The Welsh Rugby Podcast

Join Wales Online rugby writers Ben James and Steffan Thomas for the latest news, analysis and interviews from the world of Welsh rugby. With plenty of guests making an appearance, it'll be the podcast with its finger truly on the pulse of the game in Wales.

Sports
Rugby
126
The team to face Georgia, new faces and a 'wate...
Ben James is joined by Matthew Southcombe and Simon Thomas to talk about the Wales team to face Georgia. The new debutants, the pressure on Pivac and a 'watershed selection' are all discussed.
39 min
127
Dublin defeat, set-piece woes and the need to c...
Matt Southcombe and Ben James pick over the bones following Wales' 32-9 defeat to Ireland in Dublin - their sixth in a row. The set-piece problems, tactical issues and selection concerns are all laid bare.
21 min
128
Ireland v Wales teams, Callum Sheedy debut and ...
Matt Southcombe and Mark Orders went live on our Facebook and YouTube channels to discuss Wales' team to face Ireland. You can listen to the conversation here, including a debut for Callum Sheedy.
24 min
129
Another defeat, Pivac under pressure and where ...
Ben James is joined by Mark Orders to talk about another Welsh defeat - this time to Scotland in the Six Nations. Wales' breakdown problems, pressure on Wayne Pivac and what they need to do next are all on the agenda.
49 min
130
Wales v Scotland teams, Shane Lewis-Hughes and ...
Ben James is joined by Matthew Southcombe and Simon Thomas to react to the Wales team to face Scotland, answer listener questions and assess what's next for George North after his exclusion from the matchday squad.
41 min
131
A French defeat, defensive issues and not many ...
Ben James is joined by Mark Orders and Simon Thomas to look back over Wales' defeat to France in their opening autumn match. Defensive issues, gameplan worries and all manner of concerns are discussed on this episode.
35 min
132
The team to face France, Alun Wyn's record and ...
Matthew Southcombe, Simon Thomas and Mark Orders sit down to discuss the Wales team to face France, the potential debut of Louis Rees-Zammit and Alun Wyn Jones equalling the world record for Test appearances.
31 min
133
Behind the new Welsh kit: How the Welsh rugby j...
Ben James is joined by Macron’s Sr Sports Marketing Manager Ross Cook ahead of their first Wales jersey to learn out the design process and how the new kit came to be. Apologies for the sound quality - the interview was recorded on a zoom call and we...
35 min
134
Wales' autumn squad, new faces and the 60-secon...
Ben James is joined by Mark Orders to talk about Wales' autumn squad selection, including the call-ups of uncapped players such as Ioan Lloyd, Callum Sheedy, Johnny Williams and Sam Parry. We also hear from Wales coach Wayne Pivac about his selection.
38 min
135
Wales' best PRO14 hope, Pivac' autumn squad and...
Ben James is joined by Matthew Southcombe and Simon Thomas to look ahead to the PRO14 season, discuss which region has the best chance of doing well and taking a glimpse at what Wayne Pivac might do with his Wales squad for the autumn. There's also...
55 min
136
Dragons' Radradra reality check, Scarlets' miss...
Ben James is joined by rugby writers Simon Thomas and Matthew Southcombe to talk about the Dragons and Scarlets' defeats in Europe on the weekend, as well as why the PRO14 teams struggled and the return of Willis Halaholo. If you enjoy the podcast,...
48 min
137
Wales on Amazon Prime and the Dragons and Scarl...
Ben James is joined by Simon Thomas to talk about the latest TV broadcast deal with Amazon Prime and the Dragons and Scarlets' Challenge Cup quarter-finals this weekend.
34 min
138
James Hook's new job, Owen Farrell and Wales' 2...
Ben James is joined by James Hook to talk about his work coaching at the Ospreys, the recent Owen Farrell controversy and to pick his Wales team for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
41 min
139
The Welsh derbies reviewed, each region assesse...
Ben James is joined by Mark Orders to talk about the two rounds of Welsh derbies, looking at where each region currently stands in terms of their strengths and weaknesses and the uncapped Welsh players who could earn call-ups very soon. If you enjoy...
51 min
140
Sean Holley, Welsh derbies and rugby is finally...
Rugby is finally back after five months away and Sean Holley joins Ben James on the podcast to talk the return of the Guinness PRO14, Welsh derbies and who to watch as a new era for the regions begins... Sean Holley will be part of the Premier Sports...
28 min
141
Alecs Donovan on Wales women, her new business ...
Ben James is joined by Wales and Ospreys centre Alecs Donovan to talk about her rugby career and her yoga business. She also talks about doing yoga classes with the Bristol Bears, Sam Warburton and George North.
33 min
142
The Mike Ruddock podcast: Steadying the Ospreys...
Ben James is joined by former Wales coach and current Ospreys Development Director Mike Ruddock to talk about his new role at the region, what the future of the Ospreys looks like and just how difficult it has been getting them back on track.
32 min
143
Jamie Roberts, disgruntled regions and Rhys Carre
Ben James is joined by Mark Orders to talk about Jamie Roberts being in talks with the Dragons, as well as the Scarlets and Ospreys' latest business. Also, Andy Howell speaks to Rhys Carre about his return to the Cardiff Blues. If you've enjoyed the...
40 min
144
The Phil Dollman podcast: Exeter, exile and tha...
Ben James is joined by Exeter Chiefs full-back Phil Dollman to talk about rugby resuming post-Covid, his time at Exeter Chiefs and his Wales call-up in 2017. If you enjoyed the podcast, make sure you subscribe and leave a review.
42 min
145
Nick Tompkins's future resolved, the Welsh prop...
Ben James is joined by Simon Thomas and Mark Orders to talk about Nick Tompkins signing for the Dragons, Rhys Carre coming back to the Cardiff Blues and what it means for the Welsh prop situation and the scheduled fixtures for when rugby in Wales is...
46 min
146
The Xavier Rush podcast: Cardiff Blues, new bus...
Ben James is joined by former New Zealand, Auckland Blues and Cardiff Blues no. 8 Xavier Rush to talk about his new business, his time in Wales, his thoughts on rugby and a few tales from his playing career.
49 min
147
The Sean Fitzpatrick podcast: Super Rugby, glob...
Ben James is joined by All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick for a special podcast, looking at the return of Super Rugby in New Zealand, the introduction of a global season and his thoughts on Wales and Wayne Pivac. If you've enjoyed this podcast,...
46 min
148
Pay cuts, frustration and big changes: What the...
Ben James is joined by Simon Thomas and Andy Howell to discuss what the future holds for Welsh rugby after the coronavirus pandemic. With the WRPA making a strongly-worded statement and suggestions finances will be hit heavily, our writers join...
35 min
149
My favourite game: Sonny Bill's shoulder, victo...
Matthew Southcombe is joined by Ben James to discuss another of our writers' favourite matches from the past. This time, it's Ben's turn to reminisce and the 2017 Second Test between New Zealand and the British and Irish Lions is on the agenda. From...
24 min
150
Five games that changed my life: James Hook
Ben James is joined by Wales and Ospreys legend James Hook to relive the five matches that changed his life. There's matches for Neath, Ospreys and Wales in there - plus some very special games against England!
35 min