Rugby Union Weekly

Henry Pollock gets his first England start. Ollie Lawrence returns. Tommy Freeman is back on the wing. Tom Curry starts. There is plenty for Chris and Ugo to unpick from the England team to face Ireland on Saturday. Why has there been so many changes? Is it a reflection of the performance against Scotland? We are joined by Steve Borthwick who talks through the changes in the midfield and back row and why he felt Henry Arundell deserved another shot after his red card against Scotland. Ollie Lawrence is also on the pod. He chats to us about renewing his partnership with Fraser Dingwall and battling with Freeman for the number 13 shirt. We also go deep into his hair regime and find out why he’s unable to get his haircut until England head to Rome in March.

You’ve heard from Gregor Townsend, Sione Tuipulotu and John Barclay after Scotland’s latest Calcutta Cup triumph. Now it’s the turn of Stirling and Limerick’s finest - Tom English. He talks Chris and GRO through his range of emotions at full-time one week after that chastening defeat in Rome. After another stellar display, is Finn Russell now Scotland’s greatest ever player? Can he guide them to a Triple Crown? And can we persuade GRO it’s a big achievement? Things get even better for Tom when a listener shares a poem all about his favourite player. As for England, how will Steve Borthwick react to that defeat in Edinburgh? Will we see a change in personnel or a change in tactics? What can we expect from Ireland this Saturday? Is there enough x-factor in Andy Farrell’s side? We also touch on Wales as GRO tries to find the positives following another heavy defeat.

Ugo, Ashy and a very happy John Barclay review round two of the Six Nations after Scotland regained the Calcutta Cup. Is a first triple crown since 2010 now on the cards? Did Scotland's gameplan expose England's weaknesses? Should it have been Marcus Smith on the bench at Murrayfield? And is his namesake Fin getting enough Test minutes? France flex their muscles in Cardiff as they put 50 on Wales, can anyone stop the defending champions from winning another title? But why are Wales still struggling defensively under Steve Tandy? Ireland's fly-half debate rumbles on, will it be Sam Prendergast or Jack Crowley lining up at Twickenham? And what is the biggest obstacle preventing Italy from being in the title hunt one day?

Chris is alongside Matt Dawson and Johnnie Beattie as Scotland regain the Calcutta Cup, beating England 31-20 at Murrayfield! The guys reflect on a comprehensive win for Scotland, before hearing from proud Scotland captain, Sione Tuipulotu. They discuss how the squad stepped up for Gregor Townsend in a week where their head coach came under a lot of fire. Then, we hear from England head coach Steve Borthwick, speaking after a 5th Calcutta Cup loss in 6 years. How significant was Arundell's red card to the final result, and where else was the match lost for England? Finally, after hearing from Gregor Townsend, the guys discuss whether Scotland can back this up next week and beyond. 
 
TIMECODES:
0'55 - Match reflections, "Scotland were comprehensive winners!" & the strategic differences between Borthwick & Townsend
06'45 - What Scotland did well, and how the big moments went in their favour
08'45 - Interview with Scotland captain, Sione Tuipulotu
10'10 - How the Scotland squad "did it for Gregor", & embracing the arrogance
17'32 - Interview with England head coach, Steve Borthwick
20'34 - Arundell's red & where it was lost for England
32'16 - Interview with Scotland head coach, Gregor Townsend
35'58 - Can Scotland back this up?

Chris has made it to Edinburgh to find Tom English and Andy Burke to analyse the Scotland team for the Calcutta Cup. There is no Edinburgh player in the starting XV since 1998! So, it means there is no place for Duhan van der Merwe again. Is it a gamble to leave out the record try scorer in the Calcutta Cup in the Six Nations era? Can Gregor Townsend survive another defeat, or would it be the final straw for the Scottish rugby public? We also pick through some bold selection calls from Ireland boss Andy Farrell as they welcome Italy to the Aviva on Saturday. Chris heads to the England team hotel to catch up with captain Maro Itoje as he prepares to win his 99th cap after a tough few weeks on a personal level. He shares how his faith has helped him deal with the loss of his mother. He speaks candidly about the huge influence she had on all aspects of his life and how much the reaction of the Twickenham crowd meant to him after coming off the bench last week.