Rugby Union Weekly

Why can’t Scotland beat the All Blacks? Chris, GRO and Tom pick through a second-half collapse at Murrayfield and ask whether the opening weekend of the Nations Championship needed an upset. What did England’s win over Australia tell us about Steve Borthwick’s side? Can Wales build on beating Japan when New Zealand come to Cardiff? The guys also look ahead to France v South Africa in Paris and ask where Ireland sit in the pecking order. Plus, find out which rugby question left GRO stumped at his local pub quiz.

England restarted their Nations Championship campaign in a dominant and energetic fashion as they beat Australia 45-22.
Chris, Ashy and Paul Grayson give their instant reaction from the Allianz Stadium as the home side put seven tries past the Wallabies.
They pick out star performances including from Seb Atkinson and highlight where things have gone right for England after a bumpy start to the year.
Sara gets in on the action too as she is joined by England head coach Steve Borthwick and Australia’s head coach Les Kiss in the tunnel of the stadium.
The guys dissect what went wrong with this Australian side and take a look at the other big stories from the opening week of these November matches!

Hear from a passionate Jamie George and Maro Itoje, who dismiss reports claiming the England players were unhappy with Steve Borthwick's leadership in the summer. They tell Chris it will galvanise the squad and believe the timing of the article was meant to divide them. We also the discuss the England team with friend of the pod Alex Lowe which sees Fin Smith named at fly-half this Sunday. What can we expect from Australia? Chris has also been into the Wallabies camp to see John Fisher to find out where they're at seven matches into the Les Kiss regime.

The Nations Pod is back for the autumn! Chris, GRO and Tom look ahead to the Nations Championship and assess where the Home Nations stand heading into a crucial November. Just how significant would a first ever Scotland win over the All Blacks be? Tom argues there's another nation Scotland supporters would love to beat even more. How optimistic should Wales fans be? And can England finally solve their midfield puzzle amid a growing injury list? Plus, after last year's humbling defeat at the Aviva, is Ireland's autumn defined by their performance against world champions South Africa?

The southern hemisphere teams are in town as the Nations Championship resumes this weekend. Which of the home nations has the most to prove this autumn? Danny, Ashy and Ugo look ahead to a huge Test at Twickenham for Steve Borthwick’s England. Should Marcus Smith get the keys to number 10 against Australia? They also discuss the injuries at scrum-half and if England can develop an identity when wins are so important. Has New Zealand’s resurgence come at the worst possible time to end their All Blacks hoodoo? We also reflect on the Prem and Leicester’s flying start.