For The Love Of Rugby

International rugby returns this weekend and Ben Youngs has called in the cavalry ahead of the Nations Championship, with Springbok legend Steven Kitshoff and New Zealand broadcaster Ross Kyle joining the show.

With each host flying the flag for their side, Kitsie makes the case for the Springboks, Ross backs the All Blacks, and Ben takes on the challenge of defending the Northern Hemisphere.

We break down the strengths and weaknesses of the leading contenders, asking whether the Springboks can build on their recent success, whether the All Blacks are finding their feet under Dave Rennie, and which Northern Hemisphere nation poses the biggest threat.

Can England rediscover the form that made them one of the most exciting teams in world rugby?

Can France overcome their injury crisis and finally get the better of South Africa?

And could Ireland once again prove to be the Springboks' biggest nemesis?

🇿🇦 Listen to For The Love Of Rugby: South Africa: https://podfollow.com/1888296557

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Ben Youngs and Dan Cole sit down with David Algie, the creator of the Raeburn Shield, to explore the story behind one of rugby's most unique and fascinating concepts. How did the idea come about? What inspired David to create it? And what does it take to bring a new tradition to international rugby? From the origins of the Raeburn Shield to its growing place in the rugby world, David joins Ben and Dan to discuss the thinking, passion and ambition behind the project. 🛡️ Check out the Raeburn Shield website: https://www.raeburnandutrechtshields.com/

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Rugby's two brightest history minds, Joe Heyes and Dan Cole, have summoned class clown Ben Youngs for a lecture on the entire history of rugby. Spoiler alert: it's crazy.

📜 Follow Joe's history page: https://www.instagram.com/heyestory/

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Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are back to react to Steve Borthwick’s latest England squad announcement! Who’s made the cut, who’s missing out, and what do the selections tell us about England’s plans?

Plus, the boys rank the weekend’s derby games on the SPICE METER 🌶️ Which rivalry delivered the biggest fireworks, which game lived up to the hype, and which derby left us wanting more?

Squad debates, derby-day drama, try-scoring records and plenty of strong opinions - all on For The Love Of Rugby.

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The 2026/27 season is well underway and ahead of Prem Rugby's Derby Weekend, reporters Dan Cole and Robbie Owen from Squidge Rugby assess how England's brightest prospects are shaping up.

Spain are bidding to host the 2035 World Cup, could this pave the way for them to join the Six Nations? And more importantly, does this mean Coley can fulfill his dream of playing in a radical new competition?

Plus, a deep dive into Wales's Nations Championship squad; and was the Bledisloe Cup all a bit disappointing?

💰 Enter Henry Pollock's Funding Circle competition: https://www.fundingcircle.com/uk/rugby/competition/the-pitch/

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The Investec Champions Cup is BACK! Dan Cole and Steven Kitshoff have peeled themselves from their sofas to talk about all the action...

With the URC and Top 14 teams dominating, what does this say about the state of English club rugby? And could it affect the national team?

That said, on Friday night under the lights at Kingsholm, Gloucester stood firm against the Galacticos of Bordeaux; whilst their West Country rivals Exeter came within a whisker of an historic result in Toulouse.

Meanwhile, with the Bulls and Stormers securing emphatic wins, is this a sign that South African teams are taking the competition seriously?

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🏉 Can you pick a better team than Dan & Kitsie for the next round? Join our Investec Champions Cup Superbru fantasy league: LOLR3773

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🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music

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Ben and Dan are back with a SPECIAL BONUS episode for all of you, as the Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup return this weekend!

Leinster, Ireland and British & Irish Lions back-rower Jack Conan joins the lads for a chat about all things Investec Champions Cup, Nations Championship and much more.

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The Investec Champions Cup begins this weekend and Ben Youngs, Dan Cole and Anthony Watson have headed to the Investec office to preview the biggest international club rugby tournament in the world.

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Ben Youngs and Anthony Watson have travelled to Lyon to speak to some of rugby’s biggest names for the launch of the Investec Champions Cup.

We catch up with our old mate - and two-time winner - Ben Tameifuna about his iconic celebrations.

Jordan Larmour also joins to share the perspective of a Leinster side that were defeated in Bilbao.

Leicester Tigers young star Emeka Ilione might just be one of the most interesting rugby players in the game today: a unit on the pitch who’s spent his time away injured training as a doctor.

Plus, Stormers sensation Riley Norton chats about his decision to snub a cricket career to forge his way into the bomb squad; and former England-turned-Racing 92 lock Jonny Hill reveals he is a FTLOR superfan.

🎮 Join our Investec Champions Cup Fantasy league: https://www.superbru.com/investec_champions_cup_fantasy/pool.php?p=13382036

🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music

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Maro Itoje, like you've never heard him before.

The Saracens, England, and British & Irish Lions captain is a modern great. Today, he sits down with Ben Youngs and Anthony Watson to tell his story in his words.

How has his 'Lagos in London' upbringing shaped him to become the person he is today?

Do his politics influence his leadership style?

And how is he approaching completing one of the largest trophy cabinets in world rugby by winning the Webb Ellis trophy?

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Ben Youngs, Dan Cole and Squidge Rugby take on the unenviable task of ranking the top 50 club sides in world rugby, with plenty of debate and hot topics as their individual selections are combined into a comprehensive list.

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Ben Youngs and Dan Cole have jetted off to Dublin to chat with Ireland, Munster, and British & Irish Lions legend Peter O’Mahony!
Peter reflects on his amazing career, upon the release of his new autobiography All In.

Talk begins with Ireland’s World Cup Frustrations in 2019 and 2023, and the key differences between playing under Joe Schmidt and Andy Farrell.

We couldn’t have Mr Munster on the pod and not chat about his beloved region, with the highs of winning a URC and playing under the genius Rassie Erasmus, to a fiery end involving a pen being thrown at him.

This, and plenty more, on the latest episode of For The Love Of Rugby!

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Ben Youngs and Dan Cole review the opening round of the Prem season from Mattioli Woods Welford Road, moments before Ben takes to the pitch, one more time in the cross-code 745 game.

To help fight MND, you can donate via: https://gloucesterrugbyfoundation.beaconforms.com/form/e05e1e10

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Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are back at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium to speak to the game's biggest stars ahead of a the 2025/26 PREM season.

Newcastle Red Bulls and Exeter Chiefs have received huge investment, so Christian Wade and Daf Jenkins share how rugby is changing.

England captain Maro Itoje fills the boys in about his summer off and Freddie Steward has plenty of stories about his off-season. And defenders, watch out - Louis Rees-Zammit is back to his best.

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Ahead of the 2025/26 PREM Rugby season, Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium to speak to the game's biggest stars. Finn Russell shares his burning ambition to cement his legacy by winning domestic and international trophies, Fin Smith and George Ford take us inside their battle for the England fly-half jersey, Wales captain Jac Morgan discusses his recent transfer to Gloucester and Fin Baxter brings us inside his infamous meeting with the Princess of Wales.

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A new era for the Scotland Women, camp witching hours, cool heads and a whole lot of Scotland Pride. All thanks to Vodafone, the official WXV Series Partner and partner of Scottish Rugby, we're going behind the jersey and getting to know Scotland Women, Rhona Lloyd, Sarah Bonar and Helen Nelson ahead of their game against New Zealands Black Ferns on Saturday. Vodafone are all about creating meaningful connections between players and fans, and if you want to win tickets to Scotland vs Australia on Sat 26th, click https://www.instagram.com/p/DdZL8oYqWYY/?stkn=dDBqNXA4OGI2Mmlj and enter before Tuesday 22nd 11:59pm

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What REALLY happens on an England Rugby summer holiday? 👀 Ben Youngs and Dan Cole get the full story from Ben Earl and Alex Mitchell — from the highs, the chaos, and everything in between. Plus, Seb Atkinson joins us to talk all things Gloucester and pre-season, while Nathan Hughes gives his verdict on how the world’s rugby leagues really compare. 🌍🏉 This is For The Love Of European Rugby.

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Ben Youngs and Dan Cole react to South Africa's series-clinching 43-28 win in Baltimore, winning the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry 3-1. As well as reacting to the match, the duo talk all things USA amid rumours Six Nations fixtures could be held there, ahead of the 2031 Rugby World Cup. Plus, a look at the Red Roses' WXV win over Australia, and the lads react to your comments after Steve Borthwick's England contract extension.

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Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are joined by Robbie Owen from Squidge Rugby as they give their predictions for the 2026/27 PREM Rugby season.

Ranking each of their top 10s, play-off winners, and a whole host of other awards predictions, the trio delve into what will be one of the most hotly anticipated season in recent history.

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England Rugby have announced that Steve Borthwick is set to extend his contract past the 2027 Rugby World Cup and until after the 2028 Six Nations.

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole react to the news that the head coach will remain in the top job of English Rugby.

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