Podcast
HG Rugby
Telling rugby's untold stories by meeting people, analysing data and starting conversations
- Rugby chart
- #70
- Episodes
- 260
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 54 min
- On air since
- 2023
- Latest episode
- 2 days ago
Episodes
260 episodes, newest first
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30 min
Anglo-Welsh League: Done Deal Or Damned Delusion? Bonus
Show notes
Over the past few days the Welsh Rugby fandom and the UK rugby media have been sent into overdrive by an article in WalesOnline that the much desired Anglo-Welsh league may finally be happening.
In this video, I break down the article line by line to understand what it is actually telling us and contrast it to other articles on the same topic.
If you enjoy the video, please consider sharing a link with a friend, and don’t forget to hit that subscribe button!
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19 min
Elephant In The Room? - Reacting To The WRU Financial Report Bonus
Show notes
The WRU have release their annual financial report. I react to the headline numbers and what has been said un the latest round of interviews.
BBC article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/ck98z64qydd2o
LinkedIn article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/wru-has-published-its-evidence-answers-different-one-we-sion-o-connor-jikme/
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19 min
Don't Mention The 'C' Word! Bonus
Show notes
New data has recently been published that appears to prove that a lack of competitive games is irrelevant to the popularity of women's rugby. In this article, we will examine the new data, contrast with old data and use case studies to understand what impact it has on this most ‘rugby’ of arguments.
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53 min
How Champion Teams Are REALLY Built ft. Gainline Analytics
Episode 255
Show notes
How To Build A Champion Rugby Team ft. Gainline Analytics. I was joined by Gainline Analytic's Simon Strachan to learn the lessons of champion sides such as Leinster & Toulouse. With the Champions Cup once again upon us, we investigate how the best teams in the world use their resources and build their own solutions.
We then look at how club structures around the world impact the performance of the national teams - is there an ideal number of clubs per country?
#rugby #toulouse #leinster #france #ireland #podcast #europe #talent #coaching #analysis
Gainline Analytics' Substack: https://substack.com/@gainlineanalytics?utm_source=global-search
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28 min
The WRU Ruined My Friday - Keystone Report Breakdown Bonus
Show notes
The keystone report is what the WRU are using to justifying killing a men's region in West Wales - does it really answer all our questions?
Stay tuned for outtakes as a members only video on my YouTube & Substack this Thursday!
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20 min
Welsh Rugby Finances... Am I Going Mad?! Bonus
Show notes
Breaking down the interview given by the Welsh Rugby Union's Chief Financial & Operating Officer Gavin Marshall and contrasting it with CEO Abi Tierney's interview on the same topic. Where do they align, where do they differ and what questions are we left with at the end?
Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured
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14 min
Our Greatest Night! | Wales vs South Africa WXV Vlog Bonus
Show notes
I headed to Cardiff to watch Wales Women take on the Springboks of South Africa in WXV Global Series 2026. What I thought could have been the latest painful episode of the Welsh rugby experience turned out to be our greatest ever performance. Listen to the sounds of the evening as the women of Wales paused the pain.
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59 min
Asian Rugby Is A PROBLEM ft. Steve Noble
Episode 254
Show notes
Japan’s Comeback & the Rise of Hong Kong China: this week on the HG rugby podcast I am joined by Asia Rugby 247 journalist Steven Noble to get his insight on the state of Asian rugby, with reference to the 2026 Pacific Nations Cup.
Is Eddie Jones plotting another World Cup miracle with the Brave Blossoms? Can money solve Hong Kong China’s problems? What is going in with women’s rugby in the region? All this and more answered in this week’s podcast.
#japan #hongkong #china #asia #rugby #worldcup #podcast #japanese #women
Rugby Asia 247: https://www.rugbyasia247.com/category/topnews/
Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured
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57 min
Can Australia Rejoin Rugby's Superpowers? ft. Brett McKay
Episode 252
Show notes
Can the Wallabies of Australia shock the South African Springboks and the New Zealand All Blacks? This week I was joined by rugbypass columnist and podcaster Brett McKay to understand how Australia are trying to become a rugby union superpower once again
We look back on their 2026 campaign so far, ahead to their test against South Africa and Bledisloe Cup matches against New Zealand. Brett then explains what is happening below test rugby level with coaches, players and money.
#rugby #australia #wallabies #springboks #southafrica #newzealand #allblacks #podcast #australian
subscribe to the 89 Rugby Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com
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21 min
Toulouse Exodus Accelerates... And It Was Totally Predictable | Rugby Transfer Review
Episode 251
Show notes
I am aware of the intermittent clicking noises, this is due to me recording with a new software which has some teething issues. I twill be fixed for the next episode!
Stories explored in this month's dedicated rugby transfer podcast:
• Toulouse exodus
• French budgets revealed
• ROG & Borthwick extend
• SA women's rugby shocks
• Pollock chatshare links with friends and drop 5 star reviews, it all really helps!
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58 min
Why Losing Hurts New Zealanders So Badly ft. Distracted Sports
Episode 250
Show notes
I was joined by Tony O'Sullivan from the 'Two Cents Gets Distracted' podcast to get the Kiwi angle on the New Zealand All Black's defeat to the Springboks of South African in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour.
We dove into how the loss has affected the psyche of All Blacks fans back in New Zealand and what the ramifications might be. Tony doesn't hold back in sharing his pain!
#newzealand #allblacks #southafrica #springboks #rugby #podcast #review #loss #defeat
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9 min
When America Almost Joined The URC | Mini-Documentary
Episode 249
Show notes
When America Almost Joined The URC - revisiting the attempts to get USA teams into the United Rugby Championship: Who wanted it, what were the pros, what were the cons, and why didn't it happen? In this documentary, I draw on historical evidence and contemporary sources to understand the nuance of these difficult questions and investigate the roles of South Africa, Ireland and Wales in the twists and turns of this controversial story.
#rugby #unitedrugbychampionship #URC #southafrica #USA #america #ireland #wales #documentary
Check out @NARugbyDB !
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23 min
Why Signing Lots Of Players Is Bad: Rugby Transfers Special Bonus
Show notes
As club rugby fans, we are conditioned to believe that the more signings our team makes, the better. Take a quick glance at the replies to rugby clubs on social media during the off-season and you will see dozens of supporters asking for updates on recruitment. Is this right, though? Should rugby fans really be upset by their club making a low number of signings? Or, if we look deeper, is the reality completely different?
In this article we will draw on the practices of top class teams, insight from renowned data analysts, and case studies, to understand what good squad management looks like, before identifying some key indicators to help fans judge whether their clubs recruitment is exciting or troubling.
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55 min
What's Going On With Argentina? ft. Frankie Deges
Episode 248
Show notes
Why are Argentina so inconsistent in rugby union? capable of defeating the All Blacks, Springboks, or British and Irish lions, Los Pumas have won just one of their last seven test matches. Many people, however, think their coach Felipe Contepomi is working on a plan - a plan that could see them reach their first ever World Cup final.
I was joined by Argentinian rugby journalist Frankie Degas to understand exactly what is happening in South America and if Contepomi's plan is really working.
We also discuss the void left by the Jaguares Super Rugby franchise and what club rugby is really like back in Argentina.
#argentina #rugby #lospumas #podcast #interview #journalist #argentinian #worldcup #debate
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16 min
What French Rugby Is Getting So Right ft. Bernard Jackman Bonus
Show notes
outtakes from by podcast with Bernard Jackman. Birch shares his insight on how France manages to create a commercially successful and appealing rugby product that no other nation appears capable of doing.
He then gives his thoughts on how Toulouse maintain their status as the world greatest rugby club and how Montpellier turned themselves from relegation candidates into title contenders in one year.
subscribe to my substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby
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56 min
Wales Has Turned on the WRU, This Can't Continue. ft. Nicks Johnston
Episode 90
Show notes
Has the Welsh Rugby Union finally met its end? I was joined by one of my favourite people, rugby governance expert Nicks Johnston, to analyse the recent escalations against the WRU. Influential Welsh business people such as Rob Regan and Hayley Parsons have demanded the current leadership of Abi Tierney and Dave Reddin step down, but is that possible? If so, what happens next?
Link to my substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby
#rugby #Wales #welsh #podcast #governance #interview #news
follow Nicks on twitter: https://x.com/nicksjjFollow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugbyFollow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103
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27 min
Rugby Coaching: Science or Art? ft. Ben Pegna Bonus
Show notes
a second instalment of my chat with rugby coach Ben Pegna. We discuss what it takes to be an elite rugby coach - is it a science, or an art? Ben draws on his experiences around the world, what he has learned from top coaches and compares some renowned international head coaches to answer this fascinating question.
Head to my substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Follow Ben on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benpegna/?hl=en
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31 min
Why Henry Pollock Must LEAVE Northampton Saints, Ramos Toulouse Exit Explained | Rugby Transfer Review
Episode 88
Show notes
Link to my substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Link to my YouTube: https://youtu.be/DBzxxNsFnOc
Welcome back to the Rugby Transfer Review! My monthly podcast series covering the rumours, regulations, confirmations and controversies in the world of Rugby Union. In this episode I cover:
• Henry Pollock's million pound price tag
• Scottish Rugby Union at it again
• Why Thomas Ramos had to leave Toulouse#rugby #northampton #england #france #toulouse #transfers #rumours #explained #scotland #podcast
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57 min
Inside the Incredible Rugby Cultures of South Africa & new Zealand ft. Ben Pegna
Episode 85
Show notes
South Africa and New Zealand - the Springboks and the All Blacks - the Greatest Rivalry. Plenty is spoken of their rugby tactics, their strengths and Weakness on the pitch, but what about behind closed doors? What are South Africans and New Zealanders really like as cultures really like, both in training and away from the rugby's pitch?
This week I was joined by rugby coach Ben Pegna who has lived and worked in both of these iconic countries. He lifts the lid on what the rugby cultures are really like in New Zealand and South Africa, drawing heavily on his experience coaching at the Bulls in Pretoria.
We then finish the podcast with a debate: is the World Cup really worth sacrificing other games for?
Ben Pegna's CV:Coached at London Scottish for a few years with the academy and seniors. Wasps for three seasons across the academy and on the pathway to seniors.England 7s - performance analyst with Ben Ryan and Russell Earnshaw (also did 1 to 1 skills and some S and C etc)Consulted to Argentina coaches, consulted to Melbourne Rebels - coaches and players with Dave Wessels as head coach. Consulted twice at Bulls across seniors and juniors. Consulted as technical advisor to RGC on behalf of WRU and supported Mark Jones, current Ospreys head coach.Numerous schools and unis across different countries.
#rugby #southafrica #newzealand #springboks #allblacks #coaching #podcast #interview #worldcup
Follow Ben on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benpegna/?hl=en
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35 min
Hong Kong Heroes, USA Invincible! ft. Joe Santamaria | Tier 2 Touch Point
Episode 83
Show notes
episode 3 of my mini-series bringing you all the latest from Tier 2 rugby as the Nations Cup played out its second weekend of fixtures! - this time I was joined by my friend Joe Santamaria.
How did Hong Kong shock Uruguay and is this the moment to panic for Uruguayan rugby? How did USA see off Spain and go unbeaten? What of Tonga and Samoa? all that and more covered in this week's episode!
#usa #zimbabwe #rugby #canada #spain #portugal #romania #georgia #hongkong #chile #uruguay #tonga #samoa These videos are now also available on Substack, click the link below to find my page!https://substack.com/@hgrugby?utm_source=user-menu
Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugbyFollow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured
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