The Rugby Conversation

#100: On the last episode of the podcast Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas ask why is Wayne Pivac the right man to succeed Warren Gatland as Wales head coach? Who will be in his back-room staff? Who will replace him at the Scarlets? How are the four Welsh regions shaping up ahead of next season? ***Thanks to everyone who's ever contributed, listened and downloaded the podcast over last two and a half, it's been a blast! Follow @Steffan_Thomas1 and @IlltudDafydd to keep in touch!***

#99: For the penultimate episode of the podcast Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas ask how impressive were Wales in beating Argentina? Should All Blacks Ofa Tuungafasi and Sam Cane have been banned for their tackle on Remy Grosso and will Warren Gatland's side finish their summer tour with victory in San Juan? They also preview the rest of this weekend's Test matches Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com

#98: Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas ask what did we learn from Wales' win in Washington? Should the Baby Blacks have seen two red cards in their victory over Wales' U20s and what's Warren Gatland expecting from the first Test against Argentina? Illtud also speaks to americasrugbynews.com's Paul Tait to look ahead of the match in San Juan on Saturday. Illtud and Steff also preview the other international fixtures this weekend. Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com

#97: Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas reflect on Leinster winning the double, they look ahead to the World Rugby U20s Championship as well as some new tackle law variations. They're joined by Paul Eddison to preview Saturday's Top14 Final between Montpellier and Castres before looking ahead to South Africa against Wales in Washington DC. Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com

#96: Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas ask who's answerable for players' injuries on plastic pitches? Who replaces Paul Gustard as England's defence coach as he joins Harlequins and how frustrated will Luke Charteris, Josh Adams and Tomas Francis be after being released from the Wales' summer squad? They preview the Guinness Pro14 Final with TodayFM's Neil Treacy, look ahead to the Aviva Premiership Final before assessing Crusaders v Hurricanes and the Barbarians' trip to Twickenham Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com

#95: Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas reflect on Cardiff Blues winning the Challenge Cup and Leinster claiming the Champions Cup. They ask how much of a mess has lead to Russia taking Romania's Rugby World Cup spot, what's stopping a Suva-based franchise playing in Super Rugby and they speak to Glasgow Warriors supporter Iain Hay about Scarlets' Pro14 semi-final at Scotstoun Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com

#93: Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas review Judgement Day VI before Richard Mulligan from The Newsletter gives the latest on Ulster's on and off-the-field situation before they assess Premier Sports' announced coverage of the Pro14. They also speak to Morgan Piek from South African radio station OFM about the franchises from the country's first year in the competition. Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com

#92: Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas are joined by the Times' Elgan Alderman to review the Champions and Challenge Cup semi-finals, assess George North returning to Wales with the Ospreys, reflect on Bryan Habana's career before previewing Judgement Day VI Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#91: Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas ask why have Bristol re-branded as the Bears? What impact will Israel Folau's homophobic statements have on his relationship with his team-mates and where does Vincent Clerc rank among modern day wingers as the Frenchman announces his retirement? They also preview the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals in Dublin, Bordeaux, Gloucester and Cardiff Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#90: Illtud Dafydd is joined by journalist Mike Pearce as Steffan Thomas misses out with a throat illness. They reflect on the European quarter-finals review and ask are the fixtures as good as Six Nations Test matches? Who will make it to the finals in Bilbao? Why is there no Aviva Premiership team in the last four? They also asses Juan Martin Hernandez's career after 'El Mago' announced his retirement Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#89: On this week's podcast (a bit early as we're excited!) Illtud Dafydd & Steff Thomas ask how good was former Wales prop Adam Jones? Are Justin Tipuric and Hallam Amos setting a precedent as 15-a-side internationals playing sevens? How big is it for Welsh rugby to have the Scarlets in the last eight of the Champions Cup and who will make it to the semi-finals of the competition and the Challenge Cup? Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#88: Former Rugby World editor Owain Jones joins Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas to pick their favourite moments from the 2018 Six Nations Championship before asking who is the new Cardiff Blues head coach John Mulvihill and how big of a statement have the Scarlets made in signing Springbok Uzair Cassiem? Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#87: Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas are joined by SportBeat's Paul Eddison to ask how good will it be to have Champions Cup on free to air TV in the UK and Ireland? Why did Eddie Jones make *those* comments about Ireland and Wales before previewing round five of the Six Nations. Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#86: Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas are joined by the Daily Telegraph's Ben Coles to assess live Guinness Pro14 games leaving terrestrial television, they preview Blade Thomson's move to the Scarlets and look ahead to Round Four of the Six Nations with Scotland travelling to Dublin, Le Crunch in Paris and a much changed Wales welcoming Italy. Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#85: Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas are joined by the Irish Independent's rugby correspondent Rúaidhrí O'Connor to preview Ireland v Wales Preview. They talk rugby in the Irish schools systems, Warren Gatland reverting to the old heads and who are Joe Schmidt's options to replace the injured Robbie Henshaw and Tadhg Furlong? Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#84: Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas are joined by Rugby World's Paul Williams to review round two of the Six Nations before assessing the possibility of South African Gert Smal taking over as Cardiff Blues head coach as well as previewing the new Super Rugby season! Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#83: A short sharp Six Nations Round Two Preview for this week's podcast sees Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas joined by Westgate Sport Agency's Alex Bywater. Can Wales' inexperienced side win in Twickenham? Will Eddie Jones' mind games get to Rhys Patchell and who will give his side the biggest kick up the back side, Joe Schmidt or Gregor Townsend? Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#82: Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas are joined by David Arnott (@thepenGW) to preview the opening round of the Six Nations. Can Scotland win in Cardiff for the first time since 2002? They also assess with Chris Boyd's appointment as Northampton director of rugby is Wayne Pivac or Dave Rennie the favourite to replace Warren Gatland? Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#81: Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas are joined by Ged from the Attacking Scrum podcast to reflect on the Scarlets and the Cardiff Blues reaching the last eight of the European Champions and Challenge Cups, they pick out who could succeed Steve Tandy as Ospreys head coach before previewing this year's Six Nations Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#80: Illtud Dafydd & SteffanThomas are joined by Sports Beat's Paul Eddison. They ask is Bernard Jackman's public criticism of his Dragons players justified? How long is Clermont's injury list? Who'll make it through to the Champions Cup quarter-finals? Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#79: Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas review the New Year's Eve Welsh derbies, assess Wales growing 370+ caps injury list and predict a Six Nations squad berth for Worcester winger Josh Adams Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#78: In the final podcast of 2017 Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas discuss the Festive Welsh derbies, Dai Young ruling himself out of the Wales head coach role and Jacques Brunel replacing Guy Novès as France boss Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#77: Illtud Dafydd & Steff Thomas reflect on Round 3 of the Champions and Challenge Cups and ask are La Rochelle title contenders? How big of a blow is Sam Warburton's injury? Why are the Cardiff Blues in talks with Geordan Murphy to take over as head coach and they preview Round 4 of European rugby. Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#76: Illtud Dafydd & Steff Thomas review Wales' Autumn Internationals Series, they ask why are All Blacks with Pacific Islands heritage looking to to play for Samoa, Tonga and Fiji before previewing Round Three of the Champions and Challenge Cup Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#75: Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas ask have the Scarlets or the Ospreys got the best deal out of the Scott Williams/ Kieron Fonotia signatures? Is the Principality Stadium too nice of a place to go as a player? How can Wales beat South Africa? Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#74: Illtud Dafydd & Steff Thomas are joined by Kiwi rugby journalist Jamie Wall. Are players/ coaches showing less respect to refs? Is Chris Boyd the next Wales head coach? How can Wales beat the All Blacks? Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#73: Steff and Illtud reflect on Wales' 13th straight loss to Australia, predict their favourites for World Rugby's Player of the Year Award and preview Georgia's visit to Cardiff as part of #GamesOfTheWeek. Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#72: Steff Thomas & Illtud Dafydd talk Six Nations sponsorship, #GamesOfTheWeek & preview Wales v Australia. Illtud chats to Courier Mails's Jim Tucker at Cardiff's Coffee Corner to look ahead to the fixture. (Sincere apologies for the sound quality) Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#71: Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas are joined by Mike Pearce to preview the November/December Tests. What shape are the top ten nations in? Who's looking good halfway through a Rugby World Cup cycle? How will Wales approach the next four games? There's also some #GamesOfThWeek to discuss! Remember to download food ordering app Too Good To Go and listen to more of Breichiau Hir's stuff on bandcamp.com/breichiauhir Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#70: Steff and Illtud reflect on Round 2 of the Champions and Challenge Cups. They discuss the Wales squad for the November Tests. Who are the shock inclusions? Who will be annoyed not be named? Who will play 10 & 12 for Warren Gatland? There's also a trio of #GamesOfTheWeek to preview Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#69: Illtud Dafydd & Steff Thomas ask what impact will the changes to Gatland's Law have? Who is on the WRU's three-man shortlist to succeed Warren Gatland? Who's looking good after Round One of European rugby? And of course #GamesOfTheWeek Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#68: Steff & Illtud reflect on the first Welsh derbies of the season before previewing the Champions & Challenge Cup. Who'll get out of the pools of death? Who are the players to watch out for? Who'll lift the trophies in Bilbao next May? Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#67: Steff Thomas and Illtud Dafydd discuss Danny Wilson leaving the Cardiff Blues, last weekend's Pro14 action and they preview this Saturday's West Wales derby. Illtud talks to former Ospreys and Scarlets scrum-half Martin Roberts. The three-time Wales international now plays in France's Federale 1 with Rouen. Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#66: Steffan Thomas & Illtud Dafydd reflect on last weekend's action, discuss their best rugby pairings, talk Sean O'Brien's Lions thoughts and Illtud speaks to rugby365.com's Jan de Koning about the South African bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

#65: Steffan Thomas and Illtud Dafydd talk the Cardiff Blues' problems, the Dragons first win in more than 10 games and the possibilities within Wales' back-three. Remember to send in your thoughts and predictions for #GamesOfTheWeek Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo* Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation** Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/*

#64: Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas ask what impact will Dan Biggar leaving the Ospreys have? Will Rhys Priestland & Patchell continue their early season form? Is Rhys Webb leaving the Liberty Stadium? And why don't more touring teams play domestic sides? *Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo* **Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation** *Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/*

Number 63: Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas preview the Guinness Pro14 and Aviva Premiership. Too Good To Go's and London Irish season ticket holder Jamie Crummie looks ahead to the newly-promoted side's year in England's top tier and Matt from The Thistle Scottish Rugby Podcast is on to discuss Edinburgh and Glasgow's new eras under new coaches. ****** Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

Illtud Dafydd speaks to Oyonnax's backs and attack coach Mike Prendergast. They discuss his time playing and then coaching in France with Bourgoin and Grenoble, the benefits of leaving your rugby 'comfort zone' as he's done before previewing Oyonnax's return to the Top 14. ***NOTICES*** Twitter: twitter.com/therugbyconvo Facebook: Facebook.com/TheRugbyConversation Website: https://therugbyconversation.wordpress.com/

Steff & Illtud discuss the imbalance in Welsh dual contracts before talking to rugby365.com's editor Jan de Koning in South Africa to preview this year's Rugby Championship and get an assessment of the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings' preparation ahead of the coming Pro14 season. **Like, Follow & Review on iTunes**

Illtud Dafydd's joined by rugby journalist Mike Pearce to ask where does Leigh Halfpenny fit in the Scarlets' backline, how good is it to finally have the Pro14 fixtures before previewing the teams and players at this year's Women's rugby World Cup. **Leave your reviews and ratings on iTunes**

Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas talk about the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings finally joining the Pro14, Leigh Halfpenny signing for the Scarlets as well as previewing the Super Rugby Final between the Lions and the Crusaders. **Send in your reviews on iTunes**

Steff and Illtud talk to Kiwi rugby journalist Jamie Wall and to ask was a drawn Lions series against the All Blacks a fair result? What are their highlights of the Tour and with the expansion of the Pro12 in mind what is Jamie's experience in New Zealand of the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings? We're taking a two week break by the way, we'll be back in August, don't miss us too much! **Leave your iTunes reviews and ratings**

How did the Lions beat New Zealand to tie the series? What impact will BT Sport becoming the only broadcaster of the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup have on the competitions? Can the Lions be the first team to beat the All Blacks at Eden Park in more than twenty years to win the series? Sam Waburton's dark arts at the breakdown. **Check facebook.com/TheRugbyConverstion**

This week Steff and Illtud are joined by South African rugby journalist Benedict Chanakira. What did they make of the first Test between New Zealand and the Lions? Will the All Blacks claim the series in Wellington on Saturday? And what's the latest with the expansion of the Pro 12 with sides from South Africa and the USA interested in joining the league? ***Leave your reviews on iTunes, Follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook**

Steff and Illtud are joined by New Zealand rugby journalist Jamie Wall to ask have the Lions finally settled into their gameplan? Which members of Warren Gatland's squad are the All Blacks most worried about and What are our predictions for the first Test match of the series? **iTunes reviews, Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook**

What were the positives from the Lions' loss to the Highlanders? How will Wales' debutants fare against Tonga and Illtud speaks to former Samoa centre Seilala Mapasua to talk the Lions tour, London Irish and his involvement with the Pacific Island Players' Association. **Leave your reviews on iTunes**

Why are the Lions so lacklustre with ball in hand? How good are the three Barret brothers and how difficult of a task will it be against the Crusaders for Warren Gatland's side on Saturday? **Champions/Challenge Cup reaction on Facebook** **Leave us your reviews on iTunes**

Steff sends in his reflections on the Scarlets' first trophy since 2004 with the Guinness Pro12 victory as well as the Exeter Chiefs' fairytale Aviva Premiership win. Illtud catches up with Radio Sport NZ's Elliott Smith to preview the Provincial Barbarians match and gets an insight into the mood down in the land of the long white cloud as the Lions arrive in New Zealand **Leave your reviews on iTunes and LIKE our facebook page**

Where does that Scarlets victory rank? How disappointed will Warren Gatland be not to have Billy Vunipola on tour? We also have two special guests as Illtud speak to Today FM's Neil Treacy who's based in Dublin about the final two weeks of the Pro12 as well as talking to rugby blogger Andy Flower about the culmination of the Aviva Premiership season.

On this week's podcast Steff and Illtud ask are Saracens now one of the best club sides ever? How worried should the All Blacks be with their injury list and why has no away side won a Pro12 play-off? ***Follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook and leave your review on iTunes***

Who'll be happiest with the 2019 World Cup draw? What effect will the residency rule changes have on the sport and how's James Davies not in Robin McBryde's Wales' squad? Illtud also speaks to Clermont's rugby manager Neil McIlory ahead of his return to Scotland for this weekend's Champions Cup final against Saracens. **Leave your reviews on iTunes**