Rugby Union Weekly

It’s the first pod of 2026 and there is plenty to discuss with club statements and statement performances on the pitch. Chris, Ashy and Ugo look at what we can and assess the runners and riders ahead of the Six Nations which begins in Paris one month today. Are England finally ready to deliver silverware or will Ireland rise again under Andy Farrell? We analyse the growing issues at Harlequins and Gloucester after damaging defeats at the weekend. What will the coaching reshuffle look like at Kingsholm? And how have Quins gone from champions to languishing at the bottom of the table? We also talk Billy Searle and Adam Radwan’s form at Leicester and Mark McCall’s comments following another Saracens defeat.

After years of podding separately in Cardiff, Stirling and London - Chris, Tom and GRO finally get together to record a Nations Pod in person. They look back at the highs and lows of the game in 2025 which included the Lions tour of Australia and the Red Roses lifting the World Cup. How would you sum up the Lions tour? And how do you best describe another tough year for Wales? Tom challenges the guys to pick one word that sums up each nation's year and the tournaments. They also reflect on the big moments and best performances of the year. And no review of the year is complete without a combined team of the year!

Danny tells Ashy and Chris about his trip to visit Santa Claus in Lapland and his husky adventure in -37c. We look back at the final weekend of rugby before Christmas as Harlequins are humbled at Twickenham and Exeter claim another big scalp on the road. Where has it gone wrong for Quins since winning the league in 2021? And are Exeter now genuine title contenders? Sale’s struggles without George Ford continue while Danny zeros in on the scrum-halves that are catching his eye this season. Ellie Kildunne scores another wonder try and we answer some of your questions.

The big shock of the weekend came up at Scotstoun as Glasgow stunned six-time champions Toulouse. Player of the Match Adam Hastings tells Ashy and Chris about their epic comeback and how the navigated the treacherous conditions at the ‘ice rink’. We also hear about Franco Smith’s coaching style and if winning their opening two Champions Cup matches has changed their outlook on this year’s tournament. Bath came unstuck at Toulon, Leinster scramble over the line against Leicester and Sale pick up a big win on the road. But there were still plenty of blowouts and low attendances in round two, would a 16-team competition solve the issue? There is plenty of transfer and contract chat as several players including Jac Morgan announce they’re on the move next season. Ashy gives us a great insight into the complexities of the contract game and why there is always more than meets than eye.

Chris, Ashy and Ugo pick apart the opening weekend of the Champions Cup. Was it the shot in the arm the tournament needed? Or were there still too many predictable results? Edinburgh caused the biggest upset of the round in what was a great weekend for the Scottish sides. Can Prem champions Bath go all the way this year? Rieko Ioane made his Leinster debut, Mathieu Jalibert shone for defending champions Bordeaux and Noah Caluori scores on his Champions Cup debut. We also discuss the 12-week ban handed to Eben Etzebeth and whether he will actually benefit from time out the game.