For The Love Of Rugby

Ben Youngs is joined by Anthony Watson to debrief a feisty test match between Argentina and England in Round 3 of the Nations Championship. It's safe to say there is no love lost between these two teams in a game that featured 7 yellow cards and a potential equalising try ruled out for the hosts in the final seconds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forget Maradona. Forget Messi. It's all about Montoya today. England face Argentina TWICE this week, but the Nations Championship is the real quiz, right? Ben Youngs and Dan Cole take a deep dive into one of rugby's proudest nations as they prepare to host England in Santiago del Estero on Saturday night. They've played with and against some of the most formidable characters in Argentine rugby history and now analyse the latest challenge for Steve Borthwick's men as they look to follow up their victory over Fiji with another win. Plus, we'll also preview the rest of the weekend's matches, headlined by a crunch clash between New Zealand and Ireland. Bring it on.

The second action-packed round of the Nations Championship has concluded and Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are here to analyse the games.

England return to winning ways after a convincing 73-8 rout of Fiji in Liverpool's Hill Dickinson Stadium in round two of the Nations Championship, with Henry Pollock grabbing a hat-trick. Dan Cole and Ben Youngs are podcasting from the stadium in their famous pink JAECOO 7. You'll also hear from new scrum-half convert Marcus Smith and debutant Noah Caluori.

Steve Borthwick has rung the changes as England Rugby face Fiji in round two of the Nations Championship at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool. Henry Slade starts at 13, shifting Tommy Freeman to his preferred position on the wing. Guy Pepper also reclaims a starting berth in the back row. There are also potential debuts for Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Noah Caluori. Plus, with his defence of Steve Borthwick causing quite a stir with you, the listener, Ben Youngs puts your comments to Dan Cole.

England are searching for answers after another disappointing defeat. Ben Youngs and Dan Cole ask the big question: is Steve Borthwick under real pressure, and what needs to change? The lads also preview England's must-win clash with Fiji, break down the key battles to watch, and look ahead to a huge test for Scotland as they take on the world champion Springboks. Plus, every game in Round 2 of the Nations Championship.

The Nations Championship is finally here... and it didn't disappoint. Ben and Dan look back on a blockbuster opening weekend, from South Africa laying down a marker against England, to Ireland edging Australia, New Zealand and France serving up another classic, and Scotland running riot in Argentina. They pick out the players who caught the eye, the moments everyone will be talking about, and what it all means as the tournament starts to take shape. Ben Youngs and Dan Cole Rugby Masterclass: https://www.greshams.com/sitemap/ben-youngs-and-dan-cole-masterclass/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Springboks showed why they're the reigning world champions as they demolished England at Ellis Park in the opening round of the Nations Championship. Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are on hand to analyse all the action of a match that reasserted the Springboks' dominance, but where does this leave England? ✍️ Subscribe to Coley's newsletter: https://loveofrugby.substack.com/subscribe

Dan Cole and Robbie from Squidge Rugby react to the latest Springboks team announcement and dissect how England can counter their threats. Then it's time to preview Round 1 of the Nations Championship. With over 14 hours of rugby on Saturday, there's a lot to discuss, from predictions and key match-ups to speculation over Eddie Jones' whereabouts.  Big calls. Big opinions. Plenty of rugby chat. Let's get into it.

Rugby legends Ben Youngs, Dan Cole, Trevor Nyakane and Steven Kitshoff take on the unenviable task of picking their combined Springbok-England squad.

This week a brand new international men's rugby tournament begins as the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere battle it out to see who takes the crown. Ben Youngs and Dan Cole have analysed every single game in the competition. So you don't have to.

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole dial up Trevor Nyakane and Steven Kitshoff to get the lowdown on how the Springboks are gearing up to host England in the Nations Championship next week. The hosts of our sister podcast, For The Love Of Rugby South Africa, share an unrivalled insight into how Rassie Erasmus operates, deep dives into their key players, and why Henry Pollock is living rent-free in Johannesburg.

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are joined by a victorious Henry Pollock, Fin Smith and George Furbank to review a PREM Final that saw Northampton Saints win their second title in three years after overcoming a gritty Exeter Chiefs side. The pair also react to the England XV loss to a France XV on Friday night, Leinster's second consecutive URC crown and the Hurricanes blow the Chiefs out of the water in Super Rugby. Plus, Ealing Trailfinders back row Sally Williams joins the pod to preview their PWR final against Saracens next week and how she juggles rugby with her job at Mitsubishi Electric. ✍️ Subscribe to Coley's newsletter: https://loveofrugby.substack.com/subscribe

England and Lions star Henry Pollock joins Ben Youngs and Dan Cole on For The Love Of Rugby to preview Saturday's huge PREM Final between Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs. And, more importantly, if he's DM'd Olivia Dean after a certain viral video did the rounds after their playoff victory against Leicester Tigers. We also hear from Head Coach Sam Vesty and previous Saints title-winner Curtis Langdon as to how the league leaders are building to the season finale. Plus, Steve Borthwick has named an England XV squad that includes Max Ojomoh and omits Ben Spencer and Ollie Lawrence; and can Handre Pollard's Bulls side defeat Leinster in Friday's URC Final at Croke Park?

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole break down Exeter Chiefs' comeback win over Bath Rugby, Northampton Saints' victory over Leicester Tigers, the key moments that decided both games, and which team has the momentum ahead of the PREM Final. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Youngs and Anthony Watson have squeezed into their old England tuxedos and donned a pink bow tie as they host a star-studded podcast at the Rugby Awards, celebrating the best players from England, PREM Rugby and the PWR. In this episode, you'll hear from the PREM Player of the Season Tom Willis, England legends Meg Jones and Ben Earl, breakthrough talents Noah Caluori and Archie McParland, Directors of Rugby Geoff Parling and Pat Lam, and rugby's greatest wordsmith Max Lahiff. ✍️ Subscribe to Coley's newsletter: https://loveofrugby.substack.com/subscribe

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole break down all the weekend's rugby action as the PREM reached its conclusion, the URC semi-finals provided a huge shock and Andy Farrell committed his future to Ireland until 2031. ✍️ Subscribe to Coley's newsletter: https://loveofrugby.substack.com/subscribe

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole reassemble in the For The Love Of Rugby virtual studio to pick over a big week of rugby news. Shaun Edwards has left his post as defence coach at France, could England be his next employer? In more coaching news, Leinster's South African assistant Jacques Nienaber made an explosive attack on the media which raises the question - are the club in crisis? Plus, the PREM enters its final round and Worcester Warriors win the Champ! ✍️ Subscribe to Coley's newsletter: https://loveofrugby.substack.com/subscribe

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole pop in to give their old teammate and former England Rugby captain Jamie George a visit. From shared memories wearing the rose, to how England can build on a disappointing Six Nations campaign, Jamie's typical honesty and humour demonstrate why he's had such a long and successful career for club and country.

Former England captain Chris Robshaw joins Ben Youngs and Dan Cole at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao to pick through rugby hot topics and to answer your questions.

Union Bordeaux Bègles are back-to-back winners in the Investec Champions Cup as they dispatched Leinster in a convincing display in Bilbao. Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are pitchside to analyse the action and chat to winners Ben Tameifuna, Cameron Woki, Salesi Rayasi and Adam Coleman.

Can Ben Youngs and Dan Cole reach the Investec Champions Cup in Bilbao? And will they be distracted by a whole continent's worth of oysters and wine? Our unlikely heroes are also joined by former England teammates Jack Nowell and Chris Robshaw as they continue their intrepid journey to the ultimate game in club rugby.  

England international Jonathan Joseph joins Shaunagh Brown to look back on the final round of the Women's Six Nations. They're joined by Grand Slam winner Delaney Burns, fresh off the plane and the celebrations in Bordeaux, to break down England's title winning victory over France. Ruby Tui misses her flight (and the recording) but rolls into the studio just in time for one final goodbye. Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. has announced two new UK partnerships in women's rugby, driven by a shared belief that investing in the women's game creates impact well beyond the pitch. To find out more go to: www.parallelpotential.com

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole embark on the ultimate rugby roadtrip. It's a journey that will take them through four rugby-playing nations, stopping off to see some old mates, before arriving at Bilbao's San Mames stadium for the Investec Champions Cup Final.

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are joined by Chris Robshaw and Squidge Rugby at the iconic Birmingham Town Hall for the 2026 For The Love Of Rugby Draft. In this episode, our four competitors will battle it out to pick the greatest England Men's XV of the 21st century. Oh, and don't get snaked by the snake.

World Rugby's controversial decision to trial smaller rugby balls in the women's game is up for debate as Ruby Tui and Shaunagh Brown chime in on one of rugby's biggest talking points. Plus, Ruby finally reveals the answer to the question fans have been asking — where will Ruby Tui play next? The pair also break down the biggest moments from the penultimate round of the Guinness Women's Six Nations, including the standout battles and players making headlines ahead of Super Sunday. And with the championship on the line in Bordeaux, what do the Red Roses need to change in their game if they want to beat France and win another Women's Six Nations title? Ruby and Shaunagh discuss what could decide the trophy. Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. has announced two new UK partnerships in women's rugby, driven by a shared belief that investing in the women's game creates impact well beyond the pitch. Through a formal partnership with the Rugby Players Association's Thrive programme and Mitsubishi Electric's Parallel Potential platform, the combined goal is to provide athletes with meaningful career support during, and beyond their playing careers. In addition, Mitsubishi Electric has become an official partner of Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR), strengthening its commitment to the domestic league and the continued growth of the women's game. To find out more go to: www.parallelpotential.com

In quite possibly the loosest episode of For The Love Of Rugby, Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are in Galway for a pint with one of Ireland rugby's favourite sons: the man, the myth, the Mack Hansen. From sunny Canberra to the wild west of Ireland, Mack opens up about his journey through rugby, life in Galway, and what it meant to tour his homeland of Australia with the British & Irish Lions. Dodgy trims, naked wrestling and tattoos of legendary coaches: this is how you become an off-pitch icon.

Ireland's player of the 2026 Men's Six Nations Stuart McCloskey hosts Ben Youngs and Dan Cole in his favourite Belfast pub for a deep dive into the Ireland rugby team. We get the lowdown on the world-class players in Andy Farrell's squad, the influence of Johnny Sexton & Paul O'Connell and the brewing rivalry with South Africa's Springboks.

Ruby Tui and Shaunagh Brown return to the For the Love of Rugby studio to answer your questions. Who's the toughest opponent they've ever played against on a rugby pitch? How early do they arrive at the airport? Who do they think will win the PWR this season? And where does a former Red Rose and Black Fern do their big shop these days? It's all revealed in the this episode.

The Investec Champions Cup Final is set with Bordeaux overcoming Bath and Leinster defeating Toulon. Dan Cole and Ben Youngs are in the For The Love Of Rugby studio to break down a mega weekend of European rugby.

Dan Cole and Ben Youngs continue their world rugby tour to the South West of England to visit Henry Slade, aka the King of Exeter. From channelling his disappointment of not playing a game in the 2026 Men's Six Nations, to spearheading a Chiefs charge for the EPCR Challenge Cup, Sladey shares a fantastic insight into how the best teams in Europe are playing today.

Ruby Tui and Shaunagh Brown are back together in the studio to review all of the games from round 4 of the Guinness Women's Six Nations. The round saw Wales get their first ever try bonus point against England, and a big win for Italy, which boosts them up to third in the table. In other news, Ruby steals a baby on live TV and lifts Sarah Burn's mum up in the pub - all in a days work for the World Cup Winner. Plus - a mention for New Zelaand's PAC 4 win at the weekend, Millie David's try on her debut at Ashton gate, and that kicking masterclass from Zoe Harrison.

Jack Willis is truly one of the world's modern greats and Ben Youngs and Dan Cole couldn't leave France without popping to see their old mate in Toulouse. From finding out his club Wasps was going bust to playing beautiful rugby in the world's most star-studded side, it's a fascinating story told by the reigning Top 14 Player of the Year.

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole have still not left France and no trip would be complete without undertaking a pilgrimage to the rugby mecca of Toulouse.

Shaunagh Brown is joined by Scottish International Emma Wassell, following their game against England at Scottish Gas Murrayfield this weekend. Emma and Shaunagh chat through her game against the Red Roses on Saturday as well as the other fixtures in Round 2 of the Guinness Women's Six Nations. They also talk about Emma's new documentary, Louch, which follows Emma's battle with a 27cm tumour in her chest that stopped her from playing rugby, just months after losing her mum.

Just days after confirming his move to Sale Sharks, we headed out to Brive to catch up with England legend Courtney Lawes. Joined by Ben Youngs and Dan Cole, the lads get into everything: the drive to pull on the England shirt again, what life in France has really been like, and the full story behind his return to the Prem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The day after an epic Investec Champions Cup quarter-final victory for Bordeaux against Toulouse, Big Ben Tameifuna joins Ben Youngs and Dan Cole in his favourite pub to discuss his love of ball carrying, playing in France and his switch from the All Blacks to his beloved Tonga.

Ruby Tui and Shaunagh Brown link up to review the opening round of the Guinness Women's Six Nations, which saw more records broken at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. They chat through England's new look, as well as that last-minute thriller between Scotland and Wales at the Principality Stadium. And... what went down at the biggest after party in town? We can confirm that DJ Ruby was back in business. Plus… Shaunagh catches up with Red Roses lock Lilli Ives Campion from right inside the England camp, and Ruby explains where she disappeared to while live on the BBC…

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole have been to Bordeaux to watch the European champions beat Toulouse and advance to the semi-finals of the Investec Champions Cup. They're currently in a bar, celebrating with new FTLOR super-fan Ben Tameifuna. They also speak to Toulouse and France man-mountain Emmanuel Meafou

The Investec Champions Cup just delivered an all-time European classic. Before heading to Bordeaux for more incredible rugby, Ben Youngs and Dan Cole sat down to process Bath's 43-41 victory over Northampton Saints. 

The Investec Champions Cup quarter-final weekend is around the corner so Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are packing their bags for Bordeaux as they prepare to watch a mouthwatering weekend of rugby.

Scotland trio Evie Gallagher, Evie Wills and Francesca McGhie tell Shaunagh Brown and Ruby Tui what really happens inside Scotland's Guinness Women's Six Nations camp. From playing in front of 25,000 at Scottish Gas Murrayfield. Who rooms with who and why? And the best spots for a post-match night out. This is the definitive tell-all on camp life. For The Love Of Scottish Rugby is presented by Vodafone, proud partner of Scottish Rugby.