Stick to Rugby
Joe Marler: Eddie Jones Era, World Cup What-Ifs & Celebrity Traitors? | Stick to Rugby EP 11
The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, features a no-holds-barred chat with Joe Marler as he opens up about life after rugby, retirement, and the Celebrity Traitors rumours. In this big sit-down since stepping away from the game, Joe gets candid about why he “couldn’t go on,” his unexpected call to Jimmy Bullard, the real reason he walked away mid-season, and what he misses (and doesn’t) about rugby life. He also reveals the strange gigs he’s said “yes” to since retiring—including pretending to be a dog—and how he’s navigating post-rugby purpose, parenting, and mental health. Plus, the panel grill Joe on the Traitors rumours. Has he been cast? Was he Andy Murray’s replacement? And what kind of player would he actually be: traitor or faithful? There’s also chat about greyhounds, scrummaging, being “distracted, disruptive and rude” at school, and why he’s now working directly with Team England in a unique new role. A funny, raw, and refreshingly honest conversation with one of rugby’s most unpredictable characters—don’t miss it. Check out the amazing tool Lawrence mentions on this episode where you can educate yourself on all topics from people with lived experience and experts - The step before talking - www.jaaq.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
9 Apr. 2025 - 01 h 07 min 10 s
Red Roses Win, Owen Farrell Lions Call-Up? & Quinnell & Dallaglio Hug It Out! | Stick to Rugby EP 10
The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes Welsh legend Scott Quinnell to the panel alongside Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, and Tom Shanklin for a rollicking ride through rugby’s past, present, and future. Quinnell talks about his unmatched Welsh rugby bloodline, the moment he nearly dropped the ball before Scott Gibbs’ iconic try, and why Lawrence’s Wembley heartbreak might’ve led to England’s World Cup success. From Austin Healy’s £35,000 Rolex blunder to wild tales of Wigan’s sevens dream team–no story is off-limits. The crew also relive their worst days in rugby, get nostalgic about the Five Nations era, and debate the modern game’s professionalism in “You Couldn’t Get Away With That Now.” Plus, the latest on the Women’s Six Nations, Red Roses dominance, and who might make the 2025 Lions squad—with bold claims about Tomos Williams, Henry Pollock, and Talupe Faletau. And don’t miss Quinnell’s take on Andy Farrell’s coaching rise, Shaun Edwards' Wembley red card, and the secret Lions selection dinner with his dad! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2 Apr. 2025 - 50 min 44 s
Ellie Kildunne: World Player of the Year, Women’s Game Growth & Social Media | Stick to Rugby EP 9
The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes World Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne to the panel alongside Katy Daley-Mclean, Lawrence Dallaglio, and Tom Shanklin for a wide-ranging and inspiring chat on stardom, pressure, and what’s next for the women’s game. Ellie opens up on the whirlwind journey from A-Levels to being crowned the best in the world, how she handles the pressure of expectation, and why she’s never tried to be anyone but herself. She discusses the challenges of life as a dual-career athlete, being made redundant during COVID, and her Olympic dream that almost slipped away. Away from the pitch, Ellie reveals how photography became her creative escape and why she believes it helped her feel truly understood. Plus, the panel dives into the growth of the women’s game, how players can harness social media to become household names, and what England must do to win the World Cup on home soil. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
26 März 2025 - 59 min 06 s
England’s BIG Win, Joe Marler on Retirement & Marlie Packer Losing Captaincy | Stick to Rugby EP 8
The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, sees Joe Marler Marlie Packer join Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, and Tom Shanklin for a no-holds-barred breakdown of the Six Nations, mental health in rugby, and the realities of life after the game. Marler and Packer reflect on England’s emphatic win over Wales and whether this was a turning point for Steve Borthwick’s side. They also preview the Women’s Six Nations, discussing the contenders, England’s dominance, and what to expect from the tournament. Marlie shares her raw emotions on losing the England captaincy, what it meant to step back, and whether she ever considered walking away from the sport altogether. Meanwhile, Joe opens up about retirement—both the fear of stepping away and the lack of aftercare rugby offers once players hang up their boots. The panel also breaks down the PWR Final, Marlie’s take on the intensity of the competition, and what it means for the future of the women’s game. The conversation expands into the bigger picture of mental health in rugby, the pressures of leadership, and why so many players feel lost when their careers come to an end. ⚠️ This episode includes discussions on mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, visit one of the following organisations: Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/ NSPCC - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/ FRANK - https://www.talktofrank.com/ Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
19 März 2025 - 53 min 01 s
Warren Gatland: Wales Exit, Captaining Warburton & Has Rugby Gone Soft? | Stick to Rugby EP 7
The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes Warren Gatland to the panel alongside David Flatman, Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, and Tom Shanklin for an exclusive deep dive into his Wales exit, coaching highs, and the future of rugby. Gatland opens up about the emotional decision to return to Wales, the brutal challenges he faced, and whether he has any regrets. He reveals how the pressure of 14 straight defeats impacted him and the squad, why he never tried to protect himself, and whether he feels let down by former players. The panel also revisits his Wasps legacy, what made that team so dominant, and how coaching Brian O’Driscoll shaped his early career. And, of course, there’s plenty of Lions talk—from selection secrets to why Marcus Smith has to be in the squad. Plus, Gatland’s take on rugby’s bomb squad debate—should World Rugby step in?—and why he thinks Australia will be dangerous on the upcoming Lions tour. A brutally honest conversation with one of rugby’s biggest coaching figures—don’t miss it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
12 März 2025 - 01 h 26 s
Cadan Murley: England Debut, Taylor Swift Love Story & Marcus Smith Experiment | Stick to Rugby EP 6
The latest episode of Stick to Rugby , brought to you by Defender, welcomes Cadan Murley to the panel alongside David Flatman, Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, and Tom Shanklin for a deep dive into the Six Nations, England’s tactics, and Murley’s whirlwind debut. Murley opens up about the highs and lows of his England debut , from scoring with his second touch to the harsh realities of international rugby . He reflects on the injury setback that cut his Six Nations dream short and reveals the hilarious debut initiation song he belted out in front of the England and Ireland squads . The conversation turns to England’s style of play —is their attack too conservative? Murley weighs in on the Marcus Smith fullback experiment , his close friendship with the playmaker , and whether England’s attack is being limited by their system . The panel also debates Finn Smith vs Marcus Smith for England’s No.10 shirt and how England can take their game to the next level . Elsewhere, the team discuss Ireland’s intensity and ability to disrupt opponents , the brilliance of Antoine Dupont , and whether Scotland are under pressure heading into the final rounds . Plus, Murley gives his take on the future of England rugby, the next generation of stars, and what it will take for the squad to become one of the best teams in the world . A brilliant mix of insight, debate, and behind-the-scenes rugby stories —don’t miss it! To find out how Funding Circle can help get your business goals over the line, visit https://fundingcircle.com/rugby Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
5 März 2025 - 56 min 12 s
Six Nations Fallout, Rugby’s Dark Arts & Bold Lions Predictions | Stick to Rugby EP 5
The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, gets stuck into the dark arts of rugby—who are the true masters of the game’s most controversial tactics, what really happens at the breakdown, and how far teams will go to get an edge. Then, it’s all about the Six Nations fallout—was Scotland tactically better despite the loss? Are England just not good to watch? And did Wales take confidence from their near-miss against France? The panel also debate whether Damian Penaud’s performance raised questions or silenced critics. Next up, it’s British Irish Lions selection talk—should Marcus Smith be on the plane? Who’s making a late push for a spot, and which players have already locked themselves in? Finally, the conversation takes a personal turn as the panel shares the moment they knew it was time to retire—how tough is it mentally, what happens when your body can’t take it anymore, and is stepping away ever truly on your own terms? A massive episode packed with rugby’s dark arts, Six Nations drama, bold Lions predictions, and emotional retirement stories—don’t miss it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
26 Feb. 2025 - 01 h 04 min 41 s
Jodie Ounsley: Rugby vs Gladiators – What’s Tougher? | Stick to Rugby EP 4
The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, sees Jodie Ounsley join David Flatman, Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, and Tom Shanklin for an inspiring and hilarious conversation about her unique journey—from rugby to Gladiators and everything in between. Jodie opens up about growing up deaf, the challenges she faced in rugby, and how she turned her biggest obstacle into her greatest strength. She shares the moment she didn’t hear the whistle and got sent off, the reality of playing top-level sport with a cochlear implant, and why she’s taking a break from rugby. The team also dives into her rise as ‘Fury’ on Gladiators—what it’s really like behind the scenes, how she switches from being shy to fierce, and the brutal 11-day filming schedule that left her body battered. Plus, she reveals the weirdest fan request she’s ever had! Beyond sport, Jodie discusses representation, being a role model, and her new children’s book, Keep Smashing It, designed to inspire the next generation to embrace challenges head-on. With plenty of laughs, big topics, and some wild stories (including a World Coal Carrying Championship?), this episode is not to be missed! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
19 Feb. 2025 - 48 min 32 s
Eddie Jones: Coaching the Lions? England Regrets & What He’d Do Differently | Stick to Rugby EP 3
The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, sees Eddie Jones join David Flatman, Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, and Tom Shanklin for a brutally honest chat about his coaching career, England exit, and what he’d do differently. Eddie opens up about his time as England head coach, reflecting on the highs and lows, why the team’s playing style became so unpopular, and how they lost their identity. He reveals what really happened in the 2019 World Cup final, whether he should have started Joe Marler, and why England were booed for their kicking game. The debate heats up as Eddie discusses the British Irish Lions job—was he ever really interested? He also breaks down his relationship with Steve Borthwick, what advice he’d give him now, and why he believes the England job is the toughest in rugby. Beyond England, Eddie reflects on his Japan dream job, the influence of Bob Dwyer, and the key coaching lessons he’s learned. He lifts the lid on England’s leadership over the years, including the dynamic between Dylan Hartley and Owen Farrell, and shares his take on the future of international rugby. A no-filter Eddie Jones interview you won’t want to miss. If you’re enjoying the podcast, please hit subscribe to never miss an episode, and consider leaving us a five-star review to help others discover the show. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
12 Feb. 2025 - 01 h 12 min 11 s
England Run Out Of Gas & Shaun Edwards Untold Stories | Stick to Rugby EP 2
The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, dives straight into the chaos of the Six Nations opening weekend. David Flatman, Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-Mclean, and Tom Shanklin break down England’s loss against Ireland—did Borthwick’s side run out of gas, or is there more to it? Meanwhile, France made a statement against Wales, but did they even get out of second gear? And Scotland impressed, but do they have the squad depth to go all the way? Flats leads the debate on England’s struggles, pinpointing the key moments that cost them, while Dallaglio weighs in on whether Ireland have the best rugby intelligence in the tournament. The panel also picks their Team of the Week, spotlighting the standout performers from Round 1. Beyond the pitch, the panel shares some brilliant behind-the-scenes stories, including Six Nations debut initiations, life on the team bus, and the best (and worst) pre-game superstitions. Shaun Edwards’ name pops up as well—was he the most intense coach ever? Flats and Shanks share what it was really like playing under him. With Round 2 looming, the crew makes their predictions—can England bounce back against France? Is Wales in real trouble against Italy? And could Scotland vs Ireland decide the championship? If you’re enjoying the podcast, please hit subscribe to never miss an episode, and consider leaving us a five-star review to help others discover the show. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
5 Feb. 2025 - 01 h 08 min 10 s