Rugby Union Weekly

It’s the final instalment of our guide series, and this week Chris, Tom and GRO are transporting you to Paris. They discuss their favourite memories of watching rugby in the French capital. Tom recalls Brian O’Driscoll’s hat-trick at the Stade de France and why it’s memorable for all the wrong reasons. GRO tells us about Sir Gareth Edwards’ favourite spot in the city and how he spent an evening with the legendary scrum-half and Jean-Claude Skrela. Where does the atmosphere at the Stade de France rank amongst the other Six Nations venues? And what’s the one you thing you shouldn’t do in Paris according to GRO?

Chris is in Verona to assess the mood in the England camp after three successive defeats. Is the shirt weighing heavy on the players? Will we see a new gameplan in Paris? We hear from Steve Borthwick on all this and the exchange between Maro Itoje and Fin Smith in Rome. Ollie Chessum talks about the ‘hurt’ he felt after losing his starting place, and he explains how the players and coaches are as tight as ever despite recent results. We also catch up with our England centurion to get his take on matters. Danny outlines what he wants to see from Ben Spencer this weekend as England look to avoid losing four matches in the Six Nations for the first time.

Chris, Tom and GRO bring you a bumper preview of what promises to be an epic Super Saturday. Can Scotland win a first Six Nations title? They will have to end their Ireland hoodoo without a host of starters including pod favourite Gregor Brown. Chris dials in from Verona to bring you the latest from the England camp after that chastening defeat to Italy. Will we see a different gameplan from Steve Borthwick’s side in Paris? What did the Maro Itoje clash with Fin Smith say about where this England team is at? Rhys Carre is inspiring the next generation of Wales players after his superb solo try in Dublin. Are Wales ready to end their run of wooden spoons? What characteristics did we see that was reminiscent of Gatland’s golden generation?

Round four of the Six Nations did not disappoint! There was drama, shocks and a weekend for the underdogs - Ugo, Sam and John take a deep dive into a really unbelievable few days of rugby.
They start with Scotland who overpowered and outperformed the defending champions at Murrayfield and ask what went right for Gregor Townsend’s side. Attention then turns to matters in Rome…where England lost for the first time against Italy.
Ugo was at the match and gives his thoughts 24 hours on… now that his heart rate has come down! The guys then look into where England lost the game and what happens to the future of this Steve Borthwick side going forward.
And Sam is in bright spirits after Wales put on a spirited and positive display against Ireland in Dublin.
And it’s prediction time….

Chris Jones and Matt Dawson reflect on an extraordinary day in the Six Nations.
England beaten 23-18 by Italy in Rome - England's third loss in a row, and first ever defeat to Italy. What's gone wrong since the Autumn Internationals and where does this leave Steve Borthwick?
They're also joined by Johnnie Beattie who saw Scotland run riot against France, 50-40 at Murrayfield, which means Scotland, Ireland and France all have the chance to lift the trophy next Saturday. 
TIMECODES:
00:13 - Greatest day in Six Nations history?
06:48 - Italy punish England
13:00 - Italy captain Michele Lamaro
17:12 - England head coach Steve Borthwick
20:39 - What next for England
32:01 - Chris, Matt and Johnnie Beattie reflect on Scotland's big win
43:45 - Gregor Townsend speaks to Sonja McLaughlan
50:06 - Super Saturday set up perfectly