The Rugby Bunker

Ben Coles (The Observer) is joined by analyst and author Sam Larner to discuss the latest tactical trends this season, how England are shaping up for the autumn - and who should start at centre - before predicting Round 5 of the PREM.

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Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) are back to break down a fascinating week at Saracens, featuring statements hitting out at journalists and a wine tasting in the home changing room (which Ben went to).

They also discuss Charlie's visit to see Ed Slater and his excellent article in The Sunday Times, before predicting the five games in the PREM this weekend.

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Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) are back to unpack Northampton's wild 71-48 win over Bath, the latest criticism of artificial pitches from Louis Rees-Zammit, before looking ahead to this weekend's Champions Cup action in a one-off round before November.

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Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) discuss the first Bledisloe Cup game of the year, joined by guest Sam Bruce of ESPN, before getting into a lively slate of PREM games including Northampton hosting Bath.

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Ben Coles (Whisky Consultant) and Charlie Morgan (Beer Consultant) are back to go through an entertaining opening weekend of the PREM - with more points and away wins than ever before - while also discussing Brendan Venter's new job title at Saracens.

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Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) give their predictions on how the PREM table will look at the end the season from last to first, while only agreeing on a handful of clubs.

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Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) look back on South Africa clinching the Greatest Rivalry 3-1 over New Zealand in Baltimore, before turning attention to the PREM with a few thoughts before the big preview next week. Watch clips on YouTube.

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Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) are reunited to discuss new contracts for Henry Pollock (not for £1m) at Northampton and Steve Borthwick with England, breaking down what they both really mean.

They then discuss this weekend's final match in the Greatest Rivalry series between New Zealand and South Africa in Baltimore.

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Ben Coles (The Observer) is joined by New Zealand journalist Liam Napier (New Zealand Herald) ahead of the huge third Test at Soccer City, as the Springboks and All Blacks battle to go 2-1 in the Greatest Rivalry series.

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Ben Coles (The Observer) is joined by Daniel Gallan (RugbyPass, The Guardian) to pick through New Zealand's win at Ellis Park last weekend, before turning their attention to the second match in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry in Cape Town this weekend.

Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/

Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read

Daniel's work for RugbyPass: https://www.rugbypass.com/contributors/daniel-gallan/

#rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #springboks #allblacks #greatestrivalry

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Ben Coles (The Observer) is reunited with Charlie Morgan (The Times) to discuss what they have seen from New Zealand so far in their warm-up wins over the Stormers and Sharks in South Africa, before digging into which England players have received enhanced Elite Player Squad contracts. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan #rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #rugbynews #springboks #allblacks

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Ben Coles (The Observer) is back to explain why there was no episode last week, due to working on a big project for The Observer on concussion in rugby and the influence of the neurologist and plagiarist Paul McCrory, before catching up with New Zealand journalist Liam Napier (New Zealand Herald) in Cape Town ahead of the start of the 'Greatest Rivalry' tour with the All Blacks travelling around South Africa.

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Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/

Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read

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Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) are joined by Charles Richardson of The Telegraph to discuss the looming suspension for Argentina's Tomas Albornoz after confronting referee Angus Gardner, England's much-needed win in Santiago del Estero, before drafting a World XV following the conclusion of the Nations Championship.

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Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/

Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read

Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan

Charles' work for The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/c/cf-cj/charles-richardson/

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Ben Coles (The Observer, from his holiday) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) are back to break down England's game against Argentina late on Saturday, while also touching briefly on the other Nations Championship game of the day in Auckland.

Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan #rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #rugbynews #englandrugby #nationschampionship #argentinarugby #lospumas

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Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) are back to discuss how England should approach Saturday's game against Fiji, before getting into the other Nations Championship matches this weekend including South Africa against Scotland.

Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan #rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #rugbynews #englandrugby #nationschampionship #fijirugby

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Ben Coles (The Observer) chats to Charlie Morgan (The Times) in Johannnesburg ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship fixture between South Africa and England, breaking down England's selection and their chances before making a prediction.

Earlier in the episode Ben also speaks to South African journalist Jon Cardinelli about the Springboks' injury issues and depth, along with the higher ticket prices earlier in the week.

Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan

Follow Jon's work here: https://joncardinelli.journoportfolio.com/

#rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #rugbynews #englandrugby #nationschampionship

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Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) discuss Marcus Smith's comments earlier this week about his England career to date, having won his 50th cap in Paris in the Six Nations, before getting into some of England's biggest selection concerns ahead of facing South Africa next week.

Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/

Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read

Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan

#rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #rugbynews #premrugby #englandrugby #marcussmith #harlequins

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Ben Coles (The Observer) recaps a cagey, physical PREM final between Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs at Allianz Stadium. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read #rugby #rugbynews #rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #premrugby #northamptonsaints #exeterchiefs

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Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) break down the strengths of Northampton and Exeter heading into the PREM final this weekend, while also discussing the latest news from England on Maro Itoje, the Six Nations and Benhard Janse van Rensburg, and Charlie's stint with Lewis Moody's charity cycle ride.

Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/

Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read

Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan

#rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #rugbynews #premrugby #exeterchiefs #northamptonsaints

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Ben Coles (The Observer) recaps a busy week featuring insights from England's training camp and reaction from each of the two PREM semi-finals in Northampton and Bath.

Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/

Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read

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