Rugby Union Weekly

Ugo, Ashy and Danny raise a glass to Brendan Venter’s short stint as Saracens’ wine consultant and review round two of the Prem. Venter finally spoke to the media, but was it worth the wait? And has the whole saga damaged the club’s reputation? The West Country clubs continued their 100% start to the season. Louis Rees-Zammit is back on the wing and scoring tries as Bristol put 41 points on champions Northampton, Gloucester schooled Quins at Kingsholm and Bath dug deep to edge another thriller with Exeter at The Rec. We also talk Sir Kev, Bristol’s new approach to post-match media and hear about Ashy’s trip up north.

Sara Orchard sits-down with two of the biggest names in women's rugby, Lions Women's head coach Jo Yapp and New Zealand women's head coach Whitney Hansen. A year out from the inaugural Lions Women's Tour and who would have thought the darts is at the forefront of Whitney Hansen's mind. The Black Ferns head honcho also discusses how New Zealand didn't capitalise on their 2022 RWC win, but is open to innovation with the Lions on what women's sport could look like in the future. Coaches dance-off, maybe? Yapp confirms New Zealand as her ideal destination and reveals her hopes a Lions Women documentary that can make the same impact as the men's from 1997.

There were 52 tries, four away wins and three hat-tricks as the Prem returned after its long summer break. Ashy, Ugo and Chris discuss who made the biggest statement on the opening weekend. Was it Saracens surviving a 20-minute red card at Welford Road? Or Gloucester’s demolition of last season’s finalists Exeter? Ashy reacts to Christian Wade closing in on his Prem try record and we discuss the impact of the Welsh players who have joined the league. There’s more on the Red Roses dramatic over the Black Ferns and Australia’s sensational win over the Springboks. Is this a sign of things to come from the Wallabies ahead of 2027?

Zoe Harrison is on the Rugby Union Weekly after she scored a last-gasp intercept try as England defeated New Zealand at Twickenham. World Cup winner Kat Merchant joins Sara Orchard for reaction to another classic encounter between the Red Roses and Black Ferns. Attack coach Emily Scarratt is also on the pod who reflects on England extending their unbeaten run to 41 matches and the impact Shaun Edwards joining the coaching team.

Ugo and Sara are inside the Red Roses camp ahead of their showdown with the Black Ferns at Twickenham. What makes this the biggest rivalry in the women’s game? They chat to head coach about this and the appointment of legendary defence coach Shaun Edwards. Has he already made a big impression? Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt is back on the pod. She shares her thoughts on the size 4.5 ball and asks for fans to manage their expectations from the players’ post-match. Ugo and Sara also sit down with Maud Muir and Sadia Kabeya to discuss line dancing and what three words best describe them off the field.