Women's Rugby Pod

WRP 184 - Mac is back! Sarah Bern is back to talk all things 6 Nations; looking back at The England win over Scotland at a sold-out Hive Stadium, The French breezing past Italy and Ireland's seismic victory over Wales. Also joining us is former Ireland coach Greg McWilliams, obviously so knowledgeable about this group; he tells us about his joy in seeing their improvement both on and off the field. Greg talks about the influence Scott Bemand has had, the continued change he has seen from just a year ago when he was in-charge. He also gives us some insight to the structures now in place, the coaching group and the players. This round 4 fixtures of the 6 Nations is also discussed with where the games will be won and lost, with predictions. And there is all the news from around the world with Rori, who are domestic champions in New Zealand, did Spain lift the European title again, details on Rugby Africa Cup and more. #WRP womensrugbypod@gmail.com

WWRP 183 - Our very own rosarian. She's back, England coach and our co-host Sarah Hunter returns after a rather busy time! "Sunter" tells us about coaching in the 6 Nations rather than playing in it; her comfort levels following that transition and where the line is drawn in number of games of Tuk Tuk (listen to fully understand!). The opening two performances of The Red Roses are digested, where things have gone right, where needs to be tightened up and what we can expect in terms of selection for the rest of the tournament. We also hear the post-match thoughts of Zoe Aldcroft as she won her 50th cap at Ashton Gate. Sunter also looks at how the other nations have faired so far; how Scotland's recent run has given them confidence and how that has manifested into their play. She also runs her eye over France, Italy, Wales and Ireland, now with her old coach running the show. There's all the news from Rori as well, with results from SA's tour match, Super Rugby W and Aupiki and some shout outs with a special tribute from Sunter to Vicki Cornborough who announced her retirement this week. #WRP womensrugbypod@gmail.com

WRP 182 - What a start & more to come! An incredible start to the 6 Nations, history made, sensational tries, heroic defence and round 2 is days away, and Sarah Bern, the injured Red Rose star unpicks it all! Also on the pod, scorer of one of the tries of round 1, Coreen Grant. The wingers chats about the mood in the Scotland camp, just how tough the game was against Wales, the renewed confidence in the camp & how much they are looking forward to welcoming France at the weekend. "Berner" reviews the games from Parma and Le Mans; what did the Red Roses do well and what they need to improve upon. The Irish defence is spoken about and in fact their attack, having scored almost as many points in the opening round as they did in the whole tournament last year! The fixtures this weekend are also previewed, who will come out on top between Ireland and Italy, where will the game be won and lost between England and Wales and can Scotland beat France?! There's all the news with Rori, including results from Rugby Aupkik and Super Rugby W. And Sue Dorrington joins us, one of the ladies who organised the first ever World Cup, to tell us about the fundraising going on for Gary Street and his family. #WRP womensrugbypod@gmail.com

WRP 181 - 6 Nations - Ding, ding....round 1! The third pod of the week looking in depth at the teams selections for all three 6 Nations games. There's fascinating insight into the England camp where Berner spent some time with this week; what are the differences to this camp under John Mitchell to previous years? What is England's approach to selection through this 6 Nations, why has this XV been chosen to open up The Red Roses campaign, what will be new?! Wales and Scotland always have great battles, Berner talks about where the game will be won and loss, the importance of the kicking game and set piece. And the increased strength in depth both these Celtic nations appear to have increasingly. Ireland are over in France for a tough start to their campaign, off the back of a victorious wXV3 and with their 7s players being available they are confident. Berner's knowledge of Scott Bemand, from when he was the England coach, he is now the Ireland head man, comes into play about the approach of the Irish side and what might be different about them. The Red Rose star also talks about the physicality of the French side that love playing in front of their home crowd. Some weekend ahead!There's all the news from around the world as well, from our newscaster, Rori Taylorson, with results from New Zealand, Australia and Amsterdam!#WRP womensrugbypod@gmail.com

WRP 180 - 6 Nations preview part 2 - Captains' log. In the second instalment of this week's previews we concentrate on the players, the captains. We spoke to all six captains at the 6 Nations launch; Marlie Packer, Rachel Malcolm the Scotland skipper, Eilsa Giordano from Italy, Wales leader Hannah Jones and Ireland co-captain Sam Monaghan. The chats go from moods in the camp, who's new, who is training the house down to you would you pick from any other nation to play on your side?! The opening fixtures are discussed, the progress and what has been worked on since the wXV tournaments and the hopes, goals and aspirations for this 6 Nations tournament. Again apologies for the sound quality the launch was a very busy, noisy even! Tomorrow we have the third and final preview pod of the week with Sarah Bern, analysing all the team news ahead of the opening round and we'll have all the rest of the global news as well.#WRP womensrugbypod@gmail.com

WRP 179 - 6 Nations - Coaches' corner. It is 6 Nations week here in Europe so a huge week on the pod. In the first of this week's episodes we hear from the lady and gentlemen who will be guiding their teams through the tournament. From Scotland Bryan Easson with a very settled squad, talks about the tweaks they have been making, the growing depth of his squad and the selection headaches he now has. Gaelle Mignot and David Ortiz, the joint head coaches of France chat about moving their games around the country, that England match and for Gaelle - how she looks at the 6 Nations as the coach now and not as the player. Scott Bemand, the head coach of Ireland, details the progress they have made, the inclusion of 7s players and starting round one in France. Italy supremo Giovani Raneri, who's side face England first up; he speaks about the tough opening start, which players to look out for and the excitement in Italian rugby right now. In the red corner Ioan Cunningham, the Wales women head coach, speaks of crowds, the buzz around the beginning of this tournament and facing Scotland, at the weekend, and what a tight one that promises to be yet again! Sadly no John Mitchell from England. We are back tomorrow with all the captains: Marlie Packer, Manae Feleu, Rachel Malcolm, Sam Monaghan, Hannah Jones and Elisa Giordano. #WRP womensrugbypod@gmail.com

WRP 178 - Squads everywhere. Just days away from the 6 Nations the last four squads have been announced. Sarah Bern, the injured Red Roses star gives her views on who has been selected not only for the squad but potentially for the first few games. She speaks of the experienced heads returning, like Zoe Harrison, Zoe Aldcroft and Emily Scarratt and gives her unique insight to them. Where will John Mitchell, the head coach, will have his biggest headaches, the back five of the scrum, the midfield? The newly announced Wales squad is looked at, Berner looks at the pack in particular - her area of expertise the front but also the back row and the fierce competition in the back row. The depth that is growing in the Welsh squad, bolstered by some returning players and those who impressed in the Celtic Challenge. France and Italy both with some changes, Berner picks out the player to look out for and what she expects from each of the sides in this tournament. The PWR results, from England, are looked at especially a "statement win" for Bristol over Saracens. Rori has all the news including results from the 7s Challenger series, Super Rugby Aupiki and details on the Netherlands versus Colombia match for a place in wXV, happening this weekend. #WRP womensrugbypod@gmail.com

WRP 177 - News round - up. A short sharp pod this week, with a catch up on all the news from all over the globe with our very own Moira Stuart - Rori Taylorson. There are results from England, France, New Zealand; we catch up on 7s from Los Angeles where lots of milestones were reached by some amazing women in our sport. Where are this year wXV tournaments being held, who is the last to qualify for wXV, who won the Varsity match here in England and what is going on in Italy and contracted players? And there's news on who is moving from rugby union to rugby league and some messages from you the listeners. There is lots of content coming your way as the Women's 6 Nations rolls into town in the coming weeks, plus a regular feature from down under........stay tuned. #WRP womensrugbypod@gmail.com

WRP 176 - Meg-a weekend. Sadia, Berner and Johnnie have so much to talk about this week with Meg Varley as a guest too. The Bristol centre turned winger has just been named in the Scotland squad. We get her reaction to the call up, how she was asked and the feelings of playing in that Scottish backline with the likes of Chloe Rollie, Emma Orr and Lisa Thompson. Meg also chats about her move to Bristol, how she is finding her new club, her new position and how she thinks "Briz" are playing at the moment. Red Roses, Sadia and Berner talk about Meg and the rest of the Scotland squad that is preparing for the 6 Nations. They do the same with the recently named Ireland squad, with it's interesting inclusion of several of their 7s stars. Plus there is great insight into the Ireland coach, Scott Bemand, as both Sards and Berner were coached by him for many years. It's a huge weekend in the English top league, the PWR, as all four games are being shown live - these are all previewed including a repeat of last year's final, Gloucester-Hartpury v Exeter. There is all the news from Rori with French results, news from the Celtic Challenge and of course a look back at the 7s from Vancouver at the weekend. #WRP womensrugbypod@gmil.com