The Telegraph Rugby Podcast

The Telegraph

<p>Go beyond the back pages and join the Telegraph's rugby experts and big name guests as they tackle the game's most interesting trends, themes and talking points. Our unrivalled rugby coverage now available on the move! New episodes out Mondays.</p><p><br></p><p><em>Previously on this podcast channel: Brian Moore's Full Contact</em></p>

  • 1 hour 8 minutes
    The greatest Six Nations gets a fitting finale

    The 2026 Six Nations is in the history books and it will be remembered as arguably the greatest instalment of the tournament.


    Alan Dymock, Gavin Mairs and Charles Richardson reflect on Super Saturday which ended with France beating England with the final kick of the game to claim the title ahead of Ireland.


    England saved their best performance until last but ultimately it was another defeat for Steve Borthwick's side, and it meant they finished with four defeats for the first time ever in Six Nations history. We look ahead to the summer and if Borthwick's future is still up in the air.


    It was also a topsy turvy day for Ireland! They kickstarted Super Saturday by hammering Scotland only to miss out on the title thanks to Thomas Ramos' penalty, but overall it's been a positive campaign for Andy Farrell who faced questions heading into the competition.


    We also discuss another mixed campaign for Scotland, the arrival of Italy as genuine contenders and a long overdue win for Wales. Plus we pick out some winners and losers from the last six weeks and tackle your questions as usual.

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    16 March 2026, 12:50 pm
  • 1 hour 47 seconds
    Horrible history for England in Rome with thrilling finale ahead

    Round five of the Six Nations is in the books and it will go down as one of the great weekends in the tournament's history!


    Alan and Charles are joined in studio by the Telegraph's Chief Sports Writer, Oliver Brown, to unpack England's defeat to Italy and their third of this year's championship.


    Gavin Mairs checks in from the England camp in Verona to discuss the RFU's stance on under-fire coach Steve Borthwick who looks set to stay until at least the summer, despite the wretched campaign so far.


    Next up for England is a trip to Paris to take on a French side who are no longer chasing a Grand Slam. That's because they were soundly beaten by a brilliant Scotland on Saturday, so we ask just how much credit Gregor Townsend is due for turning around his side's fortunes.


    Scotland could go top of the standings if they beat their bogey side Ireland on the final weekend. It's a similar situation for Andy Farrell's men who got past Wales on Friday night in Dublin.


    Plus we tackle all your questions as well!

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    9 March 2026, 12:39 pm
  • 57 minutes 4 seconds
    England’s Six Nations is savaged and all roads lead to Rome

    We're three weeks into the Six Nations and England's hopes of winning the tournament are up in flames after they were hammered by Ireland at Twickenham.


    Alan and Charles are joined in studio by the Telegraph's Dan Schofield to unpack the defeat and look at how England can salvage what is left of their Six Nations campaign.


    It was a bittersweet afternoon for England captain Maro Itoje. He won his 100th cap for his country but was withdrawn early once again and Dan thinks it's time he was given a six-month sabbatical from the game to ensure he is at his best for the World Cup next year.


    We also ask what has happened to the England lineout, and why is their defence so easy to penetrate?


    As for Ireland, that performance instantly changes the narrative around Andy Farrell's side. There's high praise for Stuart McCloskey too who has been their standout player of the tournament so far.


    Elsewhere we ask if Wales fans will be happy despite defeat to Scotland in Cardiff, can anyone stop France winning a Grand Slam and we tackle your questions as usual.

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    23 February 2026, 12:21 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    How England get back on track after rude awakening at Murrayfield

    We're two weeks into the Six Nations and only France remain on track for a Grand Slam after a thrilling win for Scotland over England at Murrayfield!


    Alan, Gavin and Charles unpack Saturday's clash in Edinburgh which saw England's 12-match winning streak halted.


    There's criticism for Henry Arundell who was given a red card for two yellow card incidents - will we see him again? Could Borthwick have used his bench better? And Charles defends George Ford for his failed drop-goal attempt which saw Scotland go up the other end and score.


    As for Gregor Townsend, how much does that win ease the pressure on him, and is it vital he backs it up with another big win this tournament?


    Plus we discuss a nervy win for Ireland ahead of their trip to Twickenham, and whether anyone can realistically stop France who blew Wales away.


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    16 February 2026, 12:32 pm
  • 49 minutes
    Rampant England, rudderless Scotland

    Alan, Gav and Charles unpack the opening weekend of Six Nations action!


    England and France laid down their intentions to win a Grand Slam with comfortable victories over Wales and Ireland


    Meanwhile it was a nightmare start for Gregor Townsend and Scotland who were shocked away in Italy. The Scotland coach now faces serious questions over his future following the defeat, and we ask if a win in the Calcutta Cup this weekend would do anything to change the public perception around him.


    A lot of questions surrounding Ireland too, the 2024 winners were comfortably beaten in Paris on the opening night, and to make matters worse their 'A" side suffered an even bigger defeat to England the following night to leave Andy Farrell short on options, next up for them is a confident Italy side in Dublin.


    And we tackle all of your questions as usual too!




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    9 February 2026, 12:33 pm
  • 56 minutes 56 seconds
    It is time for an English assault on the Six Nations title

    The Six Nations is back! And so is the Telegraph Rugby podcast.


    Join Alan, Charles and Gav for a comprehensive look ahead to the opening round of games this weekend and to the tournament as a whole.


    We check in with the Telegraph's Dan Schofield out in Girona for the England training camp, with Tommy Freeman moving to outside centre and Henry Arundell an exciting blur on the wing. He tells us why Steve Borthwick is opting for pace over power ahead of the tournament.


    Gav tells us how an injury hit Ireland are shaping up ahead of the tournament's curtain raiser against France on Thursday.


    And Alan has a bone to pick with Gavin after he refused to pick any Scotland players in his top 30 Six Nations players of all time!


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    2 February 2026, 1:07 pm
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    England can win Six Nations after perfect autumn


    That's it for the Autumn Nations Series and England have had a perfect month, ending the year on a high with 11 wins in a row!


    Join Alan, Charlie, Charles and Gavin for all the fallout to England's win over Argentina and a look ahead to what we can expect from Steve Borthwick's side in the Six Nations next year.


    Max Ojomoh was the star of the show at the weekend. The Bath centre was named player of the match after coming in as a late replacement for Fraser Dingwall and the panel is split on whether or not he should be the starting centre for the Six Nations opener.


    Elsewhere, there is high praise for Borthwick and the improvement we have seen in England in the last 12 months.


    Away from England, Gavin gives us his account of a chaotic Test match in Dublin where South Africa bullied Ireland.


    We also take a look at the World Rugby awards and ask just how far ahead the Springboks are of any other side in international rugby currently.

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    24 November 2025, 1:31 pm
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    England should be feared after outsmarting All Blacks

    England now have 10 consecutive wins under Steve Borthwick after beating the All Blacks at Twickenham!


    Join Alan, Gavin, Charlie and Charles for all the fallout to Saturday's win, which was arguably the finest since Borthwick took charge.


    There is high praise for George Ford after he delivered a player of the match performance. We discuss what he offers this England side and if he is the undoubted first choice at number 10 for the foreseeable future.


    Away from England, it was a weekend to forget for Scotland. They threw away a 21-point lead at home to Argentina and were booed off by their own fans. Has Gregor Townsend taken them as far as he can?


    We also take a look at the rest of the weekend's action including a return to form for Ireland ahead of their clash with the Springboks and a first win for Steve Tandy since taking charge of Wales.


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    17 November 2025, 12:54 pm
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
    Why England should beat the All Blacks

    Alan Dymock is joined by Gavin Mairs, Charlie Morgan and Charles Richardson to unpack an incident-filled weekend of rugby action!


    England now have nine wins in a row under Steve Borthwick after seeing off the challenge from Fiji at Twickenham.


    It was another strong afternoon for Borthwick's 'Pom squad' while Fin Smith played well on his return to the No 10 shirt. We discuss if his performance was enough to earn him a start against the All Blacks on Saturday.


    Speaking of New Zealand, they edged past Scotland at Murrayfield thanks to some heroics from Damian McKenzie. We take a look at the threat the All Blacks pose and ask if England's favourite tag is justified.


    Elsewhere, South Africa laid down a serious marker by beating France with 14 men, Italy picked up a major win over Australia and it was a case of new coach, same result for Wales who were thumped by Argentina.


    Plus, Charles tells us why the bunker system is not fit for purpose and we tackle your questions as usual too!



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    10 November 2025, 12:54 pm
  • 57 minutes 18 seconds
    How England blew away Australia with 'Borthball' and 'Pom Squad'

    England are up and running this Autumn after seeing off Australia 25-7 at Twickenham.


    Alan, Charlie, Charles and Gav dissect the win and the overall performance which has been crowned as 'peak Borthball' by Charlie Morgan.


    Tommy Freeman's performance at centre comes under scrutiny, we discuss if it's an experiment worth sticking with or if he is better utilised back on the wing


    Elsewhere there is high praise for the 6-2 bench and questions over the Wallabies who looked tired after a long summer.


    Away from Twickenham, New Zealand won their Soldier Field rematch with Ireland in a largely forgettable game. There is some criticism for the event as a whole too and Gavin suggests there is lessons to be learned for America before their staging of the World Cup in 2031


    Plus, we take a look ahead to a huge weekend of games coming up and tackle all your questions as usual too.

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    3 November 2025, 1:19 pm
  • 51 minutes 56 seconds
    The England fly-half battle is back

    The autumn internationals are back and so is the Telegraph Rugby podcast!


    Join Alan Dymock, Gavin Mairs and Charles Richardson ahead of this weekend's action as we take a close look at England and their clash against the Wallabies on Saturday. 


    The guys discuss how the back row will look in the absence of Tom Willis and discuss if Steve Borthwick is right to leave him out after he confirmed he will be moving to France at the end of the season.


    Alan, Gavin and Charles also give their thoughts on who will start at fly-half for England with Fin Smith, Marcus Smith and George Ford all fit and available and whether Saracens teenager Noah Calouri will get a chance after a blistering start to the season.


    Plus, we take a look at Ireland v New Zealand this weekend in Chicago, a repeat of their 2016 classic, and field your questions as always, too!



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    27 October 2025, 12:28 pm
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