Amateur Rugby Podcast
Sports
About
This weekly show will explore the world of amateur rugby union - the people, clubs and stories that make it the lifeblood of the game we love.
Episodes
- #193 - Suzy Rook - Rugby's got a place for everybody
My guest this week is former Scotland International and now wild swimmer, Suzy Rook. We talked about: The highs of her international career How far the Women's game has progressed Being diagnosed with cancer Wild swimming and the Polar plu…
- CLASSIC - And that was the moment I fell in love with rugby - Greg Curtin - #19
'Curtin' and I are Nomad friends, we met at a big floating conference on a cruise ship in the sea. We then spent 3 weeks living on a beach in Brazil with a load of other nomads where we surfed, worked, did Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and even took…
- CLASSIC - This is it. I'm going to watch my Dad get killed now on a rugby pitch! - Stephen Corlett - #18
'Taff' and I played together for many years - bound up in the front row for both Old Colfeians and Kent. This interview was recorded November of 2019 in Amsterdam, where he's now living, to discuss a multitude of topics and some favourite…
- CLASSIC - And I worked out, I'd played for the only gay rugby team in LA! - James Griffiths - #17
My guest this week is Hollywood Movie director - James Griffiths. Griff was also my team-mate and captain at Old Colfeians but being a Hollywood Movie director sounds somewhat more impressive. This interview was recorded in September of 20…
- CLASSIC - Retiring on your own terms - Geoff Griffiths - #16
Geoff and I met while playing for Esher RFC, one of 4 Championship clubs he represented. Geoff was a powerful three-quarter and played a lot of 7's also. This interview was recorded in September of 2019, and we chatted through Geoff's care…
- #192 - Chris Moore - We're lucky that we're all really good mates
My guest this week is Heath RFC's Chris Moore. We talked about: - Heath RUFC's rampant success in recent seasons. - How the club is run in a sustainable and fun way. - Chris's entry into the game at home-town club, Cobh Pirates, in Ireland…
- CLASSIC - The game cannot survive without the Bruce's of this world - Colm Hannon - #15
Colm and I are former team-mates at Esher RFC and both fully paid up members of the front-row union. He is one of the most interesting and engaging characters that I have encountered in the game and I was very excited to sit down and chat…
- CLASSIC - Rugby gives you that camaraderie that lasts for years after the fact - Ben Mercer - #14
Now, Ben and I have never actually met, but he came with a very strong recommendation from a former team-mate of both of ours Geoff Griffiths. Ben has experienced all different sides of rugby over a lengthy playing career and his story is…
- #191 - Glen McLellan - You've got to create a community around your club
My guest this week is Orkney RFC's Glen McLellan. We talked about: The travel challenges of playing rugby on a remote island Long away trips every other weekend! The Come Ashore Cup The joy of being involved in Penguins RFC, including plen…
- CLASSIC - Rugby is about people - Dave Townsend - #13
Former Cheltenham RFC President - Dave 'Towner' Townsend was my coach for Cheltenham Colts back in 1995/96 and is also the father of Matt Townsend from Episode No.2. Sadly, Towner is no longer with us, but it was lovely to hear his voice o…
- #190 - Autumn Internationals Match Reports - Week 4
The 2025 Autumn Internationals are in full swing, and the fourth weekend of fixtures did not disappoint. Join me as I discuss Ireland vs South Africa and England vs Argentina. GET STASH England Rugby Store - https://ers.pxf.io/KjV30v Briti…
- #189 - Autumn Internationals Match Reports - Week 2
The 2025 Autumn Internationals are in full swing, and the second weekend of fixtures did not disappoint. Join me as I discuss Scotland vs New Zealand, England vs Fiji and France vs South Africa. GET STASH England Rugby Store - https://ers.…
- #188 - Autumn Internationals Match Reports - Week 1
The 2025 Autumn Internationals have started and it was a decent first weekend of fixtures. And as usual, I got a load of special guests to add some wonderful insight for England vs Australia and Ireland vs New Zealand. GET STASH England Ru…
- CLASSIC - We want players to believe that we're normal people. - Phil Watters - #12
Hello Amateurs! We're back with another Classic episode and this one is with my former Cheltenham RFC team-mate and Prem Rugby Assistant Referee - Phil Watters. This interview was recorded in August of 2019 and we talked about playing and…
- #187 - Adam Higgins - Attack wins games but defence wins titles
My guest this week is Ellingham & Ringwood player and Defence Coach - Adam Higgins. We talked about: Adam's passion for defence What principles underlie his coaching Some of Adam's defence heroes A world tour of Adam's playing experience,…
- CLASSIC - I got filled in most weeks - Tom Lindsay - #11
My guest this week is Bristol Bears hooker, Tom Lindsay. Tom and I first locked horns during a London 1 game between Sutton & Epsom and Old Colfeians. We later went on to become team-mates at both Blackheath and Esher. This interview was r…
- #186 - Shaun Knight - He gave me a couple of painful nights at Welford Road
My guest this week is former Gloucester, Bath, and Dragons prop-forward Shaun Knight. We talked about: Breaking into the Gloucester side Playing in u20 World Cups The influence of some of the game's great props His most difficult opponent…
- CLASSIC - Tackling Christian Cullen - David Slemen - #10
'Slem' was my captain and fly-half when I played at Esher, so it's highly appropriate that he should feature in episode 10 of the podcast. This interview was recorded in August 2019 and we chatted about the state of the professional game,…
- #185 - Colin Dalgarno - We raised £2.6 million
My guest this week is Strathaven RFC President - Colin Dalgarno We talked about: Raising £2.6 million Being awarded the British Empire Medal Incredible facilities development And how he broke his back playing the game we love. This is an u…
- #184 - Jamie Simpson - Celebrate the small successes
My guest this week is Dalkeith RFC President - Jamie Simpson We talked about: Winning the National Community Club of the Year award and all that entailed. Dalkeith's 125 Year anniversary and tour. The incredible growth of the Women's secti…
- #183 - Match Report | 3rd Test [Australia vs British & Irish Lions 2025]
The series is over, another 4 years to wait till we can join together and do it all over again. This one ended with the Wallabies roaring back to avoid a whitewash - and didn't they deserve it! Elko and I discuss all the major incidents an…
- #182 - Match Report | 2nd Test [Australia vs British & Irish Lions 2025]
That was an incredible Test Match in the MCG in Melbourne, Australia. So much incident, so many great bits of play and so much for myself and Elko to dig into! #Lions #rugby #BritishandIrishLions #LionsLionsLions #Wallabies GET STASH Engla…
- #181 - Match Report [Australia vs British & Irish Lions 1st Test, 2025]
We discuss all the big incidents, refereeing decisions, momentum shifts and how the result of this game might affect the series going forwards. This is our Australia vs British & Irish Lions 1st Test Match Report. Settle in… https://tinyur…
- #180 - Richard French - I didn't realise how much I needed to be with a group of like-minded people
My guest this week is my former Bhubesi Pride teammate - Richard French. We talked about: Coaching rugby to kids in Africa Playing rugby in the British Army Experiences of the Army/Navy game Various roles within the British Army, including…
- CLASSIC - He was bullying us with his skills! - Sammy Boulton - #9
I've known Sammy for many years and we've been opponents and team-mates. We have some common interests, two of which are stats and sports. This was exemplified when Sammy thrust the book 'Moneyball' by Michael Lewis into my hand one day an…
- CLASSIC - We weren't allowed to kick it - Ben Ward - #7
Ben is the Director of Rugby at Ealing Trailfinders and has been involved with the club since their days in London Div 2. He was fly-half and Head Coach during the 2012-13 season when I played my single season for the club. This interview…
- CLASSIC - It's the players with the best core skills - Mike Friday - #8
Geezer and I have crossed paths in rugby circles in almost every capacity as players, coaches, on the same team and on opposite sides. Now I have been retired for some time, it is with great clarity that I can say that Mike is the best coa…
- #179 - Conor Mullin - Rugby isn't black and white
Rugby isn't black and white - Conor Mullin - #179 My guest this week is Otley RFC player and Mullin Strength and Fitness founder - Conor Mullin. We talked about: Developing late in the Ulster pathway Captaining Leeds Beckett University Get…
- CLASSIC - I'm not a f*@£ing medic! - Andy Muldoon - #6
Andy was a former team-mate at Old Colfeians RFC and he also played plenty of rugby for Bedford Athletic and North Bristol. We talked about Mulders' rugby journey which flowed into very interesting topics like the rights and wrongs of team…
- #178 - Claire Kurpil - Twickenham in one year!
My guest this week is Ashby RFC Secretary and Women's Rugby lead - Claire Kurpil. We talked about: How Ashby RFC has grown a successful women's section in less than a year. The benefits of T1 rugby (but not at the expense of full-contact).…
- CLASSIC - I got stabbed in the hip by a dwarf - Rod Turner - #5
I first met Rod Turner as a teammate at Esher RFC. An athletic 2nd Row, Rod is one of the most universally liked players I have encountered in our great sport. He's a real team man and social king. We had a brilliant chat about video stitc…
- #177 - Karl White - MAN v FAT
My guest this week is the lead for MAN v FAT Rugby - Karl White. We talked about: .The history of MAN v FAT How MAN v FAT Rugby was born The specific benefits of group sport in the weight-loss journey Some incredible early success stories…
- CLASSIC - I had to sleep sitting up! - Vicky Fleetwood - #4
She's an England International, she's a World Cup winner and she's bossing it on Instagram! Vicky Fleetwood is on the pod! Vicky and I had a great chat about her amazing achievements, exciting developments in the women's game and developin…
- #176 - Karl Cross - Value your Volunteers
My guest this week is Chesham RFC's new Chair - Karl Cross. We talked about: Taking on the role of Chair. The challenges of recruiting and retaining volunteers. Advances in the Women's game A look forward to the Women's Rugby World Cup. Th…
- #175 - Week 5 Match Reports - 6 Nations
The 6 Nations is over and it was another fantastic tournament. Super Saturday dealt up three very decent games - all going to form! As usual, I got a load of special guests to discuss everything that happened. For France vs Scotland - I sp…
- #174 - Week 4 Match Reports - 6 Nations
The 6 Nations is going all the way to Super Saturday! Three great games this weekend, and as usual, I got a load of special guests to discuss everything that happened For England vs Italy - I spoke with Phil Greenaway about the Twickenham…
- #173 - Josh Jones - One of the worst knees I've ever seen
My guest this week is TRY IT Rugby Academy Founder - Josh Jones. We talked about the benefits of a Rugby League background, his time in Sale Sharks Academy, what it was like to play for esteemed rugby school - Kirkham Grammar, and the horr…
- #172 - Week 3 Match Reports - 6 Nations
The 6 Nations is in full swing now and the middle weekend of fixtures was made up of three very different games. And as usual, I got a load of special guests to discuss everything that happened. For Italy vs France - I spoke with Mike Petr…
- #171 - Week 3 Previews - 6 Nations
I spoke with some incredible rugby folk to analyse the upcoming games in Round 2 of the 2025 6 Nations. For Italy vs France - actually that was just me! For England vs Scotland - Former Gloucester Academy coach - Phil Greenaway For Wales v…
- #170 - Tyler Kania - The Maniac with No Knees
CONTENT WARNING - This episode contains many sensitive subjects throughout such as substance abuse, mental illness and suicide. If that will be triggering for you then please feel free to give this episode a miss. Thank you. My guest this…
- #169 - Week 2 Match Reports - 6 Nations
The 6 Nations is in full swing now and the second weekend of fixtures was made up of three very different games. And as usual, I got a load of special guests to discuss everything that happened. For Scotland vs Ireland - I spoke with Simon…
- #168 - Week 2 Previews - 6 Nations
I spoke with some incredible rugby folk to analyse the upcoming games in Round 2 of the 2025 6 Nations. For Scotland vs Ireland - Former S&C Coach for London Scottish - Simon Elkinson For England vs France - Former Gloucester Academy coach…
- #167 - 6 Nations Match Reports - Week 1
The 6 Nations has started and it was a magical first weekend of fixtures. And as usual, I got a load of special guests to add some wonderful insight into what were three great games. For Scotland vs Italy - I spoke with Mike Petretta from…
- #166 - Scott Lake - Rugby for Riley
My guest this week is Veor RFC player and Chairman - Scott Lake. Scott has done so much for the game of rugby and the community around Veor RFC in Cornwall that he was awarded the prestigious RFU Volunteer of the Year award. Shortly after…
- #165 - 6 Nations Match Previews - Week 1
With the 2025 Six Nations fast approaching, I spoke with some incredible rugby folk to analyse the upcoming games in Round 1 of the 2025 6 Nations. For France vs Wales - Rugby YouTuber - Rugby Merlin For Scotland vs Italy - former player f…
- #164 - The BIG 6 Nations Preview
With the 2025 Six Nations fast approaching, I spoke with some incredible rugby-folk to get the inside line on each of the Nations. For Wales - Former Dragons Head Coach - Dai Flanagan For England - Former England 7's Captain - Mike Friday…
- CLASSIC - Social Media 'Superstar' - #3 - Martin Davey
Martin and I were teammates for many years at Old Colfeians RFC and spent three more seasons running the team as DoR/1stXV Manager. We are also former work-mates in the London Fire Brigade. Our rugby history goes back a long way! LINKS Old…
- CLASSIC - It didn't matter whether we won or lost! - #2 - Matt Townsend
'Towner' and I have played a lot of rugby over the years across many different teams - Cheltenham Civil Service, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Colts, Combined London Old Boys and of course Old Colfeians. We had a good dig through our rugby h…
- CLASSIC - Fighting before the game! - #1 - Chris Tunnicliff
He ain't heavy... From tackling practice in the back garden to playing together for Cheltenham RFC and Gloucestershire Schools to recently coaching minis rugby at Ellingham and Ringwood RFC, it's been a long rugby-filled ride with my only…
- #163 - Andy Burfoot - Reimagining a rugby clubhouse
My guest this week is current Minchinhampton RFC player Andy Burfoot. Andy is still playing at 48 years of age and has had the privilege of playing alongside both of his sons. We chatted about all the great things going on at Minch, includ…