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Rugby Union Weekly

BBC Radio 5 Live
Six Nations
Rugby
England Rugby
British and Irish Lions
England
Women's Rugby World Cup
Champions Cup
Rugby Union
Scotland
France
Rugby World Cup
Australia
Wales
Ireland
World Cup
Women's Six Nations
Gallagher Premiership
South Africa
Women's Rugby
Northampton Saints

Rugby Union Weekly is presented by Ugo Monye, Chris Jones and Danny Care. Between the bickering and tangents they'll bring you special guests and cover the biggest stories in the game. Get in touch with the pod via 5 Live Sport on social media or email rugbyunionweekly@bbc.co.uk, and remember to leave us your ratings and reviews!

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Latest Episodes

Are England picking for now or the World Cup? Ugo, Chris and Ashy debate Steve Borthwick’s latest squad, the big omissions and the new faces pushing for a place. Plus, are Bath and Saracens’ rotation policies protecting players or costing them their ... more

Danny, Ashy and Chris reflect on a sombre opening weekend of the Champions Cup following the death of Lions and former Sale lock Hyron Andrews. They assess a chastening start for the Prem, with only one win from eight matches. Is it evidence of Engli... more

Ashy and Sara are at the Champions Cup launch speaking to a host of big names ahead of the opening round. Jack Conan reflects on the heartbreak of losing another final and the criticism Leinster receive over their Champions Cup record. Can they final... more

Can you ever have too many tries? Can a steak be too buttery? Ugo, Danny and Chris tackle all the big topics on this week’s pod after another try-fest at the Gardens. We try to explain why there are so many tries in the Prem and if it is devaluing th... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Flats and ShanksFlats & Shanks

Recent Guests

Chris Ashton
Former England rugby international and rugby pundit
Episode: Power Struggle
Will Skelton
Australian rugby union player for La Rochelle
Stade Rochelais
Episode: The Champions Cup Is Back: Conan, Big Will Skelton & More
Jack Conan
Irish rugby union player for Leinster
Leinster Rugby
Episode: The Champions Cup Is Back: Conan, Big Will Skelton & More
Nathan Hughes
Fijian rugby union player for Racing 92 and former England international
Racing 92
Episode: The Champions Cup Is Back: Conan, Big Will Skelton & More
Nizaam Carr
South African rugby union player and practising Muslim
Episode: The Champions Cup Is Back: Conan, Big Will Skelton & More
Phil Dowson
Director of rugby at Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints
Episode: Can a steak be too buttery?
Peter O'Mahony
Irish international rugby player, Munster captain
Munster Rugby / Ireland Rugby
Episode: Peter O'Mahony: How Schmidt changed me, World Cup pain & the cost of success
Chris Boyd
Co-owner of Bristol Bears
Bristol Bears
Episode: Venter’s Vintage
Whitney Hansen
New Zealand Women's Head Coach
NZ Rugby (NZR)
Episode: Lions Women's special: Yapp & Hansen on innovation & making history

Hosts

Ugo Monye
Host with multiple listings across rugby programs; long-standing BBC rugby presenter.
Daniel Care
Co-host known for outspoken, banter-driven commentary and analysis.
Chris Jones
Co-host and regular panelist with deep rugby journalism background.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 7.4k ratings
  • Fan since 2017

    Many thanks guys, never miss an episode. The combination of journalism and former player inputs is unique. Big thanks to Chris Jones the anchor of the show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    agah1971
    United Kingdom14 days ago
  • Venter

    Who cares if he doesn’t speak to the media?

    Wasting time on a BBC podcast crying about how much money TNT spent and they’re not getting their precious interviews. Get over it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    j10184744
    United Kingdom21 days ago
  • Southern Focused

    Disappointing to hear the dismissive attitude to rugby in the north, with the team yucking it up about Ashton being ‘forced’ to travel to Newcastle to commentate on a game.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Krh79
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Chris Ashton - the best pundit

    Ashton is probably the best pundit on any rugby podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    The back row chap
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • What a depressing episode

    Listening to O’Shea as an England fan was incredibly depressing. Fans want the best and strongest players available for the national team and don’t care about premiership rugby. And as for giving Borthwick an extended contract ???

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Freems67
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, strong rugby knowledge and insightful tactical breakdowns are valued by listeners.
England bias noted in Nations coverage; some listeners desire broader focus on other teams.
Editing and consistency receive mixed feedback in reviews.
Pundit depth praised when guests bring strong analysis; occasional calls for less filler banter.
High-quality content when guests and hosts are balanced, with some criticism of long-winded questioning and editorial style.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can a steak be too buttery?
Q: How have we managed to have four promising scrum-halves at Northampton Saints, and would a draft system help?
Phil Dowson says Northampton has developed players through its pathway and that players lacking minutes generally move to find opportunities. He argues the American college-based draft model does not suit rugby, where loans and varied development routes can help late developers progress.
The Champions Cup Is Back: Conan, Big Will Skelton & More
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your eye operation?
Nathan Hughes explains that a preseason scan detected a retinal detachment despite his passing the initial vision test. Doctors warned that continued impact could cost him his sight; he had surgery and later received clearance to return to contact rugby.
The Champions Cup Is Back: Conan, Big Will Skelton & More
Q: Where are you on your Achilles recovery, and when will you be back in action?
Will Skelton says he had surgery on March 31, was about five months post-operation and expected to need a few more months, taking a cautious approach because of previous calf injuries.
Harrison's last-gasp try seals dramatic England win
Q: What was going through Zoe Harrison's mind during the final moments?
She anticipated taking responsibility on the kick and then capitalized on the opportunity by scoring the winning try after intercepting, showing remarkable composure under pressure.
Lions Women's special: Yapp & Hansen on innovation & making history
Q: What differences do you foresee between a Lions Women's tour and a traditional men's tour?
They anticipate a blend of the Lions' traditions with a need to tailor experiences for a women's audience, including logistics, style of play, and fan engagement while maintaining competition high standards.

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 Rugby Union Weekly

What is Rugby Union Weekly about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Rugby Union Weekly leans into expert rugby analysis, game strategy, and backstage narratives from top players, coaches, and pundits, sprinkled with banter and field-side observations. Episodes cover international and club rugby, tactical shifts, player development, officiating debates, and leadership dynamics, with a strong emphasis on England and broader northern-hemisphere rugby. A standout trait is the blend of high-level tactical discussions with occasional on-site or off-field human-interest angles, making it useful for sponsors and guests who want accessible yet informed conversations around the sport. The format often features returning hosts alongside high-profile guests, creating a lively but knowledgeable atmosphere that appeals t... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Rugby Union Weekly?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Rugby Union Weekly:

1. The Rugby Pod
2. For The Love Of Rugby
3. The Good, The Bad & The Rugby
4. The Ruck
5. Flats and Shanks

How many episodes of Rugby Union Weekly are there?

Rugby Union Weekly launched 10 years ago and published 445 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Rugby Union Weekly?

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What guests have appeared on Rugby Union Weekly?

Recent guests on Rugby Union Weekly include:

1. Chris Ashton
2. Will Skelton
3. Jack Conan
4. Nathan Hughes
5. Nizaam Carr
6. Phil Dowson
7. Peter O'Mahony
8. Chris Boyd

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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