The Best Rugby Podcasts 2024
What are the best rugby podcasts in 2024?
We at W RUGBY are bringing you a list of our favourite five Rugby podcasts right now. We’ve designed it to give you a taster of what is on offer, listing some of the best points of the shows. If you are a podcast aficionado or a first-time listener, there are hundreds of great podcasts out there dedicated to this beautiful game and we would love to know your favourites in the comments!
There’s something for everyone, some great, some contentious, but love, like, or loathe them, here are our top 5 Rugby podcasts right now.
BBC Rugby Union Weekly
"5 Live's Rugby Union Weekly"
The BBC is known worldwide for its quality content and whilst their online Rugby sports page has had questionable lapses in quality and accuracy (re: the Jake Ball incident), the weekly Rugby podcast has maintained a consistent level of professionalism and status throughout its tenure.
Hosted by former England winger Ugo Monye, Harlequins/England Scrum Half Danny Care and spearheaded by BBC rugby correspondent Chris Jones, the weekly podcast often sprinkles the likes of Chris Ashton and Sara Orchard into the mix and mainly focuses on English rugby during the international period, sometimes branching out to other home nations and world teams when they make the news. The podcast also has a weekly guest or two who discuss issues around the week's chosen topic. Some recent guests included Eddie Jones, Ruby Tui, Steve Borthwick, Dan Biggar, and Fin Russell. The Podcast also has special co-hosts, including Katy Daley-McLean MBE, Jamie George, and Sonia Mclaughlin.
The podcast has the same funny feel that a lot of Rugby podcasts share and the hosts have a deep history together which shows in their obvious comfort in being in each other's company. The show tends to lean towards the more ‘formal’ style of analysis, with the familiar BBC reporting style showing in the episodes. A big selling point of the podcast is that host Danny Care is currently playing at Rugby's top-flight and provides valuable insight into the elite game and life surrounding Rugby.
There are not many negative points that come with such a prestigious brand of podcast. The hosts are engaging without being too ‘bantery’ or off-topic, the team travels to major events to interview the top names in the game, and the ‘weekly’ turns into ‘daily’ during the Six Nations!
Listen if: You want a high quality production, recognisable-brand podcast, with big-named guests, in-depth analysis, and consistent delivery.
Women's Rugby Pod
"The world’s first and only global women’s rugby podcast"
As we come out of the back of The Rugby World Cup and start thinking about The Six Nations, now couldn't be a better time to jump deep into the world of women's Rugby. The Women's Rugby Pod (WRP) is a podcast that focuses solely on the women's game hosted by England International Centre Rachael Burford, former England International Back Row Sarah Hunter MBE, and Broadcaster/Commentator Johnnie Hammond. The show airs weekly and has an array of guests from the world of women's Rugby, such as Siwan Lillicrap, Kendra Cocksedge, Emily Scarratt MBE, Marlie Packer, and Jo Yapp.
The podcast has a very outward-facing focus, with the hosts allowing the guests to drive the discussions and anecdotes without falling back too much on their own weekly happenings. The guests are always enthused to be talking about the sport that they love and the hosts bring their adoration of the game into every episode. Covering literally all aspects of women's Rugby, you will find yourself jetting between World Cup winners, 6 Nations showdowns, and titanic club clashes. No stone of women's Rugby is left unturned.
The WRP is the product of an incredibly dedicated team of people who share a love for the game and everything that comes along with it. When your hosts are passionately committed to driving the profile of the women's game, you become hooked almost immediately. Women's Rugby is gaining incredible traction on the global stage and I guarantee that if you listen to the WRP then you won't miss a trick.
Listen if: You want a listening experience focusing on women's Rugby, a congenial, informal vibe, and big-name guests from the Rugby world.
Le French Rugby Podcast
"Farandoles qui s'envolent, flambant aux feux de la Saint Jean"
The Rugby world is big enough to accommodate multiple podcasts but sometimes, you want to have a more dedicated focus in your listening experience. Whether you are a devout follower of the global game, a die-hard fan of one team, or anything in between, it can be difficult to keep on track with the goings on of every league that is out there. Well, if you want to learn more about the juggernaut that is French Rugby, Le French Rugby Podcast has got you covered.
Hosted by journalist Tim Groves and former Scottish Number 8 and ‘adopted Frenchman’ Johnnie Beattie, the podcast airs weekly and focuses on all aspects of the French game. The show has a raft of guests from The Top 14 and the international stage, such as Jerome Kaino, Shaun Edwards, Gregg Aldritt, Will Skelton, and Gurthro Steenkamp. The show also boasts a range of co-hosts who all contribute to the discussions.
The podcast has a very "‘light’ feel to it, the hosts bringing a relaxed atmosphere to the tumultuous topic that is French Rugby. Guests are always well-chosen and they are encouraged to share their stories of life in France. As you can imagine, some of the anecdotes are quite unbelievable, but that's French Rugby for you!
Le French Rugby Podcast is the ipso-facto insight into the world of Les Blues. Even if you are not French Rugby's biggest supporter, it is always interesting to hear of players' stories and experiences in this intense environment. Give it a go - you might just love it.
Listen if: You want a more focused listening experience based on French Rugby, a relaxed hosting style, and lots of big-name guests with pre-game meals of Oysters and Wine. (Credit to Reddit user Fribonfire for that fine description)
Power Grassroots Rugby
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The Rugby Pod
"Pod pod pod pod...Rugby pod."
There are a lot of Rugby podcasts out there but only one has the claim of ‘the most listened-to Rugby podcast in the world’. The Rugby Pod is hosted by New Zealand sports reporter Andy Rowe, former England Fly Half Andy Goode, and former Scottish Second-row Jim Hamilton. The weekly podcast mainly focuses on English Premiership Rugby but also takes a look at the Top 14, URC, and European competitions (with a 6 Nations/Lions/World Cup focus when the comps come around). The show has a weekly guest who will delve into the week's topic, with discussions being held about all aspects surrounding the global game - some recent guests include Gabby Logan, Louis-Rees Zammit, Hannah Botterman, Ollie Lawrence, and Nic White.
The podcast itself has a light, funny feel, with a portion of the episode being dedicated to the host’s anecdotal recapping of the week's events. Granted, some of these events will be focused on Rugby (with Jim and "Goodey" being active pundits), but a lot of the talking does become quite informal and off-topic. The relationship between the three hosts is also a plus point of the podcast as the overall flow feels organic (even if a bit ‘bantery’). The New Zealand, Scottish, and English allegiances wax and wane weekly and it makes for some interesting arguments when the international period rolls in. The hosts are also known to give their opinions on the matter at hand and often speak out on topics, sometimes resulting in a backlash from listeners.
But, the simple fact remains: If you don't like the hosts then you will likely not enjoy the podcast. "Big Jim and Goodey" are not universally loved, and their views and opinions can be polarising. Whilst this is the case, the podcast does bring a deep insight into the Rugby world and even though they have had some questionable and controversial moments on-air, they still remain at the top of the pile in terms of listenership.
Listen if: You want a weekly, high-budget podcast with big-named guests, opinionated discussions, and punditry that leans towards the ‘banter’ style.
No Tackle: A Women's Rugby Podcast
The best podcast name of the year?
Last, but definitely not least on this list, we find ourselves in Gloucestershire with the No Tackle Podcast. Women's Rugby is criminally underrepresented in the podcasting world and it is great to see new content being released that focus on the women's game. Focusing on women's Rugby in Gloucestershire, with match analysis, and life at Gloucester-Hartpury being discussed, the show is hosted by former England Centre Millie Wood and Bath Rugby Player/Bath Radio Commentator Enya Lackie. The show airs weekly and has regular guests from the world of women's Rugby. Recent guests include Neve Jones, Ellie Rugman, Lizzie Goulden, Sophie Bridger, and Tatyana Heard. It has also gained the backing of The BBC which has pushed it into the public eye (and ear).
The show has a very ‘local’ feel to it and a lot of the content being focused on life as a Rugby player for Gloucester-Hartpury, and parts beyond. The hosts live and breathe Rugby, and Millie shares a comradery with her ex-teammates that adds a depth of character to the podcast that feels natural and unforced. The guests feel comfortable talking about their experiences and whilst some of the discussions veer off-topic, (Irish internationals discussing their love of prawns), the podcast does look at life as a Rugby player outside of professional contracts. The show is not afraid to shine a light on the juggling act of being a women's Rugby player in the top flight of Club Rugby and also being in full-time employment.
Every great podcast needs to start somewhere and it is important to notice when new shows come to light. No Tackle takes a look at the often-ignored side of Rugby: the day-to-day. You may not be immediately drawn to a podcast that focuses on one small region of the South West of England, but you are missing out if you skip this. No Tackle is making strides and I can see it becoming a huge contributor to women's Rugby.
Listen if: You want a more locally-focused insight into the game, with an all-female hosting team, and honest discussions.
How to these podcasts stack up against your favourites? Let us know on socials or in the comments below.
words // Edward Tristram
