Rugby Union Weekly

The pod has been given exclusive access to the four directors of rugby ahead of this weekend's play-offs. Chris heads to the Prem awards in central London to sit down with Phil Dowson, Johann van Graan, Rob Baxter and Geoff Parling to reflect on the Prem season so far and the quality of rugby. Has there been too many blowouts? And have the recent law changes made it a better or worse spectacle? We also look at the gruelling schedule for the game's top international players. Should Maro Itoje and his fellow Lions be rested this summer? What do the DORs think to the Champions Cup and how that is scheduled? We hear about the changes to the pool stages next season and what the four coaches would change about the competition. We also delve into the relationship between the clubs and England and whether the players should be spending more time with club than country.

Chris and Ashy head to the Saracens training base for a special pod about one of the most influential figures in English club rugby history. After 17 trophy-laden years at Sarries, Mark McCall is standing down as director of rugby at the end of the season. We speak to the man himself who explains why now is the time to move on, and what place he is leaving the club in. Two of Sarries’ senior players, Ben Earl and Nick Tompkins, share their memories of being coached by McCall, and explain what makes him such a good leader. We are also joined by journalist Gavin Mairs to discuss McCall’s legacy. Is he the best director of rugby in PREM history? How much does the salary cap scandal of 2019/2020 tarnish his reputation? And will the RFU miss a trick if they don’t tap into his experience?

We are podding from the San Mamés stadium in Bilbao after Bordeaux win a second successive Champions Cup crown. Chris and Paul Grayson chat to one of the key man behind Bordeaux’s success, their attack coach Noel McNamara. We also grab a word with Adam Coleman who vows to spend days partying in his match shirt. But where did it go wrong for Leinster? They’ve now lost five finals since their last triumph in 2018. Will there be big changes following this latest defeat? Billy Vunipola rolled back the years to help deliver Montpellier the Challenge Cup as the French claimed another title. With the last six Champions Cup winners all coming from France, why are their clubs in such a strong position and who is best placed to end the streak?

How do you sum up the life and legacy of Scott Hastings? Chris, Ashy and Danny are joined by his close friend and former teammate Andy Nicol to share memories of the great man, both on and off the pitch, following his death over the weekend. Plus, as Steve Borthwick names his latest England training squad, the guys debate the inclusion of former South Africa Under-20 centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg. The Bristol Bears player qualifies for England through the five-year residency rule despite having no British heritage. And with a huge weekend of European finals ahead, is anyone backing against the French sides coming out on top?

Will England claim an eighth successive Six Nations? Or will France finally beat the Red Roses and claim a first title since 2018? Ugo, Sara and former Ireland international Anna Caplice look ahead to the big showdown in Bordeaux. Could England's leaky defence cost them on Sunday? Are England demanding too much of their star centre Meg Jones? Ireland’s first standalone fixture at the Aviva is expected to attract 30,000 fans. Anna explains what a watershed moment this will be for Irish rugby. Wales face Italy hoping to avoid another wooden spoon – can Sean Lynn finally deliver a first Six Nations win? Plus, should Ireland and Wales enter a team in the PWR? Will it help close the gap to England in the future?

Former England international Katy Daley-McClean and ex-Black Fern Ruby Tui join Sara Orchard to review the Red Roses’ 61-33 thrashing of Italy in Parma.John Harrison’s reigning world champions made it 37 consecutive wins across all competitions with a dominant display in their fourth bonus-point victory of this year’s competition.That’s now 38 successive Six Nations wins, setting up what should be an epic grand finale in Bordeaux against France next weekend.The panel discuss the entertainment value of games such as this, whether winning the Six Nations would really be more impressive than the World Cup – as England’s defence coach claimed pre-match, and the debutants who came on for the Roses.Timecodes: 00:10 Ruby’s dramatic pod entrance 02:50 Are teams working England out, or is it just injuries letting teams score more? 05:00 How much credit do England deserve given the absentees? 06:00 How good were Lutui and Burns? 07:15 Ruby says England’s domination is ‘systematic’ like New Zealand’s Sevens team 09:55 A debut for Haidee Head qualifies for 5 different nations! What’s she like? 12:50 Ex-captain Marlie Packer’s 4-try haul 14:15 Would England fall apart without Amy Cokayne and Lucy Packer? 15:33 Zoe Harrison’s incredible kicking run ends 17:05 How did Italy come back from going 26-0 down inside the first 15 minutes? 18:50 Is Italy’s box-kicking boring or really smart? 20:15 Is Ellie Kildunne still settling into this new position? 22:50 Is this France’s best opportunity to beat England and get the Grand Slam?

Did taking Prem rugby to bigger stadiums pay off? Danny and Ashy were blown away by the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, despite getting lost. Is too much being made of Geoff Parling’s outburst at Craig Doyle? Ashy questions whether Saracens are bringing through enough academy players amid their bad run. And what about Robbie Deans’ appointment at Quins? Will it work out if he’s only spending 12 weeks of the year at the club? And with the Champions Cup returning this weekend, Chris asks whether the Prem gets too many spots. Plus, can Eddie Hearn turn Henry Pollock into the next Anthony Joshua?