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We're just one week into the Six Nations and we already have one major upset in the books after Scotland beat England at Twickenham for the first time in 38 years.
Joining Brian this week to reflect on the opening round of games is the former England sevens captain Rob Vickerman.
They begin at Twickenham, where Scotland outplayed England in all departments and were actually unlucky not to have left the capital with more points. We discuss whether the performance was a one off for Gregor Townsend's side or if it can be the catalyst for them to mount a challenge for the title.
As for England, much was made of the performance of their Saracens contingent who largely flattered to deceive. Brian says their inclusion is not the reason for the lacklustre performance but thinks it's time for head coach Eddie Jones to bring in some younger players, specifically at halfback, to freshen up the squad.
Ireland opened up their campaign with a defeat away to Wales. Their task was made difficult after a red card early on but they still had chances to win. Former Ireland international Alan Quinlan joins the show to offer up his thoughts on how things are looking under Andy Farrell.
Plus we discuss what to do about Italy after suggestions a promotion/relegation system needs to be introduced and also the pros and cons of the new format for the Women's Six Nations.
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The 2021 Six Nations has been given the green light to go ahead and we're less than a week away!
England and Scotland square off for the 150th time this weekend and joining Brian this week to look ahead to the fixture is the former Scotland scrum half Rory Lawson.
The pair discuss England's status as favourites heading into the competition and what, if anything, Scotland can do to upset the odds.
Finn Russell says he is a changed man after making amends with the Scotland coaching staff last time out. The Racing 92 star will be key to Scotland's chances and Rory tells us just what has changed for the mercurial fly half since his spat with Gregor Townsend.
Elsewhere Wales will be hoping to put a dismal 2020 behind them, they host Ireland first and we get the take of former Wales number 8 Scott Quinnell who's backing Pivac to turn things round for the Welsh.
England's Women face uncertainty over their Six Nations campaign just months out from the World Cup in New Zealand. Their side of the competition has been postponed but is expected to go ahead later in the Spring. Their head coach Simon Middleton joins the show to discuss the disruption and the idea that it should be permanently played in a separate window to the Mens tournament.
And just what should be done with the British and Irish Lions? After conflicting reports the tour could be held in the UK and Australia we discuss what the best course of action should be.
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2020 has been a difficult year for most and the sport of rugby union has been no exception.
Joining Brian to look back on the year is former England and London Irish winger Topsy Ojo.
Despite difficult circumstances off the pitch, England's men and women both enjoyed huge success on it. Eddie Jones led his side to Six Nations glory and also lifted the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup, we reflect on how the team performed and look ahead to their chances in the upcoming Six Nations.
As for the Women's side, they went a full year undefeated and end 2020 as the number one ranked side in the World. Head coach Simon Middleton will now turn his full attention to the World Cup in New Zealand and he joins the show to discuss how he plans on going all the way next Summer.
The British and Irish Lions return in 2021, but how is the tour going to look? Hosts South Africa are without a game of competitive rugby since lifting the World Cup in 2019, and with the Covid-19 vaccine yet to be rolled out, the prospect of fans in stadiums for the tour is a very strong possibility. We speak to Sports Editor of the Daily Maverick, Craig Ray about the Springboks preparations for the tour and the newly announced 'Rainbow Cup' which will see South Africa's Super Rugby franchises square off with the teams in the Pro 14.
Plus we discuss the latest from the Gallagher Premiership, what the delay in the start of the Championship could mean for Saracens England stars and we look at some of the amazing work done by volunteers at grassroots level in what's been a turbulent year on and off the pitch.
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We're into week two of the European season but it's stories off the pitch which dominate the headlines rather than the action on it.
Joining Brian in studio to discuss the weekend's action is former England centre Tom May.
The pair review the European Champions Cup games that were able to go ahead but they discuss whether or not the competition could be in jeopardy after four games were forfeited due to Covid 19.
Domestically, the big news has been that BT Sport and Premiership Rugby have agreed a three year renewal of their existing deal. The broadcaster had been close to withdrawing their bid but eventually agreed to renew a contract which is worth less than the current one, the Telegraph's Chief Rugby Correspondent Gavin Mairs has been covering the story for us and fills us in on the details and what the trickle down effect will be for Premiership clubs.
England's women will be without one of their most decorated players for next years World Cup in New Zealand. Katy Daley McLean, who lifted the trophy as captain in 2014, has announced her surprise retirement just nine months out from the tournament and joins the show to explain why and what is next for her both personally and professionally.
Plus we discuss the ongoing dementia issue with former pros, assess Danny Cipriani's legacy in England after he left Gloucester, and we look at some of the amazing work done by volunteers at grassroots level in what's been a turbulent year on and off the pitch.
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Less than two weeks after lifting their second trophy of 2020, England know who their opponents will be for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Eddie Jones' side have been drawn alongside Argentina and Japan as well as a side from Oceania and the Americas.
Joining Brian Moore and co host Rob Vickerman to react to the draw is none other than the England head coach Eddie Jones, who speaks to the show to discuss how he plans on improving the side to ensure they can go one step further from their World Cup Final defeat back in 2019, and also to reflect on what's been a positive year for his side on the pitch amongst difficult circumstances off it.
Elsewhere, the major story in the game over the last week has been the revelation that a number of former professional players have been diagnosed with early onset dementia and are pursuing legal action against the games authorities. We get Rob's take on what impact the potential legal action could have on the sport and also get his own personal account of his recent assessment.
Podcast regular Nigel Owens also makes a long awaited return after confirming his official retirement from international rugby. He tells Brian and Rob why he felt it was right to retire now and how he plans to remain in the game in a different capacity.
And as ever, as part of the Mitsubishi volunteer programme, we speak to the volunteers who have been working tirelessly during the last year to keep grassroots rugby alive during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The inaugural Autumn Nations Cup is done and dusted and it's congratulations to England who saw off France in the final after extra time.
Joining Brian in the studio to reflect on Sunday's win and England's year overall is the World Rugby Hall of Fame member, Maggie Alphonshi. They discuss more criticism aimed at England over their style of play and try to find the line between entertaining fans and ensuring you win your games.
Ireland finished in third place after an impressive win over Scotland in Dublin, former scrum half Eoin Reddan joins the show to discuss how their first year under new head coach Andy Farrell has been perceived from the Irish public and whether there is an over reliance on 35 year old skipper Johnny Sexton.
We also assess what impact both Wales and Scotland could have on next years Six Nations, in particular the Welsh, who had a year to forget.
Plus we tackle all your questions and look at some of the amazing work done by volunteers at grassroots level during the turbulent last 6 months.
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England have made their way into the final of the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup where they will take on Six Nations runners up France at Twickenham.
Joining Brian in studio to reflect on the weekend's action is former London Irish and England winger Topsy Ojo.
The pair reflect on yet another forward dominated win by England, this time over Wales, in the Autumn Nations Cup. Eddie Jones once again relied on his pack to grind down the Welsh and whilst both Brian and Topsy agree they were in complete control, both want to see England throw the ball around a little more against France in their final match before the Six Nations this Sunday.
France qualified for Sunday's final with a routine win over Italy but their preparations for the clash with England have been hampered by having a number of their squad re called to their club sides. We speak with former French international Thomas Castaignède about the battle between French Rugby and their club sides and also about the tragic passing of his former international teammate Christophe Dominici who died suddenly last week aged just 48.
In the Gallagher Premiership, London Irish made a winning return in their first game in the capital for 20 years, Topsy was there to experience their new stadium and says it has provided a massive lift for everyone at the club, we also cha to Newcastle Falcons head coach Dave Walder after the promoted side made it two wins from two with a last gasp win over Sale.
And as ever, as part of the Mitsubishi volunteer programme, we speak to the volunteers who have been working tirelessly during the last year to keep grassroots rugby alive during the Covid-19 pandemic.
For 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/contact
For more details about the Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer Recognition Programme with England Rugby visit https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/volunteers/mitsubishi-motors-volunteer-recognition-programme
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England made it two wins from two with a comfortable win over Ireland in the Autumn Nations Cup in a game which Eddie Jones had billed as his sides most important of 2020.
Joining Brian in the studio to reflect on wins for both England's men and women is Harlequins captain Rachael Burford.
Johnny May stole the headlines at Twickenham with a sensational try but it could have been avoided if Ireland were more accurate in the lineout. Former skipper Paul O'Connell joins the show to dissect what's gone wrong with the Irish set piece and expresses concern over the developing gap between the two sides since Ireland's Grand Slam win at Twickenham in 2018.
Elsewhere Wales finally stopped a run of defeats by beating Georgia 18-0. Wayne Pivac made 13 changes to his team and we speak with former Osprey's head coach Sean Holley about whether any of the new faces will feature this weekend against England and if anyone in Wales is giving them a chance against their great rivals.
England's women secured a 2-0 series win over France just days after being drawn in the same pool for the 2021 World Cup, we get Rachael's take on England's chances in New Zealand next year and also some of the stigma female rugby players face on social media.
And in a week where rugby was given £135 million by the government as part of a Covid bailout we speak to Steve Grainger, rugby development director at the RFU, about how the money will help the sport and how his role has changed in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
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Follow Rachael's academy https://www.burfordacademy.co.uk/
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Round one of the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup is done and dusted, and joining Brian in studio to review the weekend's action is former England centre Tom May.
England ran out 40-0 winners over Georgia in their first Twickenham appearance since March and one of their try scorers from the weekend, Elliot Daly joins the show to look back on the win and discuss how this current crop of players have evolved since reaching the World Cup Final a year ago.
Next up for England and Daly is a match against Ireland who dispatched Wales with ease in Dublin. We discuss where the Irish could cause England problems and how they will cope in the absence of captain Jonny Sexton and centre Robbie Henshaw. As for Wales it's now six defeats in a row and Brian and Tom discuss the ongoing crisis in Welsh rugby after some supporters called for head coach Wayne Pivac to go following the defeat.
Scotland made it five wins in a row with a win away to Italy in Florence. Despite missing the game with an injury fly half Adam Hastings has played a major role for Scotland and he joins the show to discuss his own form, his relationship with Finn Russell and whether he is now the most famous Hastings in his family, overtaking his father Gavin and uncle Scott.
We also speak with Harlequins centre Rachael Burford after England's Women's moved to number one in the World in the same week of the 2021 World Cup draw, and we also answer your questions as ever and take a look at some of the work being done at grassroots level around the country in association with the Mitsubishi Volunteer programme.
For 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/contact
For more details about the Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer Recognition Programme with England Rugby visit https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/volunteers/mitsubishi-motors-volunteer-recognition-programme
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With the 2020 Six Nations finally put to bed, our attention now turns to the upcoming Autumn Nations Cup, a five week tournament featuring the teams from the Six Nations alongside Georgia and Fiji.
Alongside Brian this week to discuss the upcoming series as well as his stellar career for Ireland, Leinster and the British and Irish Lions is London Irish back row Sean O'Brien.
Sean talks Brian through his career and unfamiliar route into rugby, his relationship with the likes of Michael Cheika and Joe Schmidt and the horrible impact injuries have had on his career including a hip operation which forced him to miss ten months of action, including the Rugby World Cup in 2019.
We also get Sean's memories of two Lions tours in 2013 and 2017 where he scored one of the most memorable tries in test match history and how he thinks next year's tour in South Africa is shaping up.
We also answer your questions as ever and take a look at some of the work being done at grassroots level around the country in association with the Mitsubishi Volunteer programme.
For 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/contact
For more details about the Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer Recognition Programme with England Rugby visit https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/volunteers/mitsubishi-motors-volunteer-recognition-programme
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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