The Sandy Park showdown & Edwards to England?

Pipsyä, kuten se on suoraan suoraan jotenkin. Vai toistoja ruutua jälle? Suomalainen kirja kopen. 5 lives robbe union weekly. CJ, you look like you're in a forest. Whereabouts are you? I literally am. Literally am, woven forest. Oh, what a place. Just finishing a little center park stay. Sellit to me, I've never done it. Oh, ooks. Well, I don't know how, how would you sell it down it? Just, is there so much to do? You know sometimes when you've got kids in the holidays particularly, and even though you've got so many things to do, you're sometimes racking your braids, you're like, "Oh, get in the parking gate." The number of activities, the number of things to do to see, you could fill your day like that. Expensive, but we just sold our house on Friday, so treating the girls a bit more. Come on. PBC, let's go. Off to center parks, guys. Yeah, the highlight. We've done a minute to live at the moment. Can we go south of France or B3? Can we go on an airplane? No, no, we'll drive it to ours. It's basically lodges in the middle of woodsoos, with there's like rapids outside. Did you do the rapids? CJ? Hit my elbow. They're quite fast, don't they? They're quite dangerous. Cool rapids, mate. We're called slow. When you see like eight-year-old kids flying down and you're a bit like, "Oh, careful." That's helpful, you're a bit. But that's where I've been, but managed to keep an eye on a lot of stuff. I saw you guys around about. You go double-headed for you, was it? Yeah. Good weekend, busy weekend. Good weekend, I had to say. I reckon five weeks ago, the Prem felt a bit predictable, didn't it? Since then, it's like that. We're not having this. We're not having any criticism. And it's really delivered the last four weeks and this weekend. Yet again, another classic. All the best teams keep losing in the Prem, which then opens it up, and we just wait another week, another week, another week. I think now we know there's two massive games coming this weekend, but there's still jeopardy in probably all five fixtures, so could be a wicked end to the domestic Prem season. So last day of the Prem on Saturday, you are semi-finals next weekend after the quarterfinals were done and dusted. Last weekend, there was loads to get into, where the Sean Edwards go next. Is he going anywhere? There's a new Lions Women's Coach, there's so much to talk about with Danny Care, Ugunmonja and Chris Jones, on rugby and weekly. Rugby Union Weekly. From BBC Sport and BBC Radio 5 Live. Where are you at this weekend then boys? Where are you for final day? Sandy Park. As to big one. It is the big one. We love rivalries in the game, and sometimes you manufacture them, don't you? But there is no need for any of it. Rob Baxter, he's chatted to you just the other week, didn't he DC? He said he'd love nothing more to knock out Sarasana, and Sarasana would love nothing more to knock out the cheese. They're two former champs. They have played in some brilliant semifinaltussels. You remember Henry Slade's kick down at Sandy Park to get them into final. How many finals? They had a choke that, I mean, these two teams had a chokehold on the Gallagher Prem. It was utter duopoly for a period of time. And now they go and add it with everything on the line when it takes all. It's brilliant. I said you guys did not a video we'd seen on X from Tribe Talking, which is an extra chiefs fanpage fan podcast. And the music. I mean, that's the nostalgia from that music. So it's libbiscuits my way, which they used for the montage when rock and stone cold faced off at WrestleMania 17. When WWE was in its absolute pomp, I think, 2001, or certainly when I was completely fixated by it. And it's not called that many views of the moment, but go to Tribe Under School Talking and check it out. Because it massively gets you in the mood, doesn't it? Lose the clips of them both lifting the Prem trophy, clips of a call, clips of Baxter, all the stuff from those years. When was that duopoly? It was probably sort of 2016 to 2019, particularly, where I think they were three of the four Prem finals. It was like a proper rivalry. I mean, hardly any of the players are still around. If you look at the teams from the final in '19, you've got JB George Marito, your own farrel for Saris, Dick Tomkins, and then basically Henry Staden Jack Hiendle, and I can't think of any others that are still around. But the fans remember, we remember, and yeah, bring it on. You know, you sometimes, if you put together a reel, and then you've put a video on the top, it just doesn't quite hit, but that song with that reel literally hits perfectly. Water Banger, and yeah, these two teams they have massive history, like I think, extra cheese were very vocal in when the salary Capscandle came out. That's me, you. But it probably was them that got hit the hardest in terms of potentially trophies that they felt they should have had a better chance of winning than they were. So there is some history there. There's some bad blood. And as you said, that game from however many years ago still rings true. We'll take some moments from that, and they'll be able to see clips of that to show what can happen. And now it's a great to shoot out, it's a one-off game. Everyone knows what they've got to do. Saris know the permutations, extra fates in their hands if they win. Therefore, they're in the semis. Saris have got to win, but got to win with a little bit to think about with not letting X to get two points. Is that right? I'm thinking, Lads. I mean, X to catch you finished third, which you believe. Yeah. If we kind of had Lester, Bath and Northampton, and Nointer as the top three weeks ago, Northampton 72 points, they're out on their own their top. Bath 64, they've got to win to finish second and get that home. So with that home to less, that game's got loads on it. Less to 62 points, didn't see them losing on Sunday against X to but they did X to 60. And part of me thought, well, actually it kind of didn't matter whether X to 1 or lost because they still have to beat Saris. But then Bristol, you let Bristol in, don't you, if X to 2 were down without winning, then Bristol is still in the conversation, which they're kind of less so at the moment. So it does have all the hallmarks of a shootout. The only thing that's nagging at me is they go to the well, X to 2 or Saris. They get this enormous win to get into playoffs. And then they go to Bath and Northampton and teams very rarely win away semi-finals. So that's the kind of challenge, isn't it? You don't just have to win this knockout game, which it is in effect. But then you've got to go away from home and we see from the URC quarters we've seen from Champions Cup, we've seen from the Prem over the years. The home team's very rarely lose knockouts. It feels less now than ever. Yeah, it's a quarter final now, isn't it? It's which is brilliant. I've been in that position where you get fourth and you end up going and winning it. And it's you get to sort of use a mindset of the underdogs, which the other teams don't really get to do. So you get that. And you can, that can act as a bit of a belief for everyone. So I'm sure both of those two, whoever gets that fourth spot, absolutely play into that about people not thinking, maybe not thinking that you were good enough to be there and then you go and do a job on one of the top twos. I think because it's been really competitive this year. And I know that's kind of been disputed at times or debated at least. For Sarasons ever since they lost the showdown to Northampton, they've had to win every single game. I wonder how difficult or how easy it's been for Mark McCall and his coaches to try and set up and reframe each week. Because you lose against Northampton and it's like, you have to win this match. It's do or die. There is no tomorrow. And then you win that game and then the messages guys, we've got to win this game that there is no tomorrow. They've been in that mindset for about six weeks. But this week is exactly the same as every other week. You just have to emotionally and physically pick. So I think there are some teams that might struggle just to pick once again. And so even if you do make it to the playoffs, you've then somehow got to find another gear and go away from home where actually the message is no different this week than it is. Well, since March, Junotamine and I don't know, it can all feel a little bit samey. But that's probably not going to happen. I just think that as a mental challenge might be a bit difficult for some. Junotamine. Yeah, I think for me the big challenges. And I know they've whacked teams this season. And sadly, particularly those sale games. But I don't see a Sarasint attack that's slick enough to win away at Barth and Winow at Northampton and score the number of points you're going to need. need to do that. I wonder if Exeter might have a tiny bit more chance of doing that. What did you like about Exeter having been there on Sunday, you guys? Well, it's tough. So if we frame the next few weeks, the weekend was the last 16, this weekend's quarter final and then we've got semi-final final. They played knockout rugby perfectly. And I know it was a regular season game, but they were playing knockout rugby and played it so brilliantly. Their discipline was great. But Steve and Varnie, and I would love to get your thoughts on him, DC. I thought he was exceptional away from home. He's up against JVP. You're up against a less than big physical pack, but they just didn't give them too much. I thought defensively super strong and then they took their chances. They didn't just beat Lester. They denied Lester any points and scored four tries. So you're ticking every single box. Defant's great. Tactical know-how and control brilliant. Physicality on top. The scrum was a bit of a fight. And your attack really functions. Whether it's set play or Manifaya or Boasa just doing a madness, they had everything. Yeah, I think Varnie's been potentially the signing of the season so far this year for what he's done to that team. His kicking game has come on leaps and bounds. He's kicked the most kicks this year in the Prem and he's also from his kicks. He's got the most retained kicks in the Prem. So he's not just at kicking aimlessly. He's kicking for his wing as to compete, but some of his clearance kicks, you know, 50-60 metres. I know Welford Rows is a little bit smaller, but to get them out of trouble when they needed it, like you say, what you can see about extra is they fight for each other, like they're fighting for everything. They've got big, gnarly forwards who want to hit people. I want to hit people hard. And then Iki Tao coming into a bit of form. He looks great. Slade is just operating like he does. I don't think anyone looks nicer just given a simple pass than Henry Slade. It just looks delightful because he just does it so well. And then you've got a superstar in Manifaya or Boasa. For me, who is probably the most exciting player to watch in the Prem, I think when he's on form, who just, if you get your disconnect slightly wrong on a kick chase, he's going to make you look incredibly silly. And then he just, Benny K said it in commentary. It doesn't even look like he's running that fast. And he's not even sidestepping. He's just gliding, but no one can put a ham on him. So they've got all the, when you look at Exeter as a whole, they've got all the trademarks of a Prem winning team. They've got a great pack. They've got halfbacks that have really knitted together well. I think Vali's bought the best out of skin. I think Skinner has been underrated this year. His D, he hits people. He makes a lot of tackles. They've got great centres. They've got wingers that can finish. They've got wingers that chase for the ball. And they've got that winning mentality in those big games. So yeah, I think Exeter might be a little bit of a dark horse. Let's I really do because I think that's like you said, a few teams have stood up a little bit. I think if I think Exeter beat Sarasons this weekend because watching Sarasons on the weekend, I know it's hard. They've six in a row now. And to your point, nougues, can they go nine in a row? Like that's a lot, even just to go seven in a row is a lot, but to go eight, nine. I'm not sure when the last time that's been done on a running. But watching them against Queens, they looked, a quince should have won. I mean, this I'm a satirist as a quince fan. The amount of set-piece opportunity's quince had in Saras 22. I mean, and they're a set-piece execution was terrible. I like Saras looked a bit leaky. All they had to do was get a win and they did. But I just think maybe it's too many in a row to get there. And I expect Exeter to win at home on the weekend. And what do you do if you're a Martin McCall? It's potentially your last game in charge, but you're not thinking like that. You're thinking win semi-final, final trophy. I mean, do you play him in Farrell? Given he's been coming off the bench, came on what, 57 minutes? No. Do you think, do you sort of go have a sort of, well, who's better for a big one off game than Owen? Or do you go, no, who's who's more likely to come on and close? Who's more likely to get the team kicked, ticking in that first hour? There's a few decisions like, I think that's quite a big call about how he sets his team up because I just don't see them winning an arm wrestler, Sandi Park. And like you, Danny, I make the Chiefs quite big favourites if they can get their emotional pitch right? I just don't see him changing the team because what they've got started works really well for them. I mean, they've won their last half of many games in the row. You said, DC, we're Fergus Burke, I think, really found his feet now. Olly Hartley, Nick Tonkins, that works. And I think they've had a lot of joy, lots of success out of it. Tobias Elliott, the weekend, was, I thought he was outstanding. By far, in a way, one of the best players on the pitch and easy, the best winger on the pitch at the weekend, he had everything, absolutely everything. Having owned foul there is great. But I think those days have gone now of where it's a big decision as to whether you start Owen or not. He's not in the best starting backloaf of Sarasana, just not. I think this plays playing better, but it's brilliant to be able to rely upon them. These are on a couple of points you made there. If Sarasana's give Exeter as many entries into their 22, they won't win the game. Exeter a deadly, Holikwin's won't at the weekend. I do think Sarasana do have an ability to be able to get themselves supercharged again in this one off. I just do because they've got so much experience there. I can't see Exeter losing at home. But then again, there's a number of results this weekend. I just wouldn't have called, I wouldn't have called Exeter going away to Leicester, wouldn't have called the Red Bulls. Second half been 35-7. So I do love the sense of jeopardy. I really do. But I might be a step too far for Sarasana this weekend. They might run out of it, a bit of sting. Yeah, I probably shouldn't have taken us this long to mention that incredible new castle. Come back against sale. I mean, and brilliant interview with Stephen Jones after who is one of the great, great blocs in rugby, isn't he? What a player he was. So good to see that club smiling and coming back so well. Just one on Exeter before we move on, and we've got a message in from Simon, just about the form of some of the top teams in the run in. I was thinking about Henry Slaid. You mentioned him there, guys. And I know there has been some greats of yes, the year and extra rugby, like Richie Baxter, and then there's all the kind of guys, like Garistensen and Ben Moon and Jack Yendel in Witton, that whole generation. And then there's the guys that helped them win. I think he'll go down as Exeter's greatest ever player. And I'd love to get Chief's view on this, but he's the only one really remaining, along with Yendel from the team that won the double, that won their first title in 17. And he's still there, and he's still running the show. And whether you feel his England career is over, got lots in it. I've been unfulfilled. However, you view him as an England player. As an Exeter player, I think he, I don't think there's a compelling argument for anyone else. But from maybe Garistensen to be Exeter Chief's greatest ever player, the Henry Slaid, just because of the consistency and how long he's been doing it for them. Yeah, I think he's right up there mate. And what Slaid he has in him, he's got the big moments, he's got the massive big kicks you need to touch, he's got the kicks at goal. But when I talked about earlier, he just does the simple things so, so well, just nits that team together. And I think he's actually probably adapted his game a little bit at the last few years. He's taken a few knocks from England, he's got to go away. I see him being way more physical, he's like well more aggressive, he's even rooks, he's firing through breakdowns and making an inocence of himself. And then he's on his feet. He's just such a smart rugby player. When you see the try, Iki Towers try down the left wing where you see he's gone up from a breakdown. And it's a simple thing, but what you try and teach any kid to do is when they get up, look up, see where the space is. And you see he looks up, he sees a three on two, screams for the ball from Varnie. He takes the ball a little out and just hands to score the try. And it sounds really simple, but the best players see those opportunities and the best players then can execute under pressure to score tries. And he he does that time after time. Yeah, he'll have a big say this weekend whether X to 2 get to a semi-final or not, if he performs well, they normally exit to play well. So, yeah, I think he's right up there mate. What team's going into this weekend, to potentially the playoffs with the best form? Because that brings me on to Simon's message, you see, he said one thing I'd love to get the guys views on. Do you think St St St Barth of Wobble or are they victims of having been top for too long? I'm a St St St fan, hoping the recent sloppy form is because they've been a few percent offered as they've been in effect waiting for the playoffs for a few weeks. That or not showing the others their plays and that's Simon and that's a similar message I got from our good mate Joel Stocker who said why are a couple of the top teams Northampton and Bath just not looking very consistent. What do you think? I could create an argument for Bath. Bath and Exeter. I've had to juggle going deep into Europe to lane like Bathwood. ten ac eici 17 fy Station un flyn oceithioed ward at�� and 许 behaviouraВ sound regional desired ó quem, mystical o osol i naethau o� fool profesor GlaBER beth fwnau gylech ymgy located yn cynain eu citharkort og gwaith yetimar yn yma oièmeol a bobl ddefir. 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Mae'r gwaithio ffwyd yw i'n gwaithio ffwyd. Mae'r gwaithio ffwyd yn yw i'n gwaithio ffwyd. Mae'r gwaithio ffwyd yn gwaithio ffwyd yn gwaithio ffwyd. ac acc a'r y lawl i'n Llywodraeth. Mae'r gweithio ymg, ki yw'n gweithio'r gwaspwyd, a'r gwaspwyd, a'r gwaspwyd. Mae'r gwaspwyd, a'r gwaspwyd. Mae'r gwaspwyd. Mae'r gwaspwyd. Mae'r gwaspwyd. Mae'r gwaspwyd. Mae'r gwaspwyd. one of those teams could potentially do that. Maybe this is the year that Bucks to Trend. - Like that's where the depth is massive. Like if you've got the depth in your squad to rest five, not have to rest 10, but just if you could just say, a couple here, a couple there to keep a couple fresh. The danger is when you feel you've got to go almost the same team week on week on week, which as you say, daddy teams have been struggling to back up. - I just don't think Baff can, looking at their results. They've won one in five. The only result in the last five matches has been Newcastle away. Lost at Bristol, lost at Chiefs, lost against Bordeaux, lost at Saints. So whilst trying to create this balance of rest in bodies, but you're also trying to get confidence and form and get a sense of cohesion continuity, I think that's the challenge for everyone over the next couple of weeks. It's fascinating. - But it's in this where Van Grant's been, and Cany Euges, away at Northampton, players rested. Friday night, Finn doesn't play. I think we'd probably be surprised that the freshness of some of the Baff players, because they do have the depth and they have a coach who is very, very happy to tinker. - Yeah, I think Baff have to go fully loaded this weekend, have to just secure that home semi-final. And I think Lester should select everyone, but if there's any injury doubts about anyone, don't send them. Don't send them. If Billy Sell is 80% fee, you're going to send them to the wreck this weekend. No, because the reality is, you want everyone to live to fight another day next week, because you've got to deal with that. So I think each and every one, as you've already said, Danny, has their individual battles. Northampton, they can do what they want and they've earned the right. Baff, I think, need to get the job done and get back that winning habit. Lester need to protect their players who are coming back and for chives. Well, they've just business as usual. - Right, let's move on. And as we touched upon, massive, massive credits and UCAS are back from 35, 10 down, thriller on the full-time whistle. How good was that? Hat trick from hell to win it in the 80th. Love the way Bristol. - It's not Red Bull. (laughing) - Bristol Red Bull. (laughing) It's all gonna Bristol. Love the way Bristol just, just, just, just vaad up on Friday night. And again, it's that point, isn't it, about teams that have been properly under the coach. Really delivering for their fans. You got that sense from Harlequin to the summer game that they knew they had to deliver and they did. And there's been a bit of that the last weekend, which has been great to see. You are seed knockouts. Top four seeds all winning. Glasgow Connards, watch that on Friday night. Good tussle. Glasgow winning 33-21. Ball's too good for Monster. Lensed away too good for the line. Storm is too good for Cardiff. At one point, got it to within a score, but that storm has scrum in those conditions. And the game breakers, they have two good winning 44-21. And there's a bit champion's cup, isn't it, when you look at the URC quarters. Like it's hard to see where you're gonna get too many upsets from when you look to that lineup. With teams, now the Slafken teams, are regularly getting home ties. I don't know whether those quarters particularly work. Or am I just going over ball, because there's been one season without any away winners. We know there have been away winners in the past, so it's not like it doesn't happen. But when you've got a travel to doubling like the lines have, you've got a travel to Cape Town like Cardiff have traveled to the high field like Monster have in a one-off game. That's pretty tough. Is it an upset if one of the Slafken teams win an away semi? I would say it's an upset, is it? No. Glasgow and Lensed will both be favourites, wouldn't they? But, goodness me, you wouldn't, the balls and stormers are proper outfits. There's every chance, isn't it? And Glasgow have shown that as good as they are, they got done by Toulon and Lensed that we've spoken so much on the part about where they're at. So those are two brilliant semi-finals. Those are two absolutely brilliant semi-finals. What about Dan Lancaster dumping his dad's team out of the quarter final? I gave a beat at the end to see it as well. Does that happen as it happened often? An opposition's son kicking their dad's team out of a cup. I'm sure Owen's done it to Andy, maybe for country. For country, yeah. But for club. I imagine that, I just still think that is a crazy mindset, isn't it? Where all week you'd be like, get into the 10. Like, if he takes it to the line, hammer him and pin him on the floor for as long as you can. That's your own son. But I've just taken out Blakey in seven or eight years time if he's taxed to play rugby and your coach and against him, you're like, get into him. But you're going to know his game so well. Like, I work so much with Paul Grayson, who's, you know, son Ethan is at full bat for the Red Bulls, who's son. James is off to play for Edinburgh next season. Joel was contracted to Red Bulls as well. Grayson knows his son's games. Like the back of his hand. And that's going to be the same for Farrell and Farrell for Lancaster Lancaster, isn't it? So surely you're going to have to bring that in in the week. You have to. You know this, I call it, you know, like, make your soft. Get into my league. He's soft. Yeah. Take away his pocket money. He cries. Get into him. I don't know. You're right. It is a tough one. I think for the mum. That's probably, is that the best that? What's the best that? The best outcome for the mum is, is, kind of winning and dad having a really good game, isn't it? Or ultimately it's kind of, it's kind of win-win or lose-lose, depending on how full your cup is. Yeah, it's a tough one. It's a tough one. So who's winning the, you know, who's winning the Oc down? You still got stormers there, maybe a tip a few weeks ago? I still like, well, I saw them. I think they've got a couple of injuries now. They did, I see, they'll have them, sir. And Sasha. And Sasha's down now, isn't he? That was tough. That was tough. Not related to that incident, because he was tackled over the trial line. And I thought it was like reasonable in terms of the time and the attempt to make the tackle. I do think there needs to be greater protection for triscours in the act of scoring. We see so many late shots. By the way, I'm not talking about the Sasha one. We see so many players, triscours, you get hit late. We've seen dislocated shoulders this season, seen injuries in the act of triscoring. So yeah, that was gutting for Sasha at such a pivotal time, because he is mocking people on the pitch at the moment. He looks like he's having a lot of fun, but won't be playing this weekend. Is that season done? Is that season done for him? Tor done? Yeah, I think it is. When you go on Instagram and kind of done a post, you don't do that if you're back next week, do you? It was reflective. Yeah, that kind of philosophical. Speaking of Tor and Doubt. And his game picked up a carfinery on Friday night, and Pat Lam was like, he should be fit, should be fit for the tour, and I'm thinking, well, that tour is in just over a month. The carfinery for a front rower, nothing backs the vice captain going to South Africa, like England will be sweating on his fitness, desperate to make sure that he's going to be all right. That's a bit of a game change though, if Sasha is out for the summer, and if you're England, does that mean Holland plays? Money in the box plays? It's different, isn't it? I mean, Pollard is still rolling about the years playing for the balls, and he could well win a URC, but Sasha had gone so far into number one in that sprint box. Fly off pecking, what, hadn't he? Like, so far from a position where it was quite close between two or three of them a year or two ago. So clearly, number one now. So I think that's a bit of a, that's a big one for them, if they're missing his big, that's big for the tour. That's big for the tour for them. But now I will, because of that, literally, I'm going to have to change. Stormers aren't my pick now. He was probably the one of the main reasons they were my pick, because he's playing on a different level. So I'm going to go with my boys from Glasgow. You've back before? I've back before I had that team, when I spoke about team struggling to win away, they were a team that did win away on routes and actually not before last night. You're not, I'm not going for them. OK, so there are four semi-finals and now you're watching a few weeks back. Yeah, I watched them a few weeks back. I'm going to go for Lentz. Interesting case Lentz, aren't they? See Sam Prentegas was back at 10, I've been not made the 23 for Bill Bell. So, and where they end up there and the run in, so much going on, so much to look for to. Lentz, the Stormers 530, Glasgow balls at 232, epic. You are C-7-Finals, mentioned Sasha Feinberg, mentioned the Summer, mentioned the balance of power in the global international game. Reports from the French media that Sean Edwards is on his way out of France. Now these things don't get imaged up from thin air when it comes to the French media. They are incredibly well connected. I would vouch this is reliable information, although we haven't got it confirmed. What does that mean for everyone, if anything? It means that brilliant coach is now on the market, but is there a space for a brilliant coach in one of the main teams this close to World Cup? Is there a defence job open? I don't think there is, is there? No, England, straight away people like, right, make the call, get them into England. I mean, I think it's, I actually think it's gutting that he's never been in charge of the England national team, whilst making Wales and France exponentially better. I do, but I do. But sadly I think that ship has sailed. Byron McGregans just signed up as part of England got like seven full-time coaches now. Well, Wiggies, the main D is in the environment, so they're insisting. And Joa Labd is there doing breakdown as well. So they're well stocked. They're well stocked. So I don't see that. But the first thing I say is, I hope Sean's all right. I hope he's okay. I think I love Sean. Honestly, I love Sean so much because he's a brilliant coach and he's also a brilliant bloke. And for such a tough man, he is someone who still I think needs looking after, do you not mean? I'd love to see him in the Prem. Actually, whether he would fancy that. Hey, Northampton are losing their defensive coach who's heading off to Scotland. Well, I'd be straight on the blower. Be straight on the blower. Sean, what is it you want? Long-term security? Yeah, say less. You've got it. There's four years. Come fix ID. That's what I would be doing. That's such an interesting thing to bring up the Prem. You look at sail and I know Joe Ford is sort of the head coach, but I'm not sure if that's like a permanent temporary obviously key part of the team. Joe Ford is the head coach. I saw that on TNT on one of the captions that Joe Ford's the head coach. But they might want needs and bolstering to their coaching team if Alex, I think there are obviously not going so well as sail. What is going on there? Well, I mean, so there's a potential option. Gloucester, kind of got a plan together now. Haven't they read balls? It looks like they have with Damit Farlane and Gregor Townsend when he comes in. He's got a lot of other hallowed ones. They definitely could be openings there. I just can't remember a coach that has coached at international level for that long in one particular role. So 07, he joins Wales. 2026, he's still going with France and not nearly 20 years. Even Wayne Smith would have periods away or he would have a period where he was changing up his skill sets. Sean Edwin just kind of, that doesn't happen. Does it? Someone doing. I know he's had Lions. I know he said France. I know he said Wales. But yeah, it just just remarkable the longevity he's had at the international games. So if he is to leave France soon, then there might be a chance for him to freshen up in a different role in a different landscape because doing international for that long is very very rare. He wanted to be a head coach at one point and do that. Well he was a head coach. He was a head coach at Wask. If you are, if you ever did him, do you want to be a head coach? He goes, oh, I was a head coach and I won 72 Heineken cups. Yeah. And he did attack. He did attack at Wask. So he has done various roles. But I think last time I spoke to him about the things that he wants and where he wants focus and it is just defense. But more so than anything, like he wants security. So anyone coming after him. He's not going on a one or two year deal. He wants security. Like truly all he's looking for. One of the best I've ever done it. Was it 56 major titles and honors as a coach and a player? He's not doing a job interview to get any job is he? Was there an interview with him once where someone said something and he corrected them with the fact that it was more titles? Yeah. I think someone said, this is your sixth, your six six nations and he was like seven. No. He did that at the end of the English game when they won the title. That was it. At the end of it, he went, they were cheers Sean. Thanks for the chat. He went, oh, that's seven by the way. Yeah, that was it. Yeah, boy, boy. That was his job interview, as you say. He won't need a CV. But you guys tell, because a lot of our listeners will be going hold on. How on earth is he not coaching England? How on earth if he becomes available free agent, no compensation required, doing not bring him in. And a lot of our listeners say, it doesn't matter who's in post, but tell us exactly why it's not as simple as that. I mean, it's not as simple as that in the fact that England have got their coach and ticket and they've just been a review and they've backed that coach and ticket. So for them to suddenly then go, oh no, we're actually, we'll take him instead. I think we'd go against everything that they've just come out with this big statement, which apparently load of people weren't happy with. So it would be a big shock for me if they did make a change there. And I absolutely agree that Sean Edwards being the most passionate Englishman in the world. You'd love to have him coaching in England side at some point. And maybe that still might happen in the future. So I don't know whether there's a rush needed. Maybe if I don't know, I'm not spoken to Sean Edwards, but I don't know. Maybe he wants a break for a bit to then have a look at what's happening post-World Cup because there will be a lot of job opportunities post-World Cup. If this was a year ago, he could have been England coach maybe. You don't know. But not now, because as you said, they've done their review. They're fully focused on what their plan is and who's going to be in charge of that plan up until the World Cup. The other reason why it potentially couldn't work is you might have two completely conflicting defensive philosophies. You just need one master. You need one voice to take control of that. That's Richard Wiggler's word. He sees defense like this. He's got Joe Elab, he's got Barem McGregor, where he'll be in charge of that one facet of the game and that's what it do. He brings in Sean Edwards, who's all of a sudden might be saying X, Y and Z. Some people would say we've lense that the defence has changed with Jacques Nienerbaugh and we know he's an unbelievable defensive coach, but he's implementing a South African defensive system at lense, though, without potentially the same cattle, the same physiological profile. It doesn't always work as it's meant to. So yeah, I think it'd be very difficult. I'd be staggered if England were to make an approach at this point. But I also don't see Sean Edwards sitting on his hands for the next 18 months as well and just waiting to get to the end of the World Cup to assess his options. I could be agree. For me, it's zero chance he goes to England, but there would still be a lot of our listeners trying to work out. Why not and if England are serious, do they bring in some of that colour? But then there's also a question about where Sean Edwards is at. Why would he be leaving France? We don't have the full picture. Is it a technical thing? Is it a personal thing? Mate, I'll tell you one thing. It's a relationship thing. I think this has been brewing for a long while. I heard reports of Fabian Galtier and Sean Edwards coming to blows. Got this six nations last year, 2025. I think anyone who's worked with Fabian would maybe attest to this. You've got lots of top quality coaches and in some respects, potentially like big personal and it's big egos, doesn't always fit and work. And I know last six nations was a huge amount of friction between the two of them. That's just a fact. Rafael and Ibernaz, who's the team manager, he almost became a conduit and a mediator to try and make sure that they had a healthy relationship and stayed on track to go and to win the six nations. I just don't think that's subsided. I think Sean's also got to look after himself and his family and everything else, his own well-being. So he's got to do that. But regardless of how you know how it is, Jones is no different. Everyone has a team that they work with in. Sometimes talent isn't just enough. You need the dynamics to work as well for the bigger picture of it. And ultimately, Danny, you did a well cup, 23. You were together as a team for how many months? And if there's not harmony at the top of the tree, that can filter into the team. So you have to create harmony. And if it's not quite there, then maybe it is time. It might be slightly different reason this year, but last year, I know that definitely was a factor. I also think being a defence coach has never been harder than it is currently, with the rules, with the laws and the amount of points that are being put on teams. It must be a nightmare sometimes. Some of these defence coach must be scratching their heads because, like, let's think, how do we stop this legally? How do we stop it? So yeah, the defence coach is worth the way it goes. And I think we're sure, and I think the personality that Sean is, he needs to be in an environment where he's allowed to fly and be himself because I think if you're as soon as you try and push that down, and maybe the dynamics would need to be right with him, and whichever head coach he wants to work with, or if he wants to be a head coach, then he could do what he wants. But I think that dynamic would have to be right to get the best Sean Edwards, which is the best defence coach ever. Yeah, I mean, the pedigree speaks for itself, but then you could last two rounds, 96 points conceded. It's just going to be really interesting. If it does leave France, what happens? What happens next and yeah that Steve Borthwicks never been big on bringing in guys he doesn't know it was actually Unusual for him to go after Felix Jones that didn't work out. It's been unusual for him to go after Lee Blackett given They don't seem to have loads of history together and you know, let's hope that that that works But it would be very un you able to be very out of character for Steve Borthwicks to bring in someone like someone like Sean Edwards even though all of his credentials Suggest he he would do a great job with England if you'd ever if you'd ever got the chance a few bits of A OB Worcester What a what a win Finish the regular season in four beat the trailfinders in that semi-final talk about last gas plays How good was that and then they beat Bedford In the final no promotion, but surely when we look at the Prem being expansion league uges was there gonna be one of those teams Banging on the door to be in the top flight before too long. It's a great story their first attempt their champs Oh good absolutely rump in it and it's so cool Lots of familiar faces from the Prem Maccavesic still heavily involved Sivir now log I formerly of Bristol scoring a brilliant try Something about the past but it doesn't matter now they're the champs. I think it's brilliant and like we can focus on the achievement but actually What that does for that community that felt like they had its soul ripped out of it and it was this brunt and so much uncertainty and This been sold off and that been sold off to be able to regather Put together a team and then create this success in what actually feels like a relatively short amount of time I think it's amazing. So congratulations Kind of a massive shout I think to Matt Everard as well who got let go by Leicester by checker and Went to Worcester took on this role and has gone and done an absolute job put a team together from scratch pretty much You know a few players that have been there before But massive shout out to him brilliant coach and yeah deserved deserved to win it Joe Yapook surprised at that Joe Yapook and John Mitchell the two names that I heard would be in contention I'm really pleased for Joe She was obviously at the work-up last year of Australia. She's had a massive impact of influence on so many So many rugby players not just in England but obviously on the other side of the world She's going to do an incredible job you'd imagine And how proud must she be the first coach for the British and Irish Lions women's team is Is absolutely amazing and it starts to The prospect of the Lions comes into focus because we now have a head coach That's a massive landmark now. So yeah, I'm really really pleased for her She did us some co-coms with with us back in 2013 On a few England women's games in the six nations so Uh, she's come a long way from from five live all the way to the year The women's Lions so the Lions women And it's officially called so great great stuff from Joe. What I love about the appointment is that We talked about before don't we um Jonesy about coaches maybe being from The Country's qualifying. Yeah qualifying and Joe was you know coach England played for England And to now be you know a homegrown coach to do the first British and Irish Lions women's tour I think brilliant I think it's a great great start and yeah amazing for her so chuffed so all the best tour Excellent stuff guys There was loads more we could talk about including this excellent podcast. I was listening to rugby director Liam Napier and Elliott Smith from New Zealand. They've got Bruce Sharacone is one of the big moves and shakers in the agent world in New Zealand talking about the lure Of the all black jersey and how it is not what it was which I listened to and I was Not surprised but a bit saddened. I think there's a huge conversation to be out about Um about that issue which we will I think part for another day because we've done plenty Because they're talking about the winger who new car's red balls have signed for next year. He's now become New car's red balls did their business early identified a winger from New Zealand was like will have him You see is like youtube. He's Mate worldy absolute worldy So they spotted him early next thing you know super rugby stars his top trisker and super rugby New Zealand rugby like No, no, no, no, you can't go to Newcastle you have to stay here And I like the flex in New Zealand rugby will be upon the player now to stay here But as an Englishman I just thought Could it weave like intervened with jack willis or a tom willis and gone? Oh you want to go to to lose? Oh, okay Right Okay, in order for you to stay I mean in tom willis so tom willis is Reason and for going is different from jack willis because jack willis didn't have a club like was when And maybe it's too difficult and every union is slightly different, but you'd have loved to have seen There are a few just go right no when it's not happening It's not happening. There's no way we're letting one of our most talented players go and just stop it I hope with the red balls by the way get the player that they signed up to because they did well to ID and recruit and get a business done early It's gone for you New Zealand because you didn't say anything when newcastle red balls announced him a few months ago But I do like the might and power of New Zealand rugby to go Well, let's see let's see this is faith Finney and the canoffo isn't it and Steve Joe said on the weekend he's still coming but certainly something is going on there But it's also happening when richi moonga is not able to play against an africanist summer Unless there's like an injury so Moonga is coming back to New Zealand rugby but because it's the end of the super-repe season not the start when you won He is not able to play against that so I just think New Zealand are getting in a real model with all of it Over there contracting over their rules over their eligibility And they need a proper thing as do a lot of countries goodness me all countries at the moment I think are being faced with this huge Battle between players looking to look after themselves financially but also keep the jersey being the biggest thing the international jersey And I think it's a fair few countries where I think I Rethinking how they operate and I think New Zealand rugby is definitely one but that podcast is well worth a listen And something we can pick up another time because what the players want Danny. Do they want legacy? If they want to make as much money as possible You may want to have both but very very few people get both Yeah, you can't you can't blame the players because it's it's the way the world has a president been set before them So you can understand why Richie Moonga and the peak of his powers goes Yeah, I fancy banking a few million quid and I'll come back and I'll be fresh because I've only paid 10 games a season in Japan You can't blame that so I under I understand 25 years ago people that loved New Zealand loved the all blacks I say and what the boys back then they would do anything for the shirt and I get that I absolutely get that and there is a legacy but the gate that we're in a different world now Really completely different world and unfortunately once you set a precedent The best the best players can kind of do what they want so You see the rugby can just bomb your contract off whenever you want Let's see what happens on that front two years and then it's then it's gone Yeah, it's it's the audience to probably be a bit stronger and say that if you're not if you don't if you're going to go go But you won't play for us again, but that's when Play a power if you're richie Moonga, he's like well I am the best 10 So he did go he does neither rules or difficult one difficult one Same say same the same the same with England Jack Willis could have stayed. Yeah Yeah, Tom Willis could stay No, they don't want us so fine Excellent stuff guys Jents take care. Cheers everyone. Layers. Cheers Thanks for downloading rugby union weekly for more info head to the BBC sounds app I Live sports BBC women's football weekly the latest news insights and analysis from across the women's game Games for innovation welcome to the We are we including gaming your title now. You know how much longer that is We want to play in a way that they can show their skills So that's what we try to do when the ball cup is a dream listen with the BBC sounds app