Evening Standard Rugby Podcast with Lawrence Dallaglio

Lawrence returns from his Cycle Slam and, along with Steve Cording, chats to this week’s special guest, Tommy Freeman. Tommy shares his views on last weekend's Big Summer Kick Off game against Quins, his preferred position on the field, Northampton's hopes for the upcoming Investec Champions Cup semi final against Leinster and even shows off his card trick skills with the pod’s first ever magic performance! Marlie Packer also joins Lawrence and Steve to reflect on the Red Roses Grand Slam win against France, as she highlights the top England players from across the tournament and in 'Grow the Game with QBE Business Insurance', she tells us what she hopes can change ahead of next year’s Women’s Six Nations to raise the profile of the championship even higher. Plus the Evening Standard rugby correspondent, Nick Purewal, is on hand to preview the two Champions Cup semi finals this weekend, as the guys discuss the chances of Northampton and Harlequins in their respective away fixtures and what it will take to cause an upset against the home favourites. In partnership with QBE Business Insurance and Voxpod Studios. To find out more about Lawrence’s Cycle Slam or to donate to RugbyWorks, you can visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/lawrencedallaglio

As Lawrence completes the last stretch of his Cycle Slam, Steve Cording and Evening Standard rugby correspondent, Nick Purewal, are joined by England captain, Marlie Packer, who reflects on the team’s Women’s Six Nations campaign so far before looking ahead to the Grand Slam decider taking place this Saturday against France. In 'Grow the Game with QBE Business Insurance’, Marlie offers her opinion on how to encourage and grow grass roots participation in rugby for girls, and outlines ways the Red Roses can use their experiences off the field to further engage with fans. Plus Bath No.8. Alfie Barbeary joins Steve and Nick to chat about Bath’s season to date, revealing the ’tough love’ conversations that Head Coach Johann van Graan has had with him, and explaining why he won’t be cutting his hair anytime soon. And Steve and Nick take a look ahead to this weekend's Premiership games and predict the winners of Round 16.In partnership with QBE Business Insurance and Voxpod Studios. 

With Lawrence away on his Cycle Slam, Steve Cording and Evening Standard rugby correspondent, Nick Purewal, are joined by Harlequins’ tighthead prop, Will Collier, to chat about Quins' momentous victory in Bordeaux and how the team will be preparing for their Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Toulouse. Will also gives his opinion on whether the World Rugby laws around scrums should change, what he thinks of his fellow front row team mates and shares his thoughts on the upcoming Big Summer Kick Off at Twickenham. Plus, Red Roses captain, Marlie Packer returns with the latest news from camp ahead of England’s clash against Ireland in the Women’s Six Nations on Saturday. And in our feature, ‘Grow the Game with QBE Business Insurance’, Marlie tells us some of the barriers she faced around accessing sport as a teenager, as well as some of the mental and emotional health benefits she’s gained from playing rugby.Steve and Nick take a quick preview of the next round of the Gallagher Premiership, and a message from Lawrence in Italy rounds off the episode. To donate to Lawrence’s RugbyWorks Cycle Slam fundraising, visit:https://www.justgiving.com/page/lawrencedallaglio https://www.dallagliorugbyworks.com/For more information on the Big Summer Kick Off go to:https://www.eticketing.co.uk/harlequins In partnership with QBE Business Insurance and Voxpod Studios.

Lawrence and Steve review the drama of the Easter weekend Premiership action including the 100 minute game at Kingston Park, the 7 min yellow card at The Stoop and another win for 'under the radar’ Bristol Bears, as Lawrence shares his predictions for the end of season Top 4. Plus Marlie Packer is back to give us the inside scoop on all things Red Roses, including Jamie George’s visit to camp and the single thing she believes would help elevate the women’s games even further in our new feature ‘Grow the Game in association with QBE Business Insurance’.And Evening Standard rugby correspondent, Nick Purewal, is on hand as to preview this weekend’s Investec Champions Cup Round of 16, as Lawrence and Nick assess the chances for the six Premiership clubs who’ll be fighting to make the quarter-finals.In partnership with QBE Business Insurance and Voxpod Studios.

Lawrence Dallaglio, Steve Cording and Evening Standard rugby correspondent, Nick Purewal, assess the return of the Premiership as the clubs face 'The Run-In’ to the end of the season. In light of comments from an incident at The Showdown between Saracens and Harlequins, Lawrence explains the relationship between broadcasters and TMOs, and reveals where he’d place Owen Farrell in the list of Saracens greatest ever players. Plus the guys discuss whether Zach Mercer's continued standout performance for Gloucester is enough for Steve Borthwick to come calling and look ahead to the next round of Premiership action, predicting their winners for this weekend. And with the start of the Women’s Six Nations, Red Roses captain Marlie Packer joins the podcast to talk about the tournament, as she shares what’s changed since head coach, John Mitchell, took up the reins and how she celebrated her 100th cap with a post-match musical performance.In partnership with QBE Business Insurance and Voxpod Studios. 

Lawrence and Steve welcome former Saracens and England lock, George Kruis, to the studio for a chat as they round up the end of the Six Nations and look ahead to the return of the Premiership, with special focus on The Showdown between Saracens and Harlequins.George explains his role as line out consultant to the England team, why he feels the team’s future is so bright, and what drives the culture at his former club, Saracens. He also talks about his business fourfive.com and what he’s learned most in his transition from locker room to boardroom. Check out an exclusive discount code for listeners to the pod (see below.) Plus Lawrence tells us who he thinks are the real winners of this year’s Six Nations, why Warren Gatland should stay in charge at Wales and whether Scotland have peaked with their performance. Lol and Steve are also joined by Evening Standard rugby correspondent, Nick Purewal, who reveals his retirement conversation with Danny Care and which basketball star Steve Borthwick has been quoting in his post match interviews. Nick also looks ahead to the start of the Women’s Six Nations and updates us on the latest news about the possible return of London Irish. In partnership with QBE Business Insurance and Voxpod Studios. For a 25% discount on FourFive products use the code rugby25 at checkout on fourfive.com This code applies to first-time purchasers only. Excludes items already discounted such as sale items, bundles and subscriptions.  

Lawrence and Steve are joined by former Leinster and Ireland centre Gordon D’Arcy, as they review Saturday’s Six Nations Round 4 contest at Twickenham. Gordon shares his insight into where England most disrupted Ireland’s game plan, which of the men in white had the biggest impact on the field and how the Ireland team will now be preparing against Scotland in a bid to retain the championship title. Steve shares the good and the bad of his match day experience at Twickenham, and asks Lawrence to explain his Instagram antics from the final whistle. Plus the Evening Standard rugby correspondent, Nick Purewal, is on hand to discuss whether England now have to cast off their tag of ‘underdog’ as they face France, who Ben Earl’s post match reaction was aimed at, and why Wales should be feeling positive about their campaign despite facing a wooden spoon play off against Italy. In partnership with QBE Business Insurance and Voxpod Studios.

Lawrence and Steve are joined by Ben Kay as they look ahead to Round 4 of the Six Nations, with a specific focus on Saturday's England v Ireland game at Twickenham.Ben offers his assessment on the tournament to date, shares which players he considers have the ‘stardust’ that England need, and reveals his opinion on how England should be approaching the game. Plus Lawrence explains how it works when teams practice their attack and questions whether Steve Borthwick has been trying to change too many aspects of the gameplan at once.The QBE Predictor forecasts the results from Round 4, as Lawrence and Ben also make their predictions. In partnership with QBE Business Insurance and Voxpod Studios.