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  • Building a Junior College Rugby Powerhouse with COCC’s Max Bennett
    2026/10/08
    The energetic standard intro tune rolls in as hosts Bill and John Fitzpatrick set the stage for an engaging dive into the world of college rugby. In this episode of US Rugby Happy Hour, the hosts sit down with Central Oregon Community College (COCC) Head Coach Max Bennett to unpack the triumphs, hurdles, and unique dynamics of managing a junior college rugby program. From inheriting a program founded by his uncle—an Oregon rugby legend—to earning NCR Coach of the Month honors, Bennett shares how deep-rooted family passion and relentless drive keep COCC rugby thriving. Listeners get a front-row seat to the art of collegiate recruiting outside the NCAA norm. Bennett details how he turns multi-sport high school athletes—especially wrestlers and football players—into rugby standouts, why Instagram is his go-to recruiting platform, and how COCC is helping pioneer rugby culture across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Tune in to discover what it takes to build a sustainable program, turn newcomers into ruggers for life, and navigate the wild world of community college athletics. —————————————— Connect with US Rugby Happy Hour: Twitter: https://x.com/AmerRugbyRising Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanrugbyrising/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanRugbyRising/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@americanrugbyrising Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@americanrugbyrising BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/americanrugbyrisin.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3OjEHf8 🎧 Listen to this and previous episodes of US Rugby Happy Hour on Youtube and your favorite podcast player today! Apple: bit.ly/3Uuj9u7 Spotify: bit.ly/3ZxjAa0 Youtube: https://youtu.be/g4-SuPv01m4 Like, follow, and subscribe and please leave a comment!! Check out americanrugbyrising.com for the latest on your USA Eagles, schedules, news and more! Hosts, Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick are available for media opportunities and appearances. Contact information below. Bill Baker, an Emmy award winning editor and producer, has curated Eagles Overseas Rugby since 1996, providing updates and news stories about USA Eagles plying their trade around the world. http://www.americanrugbyrising.com⁠ ⁠eaglesoverseas@comcast.net⁠ John Fitzpatrick is the brain behind Rugby Morning, serving rugby news everyday via email newsletters to rugby fans around the world. johndaniel.fitzpatrick@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 分
  • Eagles Overseas: Strong Wins and Standout Starts, AJ MacGinty, Lotte Sharp
    2026/10/05
    In this episode of Eagles Overseas, host Bill Baker recaps action from Saturday’s domestic and international matches across Premiership Rugby, Top 14, and the Next Gen Cup for the week ending, October 4th, 2026. Players featured in this episode: AJ MacGinty (10 - Fly half / Bristol Bears - Gallagher PREM Rugby) Jack Iscaro (1 - Loosehead Prop / Paris - Top14) Lotte Sharp (11 - Left Wing / Saracens - Next Gen Cup) Morgan Freeman (7 - Openside Flanker / Saracens - Next Gen Cup) Nick James (3 - Tighthead Prop / Sale Sharks - Next Gen Cup) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    4 分
  • Eagles Overseas: Big Wins and Debut Starts - Sept. 23-27, 2026
    2026/09/28
    In this episode of Eagles Overseas with Bill Baker, we recap match results and individual player performances from our USA Eagles across the globe, from matches played Sept. 23-27, 2026 Featured players in this episode: Lotte Sharp (Left Wing / Saracens - Next Gen Series) Tess Feury (Full back / Leicester Tigers - Next Gen Cup) Nick James (Loosehead Prop / Sale Sharks - Next Gen) Nafi Ma’afu (Reserve / Montauban - ProD2) AJ MacGinty (Fly half / Bristol Bears - Gallagher PREM Rugby) Jack Iscaro (Reserve / Paris - Top14) Jake Turnbull (Loosehead Prop / Wellington Lions - Hilux NPC) Finn Love (Left Wing / Cornish Pirates - Champ Rugby) Ale Heaney (Loosehead Prop / Cornish Pirates - Champ Rugby) Tomi Agbongbob (Number 8 / Cornish Pirates - Champ Rugby) Aidan King (Openside Flanker / Doncaster Knights - Champ Rugby) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    4 分
  • USA U20 Assistant Coach Marcel Brache on Junior World Championship & Developing US Rugby Pathways
    2026/09/24
    Former USA Eagle #503 and San Diego Legion standout Marcel Brache joins the show to share his journey from international play to coaching the next generation of American talent. Brache reflects on his recent experience as Assistant Coach for the USA Men’s U20 team at the World Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia. He breaks down the squad’s resilient second-half performance against Uruguay, the fine margins separating American players from Tier 1 nations, and why exposure to top-tier competition is critical for building domestic pathways. Beyond high-performance rugby, Marcel dives into the grass-roots movement that makes California a hotbed for youth rugby. He discusses parent involvement, the importance of flag rugby for kids, and how nurturing passion, coaching education, and referee development will dictate the future growth of the sport in the United States. Like, follow, and subscribe and please leave a comment!! Check out americanrugbyrising.com for the latest on your USA Eagles, schedules, news and more! Hosts, Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick are available for media opportunities and appearances. Contact information below. Bill Baker, an Emmy award winning editor and producer, has curated Eagles Overseas Rugby since 1996, providing updates and news stories about USA Eagles plying their trade around the world. http://www.americanrugbyrising.com⁠ ⁠eaglesoverseas@comcast.net⁠ John Fitzpatrick is the brain behind Rugby Morning, serving rugby news everyday via email newsletters to rugby fans around the world. johndaniel.fitzpatrick@gmail.com Martin Pengelly is a Washington-based reporter and editor. His “The National Maul” Substack about rugby in the US. His first book, Brotherhood: When West Point Rugby Went To War, is published by Godine. https://thenationalmaul.substack.com/ Youtube | X | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Tiktok | Bluesky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    54 分
  • National Maul Edition: Comeback Victories, Classic Rivalries, and American Rugby Personalities
    2026/09/23
    Get ready for an energetic session on US Rugby Happy Hour’s National Maul edition! Guest columnist Martin Pengelly breaks down an action-packed slate of rugby action, contrasting the USA Men’s frustrating loss against Canada with the USA Women’s heroic second-half comeback victory over Ireland. We discuss smart bench management, reflect on the electric atmosphere and 68,000-strong crowd at the All Blacks vs. Springboks match in Baltimore, and dissect what it really takes to grow and "Americanize" rugby leading up to the upcoming World Cups. Plus, Martin teases his upcoming Guardian interview with Eagle Georgie Perris-Redding ahead of their match with Wales. Tune in for expert analysis, pitchside war stories, and an honest look at the state of American rugby! —————————————— Connect with US Rugby Happy Hour: Twitter: https://x.com/AmerRugbyRising Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanrugbyrising/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanRugbyRising/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@americanrugbyrising Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@americanrugbyrising BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/americanrugbyrisin.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3OjEHf8 🎧 Listen to this and previous episodes of US Rugby Happy Hour on Youtube and your favorite podcast player today! Apple: bit.ly/3Uuj9u7 Spotify: bit.ly/3ZxjAa0 Youtube: https://youtu.be/lPlb_zUNJmk Like, follow, and subscribe and please leave a comment!! Check out americanrugbyrising.com for the latest on your USA Eagles, schedules, news and more! Hosts, Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick are available for media opportunities and appearances. Contact information below. Bill Baker, an Emmy award winning editor and producer, has curated Eagles Overseas Rugby since 1996, providing updates and news stories about USA Eagles plying their trade around the world. http://www.americanrugbyrising.com⁠ ⁠eaglesoverseas@comcast.net⁠ John Fitzpatrick is the brain behind Rugby Morning, serving rugby news everyday via email newsletters to rugby fans around the world. johndaniel.fitzpatrick@gmail.com Martin Pengelly is a Washington-based reporter and editor. His “The National Maul” Substack about rugby in the US. His first book, Brotherhood: When West Point Rugby Went To War, is published by Godine. https://thenationalmaul.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    25 分
  • Eagles Overseas: Sharp Scores Twice in PWR Next Gen Debut
    2026/09/21
    It was a big weekend of rugby from Friday through Sunday across France, New Zealand, and England. From debuts in Champ Rugby to multi-try performances in the PWR Next Gen Cup, here is the full breakdown of how American players fared abroad. Charlie Abel (Tighthead Prop / Oyonnax - ProD2) Nafi Ma’afu (Number 8 / Montauban - ProD2) Jake Turnbull (Loosehead Prop / Wellington Lions - Hilux NPC) Aidan King (Openside Flanker / Doncaster Knights - Champ Rugby) Lotte Sharp (Left Wing / Saracens - PWR Next Gen Cup) Nick James (Tighthead Prop / Sale Sharks - PWR Next Gen Cup) Tess Feury (Fullback / Leicester Tigers - PWR Next Gen Cup) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    4 分
  • Inside USA Women’s Rugby with Head Coach Jack Hanratty
    2026/09/17
    Welcome back to another exciting episode of US Rugby Happy Hour! Kick starting the show with our signature customized, quirky intro jingle teasing Jack Hanratty's Irish adventures—complete with Guinness factory stairs and chasing deer in Phoenix Park—hosts Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick sit down for a fun, candid chat with the USA Women's Rugby Head Coach. Returning for his fourth appearance on the podcast, Jack opens up about bringing the USA Women’s squad to train in Dublin at his hometown club in Skerries, blending local team-building activities, community outreach, and learning how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness. In this deep-dive interview, Coach Hanratty reflects on his evolving coaching philosophy as he navigates the unique background of the American athlete, managing a mix of collegiate, 7s, domestic, and overseas talent. He shares insights into strategic preparation for their WXV campaign opener against an in-form Irish side, the transition and trialing of the 4.5 size rugby ball, and squad selection dynamics ahead of test matches in Europe and on home soil. Additionally, Jack discusses the essential synergy between the USA 15s and 7s programs alongside head coach Emily Bydwell, building national depth, and expanding opportunities for domestic players. Tune in for a passionate, insight-packed masterclass on where USA Eagles rugby is heading! Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro & Welcome 00:54 - Show Intro Song & Jack Hanratty Returns 02:55 - Home Coming: Eagles Training at Skerries Rugby Club 06:38 - Team Building, Guinness Pours & Irish Folklore 08:35 - Adapting Coaching Style to the American Athlete 11:08 - Preparing for Ireland & Studying European Momentum 17:00 - Looking Ahead to Wales at Cardiff Arms Park 18:22 - International Match Calendars & Building Player Continuity 22:45 - Trialing the New 4.5 Size Rugby Ball 25:10 - Excitement for Upcoming USA Home Soil Matches 29:10 - Squad Selection Breakdown vs Ireland & Uncapped Talent 37:56 - Encouraging Overseas Competition vs Domestic Pathways 42:35 - Synergy Between USA 15s and 7s Programs 47:01 - Go-To Post-Match Irish Celebratory Meal & Wrap Up —————————————— Connect with US Rugby Happy Hour: Twitter: https://x.com/AmerRugbyRising Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanrugbyrising/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanRugbyRising/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@americanrugbyrising Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@americanrugbyrising BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/americanrugbyrisin.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3OjEHf8 🎧 Listen to this and previous episodes of US Rugby Happy Hour on Youtube and your favorite podcast player today! Apple: bit.ly/3Uuj9u7 Spotify: bit.ly/3ZxjAa0 Youtube: https://youtu.be/lPlb_zUNJmk Like, follow, and subscribe and please leave a comment!! Check out americanrugbyrising.com for the latest on your USA Eagles, schedules, news and more! Hosts, Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick are available for media opportunities and appearances. Contact information below. Bill Baker, an Emmy award winning editor and producer, has curated Eagles Overseas Rugby since 1996, providing updates and news stories about USA Eagles plying their trade around the world. http://www.americanrugbyrising.com⁠ ⁠eaglesoverseas@comcast.net⁠ John Fitzpatrick is the brain behind Rugby Morning, serving rugby news everyday via email newsletters to rugby fans around the world. johndaniel.fitzpatrick@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    53 分
  • Eagles Overseas: ProD2, Top 14, Premiership Cup & NPC
    2026/09/14
    Welcome to US Rugby Happy Hour BONUS Segment: Eagles Overseas, We are tracking American rugby players competing across top-flight leagues and developmental setups across the globe. Today, we break down action from this past weekend, September 11-14, 2026. Player Performance Breakdown: Nafi Ma’afu (Montauban - ProD2) Kapeli Pifeleti (Provence Rugby - ProD2) Charlie Abel (Oyonnax - ProD2) Jack Iscaro (Stade Français Paris - Top 14) AJ MacGinty (Bristol Bears - Premiership Cup) Jake Turnbull (Wellington Lions - NPC) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    5 分