5 Live’s Rugby Union Weekly

The next stop on the Nations Pod Guide is Edinburgh. GRO teaches Chris and Tom a Max Boyce classic and explains why the trip to the Scottish capital is so special for Wales fans. After initially declaring he doesn’t have much to say about the city, Tom tells us about his favourite pubs and praises the commitment of the Scottish rugby fans despite the lack of success in the Six Nations era. The guys also talk Bill McLaren, Flower of Scotland and recall some of their standout moments at Murrayfield down the years. You’ll also find out why the commentary position presents plenty of challenges for broadcasters.

Ugo, Danny and Ashy reflect on the final round of pool matches in the Champions Cup as Quins stole headlines by knocking out two-time winners La Rochelle. Glasgow qualified with a 100% record to guarantee home advantage until the final. Are the Scots now serious contenders for the big prize? We look at the big winners and losers of the draw for the knockout stage. We hear from a disgruntled Bristol fan and try to plot who will make the showpiece in Bilbao. Plus, the guys discuss what led to Scott Robertson leaving the All Blacks just 18 months before the World Cup. Could we see Razor rock up in the Prem?

Chris, Tom and GRO are back for the second instalment of the Nation’s pod guide and this time they’re talking about the home of English rugby - Twickenham. Is it still the one scalp that all teams want in the Six Nations? Tom and GRO discuss their complex relationship with HQ and why it is such an intimidating venue. They also share their experiences both good and bad of playing against England. We also tackle the Twickenham cliches – from the picnics in the car park to the fashion choices, plus we remember some of the great Twickenham moments away from the Six Nations.

Danny, Ugo and Chris review an eventful Champions Cup weekend that produced another big upset after Saracens stunned six-time champions Toulouse. They reflect on the battle between the two Willis brothers and if the result means Sarries are back to their best. Henry Pollock rekindled his love-hate relationship with the Bordeaux fans. We wonder if Damian Penaud is on some kind of assist bonus and we welcome our first ever mortgage advisor onto the pod. Will Crane has gone from the Champ to the Champions Cup after he answered an SOS call from George Skivington. He tells us all about his crazy start to 2026 and his love for the game.

What makes a great Six Nations city? Is it all about the atmosphere on match day? The stadium itself? Or more about the pubs and the nightlife? In this special mini-series, Chris, Gareth and Tom bring you their ultimate guide to all four cities across the home nations as we begin our build-up to the Six Nations. First up, it’s the home of Welsh rugby, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. GRO makes a passionate case for why his city stands above the rest, and the guys share their favourite match-day memories and break down what makes Cardiff such a unique place to watch Six Nations rugby.

It’s the first pod of 2026 and there is plenty to discuss with club statements and statement performances on the pitch. Chris, Ashy and Ugo look at what we can and assess the runners and riders ahead of the Six Nations which begins in Paris one month today. Are England finally ready to deliver silverware or will Ireland rise again under Andy Farrell? We analyse the growing issues at Harlequins and Gloucester after damaging defeats at the weekend. What will the coaching reshuffle look like at Kingsholm? And how have Quins gone from champions to languishing at the bottom of the table? We also talk Billy Searle and Adam Radwan’s form at Leicester and Mark McCall’s comments following another Saracens defeat.

After years of podding separately in Cardiff, Stirling and London - Chris, Tom and GRO finally get together to record a Nations Pod in person. They look back at the highs and lows of the game in 2025 which included the Lions tour of Australia and the Red Roses lifting the World Cup. How would you sum up the Lions tour? And how do you best describe another tough year for Wales? Tom challenges the guys to pick one word that sums up each nation's year and the tournaments. They also reflect on the big moments and best performances of the year. And no review of the year is complete without a combined team of the year!

Danny tells Ashy and Chris about his trip to visit Santa Claus in Lapland and his husky adventure in -37c. We look back at the final weekend of rugby before Christmas as Harlequins are humbled at Twickenham and Exeter claim another big scalp on the road. Where has it gone wrong for Quins since winning the league in 2021? And are Exeter now genuine title contenders? Sale’s struggles without George Ford continue while Danny zeros in on the scrum-halves that are catching his eye this season. Ellie Kildunne scores another wonder try and we answer some of your questions.

The big shock of the weekend came up at Scotstoun as Glasgow stunned six-time champions Toulouse. Player of the Match Adam Hastings tells Ashy and Chris about their epic comeback and how the navigated the treacherous conditions at the ‘ice rink’. We also hear about Franco Smith’s coaching style and if winning their opening two Champions Cup matches has changed their outlook on this year’s tournament. Bath came unstuck at Toulon, Leinster scramble over the line against Leicester and Sale pick up a big win on the road. But there were still plenty of blowouts and low attendances in round two, would a 16-team competition solve the issue? There is plenty of transfer and contract chat as several players including Jac Morgan announce they’re on the move next season. Ashy gives us a great insight into the complexities of the contract game and why there is always more than meets than eye.

Chris, Ashy and Ugo pick apart the opening weekend of the Champions Cup. Was it the shot in the arm the tournament needed? Or were there still too many predictable results? Edinburgh caused the biggest upset of the round in what was a great weekend for the Scottish sides. Can Prem champions Bath go all the way this year? Rieko Ioane made his Leinster debut, Mathieu Jalibert shone for defending champions Bordeaux and Noah Caluori scores on his Champions Cup debut. We also discuss the 12-week ban handed to Eben Etzebeth and whether he will actually benefit from time out the game.

Chris, Tom and GRO bring you immediate reaction to the draw for the 2027 World Cup. England and Wales meet in Pool F while we can look forward to another instalment of the 'Tom English derby' as Scotland and Ireland were drawn together for the third World Cup in a row! But which team is the bigger winner from the draw down under? If South Africa are to deliver the three-peat they will have to do it the hard way - but would another Springbok win actually be good for the game? Tom gets all misty-eyed about French players we've never heard of as we imagine just how special a French World Cup win would be.

Danny, Ashy and Chris dissect another dismal day for Wales as they end 2025 with a record home defeat. How much would the young Welsh players actually have learned from their 73-0 defeat to South Africa? We also discuss Eben Etzebeth’s red card for the eye gouge on Alex Mann that took the shine off another dominant Springboks win. We look at the return of the Prem and debate whether it’s easier than ever to score tries in the league. Will we see Benhard Janse van Rensburg in an England shirt in the near future? There is another setback for R360 and we look ahead to Wednesday’s World Cup draw.

In episode two of our bumper Champions Cup preview, Ashy and Chris catch up with Lions hero Hugo Keenan who reflects on his winning try in the MCG and Leinster's ambition to add fifth star to the jersey. High-flying Sale winger Tom Roebuck looks back on his breakthrough autumn with England and reveals he scored his try against the All Blacks with a broken toe! Pau are back in the tournament for the first time in 25 years and Joel Kpoku tells us they are keen to make a splash and targeting their opener against Northampton. Scarlets are also back in the competition and we sit down with their captain Josh Macleod for an open and honest conversation about how tough it is to be a Welsh player right now with all the uncertainty around the club game.

It’s finally happened. The stars aligned and we managed to get Ashy and his old sparring partner Manu Tuilagi in the same room to talk about that infamous moment at Welford Road 14 years ago. Chris helps us finally get to the bottom of what sparked it, and we quiz Manu on life in France and his return to fitness. Is the former England centre seriously considering a switch to Samoa for the next World Cup? We do get round to previewing the new Champions Cup season with Saracens legend Jamie George, Glasgow's Rory Darge and World Cup winning Springbok Deon Fourie.

Are South Africa the best team ever? Did Wales offer a glimpse of optimism? And is Gregor Townsend still the man for Scotland? Chris, Tom and Gareth reconvene for the final time this year to unpack the Autumn Internationals. Tom wants Ireland to reset an ageing squad, while Gareth remains positive about Wales. And Chris brings up the substitutions debate, asking whether the game now relies on too many replacements.

Who were the big winners and losers this autumn? Ugo, Danny and Chris reflect on what we’ve learnt this November. Who has progressed and who has regressed? The Springboks have cemented their place at the top of the world game but who would win between them and the great All Blacks team from 2015? The officiating has been a huge talking point over the past four weeks, particularly after events in Dublin this weekend. How do we get the balance right between collision and evasion in the modern game as we strive for player safety? We reflect on Malcolm Marx being crowned World Player of the Year and pick our players of the autumn.

England completed their first four-Test autumn clean sweep since 2016 with a nervy win over Argentina. Chris, Ashy and Paul Grayson praise England for battling past a spirited Pumas team on a scrappy afternoon at Twickenham. Max Ojomoh impressed on only his second cap with a try and two assists. Could he become England’s long-term 12 moving forward? He’s on the pod along with head coach Steve Borthwick. What should the expectations be for England now heading into the six nations? But are there still players who they haven’t figured out how to get the best from?

It's Nations Pod time and for the second week in a row Tom is reeling from another painful defeat for Scotland. After the capitulation against Argentina he believes now is the time for a new head coach. Wales are off the mark under Steve Tandy, but their issues were still laid bare despite the narrow win over Japan. GRO gives us the lowdown on darts-loving uncapped flanker Harri Deaves who is part of the Wales team tasked with facing the All Blacks. Ireland and South Africa renew their rivalry, England go in search of an 11th successive win and Tom gives reveals his favourite drinking spot in Dublin.

Are England now ready to win silverware? Why do Scotland keep choking on the big stage? Does the new Nations Championship devalue the World Cup? There is loads to discuss following another eventful weekend and the launch of World Rugby's long-awaited tournament. Ugo, Danny and Ashy debate how far England have come under Steve Borthwick as their winning streak continues. Scotland have another afternoon to forget at Murrayfield. Wales are off the mark under Steve Tandy and Mack Hansen takes centre stage in Dublin after his hat-trick and choice of footwear. Plus, Henry Pollock catches the eye once again for some unusual antics during the haka.

Chris is with Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson to bring you reaction to England's first victory over the All Blacks at home in 13 years. We chat to the superb George Ford who dropped two goals and scored a crucial penalty to help extend their winning run to 10 matches. Is he playing the best rugby of his career? We also hear from Scott Robertson after their Grand Slam hopes were ended and ask where it went wrong for New Zealand. And after only a ninth victory over the All Blacks in 120 years, is this the best win of the Steve Borthwick era?