Mark McCall: End of an era
6/4/202647 min
Chris and Ashy head to the Saracens training base for a special pod about one of the most influential figures in English club rugby history. After 17 trophy-laden years at Sarries, Mark McCall is standing down as director of rugby at the end of the season. We speak to the man himself who explains why now is the time to move on, and what place he is leaving the club in. Two of Sarries’ senior players, Ben Earl and Nick Tompkins, share their memories of being coached by McCall, and explain what makes him such a good leader. We are also joined by journalist Gavin Mairs to discuss McCall’s legacy. Is he the best director of rugby in PREM history? How much does the salary cap scandal of 2019/2020 tarnish his reputation? And will the RFU miss a trick if they don’t tap into his experience?
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsMark McCall· Guest0:00
This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.
Speaker 20:03
[gentle music] Step inside the Range Rover Sport and experience refinement in every detail. With features like cabin air purification and active noise cancellation, every drive feels composed and considered. Explore more at rangerover.ca. [upbeat music] Five Lives Rugby Union Weekly.
Chris Jones· Host0:25
Hello. Rugby Union Weekly bonus episode time. Ashley is here.
Chris Ashton· Panelist0:32
Hello.
Chris Jones· Host0:33
Hello. This must be the way I feel today getting here is how you feel- Yeah ... every episode. I hope your journey was a complete disaster.
Chris Ashton· Panelist0:41
It wasn't actually, 'cause I was at my in-laws just an hour away.
Chris Jones· Host0:43
Oh.
Chris Ashton· Panelist0:44
But telling that I was hoping you were gonna get here and go, "It took me three hours to get here."
Chris Jones· Host0:47
No, but telling how I've not mentioned traveling here, yet when you travel to us on Monday morning- 'Cause you, you do it once a year ... you cannot stop talking about it. And you were an hour late today as well. An hour late.
Chris Ashton· Panelist0:57
No, I turned in and saw they were still training in the rain.
Chris Jones· Host1:00
Okay.
Chris Ashton· Panelist1:00
So I, uh- Well, where are we?
Chris Jones· Host1:01
Let's, let's set the scene.
Chris Ashton· Panelist1:02
We're at AWAY's old Urbanians Rugby Club.
Chris Jones· Host1:04
Home of Sarac- Home of Saracens training ground. Saracens' training ground.
Chris Ashton· Panelist1:07
Yeah, I wonder for how much longer.
Chris Jones· Host1:09
Why? What have you, what have you got up your sleeve?
Chris Ashton· Panelist1:11
Well, the one reason I know is they're building an awful lot of houses on here.
Chris Jones· Host1:15
[laughs] Right, okay. [laughs] That might scupper the training.
Chris Ashton· Panelist1:17
So they might need to move somewhere.
Chris Jones· Host1:19
[laughs] Um, does it... Yeah. And it's, this is somewhere you would've called home for- Yeah ... many a year.
Chris Ashton· Panelist1:24
Yeah. I, I liked my time here. I don't come here very often, but I have been a few times since I've finished