German rugby is rebuilding — and new head coach Mike Poppmeier is the man tasked with leading it back.

In this episode, Carl sits down with Mike Poppmeier, the new head coach of Germany and a former Germany international, for an open conversation about Rugby Europe, the national team's future, and the funding gap holding it all back. Mike talks through his South African upbringing, his German/Austrian family roots and 11 years living in Germany, before laying out the real picture: how the lack of a professional environment and funding limits preparation, player retention, staffing and international fixtures.

He explains the value of cross-border competition like the new Ascent Rugby league (featuring Adler XV and Frankfurt), his role with dominant Bundesliga champions Frankfurt, and why Germany sits in the Trophy division while rebuilding its culture, behaviours and pathway by blooding young France-based prospects. Plus his coaching ethos — fitness, tempo and smart rugby — and the practical needs, from video analysis to aligned governance, that could unlock sponsorship and long-term growth.

Real stories from the leagues the mainstream skips.

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Welcome & guest intro
00:45 Mike's Germany journey
02:19 Why Germany slipped
04:50 Super Cup & pro pathways
07:16 Ascent Rugby explained
08:00 Bundesliga & Frankfurt dominance
10:43 Adler XV selection plans
13:26 Friendlies & travel budgets
16:07 Rebuild in the Trophy division
19:48 The funding mystery & next steps
22:03 Squad identity plan
22:45 Player release commitments
24:58 Coaching ethos & style
27:40 Prep time & logistics
28:46 Video analysis & tools
30:27 Head coach workload
33:40 Five-year vision
35:37 Funding & alignment
38:59 Curtis Brayford addition
40:25 Final message & legacy

🎧 Listen & follow: Spotify (open.spotify.com/show/511e8frgzJnY1CWe06GLyH) · Apple Podcasts · YouTube (youtube.com/@RugbyTTL) · rugbyttl.com