discuss England’s resurgence, Wales’ struggles, and Scotland’s recurring issues. The crew also tackles the latest Lions squad predictions, and Payno brings a 99-cap fly-half into the conversation. Plus we look back at Henry Pollock’s impressive debut.

Win Tickets to the opening 2 Lions Tests

WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form

🚀 00:00 – Strap in with Continental Tyres!

🏆 01:45 – Six Nations 2025 Review – What Just Happened?!

🔥 07:31 – Has Fin Smith LOCKED IN the England 10 Jersey? 🤔

😂 09:12 – Hask’s Tactical Dive… Yes, You Read That Right!

📋 12:12 – Steve Borthwick’s Report Card

🐶 17:52 – Henry, the Dog’s Pollocks

👀 26:21 – Well, Well, Wales… What Now?

🔄 30:41 – Groundhog Day for Scotland – Again?!

🟥 37:24 – Mauvaka Sees Red… Or Does He? 🤨

☘️ 45:12 – Ireland: Andy Farrell’s Biggest Challenge Yet!

😱 54:24 – Howden Lions Watch – Surprise Picks Incoming?!

📉 01:04:02 – Prem Returns… But Newcastle Are in TROUBLE!

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Hask & May vs. Doc & Fox Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

The battle lines are drawn as England take on Wales in rugby’s fiercest rivalry! With Payno and Tins away, Hask takes the wheel alongside Jonny May, and they’re up against a legendary Welsh midfield duo—Jon "Fox" Davies and Howden Ambassador Dr. Jamie Roberts.

The lads break down all the action from the Six Nations, and debate the hottest Lions selections.

Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres.

Win Tickets to the opening 2 Lions Tests

WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form

00:00 🚀 Strap in! This is gonna be BIG!

01:22 😱 Show Almost CANCELLED?!

03:00 🩺 Meet Dr. Roberts & Foxy – The Rugby Brain Trust!

06:00 🏉 Six Nations Chaos! Who’s Hot, Who’s Not?

15:00 🔥 Lions #10 Jersey – The Battle Heats Up!

20:52 🐉 Wales in-DEPTH - who should land TOP JOB?

31:01 🦁 Lions Captaincy – Who’s Leading the Pack?

44:30 👀 Howden Lions Watch – Surprise Picks Incoming?!

01:03:00 🎯 Six Nations Predictions – “Arrogant Michael”

01:07:00 🤔 Who the RUCK is That?!

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La Finale: Ireland v France Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

The French press have dubbed it La Finale, and with everything on the line, Ireland v France promises to be an epic showdown. Alex and Tins are joined by French rugby legend Ben Kayser and Ireland’s own Shane Horgan to break it all down.

With centurians Healy, O’Mahony, and Murray set to bow out, can Ireland give them the perfect send-off, or will France’s unpredictability spoil the party? Meanwhile, England need to rack up a big score against Italy, and Mystic Mike is calling for all-out attack.

Plus, we dive into the conspiracy theory that Felix Jones was secretly sent to England by Rassie Erasmus as a South African spy. Buckle up, Dream Team—this one should wet the whistle for a massive weekend of Guinness Six Nations action.

Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres.

WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form

00:00 – Intro

01:19 – Irish Rugby Legends Hanging Up Their Boots

10:10 – Leinster’s Contract Power Grab – Is It Fair?

13:47 – Gary Ringrose’s Controversial Ban

16:00 – Tactical Masterclass? How Ireland Can Take Down France

21:00 – The DuPlan EXPOSED! What You Need to Know

25:00 – Is Rugby’s 5-Year Residency Rule a joke?

30:00 – The Ultimate Spot to Watch Every Big Match – O’Neill’s

30:52 – Scotland vs. Wales – The game of the Championship?

36:09 – BOOM! Ellis Genge Fires Shots at Ex-England Internationals

42:50 – England: Lucky or Legit? The Debate Rages On

54:00 – Mystic Mike Predicts the weekend's fixtures

01:03:00 – The Felix Jones Spy Conspiracy

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What’s with the Twickenham Boos? Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

The Dream Team is back to unpack Round 3 of the Guinness Six Nations. England edge past Scotland, but are their tactics killing the excitement? Twickenham erupts in boos—what’s behind the frustration?

Meanwhile, Wales show fight despite another defeat, and France and Ireland set up a blockbuster clash. After the home nations go head to head Hask, Tins, and Alex debate Lions selection & Tins picks a sensational bolter. Plus the guys give the inside story on their latest legal battle at GB&R towers.

Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres.

WIN a Lions 2025 Tour Package to Australia Courtesy of Howden: https://bit.ly/412UzVN

WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form

00:00 – Intro

01:04 – England: A step forward or back?

10:59 – Payno’s theory on fan frustration

18:45 – What have Scotland actually won?

22:06 – England’s No.9 dilemma

25:30 – Did England fans get it wrong booing Finn Russell?

28:10 – The Principality breathes life into Welsh rugby

29:50 – Would Ireland have won if Gary Ringrose saw red?

31:55 – Ellis Mee try: Yes or no?

41:55 – Cliché alert: Which French side will turn up?

45:50 – Ireland vs France: Le Final

47:52 – Howden Lions Watch

55:43 – Tins’ Lions bolt from the blue

57:35 – Watches of Bath competition

58:52 – GBR’s latest legal case

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