The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

Join James Haskell from the 2025 Rugby Awards as he dives into the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals, featuring Bath v Bristol and Leicester v Sale Sharks. This episode also brings an update on Michael Tindall's new global franchise "R360" with GBR promising to deliver all the facts when the time is right. Special guest Ellis Genge shares his deeply ingrained animosity towards local rivals Bath, a feeling cultivated since his academy days. Plus, a blossoming bromance unfolds as Haskell chats with rising star Henry Pollock following his Lions call-up, discussing his sponsorship aspirations and house renovation plans. Hear from Leicester coach Michael Cheika on the turning point in his team's Premiership journey and the vital impact of the Welford Road crowd.



Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres



00:00 🚀 Strap in with Continental Tyres

02:00 💡 Update on Tins' R360

04:30 🔥 Ellis Genge on the Lions

12:00💥 Bath v Bristol

16:00 ✨ Henry Pollock's stellar year

27:00 🎉 Amazing Lions Prize!!!

29:00 🧠 Michael Cheika



WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form: https://forms.gle/FgVKoWvgCQB7b4PL7



WIN a Lions 2025 Tour Package to Australia Courtesy of Howden: https://bit.ly/412UzVN



To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan - go to nordvpn.com/goodbadrugby - our link will also give you 4 extra months on the 2-year plan. And, there's no risk with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee!



Welcome to The Good, The Bad & The Rugby with journalist and former broadcaster Alex Payne, England and Lions flanker James Haskell, and World Cup Winner Mike Tindall.



#Rugby #Podcast
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Vive Bordeaux! Ex-England, Kenya and USA Sevens coach, Mike Friday dives into a jaw-dropping week of rugby alongside Payno and Hask. The lads debate the titanic final between Bordeaux and Northampton Saints, centring on accusations of foul play against Rugby’s greatest showman, Henry Pollock. What did our young Lion learn? & as the EPCR announce a new Club World Cup, we look to rugby’s future.

Sevens guru Mike also reacts to the sport’s management in the face of heartbreaking headlines that Ireland Men’s Sevens team will cease to exist and Great Britain men and women will move to a part-time programme. Is its Olympic status at stake?


WOB
Group & GBR Competition Entry Form



To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan - go to nordvpn.com/goodbadrugby -  our link will also give you 4 extra months on the 2-year plan. And, there's no risk with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee!



🛞 00:00 - Strap In With Continental Tyres!

🤼 03:32 - Kabaddi v Rugby: Sevens Stars In India’s RPL

🔥 07:33 - Northampton v Bordeaux - The Breakdown

🌟 16:18 - Pollock Steals The Show

🤔 28:26 - Did Penaud Make The Difference?

🏆 33:04 - Bath Bring It Home

🌍 35:31 - A New Rugby World Club Cup?

‼️ 45:34 - Sevens Revolution: Changes To The World Series

📉 58:53 - Why Were Ireland and GB Sevens Cutback?

🥇 01:06:16 - Flag Football v Sevens: An Olympic Battle

🦁 01:10:12 - Solutions… A British & Irish Lions Sevens Team?
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Get ready for the Investec Champions Cup final! This week, we're breaking down the Anglo-French showdown between Northampton Saints and Bordeaux, with Ben Kayser's inside track on the big-budget French side and their attacking genius Jalibert.



We also delve into Bath's Gallagher Premiership dominance and their upcoming Challenge Cup Final. Plus, huge news on Red Bull's potential takeover of Newcastle Falcons and Antoine Dupont's move into American rugby ownership. All this, plus our final picks for the ultimate Investec Champions Cup Dream Team.



Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres. 



WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form



00:00 🛞 Strap in with Continental Tyres

02:25 🛁 Bath's Premiership Dominance: Is Their Squad Unstoppable? 

10:19 💸 Rugby Ticket Prices: "Obscene" for Fans!!! 

13:02 🐯 Leicester Tigers' New Era: Geoff Parling Appointment Discussed 

20:03 😇 Northampton's Champions Cup Cohesion

24:39🍷 Bordeaux's "Freak Attack": Jalibert & Lucu's Magic 

48:55: 🦓 Investec Champions Cup Dream Team: Our Ultimate Picks! 

55:36 🪽 Red Bull Buys Newcastle Falcons?! A Major Game Changer 

01:05:49 🇺🇸 Antoine Dupont's American Rugby Investment
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Northampton and England winger Tommy Freeman joins the pod for a laugh-out-loud, raw and at times deeply personal chat. Fresh off a Lions call-up and in red-hot form - with 15 tries in his last 10 games - Tommy reflects on the moments that shaped him, from the heartbreak of missing out on the 2023 Rugby World Cup to living with epilepsy. With Saints heading into the Investec Champions Cup Final, we look ahead to his blockbuster showdown with Louis Bielle-Biarrey as Northampton prepare to face Bordeaux.



Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres. 



WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form



🎧 00:00 – Strap in with Continental Tyres

🦁 02:00 – Freeman’s a Lion 

💥 10:00 – Tommy on Pollock 

🔄 19:28 – Mr Versatile - winger, fullback, centre... and maybe even a 10?

👬 23:07 – Mitchell & Smith - the big kids of Northampton

👑 27:00 – Hampton Court & Royal Questions 

🔥 33:00 – Try Machine

🚨 38:28 – Hooked by Eddie Jones

🐯 42:28 – Why Tigers Passed 

💔 43:57 – Missing the 2023 RWC 

🧠 45:00 – Living with Epilepsy

🔵 54:36 – The Leinster Recap 

🙌 01:00:00 – Fraser Dingwall Appreciation Society 

⚡ 01:04:00 – Final H2H: Freeman vs Bielle-Biarry 

🏆 01:08:00 – The People’s Final – Saints vs Bordeaux

⌚ 01:14:30 – Watches of Bath Quiz 
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Filmed in style at the House of Rémy Martin, this week’s episode finds Alex, Hask, and Jonny May enjoying life in Cognac-deep in wine country and not far from Bordeaux’s dismantling of Toulouse-as they unpack a seismic weekend in the Investec Champions Cup.



Northampton’s young guns stun Leinster, prompting big praise for Pollock, Smith, Freeman and more. But how might the Saints’ heroics shake up Andy Farrell’s Lions selection? Plus, Jonny faces another pronunciation test-this time courtesy of Bielle-Biarrey.



Please enjoy your Rémy Martin responsibly.



Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres. 



WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form



🚗 00:00 – Buckle Up with Continental Tyres

🥃 02:53 – Welcome Rémy Martin!

🎤 05:00 – Hampton Court Live Show Details

☘️ 06:33 – How the Saints Stunned Dublin

🔥 14:51 – Fearless ? Northampton’s Mindset

🎨 24:00 – Pollock’s not so secret talent

🦁 31:30 – How the results will impact the Lions selction

😱 46:24 – What happened to Leinster?

🍷 50:00 – Bordeaux make their first Champions Cup Final!
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