Rugby Union Weekly Folgen

Chris, Tom and GRO bring you a bumper preview of what promises to be an epic Super Saturday. Can Scotland win a first Six Nations title? They will have to end their Ireland hoodoo without a host of starters including pod favourite Gregor Brown. Chris dials in from Verona to bring you the latest from the England camp after that chastening defeat to Italy. Will we see a different gameplan from Steve Borthwick’s side in Paris? What did the Maro Itoje clash with Fin Smith say about where this England team is at? Rhys Carre is inspiring the next generation of Wales players after his superb solo try in Dublin. Are Wales ready to end their run of wooden spoons? What characteristics did we see that was reminiscent of Gatland’s golden generation?

Warning – This episode contains very strong language. Chris catches up with Ben Youngs to discuss his new BBC documentary about rugby and player safety. Through honest conversations with former players, medical experts, and teammates, Youngs explores the long-term impact of concussion and repeated head injuries. We hear Ben’s powerful interview with Lewis Moody where he talks openly about living with MND, how it has affected his family and if he has any regrets from his playing days. Does the game still need to do more when it comes to head injuries and player safety? Sam Peters, author of ‘Concussed’, who has spent over a decade investigating the links between rugby and neurodegenerative diseases also joins Chris to look at what more could be done to protect players, particularly in training? And what about the grassroots game? Is enough being done at that level to ensure there are adequate measures in place to protect against concussion? You can watch the full documentary ‘Ben Youngs Investigates: How Safe Is Rugby?’ on the BBC iPlayer.

Back by popular demand, Chris Tom and GRO bring you another instalment of the Nations Pod guide, and this time we're in Rome. Home to the Azzurri, the Stadio Olympico, the colosseum and the scene of Tom's greatest ever Six Nations meal - just don't ask him to name the restaurant! GRO tells us why you should never confuse a Finn with a Russian. Tom explains why Bologna is the real rugby capital of Italy. We reminisce about the Stadio Flaminio and some of the great matches we've witnessed in the the Eternal City.