For The Love Of Rugby

Ireland v Australia. Italy v South Africa. Scotland v Argentina. Wales v Japan. How good. Not done with just talking to George Ford straight after his MOTM performance against the All Blacks, Ben Youngs & Dan Cole are back in the For The Love Of Rugby studio to dissect the rest of the weekend's biggest games!

Less than 24 hours after he kicked England to an iconic victory, fly-half George Ford joins Ben Youngs and Dan Cole to break down the gameplan that defeated New Zealand's All Blacks in the Autumn Nations Series.

Legendary Rugby World Cup-winning Black Fern and Olympic gold medalist Ruby Tui joins Ben Youngs and Dan Cole to try and do the impossible as they rank the top 10 men's players to have donned the famous All Blacks shirt for New Zealand.

George Ford has returned to the #10 jersey as England prepare for a collosal Autumn Nations Series matchup against the All Blacks. Meanwhile, Dan Cole and Ben Youngs have enlisted the help of our favourite YouTuber Robbie from  ⁨@SquidgeRugby⁩  for a deep dive into the state of the Wales national rugby team and Ireland's mixed campaign.

Dan Cole & Ben Youngs have been thrilled by a pulsating weekend of Autumn Nations Series rugby and are here to break down the action. England overcame a physical and well-drilled Fiji, Scotland were *so close* to making history and beating New Zealand for the first time, and South Africa survived 40 minutes of rugby with 14 men to beat France in Paris.

Anthony Watson joins Ben Youngs and Dan Cole to preview a mouthwatering weekend of Autumn Nations Series rugby. It's the battle of the hemispheres as Six Nations champions France host Rugby Championship victors South Africa; England aim to avenge their 2023 home defeat against Fiji; and Ben's got a punchy prediction as Scotland aim to make history and beat New Zealand.

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are hitting the road to take For The Love Of Rugby on tour in 2026! Listeners can access the presale now using code THB: 13th February - Edinburgh (Night before the Calcutta Cup!) 19th February - Shepherd's Bush Empire, London 9th April - Birmingham (Live Draft Night) 19th April - Cheltenham 25th April - Dublin 26th April - Manchester 28th April - Exeter 29th April - Cardiff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Cole and Ben Youngs are joined by YouTube's finest Squidge Rugby and Max Brown to draft their ultimate rugby teams ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.

Squidge Rugby joins Ben Youngs and Dan Cole in the For The Love Of Rugby studio to preview a huge month of international rugby. How have Australia developed since impressing against the British & Irish Lions? Who will take the grudge match in Chicago between Ireland and New Zealand? And what crazy new plays will Rassie Erasmus deploy with South Africa?

It's all change for Steve Borthwick's England ahead of the Autumn Nations Series. Tom Willis has announced his move to Bordeaux, ruling him out of international rugby duty, whilst his Saracens peer Noah Caluori burst onto the scene with FIVE tries against Sale.Meanwhile, Dan Cole and Ben Youngs salute the retiring Emily Scarratt, analyse the Leinster v Munster thriller at Croke Park, and pay tribute to their former teammate Lewis Moody following his MND diagnosis.

Dan Cole and Anthony Watson are at the EPCR launch day to talk to a stellar cast of rugby stars! Oh yeah, and we've got a podcast car... Henry Pollock joins the show to tell us about his whirlwind first year of rugby and how he's going to back it up this season. Trevor Nyakane gives us an insight into what it's really like to be in the middle of a Springbok scrum - featuring his signature shuffle! Joe McCarthy reveals the secrets of the British & Irish Lions tour as he aims to help turn Leinster from perennial finalists to champions of Europe. Ollie Lawrence is back from a brutal achilies injury that kept him out of a massive summer of rugby and is already tearing it up for Bath. Sale Sharks' new signing Jaques Vermeulen joins the show as we catch wind of a rumour that one of his teammates has got a George Ford Tattoo. Plus, former England captain turned Strictly Come Dancing phenomenon Chris Robshaw teaches us a few moves!

Andy Farrell, the Ireland and British & Irish Lions Head Coach, joins Ben Youngs on For The Love Of Rugby for a fascinating deep dive into an approach to leadership that has taken him to the peak of both codes. From being a teenage captain at the forefront of rugby league, to guiding his son Owen through the ranks in union, Andy has reached the pinnacle through a steely determination to continually evolve both his coaching style and the game itself.

Anthony Watson and Ben Youngs are back at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium, to chat with some of the league's biggest stars. Johann van Graan reveals the secrets behind Bath's famous treble, England's next generation Seb Atkinson, Chandler Cunningham-South, and Asher Opoku-Fordjour drop in, and we catch up with Ollie Chessum about his successful British & Irish Lions tour!

What happens after a World Cup? How can it make you feel, and why we need to talk about it.  Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are joined by Heather Lewis from rugby's mental health charity LooseHeadz, who are on a mission to save lives by placing a mental health lead at every rugby club around the world. Find out more and get involved at LooseHeadz.co.uk To find out more about Heather's research you can head to www.heathernaomilewis.com For more support around taking care of your mental health, you can find further details: LooseHeadz.co.uk/support

The Springboks have retained the Rugby Championship for the first time in their history and Rassie Erasmus is building a terrifying squad; New Zealand extended their winning streak over Australia but couldn't get their hands on the cup. Meanwhile, Storm Amy did her best to disrupt a stacked weekend of PREM Rugby, but George Ford had other plans...

It's been a seismic few days of rugby. England have lifted the Women's World Cup, R360 murmurs are getting louder, Steve Diamond has been sacked by Newcastle Red Bulls and Dan Cole has become a spice girl. Scrummy Spice is joined by Ben Youngs, Shaunagh Brown and a very hungover Sarah Bern for a huge episode.

The Red Roses have won The 2025 Rugby World Cup and it is time for another party. Dan Cole, Squidge Rugby, Shaunagh brown and Ruby Tui debrief on the final and break down how England managed to outclass Canada to win their 3rd Rugby World Cup.  For many women in rugby, a second career isn't a choice. it's a necessity so they can keep playing the game they love. Mitsubishi Electric are helping women in rugby unleash their Parallel Potential. Learn more about their amazing stories at: www.parallelpotential.com ​ #ParallelPotential #RWC2025

The Rugby World Cup final is finally here. The England Red Roses will face Canada at a sold-out Allianz Stadium on Saturday and Ben Youngs, Ruby Tui, Shaunagh Brown and Celia Quansah are here to preview it all.  The team break down what England must do to get the better of Canada and Ben gives the girls goose bumps with his galvanising advice to the Red Roses. Our three Rugby World Cup finalists in the room share what life looks in camp in the week before the big game, plus… flashing sticks and final FITS. For many women in rugby, a second career isn't a choice. it's a necessity so they can keep playing the game they love. Mitsubishi Electric are helping women in rugby unleash their Parallel Potential. Learn more about their amazing stories at: www.parallelpotential.com ​ #ParallelPotential #RWC2025

Anthony Watson and Ben Youngs are at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium, the home of England Rugby, for the launch of the 2025/26 PREM Rugby season. As well as league predictions, the pair speak to Max Malins from Saracens, Ted Hill from Bath Rugby, Steve Diamond from Newcastle Red Bulls, Henry Slade from Exeter Chiefs, Alex Mitchell from Northampton Saints, and Harry Randall from Bristol Bears.

Shaunagh Brown, Ruby Tui and Celia Quansah are back with their take on a dramatic Rugby World Cup semi-final weekend in Bristol. New Zealand are out of the Rugby World Cup and England Red Roses will get one last dance in the final next weekend against Canada in front of a sold out crowd at the Allianz. Exactly how did Canada dismantle the defending champions?  What lessons must England learn from France?  And why does Shaunagh have a bone to pick with the Woman of the Match?  Plus…Celia surely needs an award of her own for that Semi-final FIT. 

Ben Youngs, Ruby Tui and Shaunagh Brown are in the studio together to break down all the Rugby World Cup quarter-final action. South Africa shock with a 15 woman lineout, do the Red Roses play their best rugby in the rain? And… for the love of Sophie De Goede's mighty boot. Plus a look ahead to the Semi finals. …which France team will show up this weekend against the Red Roses? And who does Ben think will win that semi final clash between New Zealand and Canada under Friday night lights. Spoiler: it's not the same as Ruby. For many women in rugby, a second career isn't a choice. it's a necessity so they can keep playing the game they love. Mitsubishi Electric are helping women in rugby unleash their Parallel Potential. Learn more about their amazing stories at: www.parallelpotential.com ​ #ParallelPotential #RWC2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Rugby Championship is quickly becoming the tournament of the year as South Africa inflict an historic loss upon New Zealand, whilst Argentina hold on to defeat Australia. Dan Cole & Ben Youngs pick over all the action before being accosted by an angry Julián Montoya…

Could Sadia Kabeya play in any other position? Would Maud Muir rather play with a pillow or a watermelon? And who does Squidge pick for his Lions back row? 

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole's summer holiday is over and they've been treated to a thrilling weekend of rugby. The Rugby World Cup pool stages have come to a close with the Black Ferns impressing, Fiji claiming a memorable scalp over Wales and the Red Roses are tested by the Wallaroos. Meanwhile, a gripping Rugby Championship encounter in Auckland saw New Zealand's All Blacks hold firm against South Africa's Springboks, whilst Australia defeat Argentina at the death.

We're LOVING this World Cup. If you are too, you're probably hungry for more content. Introducing The Official Rugby World Cup 2025 Podcast presented by Asahi Super Dry.   Get ready for some chaotic fun, unfiltered anecdotes and questionable tangents as hosts Betty Glover and Anne Onwusiri chat with an incredible array of guests.   It's on every week throughout the tournament and you'll get unparalleled access.   Just search ‘Official Rugby World Cup podcast' on YouTube, in your favourite podcast app, or hit this link: https://podfollow.com/1836448584 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Could Hannah Botterman drop a goal for World Cup glory? Does Maud Muir prefer lineouts or scrums? And what's Sadia Kabeya's dream day off? For The Love Of Rugby answers your questions in this World Cup Special Q&A.

Ruby Tui and Shaunagh Brown are back with all the big talking points from Round Two of the Rugby World Cup. What's it like watching the England V Samoa game next to Lioness Chloe Kelly? Ruby was there to tell the tale… and if the final was tomorrow, who would Shaunagh and Ruby have in their starting XV? And for the Love of Portia Woodman Witcliffe… don't get Ruby started. Meanwhile, Ben Youngs breaks down England's backline with Red Roses Zoe Harrison and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald. Plus — does this Canadian side have what it takes to lift their first-ever Rugby World Cup? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ruby Tui and Shaunagh Brown are joined by Celia Quansah to break down the action from the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup – and look ahead to what's coming next. While celebrating Ruby's English initiation party, the trio give the inside scoop on England's next opponents Samoa, share what it's really like living with England centre Meg Jones, and of course… show some love to Scotland after their incredible performance last weekend.

Dan Cole has spent his summer writing a World Cup Quiz for your Bank Holiday entertainment. He's joined by Maud Muir, Ben Youngs, Squidge Rugby and Shaunagh Brown for the latest For The Love Of Rugby epic contest. Questions include: Which World Cup host city is the birthplace of the garden gnome? What are the names of John Mitchell's dogs?  And can you name every World Cup winning country, men's and women's, in reverse chronological order?

Ruby Tui and Shaunagh Brown debrief Engand's opening game at the Rugby World Cup against the USA. Ruby has a bone to pick about the opening ceremony, and has finally cracked the thinking behind England's most famous set piece. Meanwhile, the pair have plans of their own about how Team USA should be putting superstar Ilona Maher to better use... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Women's Rugby World Cup is finally here, and so is our bumper preview. Maud and Sadia join Shaunagh in the studio for one last hurrah before they head up to Sunderland for their opening game against the USA, and Squidge Rugby is in the building to break down the pools for us. FTLOR goes international as Shaunagh chats to Black Fern and World Cup Winner Ruby Tui, who also happens to be our newest recruit across our coverage this summer. Plus, Ben and Dan speak to England Captain Zoe Aldcroft about all things leadership, and Maud gives her mate a call — it's Ireland captain Sam Monaghan.

The Rugby Championship begins this weekend! South Africa's Springboks, New Zealand's All Blacks, Australia's Wallabies and Argentina's Pumas will all spend the next eight weeks locked in battle. Ben Youngs and Dan Cole will share everything you need to know about the greatest tournament the Southern Hemisphere has to offer. Plus, our (former!) Leicester Tigers team-mate and current Pumas captain Julián Montoya joins us for an unrivalled insight into his intrepid rugby journey, how a language barrier evolved his leadership and a deep dive into the current state of Argentinian rugby.

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are joined by England rugby star Maud Muir for a much needed moan about pre-season, PropSapp if you will. We learn about the Red Roses' gruelling build up to the home World Cup, brutal broncos, and the time Coley once played second-row in a women's team. Yes, really.

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole answer all your questions they couldn't fit in during the regular season. 

You thought the British & Irish Lions tour was over? Think again - it's never over! In today's episode, Ben Youngs & Dan Cole pick their XV for the first Test against New Zealand in 2029. And this totally won't look stupid in four years time...

Anthony Watson has finally dried out from the Sydney storm to join Ben Youngs and Dan Cole as they reflect on an ultimately successful 2025 British & Irish Lions tour. We decide our best moments of the series, vote for our player of the tour, and most importantly realise that Ant is going to come back from his trip to Australia a changed man...

Australia beat the British & Irish Lions in the final game of the 2025 series in a wild and stormy night in Sydney. Ben Youngs and Dan Cole have joined forces in the For The Love Of Rugby virtual studio to discuss how the hosts defeated the tourists, what this means for the Wallabies, and why the Lions shouldn't be disappointed as they take home a 2-1 Test series victory.

Andy Farrell has named a relatively unchanged squad for the final Test of the British & Irish Lions tour as they look to complete an historic 3-0 series victory. Joe Schmidt is missing key forwards Rob Valetini and Allan Alaalatoa and shuffles his deck with Nic White making his final Wallabies appearance. Dan Cole & Ben Youngs analyse a potential shift in tactical approaches, the significance of this match for Australia, and just how those non-Test Lions will be feeling.

Andy Farrell enters the history books as the second coach in the 21st century to win a British & Irish Lions tour. In this episode, Ben Youngs and Dan Cole break down his masterplan that inspired the Lions to defeat Australia.

“Andy Farrell will want to bury Australia in style” - the words of Anthony Watson, fresh from the MCG, as he joins Ben Youngs and Dan Cole to review the second Lions test against the Wallabies. There is an historic whitewash on the table for the Lions this week, if they want it. And we think they do.

The British & Irish Lions have beaten Australia in one of the greatest Test matches in Lions history. Dan Cole and Ben Youngs have assembled in the For The Love Of Rugby virtual studio to discuss a reinvigorated Wallabies side, Hugo Keenan's magical winner, and the raucous celebrations that will ensue for Andy Farrell's history makers.