#38 RFU Back Borthwick, URC Play-Off Race Heats up, Leicester Smash Saints

The Rugby Pod

The Ringer

Sports, Comedy, Rugby

4.7 • 5.3K Ratings

🗓️ 12 May 2026

⏱️ 79 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This week on The Rugby Pod, the lads dive into the RFU backing Steve Borthwick despite England’s worst Six Nations in 50 years, as questions continue to be asked about direction. There’s plenty of beef across the Premiership and URC with Saracens finding form, Leicester battering Northampton, Leinster eyeing top spot and controversy everywhere from croc rolls to red cards and VAR. Plus club takeovers, Ealing to the URC rumours, Halfpenny retirements and a huge live show announcement at Everton’s new stadium. Sign up to NordVPN by going to https://nordvpn.com/rugbypod to get a Huge Discount off your NordVPN Plan + 4 additional months free. It’s completely risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Pod, pod, pod, rugby pod.
0:07.5	Hello and welcome back to the rugby pod where the domestic seasons are coming to a close.
0:16.5	The playoffs, the race to eight is all hotting up and we've had some great clashes this weekend to see
0:22.6	who's going to be finishing where in the URC and in the Prem. Yes, sir. Yes, that's right,
0:29.0	Andrew. We've had some hellish games and there's been some hellish other news as well. So we'll be
0:36.1	talking English votes of confidence on this episode.
0:38.9	Club takeovers by Donald Trump's donors.
0:42.5	That's right.
0:43.0	There's investment coming into the game and we can't wait to dig into it all.
0:46.8	So settle back, enjoy and make sure you've subscribed on Spotify.
0:59.2	This episode is brought to you by NordVPN, who are giving all our RubyPod listeners four months free access and a 30-day money-back guarantee by visiting NordVPN.com forward
1:06.7	slash rubby pod.
1:08.4	So if you travel, use public Wi-Fi or watch sports abroad, this one is for you.
1:14.3	There's nothing worse than landing somewhere and your subscriptions just don't work. One click
1:19.7	with NordVPN and you're back to full access. Plus, it keeps you safe online and protects
1:26.1	your identity. Just go to NordVPN.com forward slash rugby pod right now.
1:31.5	You'll get a discount plus four months for free using our link and by signing up.
1:36.6	You'll also be supporting the pod as well.
1:40.3	That's a nice jersey you're wearing James.
1:42.2	What's that?
1:43.0	Retro.
2:01.1	Vintage. Well, I'm kind of behind the time a little bit because vintage jerseys have been in for the last year, but going through a few bits at the house and dug out this old wee treasure. It's the DHS old boys you fucking beauty, Lotto. And I was going to get it framed.
	...

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