Rephonic
Artwork for The Rugby Bunker
England
England Rugby
Premiership Rugby
Women's Rugby World Cup
France
South Africa
Northampton Saints
Exeter Chiefs
Bath Rugby
Argentina
Saracens
All Blacks
Scotland
South Africa Rugby
Marcus Smith
Women's Six Nations
Rugby World Cup
Wales
New Zealand
Steve Borthwick

The Rugby Bunker gives you the insight and tactical understanding you need, hosted by Ben Coles (The Observer) and featuring regular guests including Charlie Morgan (The Times). Listen for expert analysis from established rugby journalists, with regular features plus a range of guests, and improve your knowledge of the game each week by joining us in The Rugby Bunker.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes42Foundeda year ago
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RugbySports

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Artwork for The Rugby Bunker

Latest Episodes

Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) look back on South Africa clinching the Greatest Rivalry 3-1 over New Zealand in Baltimore, before turning attention to the PREM with a few thoughts before the big preview next week.

Watch cli... more

Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) are reunited to discuss new contracts for Henry Pollock (not for £1m) at Northampton and Steve Borthwick with England, breaking down what they both really mean.

They then discuss this weekend'... more

Ben Coles (The Observer) is joined by New Zealand journalist Liam Napier (New Zealand Herald) ahead of the huge third Test at Soccer City, as the Springboks and All Blacks battle to go 2-1 in the Greatest Rivalry series.

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Ben Coles (The Observer) is joined by Daniel Gallan (RugbyPass, The Guardian) to pick through New Zealand's win at Ellis Park last weekend, before turning their attention to the second match in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry in Cape Town this weekend.

Fol... more

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Recent Guests

Daniel Gallan
South African journalist for The Guardian and RugbyPass
The Guardian, RugbyPass
Episode: Will the Springboks bounce back in Cape Town? | The Rugby Bunker
Liam Napier
Journalist for The New Zealand Herald
New Zealand Herald
Episode: How many Tests will the All Blacks win in South Africa? (Plus why there was no episode last week)
Jon Cardinelli
South African journalist
SA Rugby media / The Times SA reporter
Episode: South Africa v England preview - can England keep it tight at Ellis Park? | The Rugby Bunker
Will Kelleher
Journalist, The Times
The Times
Episode: England's scrum-half plans and Jo Yapp to coach the Lions | The Rugby Bunker
Fee Thomas
Journalist, The Telegraph
The Telegraph
Episode: England's scrum-half plans and Jo Yapp to coach the Lions | The Rugby Bunker
Joe Byrnes
BUCS specialist, Sevens commentator
BUCS/Sevens analyst
Episode: Picking an England backline, plus the future of BUCS and Sevens | The Rugby Bunker
Fi Tomas
Contributor, Telegraph
Telegraph
Episode: Geoff Parling for coach of the year? Plus, France-England for the Women's Six Nations title | TRB
Billy Vunipola
Montpellier number eight, former England number eight
Montpellier Hérault Rugby
Episode: Billy Vunipola interview: I won't play for Tonga and I'm proud to be English | The Rugby Bunker
Zack Mercer
Professional rugby player discussed as a guest in earlier chats
Toulon (via prior interview)
Episode: Can Bath beat Bordeaux-Bègles? When do England pick Calouri? | The Rugby Bunker

Hosts

Ben Coles
Host of The Rugby Bunker
Charlie Morgan
Co-host, The Times; Regular guest host, The Times

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 23 ratings
  • Excellent

    Very thorough but easy to digest. Is Ben Coles breathing through the outer housing of a Biro?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Matt Zuttle
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

Excellent, Very thorough but easy to digest. Is Ben Coles breathing through the outer housing of a Biro?

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#164
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#79
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#133
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#204
Australia/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#31
Spain/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#46
Belgium/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Will the Springboks bounce back in Cape Town? | The Rugby Bunker
Q: What is your mood after the first test and how do you see the series evolving?
Daniel describes initial anger and disappointment but grows optimistic as analysis develops, suggesting the issue may be execution rather than tactics and that the team has a history of bouncing back, especially when backed into adversity.
How many Tests will the All Blacks win in South Africa? (Plus why there was no episode last week)
Q: What represents success for the All Blacks on this tour and what would be considered a good outcome?
The minimum expectation is one win in South Africa, with two wins being a phenomenal achievement given the context and the toughness of the schedule.
South Africa v England preview - can England keep it tight at Ellis Park? | The Rugby Bunker
Q: What are the main tactical battles to watch in the pack and at the breakdown?
Key battles include the English scrum against a strong Springbok pack, England's line-out efficiency with a bigger six, and the contestable kicking game. The outcome may hinge on which team can execute their mall and breakdown plans more cleanly under pressure.
South Africa v England preview - can England keep it tight at Ellis Park? | The Rugby Bunker
Q: How has England's selection and plan evolved since the Six Nations and the France game, especially with the back-line and pack dynamics?
England have embraced a more pronounced six-forward presence and a robust line-out, with continuity in the halfbacks and a focus on maintaining possession. This marks a shift from earlier in the year and aims to match South Africa's power with precision and tempo.
South Africa v England preview - can England keep it tight at Ellis Park? | The Rugby Bunker
Q: Jon, what is the current mood in South Africa about the Springboks' lineup and their chances against England at Ellis Park?
The general sentiment is cautiously confident: the team has depth, the lineup is settled in most areas, and there is belief that the Springboks' experience and tactical discipline will give them the edge, especially at Ellis Park where the atmosphere and altitude can shape the game.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Rugby Bunker

What is The Rugby Bunker about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A rugby-focused analysis show featuring two seasoned rugby journalists who unpack contracts, coaching decisions, and tactical implications across major competitions. Episodes balance in-depth tactical breakdowns with industry insights, often featuring long-form guest conversations and context around player development, national team strategies, and club-level dynamics. Notable for its two-host dynamic, clear-eyed assessment, and thoughtful guests from top UK outlets, the program tends to blend on-field analysis with broader governance and World Cup considerations, making it a strong pick for listeners who want both game-ready breakdowns and industry perspectives.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Rugby Bunker?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Rugby Bunker:

1. The Ruck
2. The EggChasers Rugby Podcast
3. Rugby Union Weekly
4. The Rugby Pod
5. For The Love Of Rugby

How many episodes of The Rugby Bunker are there?

The Rugby Bunker launched a year ago and published 42 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 The Rugby Bunker?

Recent guests on The Rugby Bunker include:

1. Daniel Gallan
2. Liam Napier
3. Jon Cardinelli
4. Will Kelleher
5. Fee Thomas
6. Joe Byrnes
7. Fi Tomas
8. Billy Vunipola

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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