From Rugby Fields to the Weight Room: John Clark's Incredible Journey | Rugby Through the Leagues Podcast

In this episode of Rugby Through the Leagues Podcast, we are joined by the inspiring John Clark, a rugby player and fitness enthusiast who has overcome significant physical challenges. John shares his journey from playing rugby at a young age to competing as Britain’s strongest natural man, and how a devastating neck injury led him to shift his focus to fitness. Despite his tough setbacks, including hearing loss, John made a remarkable return to rugby, representing the England Deaf Rugby team. We delve into his fitness philosophy, the importance of pre-season training, and the evolving nature of the fitness industry. This conversation is a testament to resilience, passion, and unwavering dedication to the sport and to personal growth. Don't miss this motivating story of turning adversity into strength!

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:38 John Clark's Rugby Journey
02:30 Transition to Strongman and Fitness
03:30 Endurance Challenges and Return to Rugby
04:00 Hearing Loss and Joining England Deaf
09:16 Reflections on Rugby Culture and Youth Development
13:55 Balancing Rugby and Family Life
17:00 Coaching and Future Plans
28:12 Challenges of Communication in Rugby
31:56 Adapting to Hearing Loss in Family Life
35:08 Pre-Season Training Strategies
44:11 The Importance of Tracking Progress
46:31 The State of the Fitness Industry
57:31 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In-Depth Interview with Mario Pichardiei: Spanish Rugby's Rising Star

Welcome to another episode of Rugby through the League's podcast! In this special in-person episode, we sit down with Mario Pichardie, a prominent figure in Spanish rugby. We delve into Mario's experiences, including his new journey with a French club, the dynamics of Spanish players in France, and the development of rugby in Spain. From his initial days at Wasps, his influential role in the Spain national team, to his aspirations for the future, Mario shares it all. We also discuss the potential for Spain hosting the 2035 Rugby World Cup and the current state of rugby development in the country. Tune in for an insightful conversation with a passionate rugby talent who's making waves in the sport!

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:33 Mario Pichardie's New Club in France
01:10 Challenges and Opportunities in French Rugby
03:54 Mario's Rugby Journey and Education
05:59 Spanish Rugby Development and Challenges
09:26 Spain's Rugby World Cup Aspirations
16:36 The Future of Rugby in Spain
20:31 Challenges of Hosting Rugby Tournaments in Spain
21:01 The Rugby Culture in Spain and Stadium Attendance
21:21 Travel and Logistics for Rugby Tournaments in Spain
21:43 Rugby in Bilbao and Catalonia
22:36 Filling Stadiums and Pre-Game Festivities
23:29 Personal Stories: Playing Rugby in France
23:56 Dreams of Playing with Family
25:44 The Impact of Brexit on Rugby Careers
26:18 Pathways to Professional Rugby
26:55 Goals for the Rugby Europe Championships
28:15 Reflecting on Past Matches and Performances
30:53 The Importance of Game Time and Training
34:38 Future Aspirations and Career Plans
37:16 Memorable Players and Influences
39:09 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

Lions Tour Squad Breakdown with Huw Griffin | Rugby Through the Leagues

In this episode of the Rugby Through the Leagues podcast, we delve into the 2025 Lions Tour squad with special guest Huw Griffin. This comprehensive discussion covers player selections, positional breakdowns, potential stars, and the crucial matchups against Australia. We also speculate on test scores and debate the nuanced strategies that could shape the outcome of the tour. Tune in for expert insights and engaging rugby analysis!

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:21 Discussing the Lions Tour and Key Players
05:50 Tour Schedule and Logistics
10:41 Challenges and Key Matches
15:37 Squad Analysis: Front Row
24:41 Squad Analysis: Second Row
28:38 Squad Analysis: Back Row
29:24 Lineout Strategies and Trends
33:23 Selecting the Starting Test Forward Pack
37:18 Scrum-Half Selection Debate
41:39 Fly-Half and Center Partnerships
47:29 Wingers and Fullbacks
53:23 Young Talents and Final Predictions
55:47 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

An Inside Look into Romanian Rugby with Adam McBurney | Rugby through the Leagues Podcast

In this episode of Rugby through the League podcast, host Carl welcomes special guest Adam McBurney. Adam shares his fascinating journey through various rugby teams, from his time at Ulster & Edinburgh to his current position playing rugby in Romania. McBurney discusses his experiences at clubs like Connacht and Gloucester, the challenges and cultural differences he has encountered in Romania, and his hopes for the future, including potentially playing international rugby for Romania. This episode offers a unique insider's view into the world of Romanian rugby and McBurney's personal and professional growth. Subscribe and follow us for more intriguing episodes with rugby personalities from around the world.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:23 Guest Introduction: Adam McBurney
00:49 Adam's Rugby Journey
01:47 Experiences in Edinburgh and Gloucester
02:48 Transition to Connacht
03:26 Challenges and Opportunities in Connacht
04:33 Move to Romania
06:07 Life and Rugby in Romania
08:05 Training and Team Dynamics
17:27 Fan Culture and Game Day Atmosphere
26:42 Perfect Timing in Career
27:12 Experiencing Romania
27:47 Contract Details and Future Plans
28:20 Ambitions in Rugby
29:10 International Rugby Aspirations
30:44 Romanian Rugby Culture
33:14 Challenges and Opportunities in Romanian Rugby
38:32 Grassroots Beginnings
48:20 Cultural Differences and Adaptation
51:48 Reflections and Future Prospects
53:13 Best Player Encountered
54:26 Closing Remarks and Future Guests

Rugby Legend Ben Herring Discusses Coaching, Culture, and Global Experiences | Rugby Through the Leagues Podcast

In this episode of Rugby Through the Leagues, we welcome the extraordinary Ben Herring, renowned for his Coaching Culture podcast. Ben shares his remarkable journey from professional rugby player to globe-trotting coach. He delves into his unique experiences coaching international teams in Japan and Canada, emphasizing the importance of cultural awareness and adaptability. Ben and host Carl discuss the impact of rugby values, the necessity of resilience, and the role of family support in a coaching career. Ben also provides insights into his podcast and offers invaluable advice to young coaches. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation filled with personal anecdotes, professional wisdom, and plenty of rugby passion. Stay tuned for future episodes featuring top rugby professionals!

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:39 Ben Herring's Rugby Journey
01:33 Family Adventures Around the World
02:57 Early Rugby Days and Grassroots
05:50 Professional Rugby Career Highlights
13:00 Coaching Beginnings and Philosophy
15:31 Cultural Challenges in Japan
25:26 Support System and Family Life
30:02 Balancing Life in a New Culture
30:50 Building Connections with Fellow Coaches
31:44 Starting the Podcast Journey
32:47 The Mission Behind the Podcast
37:06 The Importance of Rugby Values
46:33 Concussion Awareness and Rugby
53:34 Advice for Young Coaches
59:08 Promoting the Podcast and Future Guests

Inside Rugby Asia: Challenges & Triumphs with Steve Noble | Rugby Through the Leagues Podcast

Join us in this episode of Rugby Through the Leagues Podcast, where our host sits down with Steve Noble from Rugby Asia 24/7. The conversation spans the landscape of rugby in Asia, discussing the challenges of governance, the impact of expats, and the incredible grassroots initiatives despite political and financial hurdles. Steve shares his insights on the potential for growth in regions like UAE, China, and Cambodia, the opportunities and issues faced by teams like Hong Kong China, and what it would mean for these nations to compete on the world stage. Don't miss this deep dive into the complexities and future opportunities for rugby in Asia.

00:00 Introduction and Recap of Last Episode

00:25 Guest Introduction: Steve Noble

01:04 Steve's Rugby Journey

02:50 Rugby Documentaries and Springbok Fans

05:22 Lions Series Predictions

10:04 Cambodia Rugby: Grassroots to Growth

14:49 Challenges in Asia Rugby Governance

19:51 Positives and Growth in Asia Rugby

24:03 Kazakhstan Women's Rugby Decline

27:34 China's Rugby Potential

34:11 Sevens Rugby and Governance Issues

48:19 Rugby in the Armed Forces

51:54 Middle East Rugby Growth

52:55 Historic Test Match for Bahrain

53:12 Challenges in Asian Rugby

54:01 Regional Rugby Developments

55:27 World Cup Qualification Efforts

56:59 Impact of Transient Expats

58:23 Political Tensions and Rugby

59:07 Future of Rugby in the Middle East

01:03:44 UAE's Rugby Prospects

01:05:36 Sri Lanka's Rugby Journey

01:09:02 Hong Kong, China Rugby Analysis

01:12:38 World Cup Qualification Scenarios

01:30:51 Women's Rugby World Cup 2025

01:38:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Revolutionizing Rugby Media with All Things Rugby & Saner Hasan | Through The Leagues Podcast

In this episode of 'Rugby Through The League's Podcast,' we sit down with Saner Hassan from All Things Rugby to delve deep into the evolution and current landscape of rugby media. From Saner's journey in rugby to founding All Things Rugby, we discuss the importance of authentic and unfiltered media coverage, the challenges faced by rugby governance, and the innovative ways All Things Rugby is changing the game with their comprehensive coverage and digital engagement platforms. Whether you are a die-hard rugby fan or a curious newcomer, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of rugby media and the role of technology in bringing the sport closer to the audience. Don't miss out on hearing how collaboration, transparency, and innovative content can elevate rugby to new heights.

From Johburg to Germany: Shawn's Rugby Journey
In this episode of Rugby Through the Leagues podcast, we dive deep into the unique rugby journey of Shawn Ingle, a player who has experienced the sport across three continents. Shawn shares his fascinating journey from playing school rugby in Johannesburg, South Africa, to studying in Australia, and finally moving to the UK where he plays for Maidenhead Rugby Club and represents Germany in the Rugby Europe Championships. We discuss the challenges of balancing a full-time job with international rugby, the emotional highs and lows of the tournament, and the importance of grassroots rugby. Tune in to hear about the ups and downs of transitioning between sevens and fifteens rugby, how Shawn navigated eligibility issues, and the future aspirations for both his club and national teams. Don't miss this compelling episode that highlights the passion and dedication it takes to play rugby at various levels and locations around the world.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:08 Shawn's Rugby Journey: From South Africa to the UK
03:03 Joining the German National Team
04:47 Rugby Europe Championships: Challenges and Reflections
08:48 Balancing Rugby and Work
10:39 Favorite Matches and Experiences
13:30 Team Dynamics and Future Plans
22:44 Maidenhead Rugby Club and Personal Growth
25:21 Sevens Circuit and Signature Red Scrum Cap
27:42 The Importance of Wearing a Scrum Cap
28:36 Family Support and Rugby Travels
29:12 Comparing Grassroots Rugby Across Continents
32:52 Transitioning to International Rugby
38:35 Cambridge Rugby Experience
44:39 Future Aspirations and Reflections
47:42 Germany's Rugby Potential and Sevens Success
50:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts