The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

Alex Payne and Mike Tindall dive into the seismic news of ITV securing the rights to the New Nations Series from 2026-2028, making them the undisputed home of English international rugby. Next year will be the first time in 30 years that all England games will be free to air. We ask… Is this the best thing to happen to the English game since 2003? Is rugby finally ready to grasp the opportunity of free-to-air coverage to widen the sport's appeal. We're joined by Ben Rumsby, Sports Investigations Reporter for The Daily Telegraph, for a deep dive into the state of the sports broadcasting landscape.



Plus, England Sevens legend Ollie Phillips dials in to share the truly bonkers challenge he's about to undertake: rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic for three incredible causes (Cure Parkinson's, My Name's Dottie, and the Matt Hampson Foundation). Good luck, Ollie!

00:00 🛞 Proudly Sponsored by Continental Tyres

01:09 📺 ITV Secures England Rugby Rights

16:49 🏉 The Role of Players Promoting Rugby

28:46 🤝 The Significance of ITV's Deal for Rugby

31:39 📡 Club Rugby and TNT's Future

37:58 💶 Comparing Financials: Prem Rugby vs. Top 14

42:46 📉 Prem Rugby's Current State and Future Prospects

49:05 💼 CVC's Investment in Rugby

55:24 🚣‍♂️ Ollie Phillips' Atlantic Row Challenge



🪽Castore Code: GBR30 www.castore.com 

🚣‍♂️Ollie’s Row https://www.seaslife.co.uk/donate 

📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones
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This week, we welcome World Cup winner - and one of the most feared front-rowers in rugby history - Bismarck du Plessis!

Bismarck dives deep into the legendary 2009 Lions Tour and relives the moment of that tackle on Dan Carter (“I’m going to kill that man!”). He gives incredible insight into the Springboks’ scrum dominance and the genius of Rassie Erasmus, explaining how Rassie’s methods have helped build one of the greatest dynasties in the game.

He also reflects on his special bond with his brother Jannie du Plessis, as well as his fiercely competitive nature with his kids: “I don’t let them beat me.”



00:00 – 🛞 Sponsored by Continental Tyres

02:07 – 😳 Continental Tyres Grip Strength

03:23 – 🔄 R360 Update

17:52 – 🇿🇦 South Africa’s Scrum Power

33:19 – 🐄 Life on the Farm

38:16 – 💙 Brotherly Bond

39:35 – 💔 Tragic Loss

46:21 – 🦁 The Epic 2009 Lions Series

53:27 – 💥 That Tackle on Dan Carter



🚴 Jannie’s Cycling Heroics: https://theyridealong.co.za/donations/

📗 The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded is now available:https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones


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After one of the spiciest weekends in rugby, Payno and Tins are joined by Springbok legend Bob Skinstad and Ireland's Geordan Murphy to break down the chaotic Ireland v South Africa card fest and the drama in the Twickenham tunnel. They dig into Rassie’s thumbs-up celebration and debate this big question: Are the Springboks rugby’s ultimate pantomime villain?



00:00 🛞 Sponsored by Continental Tyres

02:41 💪 BIG MOVES in the Continental Tyres Grip Strength 

05:15 👀 THAT Rassie Erasmus Celeb

06:56 🔴 Ireland v South Africa card chaos.

23:04 🎭 Springboks: The Pantomime Villains

31:31 🇿🇦 Rassie Erasmus' Impact on South African Rugby

48:00 🥃 Rémy Martin Moment of Excellence

52:16 🌹England Autumn Review

01:05:01💥Tom Curry "Bully = Compliment"

01:11:27🚗 Honda Team of the Week Discussion



📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones
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England make history by beating the All Blacks for only the 9th time in 120 years! The panel breaks down the performance, from George Ford's genius two drop goals to Ben Earl’s incredible work rate. James Haskell slams the "miserable" Kiwi media, while Jonny May reveals what the viral TikTok dance means for the squad's mentality.



Season 6 is Sponsored by Continental Tyres



00:00🎙️Introduction 

03:21 🇳🇿Discussion on the Haka

10:40💥 Analysing England's Defence

23:37 🔟 George Ford's Impact

30:00 🎵TikTok Dance

39:45 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scotland's Struggles

54:22 🚗 Honda Team of the Week 

01:04:09 🌎 New Nations Series 



📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available at @Waterstones: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones
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Former All Black Nick Evans joins the team to unpack an epic Test weekend! We deep-dive into the Springboks' win over France, and ask… Are the Springboks the greatest side of all time? Plus we have a heavyweight preview of England vs. All Blacks and Hask gives some mind-blowing analysis of how the breakdown will be won and lost.



Season 6 is Sponsored by Continental Tyres



00:00🎙️ Introduction 

04:39 🛞 Continental Tyres Grip Strength Challenge

06:03 🏟️ France vs South Africa Analysis

23:00 🇿🇦 The Greatest Ever?

32:37 🥃 Remy Martin Moment of Excellence

56:44 🚗 Honda Team of the Week

01:02:05 🌹England vs New Zealand Preview



🎙️Birmingham (ish) Live Show: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-good-the-bad-the-rugby-live-from-harvey-norman-merry-hill-tickets-1952083206419



📗New Book: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones
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