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Beyond the Breakdown

Beyond the Breakdown
Welsh Rugby
Climate Change
Pontypridd Rugby Football Club
Grassroots Rugby
Shane Williams
Bridgend Ravens
Youth Rugby
Community Clubs
Neath Rugby Football Club
Ammon United
Community
Pontypridd RFC
George North
Community Engagement
Identity In Sport
2008 Grand Slam
Professional Rugby
Carmarthen
Scarlets
Fatherhood

Rooted in Wales’ local clubs this new podcast, hosted by former Welsh international and Guinness World Record holder Richard Parks, brings together rugby greats and local clubs. Each week a legend of Welsh rugby shares stories of life in the game and beyond it. Recorded in the communities that shaped them, the conversations go deeper than results and rivalries, exploring identity, parenthood, and ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes6Founded2 months ago
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Artwork for Beyond the Breakdown

Latest Episodes

In our sixth and final episode of this series we are talking to Wales’ top six nations try scorer and all-around superstar George North. Last but by no means least, this conversation saw us laugh, cry and really reflect on the ways in which rugby, an... more

In our fifth episode we are talking to Dale ‘Chief’ McIntosh. Chief made 454 appearances for Pontypridd RFC, and went on to coach for Wales and the Cardiff Blues among many other clubs like Brecon RFC and Pontypool RFC. Chief and Rich played together... more

In our fourth episode we are talking to Scott Balwin – a former Ospreys, Quinns and Wales player now on an exciting journey as a coach. Scott sits at the intersection between rugby at an elite level and the game at grassroots, as a player and now as ... more

In our third episode we are talking to Adam ‘Bomb’ Jones, the cornerstone of the Welsh pack for over a decade, earning 95 caps and achieving a legendary feat of 3 Six Nations grand slams and 5 British and Irish Lions test caps. He’s a legend of the g... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

George North
Welsh international rugby player
Wales Rugby, Pro clubs
Episode: George North: "I learned my biggest core values in rugby."
Scott Baldwin
Former Ospreys, Quinns and Wales player; coach
Bridgend Ravens
Episode: Scott Baldwin: "I just loved the high pressure."
Adam Jones
Former Welsh rugby international, cornerstone of Welsh pack, earning 95 caps.
Neath Rugby Football Club
Episode: Adam Jones: "The club gave me my life."
Jon Fox Davies
Former Welsh international rugby player with 96 caps for Wales and a member of the British and Irish Lions.
Wales National Rugby Team
Episode: Jon Fox Davies: "Being a professional rugby player in Wales, you understand responsibilities”
Dale Mcintosh
Former player and coach, a legendary figure in Welsh rugby
Pontypridd Rugby Club
Episode: Dale Mcintosh

Host

Richard Parks
Host of Beyond the Breakdown

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 37 ratings
  • A different time.

    Excellent podcasts.

    Brings back lots of good memories .

    Sadly it also makes you realise how poorly the game has been managed over the years.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Chris ,,W
    United Kingdom15 days ago
  • Gig

    Brill

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    R-2d2
    United Kingdom21 days ago
  • Excellent and fascinating

    Well done @richardparks on a fantastic podcast

    Such a fascinating listen - very different take than the usual rugby podcasts

    Interesting and important

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Naps1234
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Thanks

    Great podcast so refreshing to hear.

    In its own way very positive.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pontypricey
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • A must listen!

    Really enjoying this show, some fascinating insights into the struggles of club rugby in Wales combined with some amazing stories from some real

    Legends

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Caveman 777
    United Kingdoma month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners note the show highlights grassroots clubs and their challenges, making it feel intimate and relevant to local communities.
Episodes are praised for sincerity, depth of conversations, and the sense of Welsh rugby culture and belonging they evoke.
Fans appreciate the authentic, community-centered storytelling and the way legends share personal journeys beyond their on-field achievements.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#191
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#31
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#106
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#81
France/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#117
Germany/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#142
Australia/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Dale 'Chief' McIntosh: We understood we weren’t just playing for ourselves
Q: How do you view the shift from player to coach, and what parts of the game stay with you?
Coaching is rewarding but not like playing; the drive, the identity, and the emotional connection persist, and coaching allowed him to transfer passion into developing others.
Dale 'Chief' McIntosh: We understood we weren’t just playing for ourselves
Q: What brought you to Pontypridd and Wales, and how did that shape your identity as a player?
Moving from New Zealand, he found belonging in Pontypridd through community, mates, and shared values; it shaped his identity by blending Maori culture with Welsh club culture and the sense of belonging.
Dale 'Chief' McIntosh: We understood we weren’t just playing for ourselves
Q: What do you think was the kind of DNA of that here in this particular club?
The DNA was shared purpose and a commitment to the club and supporters; players understood they represented more than themselves and carried the community with them on the field.
Dale Mcintosh
Q: What do you think about the behavior of players, particularly in relation to losing?
Dale emphasizes that losing is an essential part of life and one must accept and learn from it, teaching that understanding how to deal with it is crucial for growth.
Dale Mcintosh
Q: Have you taken more pleasure in playing or coaching?
Dale reflects that as a player, the surreal experience and satisfaction derived from hard work stand out, while coaching offers a different sense of achievement, dependent on the abilities of those being coached.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Beyond the Breakdown

What is Beyond the Breakdown about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on Welsh rugby communities, legends, and grassroots clubs, using intimate clubhouse conversations to explore identity, parenthood, and life beyond playing. Episodes thread personal journeys through local clubs, big-stage careers, and the social fabric that keeps communities connected, particularly in the face of rising costs, climate-related challenges, and evolving rugby culture. A notable strength is its emphasis on authentic, place-based storytelling—recorded in the very clubs and towns that shaped the guests—making it feel intimate, candid, and deeply rooted in community values. This combination of legendary players, coaching perspectives, and grassroots focus makes it a strong fit for listeners who care about sport as ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Beyond the Breakdown?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Beyond the Breakdown:

1. Scrum V
2. Flats and Shanks
3. The Rugby Pod
4. The Good, The Bad & The Rugby
5. Rugby Union Weekly

How many episodes of Beyond the Breakdown are there?

Beyond the Breakdown launched 2 months ago and published 6 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Beyond the Breakdown?

Recent guests on Beyond the Breakdown include:

1. George North
2. Scott Baldwin
3. Adam Jones
4. Jon Fox Davies
5. Dale Mcintosh

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