Rugby Union Weekly

By BBC Radio 5 live

What's Rugby Union Weekly about?

Ugo Monye, Chris Jones, Danny Care and Chris Ashton bring you special guests and cover the biggest stories in rugby union. Sara Orchard also delivers news, interviews and reaction from the 2024 Women's Six Nations. Get in touch with the pod via 5 Live Sport on social media or email [email protected], and remember to leave us your ratings and reviews.

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Rugby Union Weekly episodes:

04.24.2024
1994 World Cup Special: 30 years on
On the 30th anniversary of England's victory in the 1994 World Cup final, Sara sits down with Giselle Mather and Gill Burns to relive that historic day in English women's rugby. It was the tournament that almost never happened, but...
04.22.2024
The Top 4 and the Top 9s
We're talking reunions on this week's pod after Ugo's trip to see Blue in Liverpool. If there was one team or player in their prime you could pay to watch, who would it be? Bristol get some love after crashing...
04.20.2024
England score record win over Ireland
Sara Orchard and World Cup winner Kat Merchant react to England getting a record win over Ireland. Abby Dow and Ellie Kildunne both scored hat-tricks in front of 48,778 fans at Twickenham to remain on course for the Grand...
04.18.2024
Inside the England camp at Twickenham
Sara Orchard and World Cup winner Kat Merchant are at Twickenham chatting to Megan Jones and Maud Muir ahead of Ireland on Saturday. Megan and Maud talk the Twickenham noise and how the team have been preparing for the...
04.15.2024
All aboard the Quins rollercoaster
We're at full strength on the pod this week with Ugo, Danny, Ashy and Chris all on the sofa to review the Champions Cup quarter-final weekend. We had to start with the thriller in Bordeaux, friend of the pod Marcus...
04.13.2024
Ruthless Red Roses thrash Scotland
Sara is in Edinburgh to bring you reaction to another big win for the Red Roses as they remain on course for another Grand Slam. England ran in eight tries as they thrashed Scotland in front of a record crowd...
04.10.2024
Mums, Moloney and 4.5 size ball mania
Sara Orchard and former Wales captain Philippa Tuttiett head into the England camp ahead of their trip to Scotland in the Women's Six Nations. They hear from the retiring Red Rose Vickii Cornborough after she had twins last year, whilst...
04.08.2024
From Northampton to Dubai
The pod bounces around the world this week, starting in Northampton and ending in Dubai. Chris is joined by Paul Grayson and Alex Mitchell after the Saints beat Munster in a cracker at Franklin’s Gardens, before checking in with Ashy...
04.01.2024
The Seven Minute Sin-Bin
Ugo, Ashy and Danny convene to discuss a busy weekend of action in the Premiership. They kick-off with the controversy at Danny’s game that saw Irné Herbst return to the field having only served seven minutes of his sin-bin. Coupled...
03.30.2024
England wreck Wales at Ashton Gate
Sara Orchard is alongside former Wales captain Philippa Tuttiett and England World Cup winner Kat Merchant for reaction to England's huge win over Wales in the second weekend of the Six Nations.
03.27.2024
Helen Nelson, Jaz Joyce and a pint of Prosecco
Philippa Tuttiett joins Sara to look ahead to the weekend’s action in the Women’s Six Nations. We're inside the Scotland camp with Helen Nelson as they prepare to take on France. Wales winger Jaz Joyce tells us what their goals...
03.25.2024
Danny: 101 and out
It’s a big day for Danny as he calls time on his England career after 16 years and 101 caps. He tells Chris and Ashy what was behind the decision, the conversation he had with England boss Steve Borthwick and...
03.24.2024
A Red Roses rout and Scotland end Wales hoodoo
Sara, Katy Daley-McLean and Maggie Alphonsi round up an eventful opening weekend of the Women's Six Nations. They discuss Scotland ending their 20 year wait for a victory on Welsh soil and a costly final minute for Wales. Katy and...
03.21.2024
The big Women’s Six Nations preview
The Six Nations continues as the Women’s tournament gets under way this weekend! Sara and Philippa Tuttiett are at the launch event to speak to the home nations captains and explain why the battle for third place this year will...
03.20.2024
Nations Pod: The final word
Chris, Gareth and Tom reunite for one last pod to bring the curtain down on the 2024 Six Nations. What mark out of 10 does this year's tournament deserve? The guys pick their favourite match of this year's championship and...
03.17.2024
The big Six Nations review!
Chris is joined by Ugo Monye, John Barclay and Sam Warburton to go through the Six Nations after Ireland win back-to-back titles, while Wales pick up the Wooden Spoon for the first time in 21 years. The team rate...
03.17.2024
Ireland win back-to-back Six Nations titles
Chris is joined by Tommy Bowe and Fraser Brown for on the whistle reaction from the Aviva after Ireland beat Scotland to win back-to-back Six Nations titles. Plus Chris has pitch side reaction from Jack Crowley and Robbie Henshaw. The...
03.16.2024
Will it be a Super Saturday?
Chris manages to track down Tom English in Dublin to look ahead to the final round of the Six Nations. They debate where back-to-back titles would leave Andy Farrell's Ireland after they missed out on successive Grand Slams. Rory Darge...
03.15.2024
We're in Dublin and Lyon!
Will Ireland wrap up back-to-back Six Nations titles or is there a big shock in store? The teams are out for Super Saturday and Chris is in Dublin to preview Ireland's clash with Scotland and get the thoughts of Luke...
03.14.2024
The Rivalries: France v England
In the last episode of our rivalries series, Chris sits down with Martin Johnson to discuss the fixture known simply as Le Crunch. They look at the brilliant French side of the 80s and England's dominance in the 90s as...
03.13.2024
Inside England with Earl and Wigglesworth
Ashy and Chris head down to England training ahead of their trip to France. They chat to attack coach Richard Wigglesworth who tries to explain where the performance against the Irish came from, why Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is such a special...
03.12.2024
Nations Pod - Week 5
Chris, Gareth and Tom are back for the final - or maybe penultimate - time this Six Nations. In one of the more eagerly anticipated episodes in Nations pod history, Tom gives his verdict on England’s brilliant win over Ireland,...
03.10.2024
All over for round four!
Sara is joined by John Barclay and Philippa Tuttiett for on the whistle reaction from a very loud and lively Principality Stadium after France beat Wales to complete round four of the Six Nations. They discuss what went right...
03.09.2024
England drop for glory once more
Chris Jones, Matt Dawson, Paul Grayson & Tommy Bowe reflect on England's shock win over Ireland. The team discuss what was a 'bouncing gantry' as England galvanised the Twickenham crowd to put a stop to Ireland's back-to-back grand slam hopes....
03.08.2024
Can England stop the Irish juggernaut?
With the Irish a bonus point victory away from another Six Nations title, Chris is at Twickenham chatting to The 42’s Murray Kinsella. They discuss takeaways from Peter O’Mahony’s press conference, what the England gameplan should be, and the fact...
03.08.2024
The teams are out.....
Sara and Ugo check in at Pennyhill Park to speak to Jamie George and Steve Borthwick ahead of the Ireland game at Twickenham. On the England agenda; how to bounce back from defeat at Murrayfield given the quality of this...
03.07.2024
Are France in crisis?
This episode of the pod has a distinctly French feel to it – as the focus is all on this French national side. Chris Jones is joined by Paul Eddison – an expert in all things French rugby and...
03.06.2024
Danny joins England's 100 club
After 16 years on the international scene, Danny is set to win his 100th England cap this weekend. Chris and Ashy chat to him about the highs and lows of his career, his favourite tries, and how a chocolate cookie...
03.05.2024
Nations Pod - Week 4!
Chris, Tom and Gareth reconvene for the Nations pod. Tom battles his usual technical issues to declare that England have no chance at Twickenham against Ireland, but is he right to write off Steve Borthwick’s side? Scotland have their tails...
03.04.2024
The Rivalries: England v Ireland
In the latest episode of our rivalries series, Jamie Heaslip chats to Chris about the battles between England and Ireland down the years and how the rivalry has evolved. Has the move to professionalism helped Ireland turn the tables on...
02.26.2024
The big week three review!
Chris is joined by Ugo, Sam Warburton and John Barclay talking about the big stories from the weekend’s matches. The team unpick Scotland’s dominance over England and where it’s going wrong for Steve Borthwick’s team. Can anyone beat Ireland and...
02.24.2024
Four in a row for Scotland and Ireland remain unbeaten
Chris is joined by Ashy, Matt Dawson and Johnnie Beatie in Edinburgh where Scotland beat England 30-21 to win their fourth Calcutta Cup in a row. Both captains, England’s Jamie George and Scotland’s Finn Russell, are on the pod and...
02.23.2024
It's Matchday!
Chris and Ashy are in John Barclay's recommended pub in Edinburgh where they’re joined by Rory Lawson on the eve of the Calcutta Cup. Up for discussion.. Scotland aiming to match their best winning streak in this fixture since there...
02.23.2024
Calcutta Cup teams are out!
George Furbank's selection at full-back is the big talking point as England and Scotland name their teams ahead of the Calcutta Cup this weekend. Sara and Ugo discuss this, plus Ollie Lawrence's return to the England midfield and our very...
02.22.2024
The Rivalries: Ireland v Wales
Has the success of Ireland and Wales in the Six Nations era created a rivalry between these two Celtic nations? Sara chats to Shane Horgan and Tom Shanklin to find out what it was really like to play in this...
02.21.2024
Inside the England camp
Danny again hosts Chris and Ashy at the England team hotel as the side prepare for a huge Six Nations clash against Scotland. DC discusses the prospect of starting on Saturday, the unique challenge of playing a Calcutta Cup game...
02.20.2024
Nations Pod - Week 3!
Tom, Chris and Gareth are back to look ahead to another big weekend of action. After letting Tom have his brief say on “try-gate”, they discuss whether England can deny Scotland a fourth win on the bounce in the Calcutta...
02.19.2024
The Rivalries: Scotland v England
Having been involved in 20 Calcutta Cups as either a player or a coach, Gregor Townsend knows a thing or two about out this famous fixture and why it is so special to him and the Scottish rugby fans. Chris...
02.12.2024
The big week two review!
Week two of the Six Nations has come to a close so who better than Chris, Ugo, Ashy and Jiffy to get into all the big talking points from the weekend’s matches. They are start off with the late...
02.10.2024
England win ugly and Scotland slip against France
Chris is at Twickenham with Matt Dawson, Paul Grayson and James Hook where England came from nine points behind to beat Wales and to top the Six Nations table. Plus, we’re at Murrayfield with Sara and Johnnie Beattie, where Scotland...
02.09.2024
It's Matchday!
Sara is joined by former Scotland captain John Barclay in Edinburgh ahead of Scotland v France, with Les Bleus looking to get their first points on the board. Then, we're in the Wales camp with Chris who's joined by Wales...
02.09.2024
England Wales, Traitors, and a Roy Keane impression
With the second round of fixtures fast approaching Sara and Ugo discuss the Scotland and France team news ahead of their Murrayfield showdown before chatting to Jamie George ahead of England against Wales. Bringing the good times back...
02.08.2024
Nations Pod - Week Two!
Chris, Gareth and Tom reconvene, slightly later than planned this week, which is nothing to do with Tom’s broken microphone. Despite this, Tom is in good form after Scotland’s win in Cardiff, but how does that second half prepare the...
02.07.2024
Inside the England Camp
Ashy and Chris head down to England training ahead of the game against Wales. They catch up with the pod’s very own Danny Care who tells us how life in camp is and reveals why he and Ashy got thrown...
02.06.2024
What It Means: England v Wales
Since the very first match in 1881, there has been one fixture that every Welsh player and fan has looked for on the calendar: England. Former Wales captain Sam Warburton sits down with Chris to explain why this particular rivalry...
02.04.2024
Weekend 1 Review with Warburton and Barclay
Sam Warburton and John Barclay join Chris and Ugo to look back on a brilliant opening weekend to the 6 Nations. Plus Jonathan Davies is a special guest as we pay tribute to the Wales legend Barry John who died...
02.03.2024
Wales scare Scotland and England edge Italy
After Scotland survived an incredible second half comeback from Wales to get their first win in Cardiff for 22 years, James Burridge is joined by Philippa Tuttiett and Andy Nichol, and we’re in Rome with Sara and Paul Grayson after...
02.02.2024
Record-Breaking Ireland dominate France
Chris is joined by Ashy and Tommy to reflect on Ireland’s biggest ever away win. They look at what went right for the defending champions and what went wrong for France. Plus, they preview Saturday’s Six Nations action as England...
02.02.2024
Chris and Ashy back in Marseille
Chris and Ashy are reunited in Marseille ahead of the tournament curtain raiser between France and Ireland. They reminisce about some World Cup memories from the Autumn and the hotel manager has remembered Ashy’s room preference which is a bonus....
02.01.2024
Captain Ant and Dec
Chris heads to Girona to sit down with Danny and the new England captain Jamie George. The pair explain why they have had to relinquish their roles on the social committee since Jamie’s appointment, and who has been tasked with...

What's Rugby Union Weekly about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Rugby Union Weekly episodes:

1994 World Cup Special: 30 years on

The Top 4 and the Top 9s

England score record win over Ireland

Inside the England camp at Twickenham

All aboard the Quins rollercoaster

Ruthless Red Roses thrash Scotland

Mums, Moloney and 4.5 size ball mania

From Northampton to Dubai

The Seven Minute Sin-Bin

England wreck Wales at Ashton Gate

Helen Nelson, Jaz Joyce and a pint of Prosecco

Danny: 101 and out

A Red Roses rout and Scotland end Wales hoodoo

The big Women’s Six Nations preview

Nations Pod: The final word

The big Six Nations review!

Ireland win back-to-back Six Nations titles

Will it be a Super Saturday?

We're in Dublin and Lyon!

The Rivalries: France v England

Inside England with Earl and Wigglesworth

Nations Pod - Week 5

All over for round four!

England drop for glory once more

Can England stop the Irish juggernaut?

The teams are out.....

Are France in crisis?

Danny joins England's 100 club

Nations Pod - Week 4!

The Rivalries: England v Ireland

The big week three review!

Four in a row for Scotland and Ireland remain unbeaten

It's Matchday!

Calcutta Cup teams are out!

The Rivalries: Ireland v Wales

Inside the England camp

Nations Pod - Week 3!

The Rivalries: Scotland v England

The big week two review!

England win ugly and Scotland slip against France

It's Matchday!

England Wales, Traitors, and a Roy Keane impression

Nations Pod - Week Two!

Inside the England Camp

What It Means: England v Wales

Weekend 1 Review with Warburton and Barclay

Wales scare Scotland and England edge Italy

Record-Breaking Ireland dominate France

Chris and Ashy back in Marseille

Captain Ant and Dec