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12. 23. Jason Leonard: World Cup Glory, Rugby’s Wild Years & the Murrayfield Incident
01:07:05||Season 2, Ep. 12Jason Leonard reveals the untold side of rugby's biggest transitions - from an outrageous disciplinary hearing after England vs Scotland, to the brutal shift from amateur to professional, to the mindset that helped England win the 2003 World Cup.If you love rugby, leadership, or the stories behind elite sport's biggest turning points, this one is packed with laughs, honesty, and hard-earned insight.Leonard sits down with Beefy and Bill Beaumont to revisit the moments that shaped his career, including the infamous Murrayfield incident, the chaos of early professionalism, and the pressure of being thrust into a World Cup final when every scrum felt like a battle of wills.You'll hear how England's culture changed under Clive Woodward, why the move to professionalism shook up travel, training, and team standards, and how small tactical decisions like kicking for points and handling referees can decide the biggest matches in the world.He also shares vivid Lions tour memories from South Africa and New Zealand, the story behind the "Fun Bus" nickname, and what it was really like playing through injury, adapting under pressure, and learning when to trust the process. Along the way, Beefy and Bill bring their own perspective on England, the modern game, and the ongoing debate around referees, coaches, and player welfare.Jason Leonard is one of English rugby's most decorated forwards, a World Cup winner and Lions veteran whose career spans the amateur era, the dawn of professionalism, and the modern elite game.Essential listening if you want brilliant rugby storytelling, candid opinions, and a front-row seat to one of the game's great careers.#Rugby #RugbyUnion #RugbyPodcast #RugbyStories #JasonLeonard #EnglandRugby #SixNations #LionsRugby #RugbyLegends #SportsPodcast #RugbyLife #OldBoysNewBalls #Beefy #Botham #Beaumont #OBNB #SportStories
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11. 22. Ryan Howsam: I'll make a Seniors Ryder Cup happen
45:37||Season 2, Ep. 11He built a successful business from scratch and owns one of sport’s biggest global brands. But aged 38, Ryan Howsam could not even afford to put petrol in his car.Ian Botham and Bill Beaumont get Ryan talking about the move from double glazing salesman to serial entrepreneur, the gamble of taking over the former European Senior Tour, and why he renamed it the Legends Tour to give it a bigger future.He opens up about sponsorship, brand building, and the commercial reality behind sports businesses that look glamorous from the outside but are incredibly hard to make profitable.You’ll discover:How the Legends Tour is growing prize money, events, and global reachWhy Ryan believes sport needs business thinking to survive and scaleThe plan to build Legends Tour resorts, with tournaments tied to property and tourismHow the tour’s TV series, Final Cut, is giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the sportWhy he thinks AI, tech, and lower barriers to entry make this the best time ever to start a businessRyan also talks candidly about rebuilding after setbacks, staying focused when your head is full of ideas, and why he still believes the biggest opportunities are still ahead.Ian and Bill bring the golf banter, the business questions, and the kind of conversation that gets behind both the numbers and the mindset.Essential listening if you love golf, entrepreneurship, and the inside story of how a sporting idea becomes a global brand.#Staysure #Entrepreneurship #Golf #LegendsTour #Business #FounderStory #AI #OldBoysNewBalls #Sport #Howsam #Beefy #Botham #Beaumont10. 21. Peter Reid: The PM's pal on why Man City could break the Premier League; tackling diving and how cheating Maradona had the last laugh
50:40||Season 2, Ep. 10PETER REID: Could the Man City clash spell the end for the Premier League?Former Manchester City player and manager Peter Reid fears the club’s clash with the Premier League could open a “can of worms” — and lead to a seemingly endless series of costly legal battles.In this conversation, the former England midfield general shares his concerns about what the dispute could mean for the future of English football, alongside a wide-ranging discussion of how the modern game has changed. From VAR and diving to the pressures facing managers, he offers a candid perspective shaped by a lifetime in football.The conversation also explores the teams, players and eras that shaped Reid’s career, including revelations from a chat with Diego Maradona, after his Hand of God knocked Reid and his England team-mates out of the 1986 World Cup.An hilarious Old Boys New Balls chat not to be missed by all football fans.#PeterReid #ManchesterCity #PremierLeague #Football #FootballPodcast #ManCity #OldBoysNewBalls #OBNB #Beefy #Beaumont #Botham9. 20. Bill is banned from the school run!
34:52||Season 2, Ep. 9Bill and Ian return this week for a mid-series catch up.We discuss why referees need to be stronger and less reliant on VAR.What difference can Shaun Edwards make to the Red Roses?Who will win the rugby union Prem?Plus Ian reveals what he does to relax in his spare time, while exposing Bill for cheating when it comes to cycling.And Bill explains why he's been banned from the school run!!-----------------------AD - Old Boys, New Balls have teamed up with Staysure Travel Insurance and are offering our listeners 20% off their next policy with code OLDBOYS20With their Comprehensive and Signature policies recognised as Which? Best Buys. They offer cover for all ages, and pre-existing medical conditions and 24/7 emergency supportOffer excludes costs to cover medical conditions and add-ons. New policies only. Ends 31/10/2026. T&Cs apply.-----------------------We also want to hear from you - got a question for Beefy and Bill? Agree or disagree with anything they've said?Email us at: hello@beefyandbeaumont.comFollow us on Instagram: @beefyandbeaumontFollow us on 'X': @oldboysnewballsArtwork by wearepure.netProduced by Shine Talent Management & Simon Watts
8. 19. Danny Care: Rejecting Eddie Jones & playing with Jamie Vardy
53:08||Season 2, Ep. 8Danny Care won over 100 caps for England and spent 19 years wearing the number 9 shirt for Harlequins.Now two years into retirement, Danny joins Bill Beaumont and Ian Botham this week to discuss how he turned to rugby after being released from Sheffield Wednesday alongside Jamie Vardy.He also reveals how his relationship with Eddie Jones got off to a bad start years before he got the England job, why Jones high standards were unsustainable at international level, his friendship with Joe Marler and why Owen Farrell is destined for greatness in coaching.-----------------------AD - Old Boys, New Balls have teamed up with Staysure Travel Insurance and are offering our listeners 20% off their next policy with code OLDBOYS20With their Comprehensive and Signature policies recognised as Which? Best Buys. They offer cover for all ages, and pre-existing medical conditions and 24/7 emergency supportOffer excludes costs to cover medical conditions and add-ons. New policies only. Ends 31/10/2026. T&Cs apply.-----------------------We also want to hear from you - got a question for Beefy and Bill? Agree or disagree with anything they've said?Email us at: hello@beefyandbeaumont.comFollow us on Instagram: @beefyandbeaumontFollow us on 'X': @oldboysnewballsArtwork by wearepure.netProduced by Shine Talent Management & Simon Watts
7. 18. Nick Knowles: Cornish Pirates can be rugby's Wrexham
01:04:25||Season 2, Ep. 7From re-building homes to building Cornish Pirates into the 'Wrexham' of rugby union.TV presenter Nick Knowles joins Bill Beaumont and Ian Botham to reveal why he's chosen to invest in the Championship club, what led him from a council estate in London to support them and how he's looking to replicate Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds is taking the Cornish brand to Hollywood.We also discuss the latest on the state of domestic and international rugby, debate whether league is more exciting than union and what's Ian's views on the latest goings on in the England cricket camp?-----------------------AD - Old Boys, New Balls have teamed up with Staysure Travel Insurance and are offering our listeners 20% off their next policy with code OLDBOYS20With their Comprehensive and Signature policies recognised as Which? Best Buys. They offer cover for all ages, and pre-existing medical conditions and 24/7 emergency supportOffer excludes costs to cover medical conditions and add-ons. New policies only. Ends 31/10/2026. T&Cs apply.-----------------------We also want to hear from you - got a question for Beefy and Bill? Agree or disagree with anything they've said?Email us at: hello@beefyandbeaumont.comFollow us on Instagram: @beefyandbeaumontFollow us on 'X': @oldboysnewballsArtwork by wearepure.netProduced by Shine Talent Management & Simon Watts
6. 17. Wasim Akram: Beefy still hasn't forgiven me for 1992
51:07||Season 2, Ep. 6There aren't too many people who can say they were Ian Botham's nemesis.But Beefy has a long memory and he still hasn't forgiven Wasim Akram for removing him for a duck as Pakistan beat England in the 1992 Cricket World Cup Final!Ian and Bill are joined by one of Pakistan's most celebrated players and one of the true gentlemen of the sport, offering intriguing insight into the state of Pakistan cricket after the recent failures in England.He also talks deeply about his love and affection for former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan, the future of red ball cricket and the lure of the Indian Premier League - plus the gym habits and pre-match routines that let's say differ somewhat to modern day sport!-----------------------AD - Old Boys, New Balls have teamed up with Staysure Travel Insurance and are offering our listeners 20% off their next policy with code OLDBOYS20With their Comprehensive and Signature policies recognised as Which? Best Buys. They offer cover for all ages, and pre-existing medical conditions and 24/7 emergency supportOffer excludes costs to cover medical conditions and add-ons. New policies only. Ends 31/10/2026. T&Cs apply.-----------------------We also want to hear from you - got a question for Beefy and Bill? Agree or disagree with anything they've said?Email us at: hello@beefyandbeaumont.comFollow us on Instagram: @beefyandbeaumontFollow us on 'X': @oldboysnewballsArtwork by wearepure.netProduced by Shine Talent Management & Simon Watts