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Welcome to Rucks Mauls & Oval Balls, the ultimate podcast for all things English rugby! Hosted by two former university teammates who shared the pitch and forged a lasting bond, this show takes you behind the scenes of the rugby world, blending insightful analysis with a shared passion for the sport. Each episode dives deep into the game, with a special focus on statistics, player performance, team dynamics, and match breakdowns. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the game, Rucks, Mauls & Oval Balls offers expert commentary, fun debates, and insider knowledge that you won’t find anywhere else. Tune in for the perfect mix of rugby banter, in-depth analysis, and a true love for the game!
36 Episodes
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A rebel league selling glitz and “player IP,” a beloved flanker facing MND, and a Prem weekend that swung on packs, pressure, and poise—this one has layers. We open the hood on R360’s promises and ask the only questions that matter: who sanctions it, who plays when international camps clash, and who still cares after the marketing burn wears off. Pre‑contracts aren’t contracts, and IP only pays if the audience is real. Best case, it nudges the established game to modernise; worst case, it’s n...
A world title in one hand, a battered match ball in the other—this week swings from the Red Roses’ crowning moment to a wild Premiership opening round that had big hits, bigger scrums, and even bigger talking points. We start with England’s blueprint against Canada: ruthless ruck denial, set-piece authority, and a calm response to early pressure. From Ellie Kildunne’s momentum-shifting finish to Alcroft, Matthews, and Botterman setting the tone, we unpack why this run felt inevitable—and why ...
The global rugby landscape is shifting dramatically, and we're here to break it all down. In a revealing conversation about Newcastle Red Bulls' resurgence, we witness what appears to be the birth of a northern powerhouse. With an impressive 9,000 fans turning out for a mere cup fixture and more star signings on the horizon, Kingston Park finally has reason for optimism after years in the wilderness. Our deep dive into the Women's Rugby World Cup quarterfinals reveals the emergence of clear ...
The Women's Rugby World Cup takes center stage as the pool stages wrap up with England facing their first genuine test against Australia. While the Red Roses secured a comfortable 47-7 victory, questions emerge about their clinical edge in the backline as they prepare for potentially facing New Zealand's lethal attack in the knockout rounds. We dive into standout performances across the tournament and highlight how teams like Brazil and Samoa are making history simply by competing on this glo...
The flirty season begins! After a refreshing break, we're diving headfirst into rugby's most exciting developments with renewed energy and the same unfiltered perspectives you've come to expect. Welsh rugby finds itself at yet another crossroads, with the WRU contemplating a reduction to just two regions. We explore what this East-West Wales structure might mean for traditional clubs caught in the crossfire and whether burning everything to the ground might actually be the solution this perp...
The second Test between the Lions and Australia delivered everything rugby fans could hope for - drama, controversy, physicality, and a last-gasp victory that secured the series for the tourists. After a relatively straightforward first Test win, the Lions found themselves thoroughly tested by a transformed Australian side at the MCG. Will Skelton's return to the Wallabies' pack proved transformative, with the towering lock imposing himself on the contest through sheer physical dominance. Hi...
When test match players deliver test match performances, Andy Farrell looks like a rugby genius. The Lions dominated Australia physically in the first test, with Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne silencing critics through outstanding displays that vindicated their controversial selections. Curry's phenomenal work rate—hitting nearly 90% of defensive rucks—alongside Beirne's disruptive presence created the platform for a convincing victory, though questions remain about the Lions' second-half drop-of...
Dave and Rory deliver a rugby-packed discussion covering the Lions tour, England's Argentina series win, and Premiership recruitment. • Lions are in a good position heading into the first Test despite some underwhelming performances in warm-up matches • Standout Lions performers include Ben Earl, Ben White, Huw Jones and Joe McCarthy • Full Lions Test team predictions with debates around the competitive seven position and potential Irish bias • England's Argentina tour produced several "test...
The latest episode of Rucks, Mauls and Oval Balls delivers a comprehensive analysis of the Lions tour as it reaches a critical juncture, with Dave and Rory examining the performances against the Reds and Waratahs while identifying concerning patterns that could impact the upcoming Test matches. The duo delves into the Lions' struggles with set-piece execution and ball handling under pressure, while celebrating standout performances from Maro Itoje, Jack Morgan, and others who have enhanced t...
The summer rugby season is heating up – quite literally, as our hosts confess to sweating through this episode due to the scorching temperatures! We dive headfirst into the Lions tour, analyzing the devastating blow of Tomos Williams' tour-ending injury and what it means for the scrum-half hierarchy going forward. Our Western Force game breakdown uncovers both promising signs and concerning issues for the squad. While clinical finishing and attacking continuity impressed, scrum fragility and...
What happens when grassroots rugby meets social media advocacy? In this captivating episode, we're joined by Mark Williams, a multi-faceted rugby coach whose TikTok presence (@MWRUGBYCOACHING) is helping shine a light on the beautiful game at its foundation. Mark takes us into the trenches of community rugby, revealing the stark reality that many clubs are fielding fewer teams than a decade ago. "Preston Grasshoppers had six teams ten years ago. Now maybe four," he observes, highlighti...
Bath's triumph in the Premiership Rugby Final capped an exceptional season as they overcame a determined Leicester Tigers side in a match defined by physicality rather than flashy play. Guy Pepper emerged as the standout performer, demonstrating extraordinary strength to swat away defenders like mere nuisances – perhaps justifying Johann van Graan's earlier comparison to Richie McCaw. Controversy swirled around referee Carl Dixon's decisions, particularly Julian Montoya's yellow card and Dan...
The curtain falls on the Premiership's regular season, but the drama has only just begun. In this episode, Dave and Rory dissect a Round 18 filled with surprising performances, emotional farewells, and the final playoff picture taking shape. Bath's youthful squad showed remarkable courage against Saracens, with debutants Tyler Afaya and Barford crossing the whitewash, offering a tantalizing glimpse into their future despite the 36-26 defeat. Meanwhile, fans at Welford Road witnessed a poigna...
The landscape of global rugby stands on the precipice of transformation with the announcement of a 16-team Club World Cup starting in 2028. This landmark decision promises to answer the question that's lingered in rugby circles for decades: how would champions from different hemispheres fare against each other when the stakes are highest? As we celebrate this forward-looking vision, we also honor those who've defined an era of Premiership excellence. Dan Cole, Mike Brown, and Alex Goode – th...
Welcome to an episode brimming with rugby insights, personal challenges, and in-depth analysis of the sport's evolving landscape! We kick off with tales from the Jurassic Coast Challenge – a grueling 100km trek that left one of your hosts with barely any skin on his feet but helped raise over £5,000 for charity. Diving into the rugby world, we explore Championship Rugby's exciting rebrand and restructure. This isn't just a name change; it's a comprehensive overhaul creating a proper pathway ...
As rugby's landscape shifts beneath our feet, this episode captures a pivotal moment where tradition meets commercial transformation. We dive deep into the Red Bull acquisition rumours surrounding Newcastle Falcons – potentially the most significant development in English club rugby's recent history. Could this energy drink giant's marketing prowess and financial muscle revolutionise not just one struggling club, but elevate the entire Premiership? The newly announced £200 million TNT Sports...
A seismic weekend in European rugby as Northampton Saints produced arguably the greatest performance by an English team in Champions Cup history, stunning Leinster in Dublin. Tommy Freeman's hat-trick heroics, Curtis Langdon's physical dominance, and Phil Dowson's tactical masterclass created the perfect storm that left the Irish giants shell-shocked at the Aviva Stadium. We break down exactly how Saints exploited Leinster's feared blitz defense, analyzing the perfect execution that saw them...
George Ford masterminds Sale's statement victory over Saracens in a match that signals the Sharks' potential title credentials. With impeccable game management and a try of his own, Ford showcases why he deserves Lions consideration while steering Sale's increasingly Saracens-esque structure. Meanwhile, Tom Willis puts in a heroic shift for Saracens with 126 metres carried and 10 defenders beaten, almost single-handedly keeping them competitive. Bath unveil their secret weapon as rookie fly-...
Rugby fans have been clamoring for more deep dives into the sport's burning questions, and we've delivered with our very first bonus Q&A special. For a full hour, we tackle the questions you've submitted across social platforms, offering thoughtful analysis and occasionally heated opinions on rugby's most debated topics. We kick things off discussing whether rugby union should adopt the captain's challenge system from rugby league. While it works well in league, we explore why the curren...
The battle lines have been drawn in Round 14 of the Premiership, with a fascinating shift in momentum as the season enters its crucial final stages. The physically dominant, confrontational teams are surging while the free-flowing entertainers struggle under pressure. Sale Sharks delivered perhaps the most impressive performance of the weekend, their pack ruthlessly dismantling Harlequins at The Stoop. With George Ford orchestrating proceedings like a maestro, Sale have transformed into genu...
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