The Welsh Rugby Podcast

Reach Podcasts

About

Join Wales Online rugby writers Ben James and Steffan Thomas for the latest news, analysis and interviews from the world of Welsh rugby. With plenty of guests making an appearance, it'll be the podcast with its finger truly on the pulse of the game in Wales.

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288 episodes

The Abi Tierney and Nigel Walker podcast

Ben James and Steffan Thomas are joined by WRU CEO Abi Tierney and executive director of rugby Nigel Walker to talk Warren Gatland, a wooden spoon and a new strategic plan. (Unfortunately, there was a slight technical with Nigel Walker's microphone which has affected the quality slightly.) Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

36m
Mar 28
The start of the Women's Six Nations and a timely win in Llanelli

Ben James and Steffan Thomas discuss Wales' Women's defeat to Scotland, as well as the four regions' matches in the United Rugby Championship. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

43m
Mar 27
Just where do we go from here?

Ben James and Steffan Thomas sit down to discuss Wales' winless Six Nations and just what needs to change to improve Welsh rugby's fortunes. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

49m
Mar 20
Wales 21-24 Italy: A dismal Wooden Spoon

Ben James and Times rugby writer Elgan Alderman sit down to react to Wales' dismal defeat to Italy that secured them the Wooden Spoon. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

17m
Mar 17
Wales 24-45 France: Into a Wooden Spoon week we go

Ben James and Steffan Thomas react to Wales' Six Nations defeat to France, which leaves them staring at a Wooden Spoon next week. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC

35m
Mar 11
Wales v France preview: A surprise centre pairing

Ben James and Steffan Thomas react to the Wales team to face France and look at where this weekend's match will be won and lost. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

34m
Mar 07
Ireland 31-7 Wales reaction: We are where we are

Ben James and Steff Thomas react to Wales' Six Nations in Dublin. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

38m
Feb 25
Ireland v Wales Six Nations preview: A debut for Big Mac

Ben James and Steff Thomas discuss the Wales team to face Ireland, as well as the daunting task facing Warren Gatland's side in Dublin. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

42m
Feb 21
The Kieran Hardy podcast

Wales and Scarlets scrum-half Kieran Hardy joins Ben James for a brief chat about life in Wales' Six Nations camp. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

20m
Feb 14
England 16-14 Wales reaction: So, so close

Ben James and Daily Mail rugby writer Alex Bywater react to Wales' narrow defeat to England at Twickenham. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

22m
Feb 11
Wales v England preview: Bold changes, Alex Mann and Cameron Winnett

Ben James and Steff Thomas discuss Wales' team to face England, Telegraph writer Charlie Morgan offers insight on Steve Borthwick's side and we hear from Wales debutants Alex Mann and Cameron Winnett. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC

41m
Feb 08
Wales 26-27 Scotland reaction: How do you sum that up?!

Ben James and Steffan Thomas do their best to dissect Wales' Six Nations opener in Cardiff that saw them nearly come back from 27-0 down to win. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

33m
Feb 04
Wales v Scotland Six Nations preview, with Jamie Lyall

Rugby commentator Jamie Lyall joins Ben James to preview Wales' Six Nations opener against Scotland in Cardiff. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

33m
Jan 31
Gatland, Farrell, Borthwick and the superb Ospreys

Ben James and Steff Thomas discuss the latest in Welsh rugby, while we hear from a number of coaches and captains ahead of the Six Nations. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

41m
Jan 25
The Louis Rees-Zammit bombshell and Wales' Six Nations squad

Ben James and Steffan Thomas sit down to react to the news Louis Rees-Zammit is leaving rugby to pursue a career in the NFL, as well as Wales' Six Nations squad. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

38m
Jan 17
The Richard Whiffin podcast: Wales U20s new coach talks teaching tomorrow's stars

Wales U20s coach Richard Whiffin chats to Ben James and Steffan Thomas about his new job, the upcoming Six Nations and how best to develop Wales' young talent. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

39m
Jan 10
Scarlets' nadir, Anglo-Welsh desire and the end of 2023

Ben James and Steffan Thomas talk what's gone wrong at the Scarlets, why there needs to be more Anglo-Welsh matches and look back at an eventful 2023. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

49m
Dec 20, 2023
The Rob Howley podcast: 'Can't believe it... I can't believe it'

Rob Howley joins Ben James and Steffan Thomas on the podcast to talk about his return to the Wales coaching set-up, four years after leaving the role. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

28m
Dec 15, 2023
What's gone wrong with Welsh rugby?

Ben James and Steffan Thomas are joined by Seimon Williams - author of new book 'Welsh Rugby: What Went Wrong?' - to talk Welsh rugby's woes and just how you fix it. Brought to you by WalesOnline/ReachPLC

1h 3m
Dec 13, 2023
Backing Dwayne Peel and what happens next for Welsh rugby

Scarlets chair Simon Muderack joins Ben James and Steffan Thomas to discuss the Scarlets' start to the season, the pressure on head coach Dwayne Peel, the financial situation in Welsh rugby and how things can improve moving forward. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC

1h 5m
Dec 06, 2023
More Welsh derbies, mixed results and Wales' next full-back?

Swansea RFC and Swansea University coach Hugh Gustafson, who also enjoyed a playing career with the Dragons and Ospreys, joins Ben James and Steffan Thomas to discuss the latest round of URC matches and look over Welsh rugby. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC

53m
Nov 29, 2023
Reducing replacements and developing young Welsh players with Trystan Bevan

Ben James and Steffan Thomas are joined by Trystan Bevan, who has worked as a S&C coach and head of performance in Welsh rugby for many years, to talk player development, the importance of overseas signings and how reducing replacements could help with rugby's concussion problem. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC

55m
Nov 10, 2023
The Dan Biggar podcast: Wales memories, French adventure and 15 years of laundry duty

Ben James and Steffan Thomas are joined by Dan Biggar, just weeks after the fly-half played his last Test for Wales, to talk about his 15-year international career, his new life in France and some of his favourite memories. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

48m
Oct 27, 2023
Wales World Cup heartbreak, classic quarter-finals and the last one in France

Ben James is joined by Times rugby writer Elgan Alderman to dissect Wales' World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina, discuss a classic round of last-eight action and reflect on Wales' tournament in France ahead of the trip back home - all while resisting the urge to sing. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

44m
Oct 16, 2023
Wales 43-19 Georgia reaction: Faletau blow, four from four and incredible Portugal

Ben James and Steffan Thomas discuss the final weekend of pool games at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, as Wales found out who'd they be facing in the quarter-finals. Brought to you by WalesOnline/ReachPLC.

36m
Oct 09, 2023
Wales v Georgia preview: A surprise team, Tier Two support and permutations

Ben James and Steffan Thomas sit down to preview Wales' final pool game against Georgia and look at who Warren Gatland's side could face in the quarter-finals. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

40m
Oct 04, 2023
Wales 40-6 Australia reaction: A statement win in Lyon

Ben James and Steffan Thomas discuss Wales' hammering of the Wallabies in Lyon that secured a World Cup quarter-final place. Brought to you by WalesOnline/Reach PLC.

52m
Sep 26, 2023
A bonus episode with Aaron Wainwright: Committees, fines and who's the David Brent fan in camp

Ben James is joined by Wales back-row Aaron Wainwright for a bonus episode after Wales' team announcement to face Australia, talking the mood in camp, the committees and who's picking the music in camp. Brought to you by WalesOnline/ReachPLC.

15m
Sep 22, 2023
Wales v Australia preview: David Campese, under-the-pump Wallabies and a must-win game

Ben James and Steffan Thomas are joined by Wallabies legend David Campese to discuss Australia's defeat to Fiji, what's next for Eddie Jones and their crucial World Cup clash with Wales. Brought to you by WalesOnline/ReachPLC.

51m
Sep 20, 2023
Wales 28-8 Portugal reaction: Not a classic, but job done

Ben James is joined by Robbie and Will Owen, the brothers behind the YouTube channel Squidge Rugby, to discuss Wales' win over Portugal. Brought to you by WalesOnline/ReachPLC

35m
Sep 18, 2023