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The Rugby Pod

#39 URC Race to 8, Doping Scandals & Rugby Reset Rumours

5/19/20261 hr 26 min

It’s a massive week as the lads react to the URC quarter-finals being locked in, Glasgow’s statement win in Belfast, Cardiff’s huge result over the Stormers and Connacht emerging as dark horses. We look ahead to the Champions Cup final in Bilbao and whether Leinster can topple Bordeaux. We also ask whether rugby has a growing drug problem after major bans in Georgia and South Africa. We dive into South Africa’s club rugby future with rumours they may be dropping out of Champions Cup, the potential URC-Prem merger, Eddie Jones’ suspension, England’s new-look training squad and the Premiership chaos after Saints put 94 points on Bristol. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Clips

Georgia’s 11-year ban shock
How they beat drug tests
Not steroids, still devastating
SA prop’s 18‑month context
‘You can’t be half pregnant’
URC–Prem merger prediction
Bet it all on Bordeaux
The unforgivable four on-field
Bristol’s 94-point humiliation

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Andy Goode· Host0:00

    [upbeat music] Pod, pod, pod, pod.

  2. Jim Hamilton· Host0:06

    Rugby Pod. [upbeat music] Hello, and welcome back to the Rugby Pod where it's been probably one of the most eventful weeks we've had for a while. Suspended coaches- Ooh ... and athletes, drug bans- What? ... doping scandals, and potentially ripping up the whole rugby playbook and starting from scratch. There's a lot going on.

  3. Andy Goode· Host0:28

    Yes. We'll also be tackling some of the toughest topics in rugby this week, which will be more tackling than featuring in some of the games this weekend from Bristols. Bristols don't tackle.

  4. Dan Biggar· Panelist0:39

    We'll also have a look at our quarterfinals, which are locked in for the URC, and looking ahead to a massive Champions Cup final next week in Bilbao. So without further ado, settle back, enjoy, and make sure you've subscribed. Where, boys?

  5. Andy Goode· Host0:51

    Spotify.

  6. Jim Hamilton· Host0:52

    Spotify. We're here. We're in the studio.

  7. Andy Goode· Host0:53

    We are in the studio.

  8. Jim Hamilton· Host0:54

    Lovely. It's great. This episode is brought to you by NordVPN, who are giving all our Rugby Pod listeners four months free access and a 30-day money back guarantee by visiting nordvpn.com/rugbypod.

  9. Dan Biggar· Panelist1:10

    So if you travel, use a public Wi-Fi, or watch sport abroad, this one is for you.

  10. Andy Goode· Host1:15

    Yeah. There's nothing worse than landing somewhere and your subscriptions just don't work. One click with NordVPN, and you're back to full access. Plus, it keeps you safe online and protects your identity.

  11. Jim Hamilton· Host1:29

    Just

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