Le French Rugby Podcast

We analyse the Top 14 semi-finals in Bordeaux and look ahead to the final in Marseille in the company of All Black legend and now Top 14 commentator Andrew Mehrtens. We also hear how he got the nickname Don King from his time in France as a player, discuss Fabien Galthie's inexperienced squad for France's summer tour and look at the latest transfer gossip... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Stade Francais' England international centre Joe Marchant to discuss the timing of his move from Harlequins, adjusting to life in France, his England past and hopefully future, what Steve Borthwick said to him after the World Cup, being frozen out by Eddie Jones, Paul Gustard's use of certain imagery in meetings, his famous prospective father in law, the Top 14 play-offs and the potential of facing Bordeaux in Bordeaux despite finishing in the top two and much more. Plus, we discuss all the action from the final round of the regular season, look ahead to the Barrages and the access match and chat about Vannes' promotion from PRO D2... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look ahead to Super Saturday and a frantic final round of the Top 14 regular season, analyse the permutations and chat to Castres' Australian back rower Nick Champion de Crespigny about his French roots, Wallaby ambitions, contract situation, gratitude to Pierre-Henry Broncan, dream debut season, lack of Super Rugby recognition and much more. Plus, we round up the latest PRO D2 play-off action and discuss some wild transfer rumours... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Toulouse hero Manny Meafou to hear about an exhausting Champions Cup final win over Leinster, the nearly as tiring celebrations and how he's nailing fatherhood too as he introduces us to son Marcellus! We discuss whether Antoine Dupont's performance is the best ever in a final, if he's the greatest of all time, his new nickname of 'The Martian', Ugo Mola's influence and what makes Toulouse special. Plus, we discuss Manny's delayed international debut and initiation, look ahead to the penultimate round of Top 14 fixtures and assess the state of play in the PRO D2 play-offs... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by 63-cap Wallaby Reece Hodge to discuss his two tries that confirmed Bayonne are staying in the Top 14, the prospect of teaming up with Manu Tuilagi in the centres next season, the disappointment of being ditched by Eddie Jones after just one game, whether the door might still be ajar under Joe Schmidt, the magic of Stade Jean Dauger and much more. Plus, we look ahead to the Champions Cup final and round up a Top 14 weekend that saw Toulouse confirm a semi-final spot, Stade Francais make the play-offs and Montpellier already confirmed as the team to take part in the relegation play-off... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Bordeaux and Tonga prop Big Ben Tameifuna to chat about the club's Top 14 tilt, his journey from New Zealand to France, the World Cup experience, challenges for Pacific Island nations, law changes, the best scrummagers in the world and much more. Plus, we round up all the Top 14 action and discuss whether the play-off picture will become any clearer this weekend... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back to dive deep into the major incidents from the Champions Cup semi-finals, including some more sensational stuff from Toulouse and almost another phenomenal Quins comeback, and look ahead to an epic final between the best two teams in the tournament. Plus, we discuss who gets into a combined Toulouse-Leinster starting XV, Clermont's heartbreak at The Stoop and throw forward to a massive round of action in the Top 14... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Lyon attack coach AB Zondagh to discuss their completely stereotypically French campaign of winning almost every game at home but picking up nothing on the road, his coaching evolution and ambitions, the learnings from his time with Scotland and much more. Plus, we look ahead to the Champions and Challenge Cup semi-finals and Johnnie fills us in on his sit down with Antoine Dupont... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Australia international Tolu Latu to find out how he's ended up at the back-to-back Champions Cup winners La Rochelle, the role big Will Skelton played in the move, what sets the club apart, how Ronan O'Gara is as a coach, how he felt being spoken about publicly by Stade Francais owner Hans-Peter Wild and frozen out by Montpellier, whether he thinks there's any chance of winning more Wallaby caps and how exhausted he is after an epic journey to South Africa and on to Ireland. Plus, we round up all of the Champions Cup Round Of 16 action and look ahead to the quarter-finals this weekend... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We catch up with Clermont's Australian full back Alex Newsome to talk playing under Christophe Urios, nicknames, how to fix the issues in Australian rugby, if he qualifies for Scotland and whether there's a statue of him back home for playing a different sport! We also discuss all the latest action in the Top 14, go over a few transfer rumours and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back from a good weekend in Dublin, and watching France's final outing fuelled by Guinness and pizza, to pick the bones out of maybe the best Six Nations ever. We discuss France's resurgence and evolution and the tournament as a whole. Plus, we're joined by All Black Brad Weber to chat about settling into life in Paris, the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup, how players don't realise how good they have it in the Top 14, where rugby in the Southern Hemisphere goes from here and much more. And, we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by former England international and ex-Bordeaux, Clermont and Castres coach Joe Worsley to discuss England's epic win over Ireland, break down their new blitz defence and discuss how France will fare against them on Super Saturday. We also discuss his involvement with Georgia at the World Cup, whether they should be included in the Six Nations and how he's trying to bring the Top 14 to more viewers in the UK. Plus, we analyse France's win over Wales, discuss all the Round 5 permutations and selection debates and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wales international, British & Irish Lion and now Brive back rower Ross Moriarty joins us to discuss his international exile, the chances of a comeback, adjusting to life in France, Courtney Lawes coming to town next season and who's going to come out on top in Cardiff this weekend. He tells us where the game will be won and lost, gives a damning assessment of the 25-cap rule and fills us in on how he ended up in Brive. Plus, we analyse Fabien Galthie's likely team selection, Antoine Dupont's impact on the sevens scene and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by former Italy centre Michele Campagnaro to discuss the controversial end to France's draw with Italy in Lille, whether the kick should've been retaken, Italian improvements and whether they'll get a win or even two in the last couple of rounds. There's a full debrief on what's going wrong with France, discipline issues, attacking struggles, the dangers of a knee-jerk reaction, how it's far from the end of a golden generation and much more. Plus, we have a few transfer rumours, a round-up of the Top 14 action and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Oyonnax, Scotland and British & Irish Lions prop Rory Sutherland for a raw and honest chat about his time in France and the ups and downs of life as a professional rugby player, as well as to pick the bones out of a controversial end to the Scotland v France clash at Murrayfield and look forward to his return to Glasgow. Plus, we discuss potential law changes, France's failings and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by France legend Mathieu Bastareaud to pick the bones out of the battering Les Bleus suffered at the hands of Ireland in Marseille and discuss whether we're going to see a backlash at Murrayfield this weekend. We talk World Cup hangover, media pressure, Posolo Tuilagi and more. Plus, Basta looks back at his France career, tells us what it was like being part of the Galacticos at Toulon, fills us in on his new role at the club and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look ahead to what many are billing as a title decider already on the opening night of the Six Nations in Marseille and we're joined by Irish-born former France U20 captain Dany Brennan to look ahead to France v Ireland in depth and analyse where it'll be won and lost. Plus, we hear how a night at a beach bar started the success of this generation of French players, discuss whether Dany would consider playing for Ireland in future, get our full Six Nations predictions in and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Perpignan winger Ali Crossdale to hear how he's loving life in the south of France, his views on his former teammate Owen Farrell's switch to the Top 14, whether the RFU will change their selection rules, his time having Eddie Jones looking over his shoulder at the dinner table and much more. Plus, we discuss the climax to the Champions Cup pool stage, the flaw in the system that means the Round of 16 contains a number of pool repeats, we round up a whole host of big transfer rumours and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by the fastest man in the Champions Cup (we're calling it!), Lyon's Thaakir Abrahams, to talk leading the try scoring charts heading into the final round of pool games, swapping South Africa for France, international ambition, whether he's on Rassie's radar, Louis Rees-Zammit's attempt to crack the NFL, living in the culinary capital of France and much more. Plus, we look at who's going to make it through to the Champions Cup knockout stages, discuss Fabien Galthie's squad for the 2024 Six Nations in depth and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Bordeaux attack coach Noel McNamara to discuss his rise up the coaching ranks from a non-rugby background and how he goes about getting the best out of potentially the best backline in world rugby. He talks us through the characters of Damian Penaud, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Matthieu Jalibert, contrasts his experiences in Ireland, South Africa and France and tells us what he's learned along the journey. Plus, we look ahead to a huge couple of weeks in the Champions Cup, cast an eye back over the Top 14 action during the festive period and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Scotland full back and Toulouse's new man Blair Kinghorn to hear how life's going at his new club. He fills us in on a whirlwind few weeks, a dream debut, adjusting to life in France, the secret sauce at Toulouse, World Cup heartache, whether this is Scotland's golden generation and much more. We analyse another tough round for French sides in the Champions Cup, discuss Ronan O'Gara's rage and ponder how many Top 14 teams will make it through to the knockout stages come January. Plus, there's a few juicy rumours for Christmas and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Perpignan and Italy fly half Tommy Allan to discuss his return to where it all started a decade ago, Italy's World Cup campaign, swapping Kieran Crowley for Gonzalo Quesada, moving to full back, the emergence of Posolo Tuilagi and much more. Plus, we discuss a slow start for French clubs in the Champions Cup, an epic draw for Bayonne at Thomond Park, what we can look forward to in Round 2 and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England scrum half Dan Robson joins us to discuss his new life in Pau, whether the regulations for England players plying their trade abroad might change, his own lack of international starts, life under Eddie Jones, initiations, nicknames and much more. Plus, we discuss more woes for Montpellier, some huge transfer rumours and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scotland scrum half Ben White joins us to fill us in on how he's settling into life in Toulon, the whirlwind of a move after the demise of London Irish, the disappointment of Scotland's World Cup campaign, the different role of a number nine in France, feeling reinvigorated in the Top 14 and much more. Plus, we discuss Richard Cockerill's departure from Montpellier and Bernard Laporte's shock appointment, together with Patrice Collazo and co, the changing role of Raphael Ibanez with France and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Canada international Tyler Ardron fresh from his standout performance in Castres' thrashing of Oyonnax, in which he did a bit of maul surfing that went viral too. We hear about his new contract, life in the Tarn, the lengths he's gone to in order to play for his country, his thoughts on Kingsley Jones, what's wrong with Canadian rugby and how he's hoping to end his career at the 2027 World Cup. Plus, we discuss Patrice Collazo's departure from Brive, Melvyn Jaminet's move to Toulon, Henry Arundell's dazzling debut, Antoine Dupont and co's sevens sabbatical and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We catch up with Stade Francais second row JJ van der Mescht to find out about his journey from South Africa to Paris and dreams of playing for France. He talks us through his relationship with Paul Willemse and desire to follow in his footsteps, as well as the new coaching regime at Stade Francais, life under Gonzalo Quesada last season, the impending initiations for Joe Marchant and co and much more besides. Plus, we discuss all the Top 14 action, there are a host of juicy transfer rumours to go through and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by former Springbok international and South Africa U20 captain Arno Botha to bask in the glory of the Boks' back-to-back World Cup wins and discuss the return of the Top 14 and a new dawn for Lyon. He tells us about keeping Siya Kolisi out of the team when they made their international debuts and about the injury he suffered playing against Johnnie, we chat about what Kolisi will bring to the Top 14, find out who at Lyon lost a bet on the World Cup final and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by World Cup winner, former Springbok Player of the Year and current La Rochelle scrum coach Gurthro Steenkamp to discuss every possible area of the scrum, as well as other less important areas, after South Africa's win over England and to look ahead to the World Cup final against the All Blacks. We also talk French regret, what next for Les Bleus and the changes that are happening. Plus, we chat about the return of the Top 14, the new Nations Championship being ratified and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by France second row Paul Willemse to discuss the epic quarter-final clash with South Africa, as well as his devastating injury on the eve of the tournament and return to fitness now should he be called upon. We delve deep into the key individual contests and tactical battle, as well as discussing everything from Dupont's facial protection to Rassie's light show. Plus, we predict the outcome of the other quarter-finals and pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by a man who played a prominent role for Italy at the last couple of World Cups, Michele Campagnaro, to discuss France's massive showdown against the Azzurri to finish off Pool A. We discuss whether Italy's style of play is naive, the psychological impact of the All Blacks defeat, the rivalry between the two teams, the decision to replace Kieran Crowley with Gonzalo Quesada, the future of Italian rugby and Michele's upcoming house move to become Johnnie's new neighbour! Plus, we look ahead to all the games in the final round of the pool stage and pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by the oldest player at this year's World Cup (but not the oldest player ever at the tournament!) to discuss that title, the prospect of facing a full noise France side and what needs to be done to ensure so-called Tier 2 nations can see bigger improvements. We also hear about his incredible journey, life with Johnnie in Bayonne, playing in the French regional leagues last season, what it was like to face the All Blacks again, Le Roux Malan's injury and much more. Plus, we look ahead to the next batch of World Cup games and pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by former France international second row Bernard Le Roux to discuss the game plan that beat the All Blacks, the mindset, what makes Shaun Edwards' defence special, Uruguay, wrap up the first round of matches and opening ceremony, find out what life's like at Racing under Stuart Lancaster and take a look ahead to the second weekend of the World Cup. Plus, we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The wait is over, the hype is almost complete and France's epic clash with the All Blacks is almost upon us as the World Cup on French soil gets set to begin so we're back to guide you through the tournament and all things Les Bleus. We discuss the tactical breakdown of the opening game, France's injuries after a period of such stability, the chance of an implosion, Fabien Galthie's team selection, the Chalureau controversy, strikes, predictions and much more besides. Plus, we discuss the start of the Top 14 season and reveal our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Perpignan hero Jake McIntyre in between beach parties to discuss their win over Grenoble in the access match and the celebrations afterwards, as well as his journey from being Quade Cooper's replacement to France. Plus, we discuss Marcos Kremer's horror red card in the Paris derby, Madosh Tambwe's brilliance, look ahead to the Top 14 semi-finals and we reveal our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back to back Champions Cup winner and European Player of the Year Greg Alldritt is back with us after a week of celebrating to fill us in on the final, the controversies, the ROG effect, the personal accolade and the celebrations. Johnnie has a couple of apologies and a long list of French cities he's visited with some star names over the past week and we discuss the final round of the Top 14 regular season. Plus, we chat about Cheslin Kolbe's departure from Toulon, assess whether a certain England fly half could be on his way to France and we reveal our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tristan Tedder joins us to talk saving Perpignan from bottom spot but the possibility of another relegation play-off with a team from PRO D2, his journey from Durban to Toulouse, winning promotion with Johnnie in Bayonne, a massive move to Racing 92 this summer, what Stuart Lancaster has in store for him and much more. Plus, we preview a massive European finals weekend with La Rochelle and Toulon in action, we discuss Brive's demise, player mutiny at Lyon and we reveal our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by former Wasps and current Stade Francais man Paolo Odogwu to discuss his unexpected Parisian adventure. He fills us in on the emotion of Wasps' demise in October, finding his feet in the French capital, what his next move might be, whether he's likely to feature for England or Italy in the near future, his fashion brand and much more. Plus, we chat about the Top 14 action as the regular season builds to a climax, and we reveal our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We chat to Toulon centre Duncan Paia'aua about going from holding tackle bags for the Wallabies to potentially representing Samoa at the World Cup and from a frustrating start to life in France to signing a bumper new deal & rediscovering his love of the sport. Plus, we discuss how Toulon has changed as a club, we look back at the European semi-finals, as well as at the state of play in the Top 14 with three rounds to go, and we reveal our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back from our mid-season break as Greg gets set for a Champions Cup semi-final showdown with Exeter in Bordeaux. We discuss holidays to New York, Brive and Center Parcs (you can guess who went where!), France's post-Six Nations reflections, the possibility of an All-French final in the top tier of European competition and the issues with Luke Cowan-Dickie's move to Montpellier. Plus, we look at the latest Top 14 transfer rumours and reveal our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Toulouse's USA international prop David Ainu'u to discuss his epic journey from American Samoa to the States to the south of France, the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup, the future of rugby in the US and, of course, the Heineken Champions Cup. He fills us in on how he went from waterboy to pursuing a career in rugby instead of chasing the NFL dream, tells us what needs to happen for rugby to progress in the USA ahead of the World Cup there in 2031 and we chat about how Antoine Dupont can be the superstar to take the sport more global. Plus, we look ahead to all the Champions Cup quarter-finals and there's an insane MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Pau's Australian international full back Jack Maddocks to discuss derby weekend in the Top 14 after they beat Bayonne in San Sebastian, as well as chatting freak injuries, Eddie Jones, the Wallabies, the young uncapped France star who's English qualified and much more. Plus, we have a milestone to mark, we look ahead to the Champions Cup Round of 16 and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by France lock Paul Willemse to look back on the Six Nations campaign. We discuss frontloading the physical preparation, the mistakes in the Irish defeat, the historic hammering at Twickenham off the back of a week off, his view on Maro Itoje, Damian Penaud's new nickname, the player of the tournament, Shaun Edwards' reaction to conceding a try bonus point twice and much more. Plus, we look ahead to a derby weekend in the Top 14, there's more transfer gossip and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former England and Toulouse fly half Toby Flood joins us to carry out the inquest into one of England's darkest days but also analyse France's brilliance and consider the evolution of a host of players he played with at club level a few years ago. We discuss the English lack of physicality, Borthwick's fly half dilemma, Galthie's emotion, Dupont's global superstar status, how certain players have gone from smoking in the changing room to becoming world beaters and much more. Plus, there's some juicy transfer gossip and probably the least surprising MEATER Moment of the Week ever...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England international & Toulon prop Kieran Brookes joins us to look ahead to Le Crunch this weekend, analyse the key battles and talk us through his journey in the Top 14 so far. We discuss everything from Coronation Street to losing weight and brutal conversations with Eddie Jones to the realities of starting a family in France. Plus, we ponder Fabien Galthie's selection issues, there's more transfer gossip and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Bath and England prop Henry Thomas joins us to talk us through his journey from not having a contract in place a few games before the end of the season before last to becoming a Top 14 winner with Montpellier last season. He discusses feeling like an outsider after suffering a hamstring injury in the first day of training, bizarre pre-season antics, epic celebrations and everything in between. Plus, there are stories on Eddie Jones, Andy Powell, Danny Cipriani and others and we chat about Mohamed Haouas after his latest red card for France against Scotland. There's more transfer and coaching rumours as well and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by former Scotland skipper and ex-Clermont scrum half Greig Laidlaw to discuss Scottish chances in Paris, being in title contention, how the Gregor Townsend era will be judged and whether his next job could be in France. We also chat about the possibility of John Cooney playing for Scotland, World Rugby's eligibility rules and life in Japan. Plus, we round up the Top 14 action and pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grand Slam decider anyone? It may be a bit early but the top two teams in the world go head to head this weekend and we're joined by former Ireland hooker, ex-Grenoble coach and friend of the show Bernard Jackman to unashamedly analyse every angle of the duel in Dublin that could decide the Six Nations title. We discuss French power, Irish accuracy, Shaun Edwards' concerns, the breakdown battle, the scrummaging showdown and everything in between. Plus, there's a tasty Top 14 transfer rumour and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Italy legend Mirco Bergamasco joins us to discuss his new life coaching in France, the good old days of the golden generation of Italian rugby and what we can expect from an invigorated Italy in this year's Six Nations. We talk Lamaro's leadership, Capuozzo's colossal potential and whether Sergio Parisse will get a swansong at the 2023 World Cup, as well as looking at this weekend's game between Italy and France in Rome. Plus, we run the rule over France's chances of defending their title or even winning back-to-back Grand Slams, discuss Fabien Galthie's selection issues and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a false start and a fine, Johnnie and Jerome are joined by Toulouse's Australian second row Richie Arnold to discuss brotherly love, being overlooked by the Wallabies, the Giteau law, Eddie Jones' appointment, the lowering of the tackle height in England and the trial that's taken place in France and much more. Plus, we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

La Rochelle skipper Greg Alldritt is back with us to discuss all things Champions Cup, as well as France's preparations for the Six Nations after Fabien Galthie named his France squad for the tournament. Plus, he's brought a new mate along with him and we catch up with Ireland international Ultan Dillane to find out how he's settling in, how big a decision it was to give up the chance to play at the World Cup, what the fines system at La Rochelle is like and what he's making of his new team-mates. We also discuss Christophe Urios replacing Jono Gibbes in Clermont, look ahead to a crazy Champions Cup Round 4 and pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lyon's leader Jordan Taufua joins us to talk life in the culinary capital of France, their Challenge Cup title, the Top 14 marathon, coaching relationships from Scott Robertson to Pierre Mignoni to Xavier Garbajosa, international ambitions and much more. We discuss his journey from the brink of an All Black cap for years and over 100 appearances and three Super Rugby titles for the Crusaders to a short-lived spell at Leicester and now the captaincy at Lyon and a World Cup to look forward to with Samoa. Plus, we look ahead to the return of the Champions Cup and pick our MEATER Moment of the Week...Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.