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BBC Radio 5 Live

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!

Rugby Union Weekly

Sara sits down with England great Emily Scarratt to reflect on her illustrious career. After 17 years, two World Cups wins, 11 Six Nations title, a World Player of the Year gong and 119 caps for her country, ‘Scaz’ has finally hung up her boots. What is the best moment of her career? What is next? We hear about her upbringing on a farm in rural Leicestershire and how that prepared her for a career in rugby. We hear all about the celebrations in Ibiza following the 2025 World Cup win on home soil this summer. As well as the triumphs, Scarratt also looks back on the heartache and setbacks she suffered.

Emily Scarratt special

It was a dream weekend for Saracens' Noah Caluori. After scoring a remarkable five tries on Saturday, he was called up to train with the England senior side on Sunday. Ashy and Sara chat to the England head coach Steve Borthwick about English rugby's newest star. Could he actually make his England debut this autumn? But while Borthwick has gained another winger, he has lost a number eight after Tom Willis announced he is leaving English rugby altogether to rejoin Bordeaux. Who is the man to place him in the back row? Plus, we look back on another impressive Exeter performance, the Irish fly-half battle and one of the worst attendances of all time.

Caluori's five-star display and Willis walks

We reunite two of Wigan's most famous sons for a special episode of the pod. Ashy chats to Andy Farrell about his new autobiography ‘The Only Way I Know’. They discuss his love of Wigan and how the other code and becoming a father at such a young age helped shape him. Farrell reflects on this summer's Lions tour and gives us an insight into the emotion surrounding calling up his son Owen to join the squad in Australia. Would he like to lead the Lions on another tour? We touch on his time in charge of Ireland and ask what he still wants to achieve as a coach after the disappointment of the quarter-final exit at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. And will Farrell Snr ever coach England in the future?

Andy Farrell special

Danny, Ugo and Ashy review an action-packed derby weekend. Has Marcus Smith played his way into contention at fly-half this autumn? We also pick our England backline as it stands and there is an interesting shout from Ashy at inside centre. Could Bath really go the whole season unbeaten? How worried should Gloucester fans be this season? And after the top unions decided to block international players from joining R360, where does this leave the rebel-league?

Derby weekend, trolling and R360

Ugo, Danny and Ashy are back, but even though the Prem brought another weekend full of surprises they had to start the pod with the sad news that former England captain and British and Irish Lions legend, Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. The guys all played with him and reflect on how the rugby community can get behind Lewis to support him and his family, during this difficult time. And they hear from Moody himself who spoke to BBC about his condition. 

In terms of the Prem – Leicester’s win against Quins proved to be a comeback for the ages with Ugo admitting that Harlequins are in a hole right now. Even though his Sale side lost to Bath, chat turns to George Ford and if he has the smartest rugby brain in the Prem – and has Owen Farrell given Saracens a lift? 

Away from matters on the pitch, the trio critique Chris Robshaw’s Strictly performance and Ugo has agreed to a bet if Chris does better than he did…. and is Ashy’s ‘Ash splash dive’ coming back on trend?

Love for Lewis and a weekend of fightbacks

Danny makes his long-awaited pod return as he joins Ashy and Ugo to review the opening round of the Prem season. Have Bath already underlined their credentials as favourites? The league is awash with English wingers, but does Henry Arundell fit into Steve Borthwick's plans? One game back and we are already debating whether Owen Farrell will play for England again after Saracens spoilt the Red Bull party in Newcastle. There is the Sarries rebrand to discuss, the return of LRZ to Bristol and dramatic comeback at the Gardens. Plus. there is a new Springbok superstar on the scene and Ashy analyses Noah Caluori's splash.

Comebacks, rebrands and an Ash Splash

Sara sits down with England captain Zoe Aldcroft - and the World Cup trophy - to hear all about the Red Roses’ celebrations after beating Canada on Saturday. Head coach John Mitchell talks about the future of the women’s game and his own future after England’s World Cup triumph. Will he lead the Red Roses in 2029 down under? And is he considering the Lions job in 2027? Sarah Bern teaches us the lyrics to England’s anthem this World Cup and opens up on what the sport has given her.

Inside England’s World Cup-winning party

Sara Orchard, Claire Thomas, 2014 World Cup winner Kat Merchant and former Wales captain Philippa Tuttiett react to England winning their third World Cup, beating Canada 33-13 at the home of English rugby. A record crowd for women's rugby of 81,885 watched the Red Roses see off the Canadians at the Allianz Stadium, with Ellie Kildunne starring once again. 

Hear from Natasha Hunt and one of the try scorers Abbie Ward, plus Ellie Kildunne and Meg Jones. England have now extended their record winning run to 33 games. 

The team talk the relentlessness of England’s defence, which Kat believes won them the game. Kat and Philippa also give their opinion on Hannah Botterman’s yellow card and how it should have potentially gone to the bunker. Plus everyone gives their thoughts on John Mitchell and what the future could hold for the head coach.

England beat Canada & win the World Cup

England or Canada – who will be crown world champions on Saturday? Ugo, Sara and Claire look ahead to Saturday's World Cup final at Twickenham. World Player of the Year nominee Meg Jones tells us what it would mean to lift the trophy that has eluded the Red Roses for over decade and speaks eloquently and candidly about the adversity she has faced over the past year. John Mitchell says this is the week where he earns his money, but can he take England to the promise land on home soil? Does his future depend on it? We also hear from Asia Hogan-Rochester, who reveals the unique way Canada have been preparing for the atmosphere at Twickenham and she discusses her glittering impact since switching from Sevens.

England v Canada: World Cup final preview

Harriet heads into the England camp to catch up with Hannah ahead of the World Cup final. Meg is tied up with interviews after being nominated for World Player of the Year, so we have a new Red Rose alongside them in Amy Cokayne. Is she a big fan of the series? And how much has Harriet watched of the Red Roses journey to the final? We hear about Amy’s role as a police officer in the RAF and how many people she has arrested. And she reveals her matchday underwear of choice. We have a quiz on everyone’s two favourite subjects - dating and rugby. Meg joins the conversation and talks about her big nomination and what tattoo her and Hannah plan to get after the final.

Barely Rugby: Tattoos, thongs and awards

There's a big Lions feel to the second part of our Prem rugby pod. Ashy and Sara speak to new Leicester DOR Geoff Parling fresh from coaching the Wallabies in Australia. We find out how he's settled in at his old stomping ground and what his vision is for the club. Then we chat to Tom Curry and Tommy Freeman about their experience on tour and what we can expect from their respective clubs this season. Will Sale finally go all the way? Can Northampton bounce back after losing their crown to Bath last season? We also talk Faz, proposals and Maro's wedding with Andy Onyeama-Christie. Plus, Tyrone Greene talks about life at Quins without DC and a summer of upheaval at Quins.

The BIG Prem Preview: Part Two

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