Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast

The Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast is back with plenty to discuss after an international break over the last few weeks. Cardiff RFC have been benefitting from consistent team selections and going well in an competition that seems to be making up it's format as it goes along, plus Cardiff Athletic Club get on the same page as Cardiff Rugby but now the Welsh Rugby Union stand in the way of a long-term lease at the Arms Park. Wayne Pivac just about has more positive than negatives with Wales, although Jonathan Humphreys has work to do with the forwards, and Dai Young has altitude to deal with as the Blue and Blacks first team are in South Africa with a stronger than expected squad to meet the Lions.

Before any on-field action this week the big news in Cardiff Rugby has been that Taulupe Faletau is linked to a move to the Arms Park. Is he past it? Is it value for money? The major questions answered. As well as that there has been a positive announcement as a supporter advisor to the Cardiff Rugby board will be elected over the next few weeks, but it is up to senior management to make sure it is a success, and not forget to communicate to supporters as a whole. Finally, to on-field action as the Rags return to action with a big game against Newport, with a sub-plot of first team players getting ready for United Rugby Championship action, while Wales do about as well as could be expected against New Zealand but pick a confusing team to face South Africa.

Cardiff brought the first United Rugby Championship fixture block to a close with a hard fought win over the Dragons last weekend despite going down to 14 men, making the first five rounds acceptable but with harder challenges ahead. Meanwhile the Rags keep pressure on Newport in the Indigo Group Premiership Cup, and it's thoughts and prayers with a depleted Wales ahead of facing the All Blacks on Saturday.

Cardiff returned to winning ways on Saturday with a strong win over Sharks displaying defensive and game management strength, but unfortunately the Rags could not quite get over the line at Merthyr ahead of games against Dragons and RGC this weekend. Elsewhere, the WRU College League and BUCS Super Rugby continue, Hallam Amos is ready to be a doctor, there's a love letter to Dan Fish and the Welsh Rugby Union are still incompetent.

It's two defeats in two for Cardiff, but despite that there's an air of positivity to the podcast this week as we go well against the Bulls for 40 minutes which we can hopefully build on against the Sharks next week. Meanwhile the Rags prove the proper link up between the first and second teams is working with a good win over Pontypridd to stay top of the Indigo Group Premiership Cup's eastern pool. Finally, there's a quick look at the Wales squad for the Autumn Internationals, and Cardiff announce a first new signing for next season!

It's been a drama filled week with Cardiff losing to Ospreys, the Rags beating Ebbw Vale, plus Heineken Cup fixtures and mixed fortunes for the development pathway. There has also been the trouble news reports regarding Cory Hill's behaviour while a Cardiff player and I take a look at the club's response, or lack of as the case turns out. Finally, it's another busy weekend of rugby coming up as Pontypridd and the Bulls arrive at the Arms Park for two big games.

It's a victorious Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast this week as, despite losing two 10s in the opening 20 minutes, the Blue and Blacks rally to secure a bonus point win over Connacht at the Arms Park before focus turns to the first Welsh derby of the season against Ospreys on Saturday night. Meanwhile there's plenty to be excited about for the Cardiff Athletic Club rugby section as they build forwards in this new one club approach, while the Rags take some learning points from Newport into Ebbw Vale.

The new season is well and truly upon us so it's time to have a look back over pre-season and preview the United Rugby Championship that gets underway this weekend. Of course within that is Cardiff's meeting with Connacht and there's a full match preview as well as a look at the Rags comfortable win over RGC and there upcoming game against old rivals Newport.

It's properly pre-season time for Cardiff Rugby as Dai Young's men host Bath at the Arms Park on Friday night after last weekend's trip to Harlequins, while Steve Law's Rags travel to Carmarthen Quins on Saturday. Elsewhere, the Cardiff regional development pathway is starting to return to normal as the WRU College League gets back underway, and two Academy players join Pontypridd for the season.

The Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast is back for the new season with a preview of pre-season as Dai Young's men prepare to take the field after an intense two-month training block. There's five things to look out for over the next two weeks as well as all the team news as the Blue and Blacks travel to take on Gallagher Premiership champions Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday. Finally, Cardiff RFC returned to action last weekend with a comprehensive win over London Welsh as relationships began to be formed between Academy players and the semi-professional Rags squad.

After a few months hiatus the Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast is back and rounding off last season's series with a look back over the back end of the Rainbow Cup, as well as an assessment of how the 2020/21 season from a Cardiff perspective. Undoubtedly the weirdest season ever! There's also a whistle stop tour of all the news from the Arms Park that has come out over the last few weeks, with international representation, age grade matches, playing departures, coaches returning and the Rags getting back up and running. Keep an eye out for a pre-season preview coming shortly!

After a few weeks off the Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast is back and there's plenty to catch up on as on-field action has seen Cardiff face all three Welsh sides in the Rainbow Cup with lots of tactical aspects of the performances to cover, as well as preparing for this weekend's trip to Munster. Meanwhile off the field it's been fairly busy news wise with another "surprise" signing, coaching additions, injury catch-ups, guys going out on loan, kit updates and potential Heineken Cup qualification for next season.

There's news everywhere this week on the Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast as Jarrod Evans re-signs, Tomos Williams is close to following suit, Ben Warren departs, Dwayne Peel's saga comes to a close, Matt Sherratt returns, Dai Young signs on and Josh Navidi isn't as injured as first thought. Even after that there's still time to talk Rainbow Cup which is now just a mini-Pro12 but gives Young the chance to assess his fringe players, first team lads the chance to be ready for Lions or Wales call-ups, and youngsters the chance to develop.

After a week of wallowing in self pity it's time to address the heartbreak of Cardiff Blues' European Challenge Cup round of 16 defeat to London Irish 10 days ago. There are positives, as the attack and set piece match up well with the English side, but poor defence, some head loss in the final quarter and a complete lack of game management skills see us go down to 14-men. Elsewhere it could be a big two weeks for Cardiff Blues with coaches contracts, player contracts, new signings, the Arms Park lease and senior management engagement with supporters to address.

It's not quite the same as usual, but it's a European knockout week nonetheless so there's plenty of excitement on the pod this week! I've had a proper look at London Irish ahead of our game on Friday as their attack shouldn't pose too many problems but their defence is a wall needing to be broken down. Meanwhile there's plenty of news regarding contract renewals, coaching changes, injuries and the new training ground.

It's a podcast of contrasting emotions last week as two very different results are thrown up from key matches in Paris and Cardiff. Dai Young's men put together a good performance to overcome an energetic Edinburgh side at the Arms Park, but a poorly managed last 20 minutes costs Wales a Grand Slam in heartbreaking fashion at the hands of France. Elsewhere there is European rugby to look forward to, the Rainbow Cup comes over all Welsh, The Lane Train rolls on and Screech returns.

It's all about the on-field action this week after a successful weekend in Italy as Wales stay on course for the Grand Slam and, crucially, Cardiff Blues secure a bonus point win over Benetton. Now it's all on this weekend as Wales face France in Paris on Saturday night, looking for what would be one of the greatest wins in Welsh rugby history, before Cardiff welcome Edinburgh on Monday night for a shootout for fourth place in the Guinness Pro14's Conference B.

A shortened preview pod for this weekend's action from Southern Europe as Wales travel to Italy to keep an unlikely Grand Slam alive, before the main event as Cardiff Blues face Benetton in the penultimate game of the season. There's also some news from Cardiff Rugby as Dai Young talks Dwayne Peel, Shane Lewis-Hughes gets injured, Owen Lane signs a new contract and plans for a permanent training base at Pentwyn are revealed.

Plenty to discuss on this week's Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast as Cardiff Blues fall to Munster to put the top three of the Guinness Pro14's Conference B realistically out of reach, and Wales win the Triple Crown with a fortunate but deserved win against England. There's also some movements for young players at the Arms Park, and some shoddy behaviour from the Scarlets and Dwayne Peel over the latter's move to the Welsh capital. Oh, and there's the small matter of an un-rebrand.

After such a positive week last week it's back down to earth in this podcast as incompetent Guinness Pro14 refereeing rears it's head yet again. Cardiff Blues go down to Connacht in an encouraging but ultimately frustrating performance in Galway, before facing a massive physical battle against Munster at the Arms Park. Meanwhile Wales face England with a negative team selection that will require a big performance to avoid being dragged into an arm wrestle. The battle of the sides lacking confidence.

There's plenty of on-field action to talk about in this week's pod as Cardiff Blues face Ospreys in a 'friendly', Wales go 2 from 2 in the Six Nations, and Dai Young's men are back to the Guinness Pro14 in Connacht this weekend. Also, Willis Halaholo has accomplished the 'Welsh Dream', Rhys Priestland is finally announced as a new signing and why it's better to conceded a turnover than receive a red card.

There's plenty of Six Nations talk on the podcast this week as Wales get an important win but make hard work of it up against 14-man Ireland before a tough trip to Scotland in round two this weekend. There is still time for Cardiff Blues stuff though as the drama over the Arms Park lease could drag on for three more years, and there's an unexpected friendly against the Ospreys on Friday.

After a week off the Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast is back feeling very underwhelmed in the build up to the first week of the 2021 Guinness Six Nations. There's a look back to the Cardiff Blues win over Scarlets that secured the double on the back of an excellent defensive performance in Llanelli, as well as a standout showing from Rey Lee-Lo as the second Dai Young era got off to a good start. Also there's a look at the contract status of the Cardiff Blues squad as it stands, and a preview of Wales' game against Ireland on Sunday as Wayne Pivac battles gender reveal parties, suspensions and his own confused squad selection.

It's an unexpected game week for Cardiff Blues as the clash away at Scarlets is brought forward to Friday night, a re-match from two weeks ago for Dai Young's first match in charge during his second spell at the club. Elsewhere there's recruitment and retention news with Jarrod Evans still being discussed and possible moves for some Dragons tight five forwards, while Wayne Pivac names a Wales squad for the Six Nations that frankly makes no sense.

It's a winning episode of the Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast this week, and a good win at that, as Cardiff Blues sweep past Scarlets at the Cardiff City Stadium playing the type of attacking rugby we've been crying out for! Elsewhere there's chat about the facilities used by the club, with the Arms Park falling down and particularly the training facilities not being up to scratch, while there's a look at Cardiff Blues players prospects as Wayne Pivac prepares to name his Wales squad for the 2021 Six Nations.

It's a special episode of the Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast as John Mulvihill has left his role as Cardiff Blues head coach with immediate effect, with Dai Young coming in as interim Director of Rugby until the end of the season. I've had a detailed look back on Mulvihill's time at the Arms Park, as well as the legacy he leaves behind him, before assessing the new coaching structure and the priorities for Young as he begins a second first days at the office.

So the big news of the week is the departure of John Mulvihill, but with no official statement on that from Cardiff Blues or on the appointment of Dai Young as Director of Rugby, that's been saved for a special podcast next week. There is still plenty to talk about though as a disappointing loss to Ospreys gets the calendar year underway, Rhys Priestland is linked to an Arms Park move, a potential change to the season could help us out and we face Scarlets on Saturday. Just another uneventful week in Cardiff Blues world!

It's the last pod of 2020 and it finishes on a roughly positive note with the battling win over Dragons on Boxing Day. There is a review of that game, and a look ahead to the clash with Ospreys on New Year's Day, as well as a preview of the next 12 months for Cardiff Rugby with 2021 potentially proving to be the most crucial year in our history.

After Cardiff Blues' game with Stade Francais was called off there's plenty of time to discuss off-field matters this week with the season requiring a suspension as coronavirus cases rise and cancellations increase, while the Guinness Pro14 has this week created the Rainbow Cup which I care about so little I've spent 10 minutes ranting about... There's also a look at which positions require strengthening in John Mulvihill's squad as transfer silly season approaches, and the on-field action as Cardiff Blues go to Dragons in a Boxing Day monsoon needing to win the battle up front to win the game.

It's a fully Cardiff Rugby episode of the Podcast this week, with on-field action against Newcastle Falcons in the European Challenge Cup and a look ahead to this week's game against Stade Francais. There's also some positive coronavirus tests in the squad, transfer silly season gets underway with Jarrod Evans linked with a move to Gloucester, and the WRU are letting down the whole game with their inability to secure the financial future of the pro game and their generally poor governance.

The Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast is back after a week off, catching up on all the recent on-field action including Cardiff Blues' defeat to Glasgow Warriors in the Guinness Pro14, and Wales' win over Italy in the Autumn Nations Cup. There is also a general overview of how the first fixture block has gone for John Mulvihill's men, with the recruitment window coming up, as well as a look at the state of play internationally for Wayne Pivac and the Welsh squad. Finally, there's news of a coaching addition at the Arms Park, and a preview of the European Challenge Cup campaign starting with a trip to Newcastle Falcons on Friday night.

Another bumper podcast this week with Cardiff Blues and Wales games coming thick and fast. In the Wales camp there is an encouraging win over Georgia with the Wayne Pivac game plan developing, but he lets himself down with the selection for this weekend's game against England. For Cardiff it's a good performance against Leinster but just not good enough to compete with that team. The game against Glasgow Warriors is a massive one and we are the favourites so let's go and dominate! Also, Gwyn Jones is a wally.

It's all on-field action this week on the Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast as the games come thick and fast for Cardiff Blues and Wales. John Mulvihill's men bounced back to winning ways with a superb performance against Benetton on Monday, with the forwards stepping up, but the word 'consistency' is still a concern. Plus, is it possible to beat Leinster? The national team reached a low point last week in the loss to Ireland, but can a revitalised team selection lay the blueprint for success under Wayne Pivac. It cannot be just a one-off event.

There's a lot of ranting on this week's Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast, from Premier Sports, to Cardiff Blues' errors and on to the Wales team selection. Elsewhere, Byron Hayward has been sacked as Wales' defence coach in a move which doesn't look good for Wayne Pivac no matter which way you look at it, and Cardiff Blues' squad players prove they're not up to the task. Time to bring in the youngsters!

It's all on-field action on the Podcast this week as the Cardiff Blues and Wales pods combine for the week. A tough defeat against Ulster raises questions over elements of our performance for John Mulvihill's men, as well as our ability to compete for the play-offs, but a big win over Edinburgh on Monday will get us right back on track. For Wales the problems are much deeper as an inept attacking performance uncovers some shoddy coaching and a group of players that are either unable or unwilling to adapt. The next three weeks are very important for Wayne Pivac.

It's another Wales episode of the Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast as Wayne Pivac's men got the Autumn off to a very disappointing start in Paris against France last weekend. The mistakes made were the same as those we saw in February and March, particularly in defence, but it's still way too early to call for 'Pivac Out' if you ask me. This weekend sees the Six Nations finally come to a conclusion and although it's a dead rubber for Wales and Scotland, a return to winning ways will be great for the camp and allow Pivac to experiment in the Autumn Nations Cup.

It's another two pod week with the Cardiff Rugby episode kicking us off. Cardiff Blues fell to a first defeat of the season on Monday night at Munster, with a number of key errors, but it's not all bad as the performance deserved more and momentum is maintained. Coming up next is a tough tie against a very in-form Ulster, while there is also news of a new signing, a hint at how Cardiff RFC will look going forward and some thoughts on how best to use our bench.

The second Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast of the week is a Wales special as Wayne Pivac's men prepare for a long Autumn campaign. The head coach has named a 38-man squad with a number of changes already, and it may well be the case that we see some new faces replace the old guard who have been the spine of the team, but Pivac has to manage this properly. This weekend the campaign gets off to a start away to France in Paris, with all eyes on the defence and transition play as Wales continue to adapt to a new way of playing.

The first of two Cardiff Rugby Life Podcasts this week focuses entirely on Cardiff Blues, after John Mulvihill's men achieved the two wins from the first two games that they were after. A 29-7 win over Connacht at Rodney Parade built on everything that was good in the win over Zebre and added some attacking flair, but it's important not to get too ahead of ourselves! Over the next few weeks the international window will shape how the Pro14 season will play out and I've looked at the squad players who Cardiff Blues will rely on, as well as previewing this Monday night's trip to Ulster.

A packed podcast this week with plenty of on and off field action and news to cover! On the field there was an excellent win against Zebre last week to kick off the 2020/21 Guinness Pro14 season, leading into a huge game against Connacht at Rodney Parade on Saturday. Then off the field there is injury news, a Wales squad announcement and a Cardiff Blues Q&A with big news for the Arms Park and the branding of the club.

The Guinness Pro14's 2020/21 season gets up and running this weekend so I've done a quick preview of the upcoming league campaign as well as a look at Cardiff Blues' trip to Zebre on Friday night. There's also plenty of news this week as four new South African teams prepare to make the like a Pro16 in 2021/22, Cardiff Blues' communication to supporters improves and there's new playing jerseys out.

After a huge gap of six days since the 2019/20 podcasts ended, we're back for the 2020/21 season! There's some news to catch up on, including WRU elections, the Arms Park and Cardiff Blues contracts, but it's mostly a look ahead to the upcoming campaign. The squad is confirmed and the fixtures are out, so how strong are we looking? And what should the aims be for John Mulvihill's men?

It's finally the last Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast of the 2019/20 season, just the 12 months after it started, and time to look back on how Cardiff Blues did. An up-and-down campaign saw us finish in a mediocre position in the Guinness Pro14 and struggle in the European Challenge Cup, with only the coronavirus pandemic making it a memorable one. There's also an end of season report for elements of the Cardiff Blues game, and a re-cap of the Cardiff Rugby Life awards.

So the Guinness Pro14's 2019/20 season is finally over and Cardiff Blues go out with a bang thanks to a 29-20 win over the Ospreys, as the last two weeks sum up the campaign as a whole nicely! There's also news as the European Challenge Cup 2020/21 format is sort of confirmed and the Arms Park is uncovered at long last.

After six months away it doesn't feel like much has changed as Cardiff Blues go down to a disappointing defeat at the hands of Scarlets as the Guinness Pro14 returns. It raises questions over what Richie Rees and Richard Hodges have been doing over lockdown, and whether John Mulvihill is the right man to lead us long-term. There's a chance to put it right straight away though as this weekend sees us host the Ospreys at Rodney Parade in the last game of the season.

Rugby is finally back, and the first match preview podcast for six months is here! Cardiff Blues travel to Scarlets on Saturday so get all the team news and pre-match analysis here as the Guinness Pro14's 2019/20 season restarts in a truncated fashion. There's weather reports, breakdown interpretations, mistake avoidance and head-to-heads all covered!

After six long months it's finally a gameweek Podcast, the first of two this week, as Cardiff Blues return to Guinness Pro14 action with a trip to Scarlets on Saturday. Ahead of that I've had a look at where we are in the league with the 2019/20 season coming to a close, why it's an important year for John Mulvihill, what sort of team he might select over the next two weeks, and where the Cardiff Blues squad is ahead of a busy 12 months.

The Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast is back!! After four months off there's plenty to catch up on so with rugby set to return next week this Podcast is a look back at the news that came out over lockdown. There's issues with WRU funding, wage cut problems, the ongoing Arms Park lease saga, petitions to kick Cardiff Blues out of Pentwyn, Cardiff RFC's new-look squad, stalwart squad members leaving, and a cult hero retiring. All the good stuff!

We're still in lockdown and the prospect of watching live rugby seems a while off as the Principality Stadium and Cardiff Arms Park become a field hospital and the Coronavirus seems set to hang around without a vaccine for some time yet. We do have another guest on the Pod this week though as Steve Coombs joins me to discuss Cardiff's success in the 90s, the rebel season and plenty of revenge!

The isolation continues this week, and Cardiff Blues have taken to trolling us with showing the Leicester semi-final from 2009, but at least there's an Ultimate XV to dissect! Also, Gareth Collins joins me from Madrid to discuss his time as a supporter at the Arms Park.

The Coronavirus lockdown continues but Welsh rugby still has some talking points as players, coaches and staff take 25% wage cuts, Nick Tompkins' agent and Saracens are acting shadily and there's plenty of Dragons salt over the departure of Cory Hill. Also, James Davies becomes the latest listener to come on and discuss his time supporting Cardiff Rugby.