For The Love Of Rugby

The Lions are on their way to Brisbane, potentially with a new scrum-half on the way. Ben Youngs and Dan Cole break down life on the road for rugby's greatest travelling circus as they fly four hours across Australia to face the Reds. They answer your questions, review the Top 14 final and South Africa's latest brutal victory.  To get 20% off your first Thriva blood test, click here: thriva.co and use the code LOVEOFRUGBY

The British & Irish Lions' first match on Australian soil ends in victory as Andy Farrell's side dispatch the Western Force in Perth. Ex-Lions Dan Cole & Ben Youngs are in the For The Love Of Rugby studio to bring you on-the-whistle insight and analysis of the win.

In 2013, the British & Irish Lions headed to Australia with the aim of winning their first tour in 16 years. This summer the Lions return Down Under and Tom Youngs, Dan Cole and Ben Youngs have finally shaken their hangovers and are finally ready to tell the inside story of the last great victorious, glorious and notorious victory.

Quite possibly our most requested guest ever joins today's podcast, it's Ben's brother Tom Youngs! A former Leicester Tigers captain, England hooker and Lions Test starter, Tom joins us in the For The Love Of Rugby studio to wind back the years with tales of Youngs youth, explain how he's become a viral farming influencer, and why he's accepted happiness in retirement.

The 2025 British & Irish Lions tour has begun! Andy Farrell's team may have suffered defeat in Dublin at the hands of a superb Argentina, but there are plenty of positives for the squad to take to Australia.

Not-so-fresh from a final end of season social, Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are joined in the For The Love Of Rugby studio by their former Leicester Tigers skipper and current Pumas captain Julian Montoya to preview the first game of the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour against Argentina in Dublin.

It's the morning after the night before. A hungover Dan Cole & Ben Youngs are reunited at Welford Road, their home for two decades, to pore over Leicester Tigers' defeat to Bath Rugby in Saturday's Premiership Final.

Ahead of their final match as professional rugby players on Saturday's Premiership Final between Leicester Tigers and Bath, Ben Youngs and Dan Cole take you behind the scenes of the greatest day in domestic rugby. Join them at the team hotel and getting stuck in lifts, join them on the team bus and turning up late to Twickenham, follow them into the changing rooms and of course we'll hear about THAT Freddie Burns drop-goal.

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are not quite finished yet. In a nail-biting Premiership Playoff, Leicester Tigers clinched victory over Sale Sharks to join Bath Rugby in the final at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium on Saturday. In this episode, you'll be taken inside what Michael Cheika said to his team at half-time, experience the raw final whistle emotions and hear from the one and only Freddie Burns!

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are back in the For The Love Of Rugby studio to take you inside Leicester Tigers camp as they prepare for their Premiership play-off against Sale Sharks on Saturday. Also, with news that a breakaway franchise league called R360 has emerged, we ask the question as to whether anyone actually wants another revolution in rugby.

Who is the Michael Jordan of the Leicester Tigers Last Dance season? Ben Youngs and Dan Cole give the inside story on an emotional day at Welford Road as they got to run on with their kids (and not George Martin), before a standing ovation as they walked off together after 43 minutes. Only to secure another home game next week in the semi-finals.  Plus Anthony Watson joins for the second half as we pick our ultimate Lions squad from the 2013, 2017 and 2021 tours. Most of the players seem to get picked based on who's the best tourist. To get 20% off your first Thriva blood test, click here: thriva.co and use the code LOVEOFRUGBY

In 2009 Sir Ian McGeechan came back to save the Lions, four year after their disastrous tour of New Zealand. He initially left Tom Croft out of his squad, but through a combination of hard work, scrabble, Alan Quinlan getting banned and Crofty being in the form of his life - he started the first two tests! It was the most brutal test series we'd ever seen, and in this special episode Crofty takes us inside the squad that took on the world champion Springboks, restored pride in the Lions jersey and brought Geech to tears.  To get 20% off your first Thriva blood test, click here: thriva.co and use the code LOVEOFRUGBY

After 118 caps for England, two British & Irish Lions tours and over 340 appearances for his boyhood club Leicester Tigers, Dan Cole has decided that the time is right to hang up his boots at the end of the season. In this episode, we celebrate the career of a true rugby legend, hear from famous faces from the sport, and discover what comes next for one of England's greatest ever players.

Bordeaux Bègles are Champions of Europe after defeating Northampton Saints in the 2025 Investec Champions Cup Final. Ben Youngs and Dan Cole have gathered in the virtual For The Love Of Rugby podcast studio to analyse the action. Elsewhere Bath Rugby secured their second trophy of the season as they romped to a win against Lyon in the EPCR Challenge Cup final. Plus, with the news that a Club World Cup is in the works, is this what rugby really needs?

Part-time guitarist and full-time tackle monster Sam Underhill joins the show to preview Bath Rugby's Challenge Cup Final against Lyon on Friday.   Sam takes us inside a Bath dressing room that has gone from rock bottom to front runners in the Premiership across just three years, discusses his England Summer Tour ambitions, and just how he became a tackle machine.

Geoff Parling is the new Leicester head coach, Danny Care is retiring and Northampton are trying to win the Investec Champions Cup. Saints, England and Lions scrum-half Alex Mitchell joins Ben Youngs and Dan Cole to look ahead to Bordeaux in Cardiff this Saturday.  Get tickets for both European finals here: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/principalitystadium/Events?preFilter=45&preFilterName=EPCR%20Finals%202025?utm_source=EPCR&utm_campaign=EPCR&utm_medium=webArticle&utm_content=Cardiff%202025 To get 20% off your first Thriva blood test, click here: thriva.co and use the code LOVEOFRUGBY

Dan Cole is joined by Squidge Rugby to answer your questions! How did Robbie become the world's biggest rugby YouTuber? Do players use stats in their game? And most importantly who would win in a fight between Napoleon or Churchill?

Will Genia and Ben Youngs went head to head for England, Australia and the Lions for a decade. In this special episode they tell each other how they prepared to take each other on, analyse the best scrum-halves in the world right now and reflect on the 2013 Lions series in Australia. To get 20% off your first Thriva blood test, click here: thriva.co and use the code LOVEOFRUGBY

The British & Irish Lions squad to face Australia has been announced and Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are here with the ultimate guide to the team. In this episode we'll bring you analysis of the final squad and you'll hear from the coach Andy Farrell; the captain Maro Itoje; Lions Ellis Genge, Ollie Chessum, and Elliot Daly; and oracle Squidge Rugby.

It's the most anticipated day in the rugby calendar as Andy Farrell names his British & Irish Lions squad to tour Australia this summer and former Lions Ben Youngs & Dan Cole are watching the action unfold LIVE. You'll be able to watch all the action from the official announcement, plus our very own For The Love Of Rugby alternative commentary and analysis! Watch from 13:45 UK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lOqM-ehd2E&ab_channel=ForTheLoveOfRugby Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Northampton Saints deliver one of the great European performances to defeat Investec Champions Cup favourites Leinster in Dublin and reach the final. What now for Leinster? Were they arrogant with their selections? And what does this mean for Sam Prendergast's British & Irish Lions chances? Andy Farrell names his Lions squad on Thursday, but how many Saints will be in it? Could Henry Pollock have done any more? To get 20% off your first Thriva blood test, click here: thriva.co and use the code LOVEOFRUGBY

With the British & Irish Lions squad announcement merely a week away, Ben Youngs and Dan Cole assemble in the For The Love Of Rugby studio to preview a massive game of European rugby. There are Lions match-ups galore as Leinster host Northampton Saints in the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals, whilst Jack Willis stakes his claim one final time as his Toulouse outfit travel to Bordeaux Bègles. Meanwhile, in the Challenge Cup Owen Farrell will step out for Racing 92 against Lyon knowing that a vintage performance could grant him a ticket to Australia, whilst Edinburgh face one of the trickiest tasks in domestic rugby as they host Finn Russell's superb Bath side.

Maud Muir, Sadia Kabeya and Shaunagh Brown are reunited this week to review the final weekend of the Women's Six Nations and unpack their one point thriller against France in Twickenham.  How do things change in the run up to the biggest game of the tournament? What was the messaging to the girls at half time? And the biggest question of them all: where do you go ‘out-out' after you win the Six Nations?  With Sadia out of the match day squad this week, she got to enjoy life on the other side, and she certainly made the most of the fan experience. To get 20% off your first Thriva blood test, click here: thriva.co and use the code LOVEOFRUGBY

Leicester Tigers & Argentina captain Julián Montoya crashes the podcast this week as Ben Youngs and Dan Cole reflect on life on the road, the fallout from Ben's retirement announcement and answer your burning questions.

Ben Youngs, Dan Cole, Anthony Watson and Squidge Rugby pick their 2025 Lions squads (NFL Draft-style) live on stage at the Clapham Grand in London. Be prepared for Lions stories, arm wrestling and England's most capped male singing Wonderwall in our first ever live show. He might be the only 35 year old man in England who doesn't know the words. Get tickets to our live shows: https://rb.gy/edowu9 To get 20% off your first Thriva blood test, click here: thriva.co and use the code LOVEOFRUGBY

Maud Muir and Shaunaugh Brown look ahead to England's grand slam game against France at Allianz Stadium this weekend.  Get tickets to our live shows: https://rb.gy/edowu9 To get 20% off your first Thriva blood test, click here: thriva.co and use the code LOVEOFRUGBY

After 127 caps for England and 332 appearances for his boyhood club Leicester Tigers, Ben Youngs has decided that the time is right to hang up his boots at the end of the season. In this episode we celebrate the career of a true rugby legend, hearing from famous faces from the sport, and discover what comes next for one of England's greatest ever players.

After weeks of hints and speculation, Dan Cole attempts to uncover the truth about Ben Youngs's next move. 

England rugby legend Jonathan Joseph joins Anthony Watson and Ben Youngs on the For The Love Of Rugby podcast to reveal all about life playing in France's Pro D2, reliving England Grand Slam memories and his ambitions of becoming a coach.

Maud Muir is player of the match again, just 24 hours after eating a three-course meal that involved sausage and crêpes. She's joined by Red Roses team-mate Sadia Kabeya and Shaunagh Brown to break down England's latest Six Nations win, which was in some doubt at half time against Ireland in Cork. What was said at half time? Who does the talking? And what makes a good team talk?  Plus, why is Zoe Harrison like NASA, your questions, and three new jingles for Maud's Eye View.  Get tickets to our live shows: https://rb.gy/edowu9 To get 20% off your first Thriva blood test, click here: thriva.co and use the code LOVEOFRUGBY

Anthony Watson and Dan Cole join Ben Youngs to relive the 2017 British & Irish Lions Tour of New Zealand. The drawn series may have been one of the greatest series in the professional era of rugby, but in this episode, we'll share the off-field moments that make a Lions tour truly unforgettable.

Fresh from a tough trip to Glasgow Warriors, Leicester Tigers' very own Dan Cole and Ben Youngs reassemble in the virtual For The Love Of Rugby studio to assess just why Premiership rugby teams are finding wins hard to come by in the Champions Cup. We also look ahead to this weekend's Women's Six Nations action, celebrate the return of Worcester Warriors, and Coley responds to some of your feedback.

Red Roses Head Coach John Mitchell joins Ben Youngs and Dan Cole in the For The Love Of Rugby studio for a fascinating deep dive into his intrepid coaching career. One of rugby's most interesting characters, John shares stories of facing the British & Irish Lions as a player, managing the All Blacks at the 2003 World Cup, coaching Ben and Dan in 2019 for England, and his plans for the Red Roses as they bid to win the 2025 World Cup on home soil. ✍️ Subscribe to Coley's newsletter: https://loveofrugby.substack.com/subscribe

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole return to the For The Love Of Rugby studio to answer your questions. Will Coley ever play for the Barbarians? Who are our dream podcast guests? And a shocking revelation is made about a former England rugby player... ✍️ Subscribe to Coley's newsletter: https://loveofrugby.substack.com/subscribe

Maud Muir, Sadia Kabeya and Shaunaugh Brown are back to review the second round of Six Nations matches.This week, the girls have been on a journey of self-discovery as they faced Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Get tickets to our live shows: https://rb.gy/edowu9 To get 20% off your first Thriva blood test, click here: thriva.co and use the code LOVEOFRUGBY

Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are in studio for a special episode on the evolution of the modern day winger. Which players are under-appreciated? And who makes Ant's list of the top 10 wingers in the world.  Get tickets to our live shows: https://rb.gy/edowu9 To get 20% off your first Thriva blood test, click here: thriva.co and use the code LOVEOFRUGBY

Get tickets to our live shows: https://rb.gy/edowu9 Andy Farrell has named his British and Irish Lions coaching team and so Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are here to react to it. There's also the Red Roses winning again, Coley swearing at Saints and the potentially enormous issue of Ben moving to Paris.  To get 20% off your first Thriva blood test, click here: thriva.co and use the code LOVEOFRUGBY

Maud Muir, Sadia Kabeya and Shaunagh Brown are back from York to review the first week of the Women's Six Nations as England extend their winning run to 30 matches.

No more messing around. Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs & Dan Cole gather in the For The Love Of Rugby studio with the daunting task of naming their British & Irish Lions matchday squad to face Australia. We are ONLY four months away, after all. ✍️ Subscribe to Coley's newsletter: https://loveofrugby.substack.com/subscribe

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole have sent Anthony Watson to Sage HQ to meet Women's World Player of the Year, Ellie Kildunne. The pair chat about home World Cups, the Red Roses' Six Nations campaign and what it's really like working under John "Mad Mitch" Mitchell. ✍️ Subscribe to Coley's newsletter: https://loveofrugby.substack.com/subscribe

For The Love Of Rugby, with women. Join our brand new hosts, Maud Muir, Sadia Kabeya and Shaunagh Brown as they preview the 2025 Women's Six Nations ahead of the championship kicking off this weekend. The England internationals chat life in camp, The Red Roses' new captain as well their ones to watch for the tournament. Plus, Maud reveals she was once the star of Oliver. ✍️ Subscribe to Coley's newsletter: https://loveofrugby.substack.com/subscribe

France claim the title, England thrash Wales, and Ireland are lucky to beat Italy. An eventful Super Saturday brings the curtain down on another year of Men's Six Nations action and Ben Youngs & Dan Cole gather in the For The Love Of Rugby virtual studio to analyse the championship. ✍️ Subscribe to Coley's newsletter: https://loveofrugby.substack.com/subscribe