BBC Radio Scotland Rugby Podcast

Scotland's long wait for a win against the New Zealand continues after defeat at Murrayfield. We have reaction from Gregor Townsend and the Sportsound Rugby team.

Andy Burke and Tom English preview Scotland v New Zealand in the Nations Championship plus we hear from Gregor Townsend and New Zealand head coach, Dave Rennie

Tom English and Andy Burke sit down with Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw ahead of Scotland v New Zealand in the Autumn Nations. The former Scotland Sevens International who worked his way to coach the New Zealand Sevens team to a Commonwealth Gold in 2018 and a silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has just led Hurricanes to a Super Rugby trophy. Plus Tom and Andy look back at the contrasting fortunes of Glasgow and Edinburgh as Glasgow stay top and Edinburgh disappoint in the URC.

With Scotland's Nations Championship campaign fast approaching, Tom English and Andy Burke head inside the national team camp to speak to some of the squad's biggest names and emerging talents. Seb Stephen reflects on the unconventional journey that took him from rejection in Scotland to rugby development in New Zealand and ultimately a Scotland cap. Blair Kinghorn discusses fatherhood, life in France and what Scotland must improve to compete consistently with the world's best. Finn Russell talks marriage, Bath, approaching 100 caps and why Scotland still have another level to reach, while Jack Dempsey opens up about life in Japan, his ambitions of playing at a World Cup in Australia and what separates good teams from great ones. It's a behind-the-scenes look at the personalities, stories and ambitions driving Scotland ahead of a huge autumn campaign.
00:00 Inside Scotland Camp
00:59 Seb Stephen: Scotland's Newest Success Story
01:57 Moving to New Zealand at 18
04:26 Missing Out on a Contract and Starting Again
06:17 The Moment He Became a Scotland International
07:18 The Hooker Battle and Scotland Ambitions
07:42 Blair Kinghorn on the Nations Championship
09:12 Missing the Summer Tour
10:30 Fatherhood, France and Life Away From Rugby
12:28 What Is Missing From Scotland's Game?
14:12 Finn Russell Joins the Conversation
14:42 Approaching 100 Scotland Caps
15:56 Married Life and Life Beyond Rugby
17:09 The Challenge of Facing New Zealand Again
18:31 Why Scotland Still Need Another Level
21:35 Bath, Longevity and Future Plans
24:34 Finn on Rugby's Growth and Eddie Hearn
26:33 Jack Dempsey's New Life in Japan
28:00 Why He Left Glasgow
31:03 World Cup Dreams in Australia
35:20 What Separates Scotland from the Best?
37:12 Reaction to the Player Interviews
38:39 Why Jack Dempsey Is Such a Fascinating Character
40:31 Finn Russell's Enduring Brilliance
43:09 Looking Ahead to New Zealand

Scotland are preparing for a huge month of international rugby. Gregor Townsend joins Tom English and Andy Burke to discuss squad selection, competition for places and preparations for matches against New Zealand, Australia and Japan. The panel debates the biggest selection calls, assesses Scotland's depth across the squad and asks whether this group can finally take the next step on the international stage. Plus, reaction to Edinburgh and Glasgow's strong URC form and signs of progress from Scotland Women despite another defeat in WXV competition.
00:00 Scotland Squad Day Arrives
00:29 The Surprise Selection: Ollie Leatherbarrow
01:56 Do Edinburgh Fans Have a Right to Feel Aggrieved?
05:48 Where Does Duhan van der Merwe Stand?
09:26 Is This Scotland's Deepest Squad Yet?
11:53 Gregor Townsend Interview Begins
15:23 Why Some Edinburgh Players Missed Out
16:47 The Thinking Behind Leatherbarrow's Inclusion
18:17 What About Magnus Bradbury?
19:15 Townsend on Bradbury and Freddie Douglas
21:38 Building Towards the World Cup
24:03 Preparing for New Zealand