Women's Rugby Pod

WRP 187 - Captain Red Rose is back! Our Grand Slammer Sadia Kabeya is back in the studio joining Sarah Bern. The Red Rose star is in fine form after a brief holiday to look back and reflect on the whole 6 Nations. She dives into the impact of new coach John Mitchell, the amazing crowds, the new philosophy and her debut as her country's captain! Berner "fresh" from Zoe Aldcroft's hen do, chats with Sadia about the opposition that England faced; what they made of their old coach Scott Bemand's Ireland, where Scotland are, how damaging has the campaign been for Wales, do we know anything new about France and Italy. Sadia also talks about the unexpected leadership role has played during the 6 Nations, how it came about and what it was like in the be the skipper out there on the field against Wales. There's all the news from around the world, who won at the Singapore 7s, did "Sonic" get her send off, who are champs in Australia? #WRP womensrugbypod@gmail.com

WRP 186 - Team of the 6 Nations with Scrum Queens. After a brilliant conclusion of the 6 Nations, WRP teams up with Scrum Queens for their annual "team of the tournament" pod. Ali Donnelly, the creator of Scrum Queens and BBC broadcaster, Sara Orchard join Johnnie to go through in detail every position and as ever most are hotly debated. Who will play at fly half, what is the make up of the back row, is full back a certainty, who misses out and is each nation represented?!? Before getting into the team they discuss each nations' performance in the tournament through last weekend's results, French crowds, Irish progression, Scotland's sharpness, English dominance and same old France! #WRP womensrugbypod@gmail.com

WRP 185 - Super Saturday. The final round of the 6 Nation is upon us with England going over to France for the Grand Slam game against France. Ireland take on Scotland in a fascinating contest in Belfast and Italy and Wales battle it out at The Principality stadium for the wooden spoon. Injuries Red Rose star Sarah Bern gives her incredible insight not only to the final round of games but also events last weekend. "Berner" was at Twickenham to witness another great occasion and tells us what it was like on "the other side." England's performance is spoken about and indeed Ireland's. Berner also looks back at the Wales, France game and the Scotland Italy match; she picks out where the games were won and the tactics used. New contracts in New Zealand's for 40 Black Ferns is chatted about and do these news stories about their fiercest rivals make a splash in camp. There is also a full preview of those final round games; can Scotland grab that World Cup spot and finish third, can Ireland bounce back mentally and physically from their Twickenham mauling? How do wales pick themselves up, will playing at The Principality help or hinder? And what is it like to play away in France, can that crowd make the different or are England too strong; what are we likely to see in selection and who will be the winners? #WRP womensrugbypod@gmail.com

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