Rugby Union Weekly

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Rugby Union Weekly

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Ugo Monye, Chris Jones, Danny Care and Chris Ashton bring you special guests and cover the biggest stories in rugby union. We'd love to hear from you on the pod; email rugbyunionweekly@bbc.co.uk or search for 5 Live Sport on social media to send us a message.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Six Nations: The Nations Pod

    Round three of the Six Nations provided some score lines that not many expected – and as ever on a Tuesday, correspondent Chris Jones is back with Gareth Rhys Owen and Tom English to delve deep into what happened after a dramatic weekend. Gro smiled at a rugby game for the first time in years after Wales fought hard against Ireland – but even though the Welsh side lost things look less bleak with Matt Sherratt at the helm. With England stopping Scotland from winning an historic fifth Calcutta Cup in a row they look at what's next for this Scottish side and where the game was lost for Gregor Townsend’s men. And Chris debates what’s needed to improve this England side – are growing more options at 12 an answer?

    52 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    Six Nations: The weekend review with Barclay and Warburton

    England regain the Calcutta Cup and Ireland remain on course for a Grand Slam. Round three of the 2025 Six Nations is in the bag and Ugo is alongside John Barclay and Sam Warburton to wrap it all up. Wales impressed under new interim boss Matt Sherratt despite slipping to another defeat. What would Warren Gatland have made of the performance? England backed up their win over France with another narrow win and a first over Scotland since 2020, but what are the question marks still hanging over Steve Borthwick’s side? What next for Scotland and Gregor Townsend after their title hopes were dashed at Twickenham? Plus, John and Sam update their Lions teams from round one, and we get a masterclass on how to pronounce Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

    1 hr

  3. 23 FEB

    England beat Scotland for Calcutta Cup

    We’re in Allianz Stadium Twickenham reacting to England’s win in the Calcutta Cup over Scotland. Chris Jones is alongside Matt Dawson and Fraser Brown after a dramatic finish to the Calcutta Cup which saw England take their first win since 2020. Hear from Ellis Genge on his delight at the result following the dramatic climax to the match. Sara Orchard is joined by Philippa Tuttiett in Cardiff after a resurgent Wales lost out on the Triple Crown to Ireland. They react to Garry Ringrose’s red card, and where the result leaves Wales heading toward the final stages of the Six Nations.

    46 min

  4. 22 FEB

    Six Nations: Could there be a shock on the cards in Cardiff?

    Sara meets up with former Lions room-mates, Tommy Bowe and Alex Cuthbert to get the mood in the Welsh capital before Ireland steam-roll into the Principality Stadium. They ask with the new “boss bounce back” could Wales get a confidence boost with Matt Sherratt at the helm - or will Ireland dominate once again with an historic third successive Six Nations title in their sights? Tommy and Alex try to find an Ireland weakness – as Simon Easterby continues to be linked to the Wales job. And focus also goes to the much changed Ireland side, which Tommy points out is still as strong as ever. Also England senior assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth joins the pod to chat to Sara about his Calcutta Cup memories – as the last time he featured as a player, things did not go to plan….

    42 min

  5. 21 FEB

    Six Nations: Sherratt's debut and Russell starts

    Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt is on the pod fresh after naming his team to face Ireland this weekend. He's made eight changes following the defeat to Italy and says the team "picked itself". What can Welsh rugby fans expect from Sherratt's team after less than a week in situ? We also get to the bottom of his nickname 'jockey'. Chris then heads to the Scotland team hotel to catch up with Tom English and Andy Burke from the BBC's Scotland rugby pod. They discuss Finn Russell's selection, the three changes after the defeat to Ireland and look at the battle between the two packs. Will Scotland create more Calcutta Cup history on Saturday or will it finally be England's day?

    37 min

  6. 20 FEB

    Six Nations: Scotland's Calcutta Cup dominance

    Scotland rarely used to win the Calcutta Cup. Now, they can't stop winning it. What is behind this dramatic turnaround? Chris, John Barclay and Danny look at Scotland's resurgence and the impact the it's had on the rivalry. John tells us how importance of the win in 2018 which ended a 10 year wait for the trophy. How much has that turned the tide? Danny was part of the England team that put 60 points on Scotland back in 2017, but has also been on the losing side in 2018 and 2024. He explains what the difference is between the Scotland of 2017 and now. John picks the three players that have inspired Scotland to four successive wins and we also look ahead to this weekend's clash at Twickenham.

    37 min

  7. 19 FEB

    Six Nations: England name Calcutta Cup team

    Chris and Ashy head to Pennyhill Park to chat to Ollie Chessum, who will make his first Test start in nearly a year on Saturday. He tells us the win over France will count for nothing if England can't back it up this weekend and win a first Calcutta Cup since 2020. Chessum also tells us what sets him apart from other locks and how ]he's changed since playing with Ashy at Leicester. Steve Borthwick is also on the pod and promises England will deliver more attacking rugby this weekend and how they plan to deal with Scotland's Finn Russell, whether he plays or not.

    49 min

  8. 18 FEB

    Six Nations: The Nations Pod

    Chris, Gareth and Tom are back after a fallow week in the Men’s Six Nations. They kick off with the appointment of Matt Sherratt as Wales interim head coach following Warren Gatland’s departure. GRO gives us the inside track on the new boss and questions whether he’s the long-term solution. So what will the management structure of Welsh rugby look like going forward? Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on Scotland’s coaching team as they prepare to face England. Can Steve Borthwick’s side build on their victory over France last time out? And has the shine been taken off the tournament as only Ireland are competing for the slam?

    1h 4m
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4.4
out of 5
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About

Ugo Monye, Chris Jones, Danny Care and Chris Ashton bring you special guests and cover the biggest stories in rugby union. We'd love to hear from you on the pod; email rugbyunionweekly@bbc.co.uk or search for 5 Live Sport on social media to send us a message.

Information

  • Channel
    BBC
  • Creator
    BBC Radio 5 Live
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    198
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2025
  • Show Website
    Rugby Union Weekly
  • Provider

    BBC Studios Distribution Limited has identified itself as a trader for this podcast and confirmed that this product or service complies with European Union law. Address 1 Television Centre 101 Wood Lane London London W12 7FA United Kingdom Phone Number +44 7590176301 Email bbcstudiosaudiodistribution@bbc.com

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