The Rugby Bunker

Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) are reunited to discuss new contracts for Henry Pollock (not for £1m) at Northampton and Steve Borthwick with England, breaking down what they both really mean. They then discuss this weekend's final match in the Greatest Rivalry series between New Zealand and South Africa in Baltimore. Video version on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) is joined by New Zealand journalist Liam Napier (New Zealand Herald) ahead of the huge third Test at Soccer City, as the Springboks and All Blacks battle to go 2-1 in the Greatest Rivalry series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) is joined by Daniel Gallan (RugbyPass, The Guardian) to pick through New Zealand's win at Ellis Park last weekend, before turning their attention to the second match in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry in Cape Town this weekend. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Daniel's work for RugbyPass: https://www.rugbypass.com/contributors/daniel-gallan/ #rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #springboks #allblacks #greatestrivalry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) is reunited with Charlie Morgan (The Times) to discuss what they have seen from New Zealand so far in their warm-up wins over the Stormers and Sharks in South Africa, before digging into which England players have received enhanced Elite Player Squad contracts. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan #rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #rugbynews #springboks #allblacks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) is back to explain why there was no episode last week, due to working on a big project for The Observer on concussion in rugby and the influence of the neurologist and plagiarist Paul McCrory, before catching up with New Zealand journalist Liam Napier (New Zealand Herald) in Cape Town ahead of the start of the 'Greatest Rivalry' tour with the All Blacks travelling around South Africa. Subscribe to watch on YouTube. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) are joined by Charles Richardson of The Telegraph to discuss the looming suspension for Argentina's Tomas Albornoz after confronting referee Angus Gardner, England's much-needed win in Santiago del Estero, before drafting a World XV following the conclusion of the Nations Championship. Subscribe to watch on YouTube. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan Charles' work for The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/c/cf-cj/charles-richardson/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer, from his holiday) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) are back to break down England's game against Argentina late on Saturday, while also touching briefly on the other Nations Championship game of the day in Auckland. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan #rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #rugbynews #englandrugby #nationschampionship #argentinarugby #lospumas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) are back to discuss how England should approach Saturday's game against Fiji, before getting into the other Nations Championship matches this weekend including South Africa against Scotland. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan #rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #rugbynews #englandrugby #nationschampionship #fijirugby Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) chats to Charlie Morgan (The Times) in Johannnesburg ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship fixture between South Africa and England, breaking down England's selection and their chances before making a prediction. Earlier in the episode Ben also speaks to South African journalist Jon Cardinelli about the Springboks' injury issues and depth, along with the higher ticket prices earlier in the week. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan Follow Jon's work here: https://joncardinelli.journoportfolio.com/ #rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #rugbynews #englandrugby #nationschampionship Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) discuss Marcus Smith's comments earlier this week about his England career to date, having won his 50th cap in Paris in the Six Nations, before getting into some of England's biggest selection concerns ahead of facing South Africa next week. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan #rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #rugbynews #premrugby #englandrugby #marcussmith #harlequins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) recaps a cagey, physical PREM final between Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs at Allianz Stadium. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read #rugby #rugbynews #rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #premrugby #northamptonsaints #exeterchiefs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) break down the strengths of Northampton and Exeter heading into the PREM final this weekend, while also discussing the latest news from England on Maro Itoje, the Six Nations and Benhard Janse van Rensburg, and Charlie's stint with Lewis Moody's charity cycle ride. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan #rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #rugbynews #premrugby #exeterchiefs #northamptonsaints Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) recaps a busy week featuring insights from England's training camp and reaction from each of the two PREM semi-finals in Northampton and Bath. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a bonus episode after Friday's announcement, Ben Coles (The Observer) breaks down the implications of Andy Farrell's contract extension until 2031 for Ireland, but also England and Saracens. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) break down Exeter against Saracens - effectively a quarter-final shootout to make the playoffs with Exeter ahead of Saracens by three points going into the final day of the PREM season. They discuss Saracens' five-match winning run and change to their attacking ethos, Mark McCall's legacy, Exeter's excellent recruitment and make a prediction. The two journalists then also discuss stories from this week involving Leinster and Jacques Nienaber, along with Ellie Kildunne's exit from Harlequins. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) is joined by Will Kelleher (The Times) to discuss how Alex Mitchell's hamstring injury could change England's scrum-half plans this summer, before Fiona Tomas (The Telegraph) examines the appointment of Jo Yapp as the first-ever coach of the British and Irish Lions Women before their tour of New Zealand next year. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read #rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #rugbynews #englandrugby #britishandirishlions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) and Charlie Morgan (The Times) discuss Steve Borthwick's press conference from earlier this week, including the Benhard Janse van Rensburg call-up, and guess the backline England want to pick moving forward. They also break down the key tactics ahead of the Champions Cup final between Leinster and Bordeaux-Begles, before commentator Joe Byrnes joins the episode to discuss the latest BUCS season and players to watch, plus the upcoming Celestial Sevens tournament. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan #rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #rugbynews #englandrugby #steveborthwick #championscup #bucsrugby #sevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) recaps Tuesday's press conference from Steve Borthwick discussing England's review into their poor Six Nations, what happens this summer to the likes of Maro Itoje, and why England have called up Benhard Janse van Rensburg - who qualifies in July - and has left out Ollie Lawrence of Bath. Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read #rugbyunion #englandrugby #rugbyanalysis #rugbynews #rugby Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) is joined by Charlie Morgan (The Times) to discuss Leicester's playoff push and why Geoff Parling should be named coach of the year, before looking at this weekend's PREM fixtures and trying to find an upset. Then Fiona Tomas (The Telegraph) joins to break down the Women's Six Nations and discuss Sunday's title decider in Bordeaux between France and England. 01:39 Charlie's thoughts on Leicester-Northampton, why Geoff Parling should win coach of the year 17:28 The Champ, with Charlie going to Richmond-London Scottish 22:56 This weekend's PREM matches 29:38 Fi joins to discuss the Women's Six Nations 43:23 Would a loss, strangely, help England? Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read Charlie's work for The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/charlie-morgan Fiona's work for The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/f/ff-fj/fiona-tomas/ #rugbyunion #rugbyanalysis #rugby #rugbynews #leicestertigers #premrugby #womenssixnations #englandrugby #francerugby Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Coles (The Observer) speaks with Billy Vunipola in an exclusive interview about the former England's number eight's successful spell with Montpellier, why he won't play for Tonga at next year's Rugby World Cup, and the build-up to his arrest in Mallorca two years ago and how it changed him. 02:39 Life at Montpellier 12:16 What led to his arrest in Mallorca 34:50 Playing for Tonga? Read the interview in The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/news/sport/article/vunipola-i-will-never-switch-to-play-for-tonga-i-am-not-afraid-to-say-im-english Follow Ben's Substack: https://theofffieldreview.substack.com/ Ben's work for The Observer: https://observer.co.uk/contributor/ben-coles?type=read #rugby #rugbyanalysis #rugbyunion #billyvunipola #englandrugby #tongarugby #rugbyworldcup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices