It’s always scrummy in Plymouth

In Part Two of my conversation with Plymouth Albion legend Dan Ward-Smith, we pick up the story as his career takes him beyond Brickfields and into the top level of English rugby. Dan talks about leaving Plymouth, his time with Bristol and Wasps, playing alongside some of the biggest names in the game and just how close he came to pulling on an England shirt. We also get into the tougher side of professional rugby — injuries, setbacks and the moments that shaped both his career and his life away from the pitch. And to finish, Dan picks his DREAM XV made up entirely of players he played alongside throughout his career. After more than three hours talking rugby, this was a conversation I genuinely didn’t want to end.

What a way to start the season! Plymouth Albion travelled to Rosslyn Park for what looked like a seriously tough opening fixture… and came away with an incredible 61–17 victory . In Episode 5, I look back at a near-perfect afternoon in London, the players who stood out, the key moments from the game and just how excited we’re allowed to get after that performance! Plus, we go around National League One and look at all the other results from a fascinating opening weekend. 🎙️ The Plymouth Albion FAN Podcast 🍺 Rugby chat from a fan’s point of view🏉 Rosslyn Park 17–61 Plymouth Albion📊 The rest of the Nat 1 opening weekend The season is officially underway… and what a start!

For the first ever guest episode of It’s Always Scrummy in Plymouth , I sit down with Plymouth Albion legend Dan Ward-Smith. In Part One, Dan takes us right back to the beginning — growing up between Cornwall and New Zealand, his route into rugby and the unexpected circumstances that eventually brought him to Plymouth Albion. We talk about those incredible early years under Graham Dawe, Albion’s rapid rise through the leagues, the characters he shared a dressing room with and what made that team and era so special. Dan also opens up about his relationship with Plymouth, his development as a player and the journey that turned him into one of the most destructive ball carriers — and greatest try scorers — in Albion history. For me, this was a really special conversation with a player I grew up watching and one of my all-time Albion heroes. This is Part One of my conversation with Dan Ward-Smith. Part Two coming soon

Pre-season is officially done — and there’s plenty to talk about before the National League One season gets underway! I headed to Rosslyn Park to watch them take on London Scottish, before turning my attention back to Albion and our pre-season clash with Cornish Pirates. Despite the result, there was plenty to be impressed by from Albion — and Morgan Eames might already have become my new favourite player… I also give my thoughts on the new kits for the season ahead. Green, cherry, white and orange? Plus, what are the fans saying? It’s Always Scrummy in Plymouth — a Plymouth Albion fan podcast.

Albion are back! 🏉 In this episode, I look back on our first pre-season outing away at Swansea and what we learned from seeing plenty of the new-look Albion squad in action. There’s one big talking point though… just how much did we miss Iwan Jenkins? With our number 10 unavailable, I discuss the difference he makes to this Albion side and why his influence could be so important this season. I also take another look around National League 1 , with several clubs adding to their squads since my original season predictions. Have any of those signings changed my mind about who’ll be challenging at the top? Plus, attention turns to a huge afternoon at Brickfields as Cornish Pirates come to town next Saturday .

Scrummy returns for season two of it’s always scrummy in Plymouth. Paul will discuss the changes for Plymouth Albion over the summer and dives deeper into how National league 1 could look by the end of the season.

After the heartbreak of losing to Blackheath in the National League playoff semi-final, Albion’s promotion dream is over… and yes, it hurts. A season of belief, big away days, questionable refereeing decisions, and enough emotional damage to require a squad rotation of therapists. 😅 But maybe… another season in Nat 1 isn’t the end of the world. More rivalries. More chaos. More muddy Saturdays. More stories. More scrummy content. Most importantly — thank you. To everyone who listened, watched, voted, laughed, argued, sent messages, stopped me at games, or supported the podcast in any way… genuinely, thank you. The support this season has been unreal and has made doing the podcast such a laugh. And congratulations once again to Jack Oulton — winner of the It’s Always Scrummy in Plymouth Fans’ Player of the Season award. 🏆 One final episode. One final waffle.

Albion bring the curtain down on their home campaign with a big shift against Leeds Tykes at Brickfields. We break down the performance, key moments, and standout players before turning our attention to the big one—an away playoff clash at Blackheath. London calling… can Albion deliver when it matters most?

In this episode, we break down Plymouth Albion’s away defeat to Sale FC and what it means for the playoff picture as the season enters its final stretch. With home advantage now slipping away, the pressure is on Albion heading into the run-in. Meanwhile, Scrummy Paul dials in from a stag weekend in Galway—Guinness in hand—after watching the game unfold on his phone. We discuss whether distractions played a part, analyse key moments from the match, and look ahead to what Albion need to do to get their playoff push back on track.

Albion delivered a statement performance this weekend, putting Sedgley Park to the sword and securing their place in the playoffs in style. We break down a dominant display, standout performers, and what it means heading into the business end of the season. Attention now turns to a massive test away at Sale next week — could this be a preview of what’s to come in the playoffs? Plus, we look ahead to the run-in, the permutations, and ask the big question… who fancies a trip to Richmond?

After coming within seconds of a famous win, Albion are left heartbroken at the top of the table. In this week’s episode of It’s Always Scrummy in Plymouth, we break down the dramatic last-minute defeat away at Rotherham — a performance full of grit, intensity, and moments that deserved more. We discuss where the game was won and lost, the key performances that stood out, and how Albion pushed the league leaders right to the edge on their own patch. Despite the agony, the bigger picture remains clear — the playoffs are firmly in sight.

After a much-needed return to form, Plymouth Albion are back in the mix — but now comes the biggest test of the season. We break down the performance that’s got the belief flowing again and look ahead to a massive top-of-the-table clash away at Rotherham. What needs to click? Who needs to step up? And just how big is this game in the context of Albion’s season? This is what it’s all about.

The sun was shining at Brickfields… but Plymouth Albion’s lineout wasn’t. In a huge 2nd vs 3rd clash, Albion fall short at home and now the big question looms — is promotion slipping away? Scrummy Paul is not taking it well. Lineout woes, big moments, and honest reaction in another emotional episode of It’s Always Scrummy in Plymouth.

Albion make it eleven straight wins with a huge away victory over Birmingham Moseley, despite a depleted squad. Scrummy Paul breaks down the key moments and looks ahead to the massive top-of-the-table clash with Blackheath FC this weekend. Plus — Paul’s gone viral on the socials after his strong views on Dings Crusaders

Plymouth Albion get the job done at Brickfields with a home win over Tonbridge… but the post-match fallout steals the headlines. We break down the performance, key moments and what the result means in National 1, before diving into head coach Ryan Lamb’s seven-week touchline ban and the incident that sparked it.

Dings Crusaders away and plenty to get into. We look at their links with Bristol Bears, break down the key moments from the game, and talk honestly about where Albion are at right now. No sugar-coating, no playing to the gallery — Scrummy Paul says it how it is and isn’t changing for anyone. Rugby chat, opinions you might not all agree with, and the usual Scrummy flavour.

Plymouth Albion put on a statement performance as they thump Rosslyn Park at Brickfields. 💥 We break down a dominant afternoon for the Greens, with Jenkins reminding everyone that class is permanent and Boughton stepping up and hitting the big time when it mattered most. It wasn’t all perfect though… The third half once again failed to deliver, and yes — we’re trying very hard not to talk about the Stormforce marquee (no promises). Plenty of rugby chat, a few moans, and the usual Scrummy opinions thrown in.

Top vs bottom away at Leicester Lions — and Albion let the scrum do the talking. We discuss a big away victory, the arrival of Zac Wimbush, and why the set piece proved decisive.

Jenson Boughton delivers a dominant, Michael Jordan-esque performance as Plymouth Albion put on a show in front of a record crowd at Brickfields. We break down a standout display, the key moments from the win, and what a packed house means for Albion’s momentum going forward.

Train pints, a Clifton away day, Ben Moa running the show and Rotherham losing. Albion do the business and we soak it all in — Scrummy style.