Amateur Rugby Podcast

My guest this week is a rugby-nut and world traveller - Nick Dance Dancer is now settled in Cambridge and trying to bring the game of rugby to new audiences whilst supporting the local community and rugby clubs at the same time. Could you do this with your club? This is an incredible episode - I hope you enjoy. LINKS Rugby & Travel - Nick Dance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1U

My guest this week is former Oxford University and Wasps player Ellaine Gelman. This interview was recorded in May of 2024 and we talked about Ellaine discovering rugby whilst at college in the US, pursuing further honours and achievements at Oxford Uni and Wasps before diving headlong into the World of 7’s. Ellaine runs Find Rugby Now - a service to help people find rugby clubs

My guest this week is former Cheltenham Colts captain - Leroy Hughes. This interview was recorded in April of 2024 and we talked about playing for and captaining the legendary Cheltenham Colts, being able to switch between hooker and openside, and the realities of pushing for higher honours with Moseley. There are some cracking tour stories, lessons about leadership, and Leroy shar

My guest this week is USA 7’s Head Coach - Mike Friday. This interview was recorded in April of 2024 and we talked about the development of young, elite players in England. We talk about how the demands have changed over the years, the pros and cons of different pathway systems, and why English players don’t seem to get enough game-time. Mike has a huge amount of experience of

My guest this week is former rugby player, now rugby promoter - Dan Tanner. This interview was recorded in April of 2024 and we talked about the remarkable tale of how Dan got into rugby, and what it was like to be a rugby nomad. We talked about playing in Canada, the incredible end-of-season tournaments and the challenges facing Rugby Canada from the grassroots to the National Tea

My guest this week is Rugby Union player and Rugby League fan - Andrew Foster. This interview was recorded in March of 2024 and we talked about Foz growing up in League country, what it’s like to take a bunch of southern softies to the Challenge Cup Final, thoughts on player recruitment and retention in lower teams and what it’s like as a teacher to play alongside one your stud

My guest this week is former Harelquins and Worcester winger - Sam Smith. This interview was recorded in March of 2024 and we talked about Sam’s rapid rise into the pro ranks, the perilous spiral he routinely found himself in when his form dipped, dealing with harsh criticism and living with Joe Marler! We discussed the trials of retiring young and losing your identity, post-rugb

With the Six Nations now complete, I spoke with Simon Elkinson about all the fixtures from the final weekend. The battle for the wooden spoon in Cardiff where Wales tackled Italy. Saturday late afternoon in Dublin as Ireland took on Scotland. And grand finale in Lyon as France took on England. LINKS Simon Elkinson on Twitter - @OnsideRecruiter - https://twitter.com/OnsideRecruiter

With the middle weekend of the Six Nations now complete, I spoke with Simon Elkinson about all the fixtures. The surprisingly wild encounter in Rome where Italy beat Scotland. Saturday late afternoon at Twickenham as England put and end to Ireland’s back-to-back Grand Slam hopes. And finishing up with the crazy, Wales versus France from Cardiff. LINKS Simon Elkinson on Twitter -

Despite it being a rest week, I’ve still got some awesome Six Nations content for you. Former podcast guest (and coaching partner of mine at Old Colfeians) Phil Greenaway jumped in to lend his expert analysis on what is going on with England’s attack. LINKS Phil is available for consultancy services. For anyone interested please visit the website - https://pgreenawayltd.com/ B