The Pod Of Three #16 : “Ch-ch-changes” featuring Bottomless Rugby, The Rugby Bricks Podcast & Blood And Mud Rugby

This time our theme is “Changes” or “Ch-ch-changes” if you’re old enough to appreciate a nod to David Bowie.  First up we welcome a new member from South Africa to our Pod Of Three Stable, as Bottomless Rugby discuss the implications of the South African franchises moving north into the European competitions.  Next we have Rugby Bricks talking to Otere Black, who is an outhalf for our adopted Super Rugby Aotearoa team the Blues, about the influence Dan Carter has brought to the squad since his arrival.  Finally the Blood & Mud Rugby boys are celebrating their 200th episode in their own, shall we say, colourful style, as they look at CVC’s investment into European Rugby and how it may or may not change the fortunes of the RFU.

1) Bottomless Rugby : "Main Event #21 - State of SA Origin"

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Mf3ot2XvaySpkWBV5q3wa?si=s6S5BQrIRMWbgIzaWwgGwA

2) The Rugby Bricks Podcast : "Otere Black - Learning from Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett and the resurgence of Blues Rugby"

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4LtHlBNRpUe1IFPfpSgLuv?si=zPhPSnkmSp2m8f6dNn6wWQ

Also check them out on Instagram > https://www.instagram.com/rugbybricks/

3) Blood & Mud Rugby : "Double Century Jamboree"

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Miv1qAw2dVz0BcmnVKQlZ?si=AGbJsF5hQdSb75PHC5rsVg

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The Pod Of Three #15 featuring Rugby Wrap Up, Loose Head & Ulster Rugby Lad

We’ve no particular theme for this Pod of Three, we’re simply sharing 3 quality clips from 3 quality rugby pods.  First we go stateside where Rugby Wrap Up talks to the commissioner of Major League Rugby about their version of the salary cap, then Loose Head has Squidge on his show to talk about the pitfalls of using rugby clips to help with content creation, and finally Ulster Rugby Lad talks to Mark Blair who was a lock on their Heineken Cup winning team from 1999.

1) Rugby Wrap Up : Major League Rugby Chairman of the Board, Errik Anderson Grilled, Aussie Super Rugby, Snyman Snipes

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7BmbgObIhFvlqTCzWpY44M?si=HQRmfzMzSYSTvw3lZzrPHw

2) The Loose Head Postcast : The One With Squidge

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0TVY4eeTaW4LAMcDbPC6pq?si=R4v7nXF7TLqe8ARSU4br4g

3) Ulster Rugby Lad Podcast : Mark Blair

https://open.spotify.com/episode/56aoLzGc9GIQGqU4qeyt4l?si=w0zle5b-TUO6X_ko25U67A

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The Pod Of Three #14 : “Rugby History” featuring Rugby Reloaded, The Dead Ball Area & Squidge Rugby

Today’s theme is “Rugby History”.  First up we have Rugby Reloaded which is new to our PodOfThree stable and regularly covers the history of both union and league - in this one Tony Collins looks at the origins of the rivalry between the All Blacks and the Springboks.  Then The Dead Ball Area talks to former Samoa international Apollo Perelini about his career and finally the almighty Squidge continues his game by game retrospective on the 2011 Rugby World Cup by chatting to USA international Blaine Scully.

1) Rugby Reloaded : “All Blacks v Springboks: the struggle for rugby union supremacy in the interwar years”

https://soundcloud.com/user-523674328/115-all-blacks-versus-springboks-in-the-inter-war-years

2) Rugby Reimagined : “Apollo Perelini”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1PTe8GNd6DwO9kVcim5zm1?si=XFJjDUxlRYKTZ1UNv10h6w

3) Squidge Rugby : “RWC2011 Retrospective #11 : USA 13-6 Russia”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1UMLOjHC8hJohXfnOCMesm?si=LzlC-WZ6TMOZaWGiaO321w

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THE POD OF THREE #13 : “Kiwi influence” featuring Pick n Drive, Wind Yer Neck In & The 2nd Row

Today’s theme is “Kiwi influence”.  First up we have Pick & Drive Rugby from Australia talking about a round of matches from Super Rugby Aotearoa, then on Wind Yer Neck In, Niall Annett talks to Joe Schmidt about communicating with his squads, and finally the 2nd Row asks Jake Heenan about Connacht’s 2016 Championship winning season.

1. Pick & Drive Rugby : The Rise of The Blues!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/08uzzn0rZlqQmI3SEBZOvH?si=I-hThL6IRAqrBb_6YklokQ

2. Wind Yer Neck In : “Positive choices with Joe Schmidt”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ti7y4eCOS7kIO01ofOr59?si=lM387eRHSZ2GfRfio98ldA

3. The 2nd Row : “Jake Heenan”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4MFyHPkdvEQTWO0Vuhpupe?

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THE POD OF THREE #12 : “Coping through COVID19” featuring The Sports Psychologist, The Best of Belfast & The Irish Fire Podcast

Our theme today is “Coping with COVID19” and our sources are all non-rugby-focused podcasts talking to those involved in the sport.  

First there’s The Sports Psychologist with Maire Treasa Ni Cheallaigh who’s guest is Dr Hannah McCormack the campaign manager for Tackle Your Feelings, a wellbeing initiative from Rugby Players Ireland.  Then Ulster and Ireland back row Claire McLaughlin is interviewed on the Best of Belfast about being a medical professional through the COVID time and also how it has affected her rugby, and finally the Irish Fire Podcast gets Jamie Heaslip to name a couple of coaches from his playing career who have helped him get through.

1) The Sports Psychologist : “Tackling Your Feelings, Rugby Style”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zG4LrkWLjFAveRiv0Qufo?si=8UTnImEZRdCl45AdvnlcRw

2) Best of Belfast : “Claire McLaughlin - Junior Doctor & Rugby Player”

https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/claire-mclaughlin-doctor-rugby

3) The Irish Fire Podcast : “Life After Rugby - The Jamie Heaslip Interview”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6TTudMGiBu9N74ojf6z7Al?si=uPjp3B7LS16iryUxd4WPfA

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THE POD OF THREE #11 : “Travelling” featuring The Rugby Player, Rugby Abroad & The Scottish Rugby Podcast

Our theme for today’s The Pod Of Three is travel, something we haven’t been able to do much in the past while.  First, The Rugby Player talks to Ireland Men’s Sevens star Harry McNulty about different places he has been around the globe, then Rugby Abroad gets Michael Walker-Fitton, an English lock currently plying his trade in Spain, to talk about a previous spell in the lower divisions of French rugby, and finally The Scottish Rugby blog discuss arguably the best known travelling team of all, the Lions, and a documentary about their 1997 tour of South Africa.

1) The Rugby Player : “Harry McNulty - Irish Men’s Sevens”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2GVUyJY8wdB5k0F1BlQk87?si=ROZz4pBMTfytegcN6J0Itw

2) The Rugby Abroad Podcast : “Episode 5 - Michael Walker-Fitton”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0oyoRd04RRFRDje83dwBVH?si=6f_jacdASl2b8iG4Aqp9Sg

3) The Scottish Rugby Blog Podcast - “1997 Lions Tour - Everest belongs to Telfer”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5vxbLd4Qecz2XHm0fO8CXy?si=Vdzqa4xbTWK1d5H6k5JEAQ

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THE POD OF THREE #10 : “The Driving Maul Show, Rugby Muscle & The Brandon Smith podcast”

We have three new shows to share with you this time around, well they’re new to this feature anyway.  First up there’s The Driving Maul Show which looks at some broader positive effects of the return to Super Rugby in New Zealand, then TJ from Rugby Muscle gives his take on the proposed changes to the Laws of the Game, and finally the Brandon Smith Podcast talks to a young Scottish referee about his first match holding the whistle.

1) The Driving Maul Show : “S1E02 Super Rugby Is Nearly Here!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf8Ga13HTOU

2) The Brandon Smith Podcast : “What Is It Like To Be A Rugby Referee?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM94h2lH8Hs&t=12s

3) The Rugby Muscle Podcast : “Rugby without scrums? Discussing the new World Rugby law changes”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4nqEjGuY94KcxDEVSyzYAO

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THE POD OF THREE #9 : “RugbyReferee.net, Talking Rugby Union & Under The Sticks”

This is the 9th instalment of our new feature we call the Pod of Three, where we share clips from the best independent rugby podcasts.

Each of our guest pods today is dealing with changes which have happened during, or in some cases because of, the coronavirus break.  

First, The Advantage Over podcast from RugbyReferee.net looks at the proposed law tweaks from World Rugby, then Talking Rugby Union tries to make sense of what happens to Saracens who are caught between the top two tiers of the English game, and finally on Under The Sticks, Adam Redmond the Head of Broadcast & Communications for the Guinness Pro 14 explains the league’s new deal with the private equity firm CVC.

1) Advantage Over : “Law variations option for post-COVID19 rugby”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6DXXOqPluM9g4Bn04Ckx8O?si=5W9_sHY1QruEIpUPCgnXDA

2) Talking Rugby Union : “Ben Mercer and RugbyAndTheLaw talk business”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1mDK1h5uh2J2vVG3yAK7qv?si=ZVDnu1Z-STSsWK9r0jhUUA

3) Under The Sticks : “Ian Keatley, CVC, Corona Cup, Six Nations Moving? Welsh Regional XV”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2f1QwxEaySaTP4LjsfwT3W?si=ZyAc5u8bTPOAq6iFDNNDTQ

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The Pod Of Three on Soundcloud > https://soundcloud.com/harpinonrugby

THE POD OF THREE #8 : “Introducing The Leinster Laighin via Three Blokes A Ball & BOD and its other spinoffs”

For this episode things are going to be a little bit different.  On Thursday, May 28 at 8:30pm I’ll be joining up with Big Joe Shep from the excellent Facebook Live offering Three Blokes A Ball & BOD for a new show called The Leinster Laighin where we’ll be looking to merge the Leinster-focused approach of HarpinOnRugby with Big Joe’s trademark global reach brand.  So for this pod I’m going to share some snippets from Joe’s productions in recent times - first he’s chatting to Gerard Williamson from Navan RFC about the All Ireland League and club rugby in general - Gerard will actually be joining us on our first show to talk about his club.  There there’s snippets from a couple of live events that I did for Joe; first you’ll hear a way over the top introduction he gave for me at the Sandymount Hotel ahead of the 2019 Heineken Cup Final, and then you’ll hear the moment I completely jinxed Ireland’s World Cup chances at the DTwo Bar & Night Club on Harcourt Street.  Finally there’s a clip from another Three Blokes spinoff, namely The Keego & Joe Show, where they chat to Penny Mitsi, a rugby coach, trainer, sporting ambassador & who is part of the development of rugby within Greece.

All links from Three Blokes A Ball & BOD

“EPCR European Cups Rd 1 & 2 Preview”

https://www.facebook.com/threeblokesaballandbod/videos/420742018874060/

“The Event Live from the Sandymount Hotel”

https://www.facebook.com/threeblokesaballandbod/videos/2247365998858830/

“The Dugout Live from DTwo Bar & Nightclub”

https://www.facebook.com/threeblokesaballandbod/videos/724596968002074/

“The Keego & Big Joe Show”

https://www.facebook.com/threeblokesaballandbod/videos/2940951722666470/

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The Pod Of Three on Soundcloud > https://soundcloud.com/harpinonrugby

THE POD OF THREE #7 : “What The Ruck, The Maul Over Podcast & Talking Rugby Union/Looseheadz”

For this episode we’re travelling back in time to the start of the COVID lockdown period.  What The Ruck remind us what it was like to preview actual rugby matches as they looked ahead England v Ireland in the Six Nations, The MaulOver Podcast try reminds us of the controversial incidents we love to harp on as they try to make sense of the whole Joe Marler/Alun Wyn Jones kerfuffle, and finally just as we were beginning to getting used to the no rugby, stay at home restrictions, Talking Rugby Union were helping to promote the important issue of mental health awareness by introducing a partnership with the Looseheadz Foundation.

What The Ruck : “France were fine, England and Ireland’s planets align…”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/03v8pJZSM2DO9H5xtzrpN7?si=UliCCJlRQL6dXYf1fQuObg

Maul Over Podcast : “Marler Gets The Sack”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1CvGOS3OzrAMcowNyiyJhA?si=cVy6ViFGTaKBqfVmewqvIA

Talking Rugby Union : “Looseheadz x Talking Rugby Union Podcast - An introduction”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5X9vKKiNEaHKRpJVRlxuDz?si=EMdEKRcqQD6WZyKtcdRofQ

Looseheadz Foundation > https://looseheadz.co.uk/about

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THE POD OF THREE #6 : “Wind Yer Neck In, Rugby Bricks & The Thistle Scottish Rugby Podcast”

This is the 6th episode in our new feature we call the Pod of Three, where we share clips from the best independent rugby podcasts.

Today we include samples from former Ulster hooker Niall Annett’s pod Wind Yer Neck In where he talks to Keith Wood about the reasons behind his decision to move to Harlequins, then the Rugby Bricks has Stephen Larkham explaining how things are going at Munster, and finally the Thistle Scottish Rugby Podcast learns from prop Gordon Reid how he got the nickname “Game-changer Gordon”.

Wind Yer Neck In : “A catch up with Keith Wood”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0x96JKm3hbkt59a1tjOzmM?si=vKudYTj_Qb6YHJnA7ivlYg

The Rugby Bricks Podcast : “Stephen Larkham | World Rugby Hall of Famer & Using Competition To Become Your Best”

Pod > https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ydWdieWJyaWNrcy5saWJzeW4uY29tL3Jzcw/episode/ZDg4NmU3ZWMtNzU4OC00N2U0LThiYTktM2E2ZmFiZmFlOWIy?ved=0CAIQkfYCahgKEwiggtfZsLrpAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQkAE

Also on Instagram > https://www.instagram.com/rugbybricks/

Thistle Rugby Podcast : “Episode 27: Isolation with Gordon Reid”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/336lfMIrrkraW9gmbgBHK8

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The Pod Of Three #5 : "Under The Sticks, The Craggy Island Podcast & Squidge Rugby"

Today we include samples from the Pro14 Podcast Under The Sticks and they’re looking forward to the return of top flight rugby from New Zealand on the telly, then we go back a bit to mid April when the Craggy Island Podcast spoke to Connacht coach Andy Friend about how his players were training under COVID restrictions, and finally Squidge Rugby have been looking back at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and they’re talking about England against Argentina.

Under The Sticks Rugby : “Ospreys Takeover, Aussie Crisis, Rugby Returning, Team Building & Michael Jordan”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6LaC18CNXvIAEWzAhHDng5?si=bH9JZagMTL-spE3q9AEcYg

Craggy Island podcast - Andy Friend Interview

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2xKg7fg3oi8Osusutqs5Wt?si=Yer1lwCGTtevRS3eDGUkZA

Squidge Rugby : World Cup Retrospective 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0bnCcSv2FBWsXhuoOXMjXg?si=NZfEsEALRia8JvnDOPzNGw

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THE POD OF THREE #4 : “The Dead Ball Area, Rugby Referee.net & The Rugby Gods”

This is the 4th in our new series of mini pods which we call the Pod of Three, where we share clips from the best independent rugby podcasts.

Sometimes we’ll do these with a theme and sometimes not...this is the second kind.  First up we have the Dead Ball Area’s podcast Rugby Reimagined interviewing Tom Savage from the excellent Munster website Three Red Kings, then the RugbyReferee.net blog answers a listener query about the advantage laws, and finally the Rugby Gods explore the plans for a return to senior competitive rugby in New Zealand.

Rugby Reimagined : “Three Red Kings”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5hWx2txUX80Gu6WVKhBQY7?si=tIMds3IJRFy2k9U0gkMnIA

Advantage Over podcast for rugby referees : “Episode 25 - Advantage” 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6HR3pgtEwL3vf87WI53I7E?si=tKtxsJUXTjChSZeldMIPjg

Rugby Gods podcast : “Ep035 Super Rugby Aotearoa, the NPC / Mitre 10 Cup. Possible Internationals?”

https://youtu.be/HSTaGmB7gHU

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THE POD OF THREE #3 : "Scottish Rugby Blog Podcast, Rugby Wrap Up & Blood And Mud Rugby"

Today’s edition has two themes - all three clips come from international sources,  and they’re all giving their take on Bill Beaumont’s victory in the recent World Rugby election.

1. Scottish Rugby Blog Podcast : “Episode 108 – Scavenger Hunt”

https://www.scottishrugbyblog.co.uk/2020/05/podcast-episode-108-scavenger-hunt/

2. Rugby Wrap Up : “Agustín Pichot: What’s Next? USA Rugby Issues & World Rugby Change Needed”

https://rugbywrapup.com/2020/05/rugby-tv-pod-agustin-pichot-whats-next-usa-rugby-issues-world-rugby-change-needed/

3. Blood & Mud : “192: Beyond The Tryline”

https://play.acast.com/s/bloodandmudrugby/192-beyondthetryline

THE POD OF THREE #2 : PostToPost Sport, Ulster Rugby Lad & The Women's Rugby Pod

Today’s edition has a women’s rugby theme with first Post To Sport talking to Fiona Reidy of Munster & Ireland about the best memories from her career, then Ulster Rugby Lad asks Leinster & Ireland’s Jenny Murphy about the sacrifices involved at playing at the top level, and finally the Women’s Rugby Pod gets former England captain Catherine Spencer to name her all-time greatest Red Roses.

1. Post To Post Sport : “Provincial Jazz Ep 19”

Pod >  https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ts28r-da9ffe

Post To Post blog >  https://posttopost.sport.blog/

2. Ulster Rugby Lad : “Episode 6 - Jenny Murphy”

https://ulsterrugbylad.com/

3. Women’s Rugby Pod : “Catherine Spencer's All Time England 23”

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/wrp-mini-series-catherine-spencers-all-time-england-23/id1480699550?i=1000473344133

Introducing "The Pod Of Three" : #1 - The Loose Head, The 2nd Row & Three Blokes A Ball And BOD

Back in 2014 we launched a daily feature on our main page called Front Five, where we share a selection of eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the ruggersphere.  To complement this, we’re also now bringing you the Pod of Three, where we do the same thing only with clips from the best independent rugby podcasts.

Many thanks to all the producers for allowing us to use their content, you’ll find all the relevant links to their full shows in the programme notes below.

Featured podcasts :

1) The Loose Head : "Mike Prendergast"

https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/ep-12-mike-prendergast/id1499118300?i=1000472885782

2) The 2nd Row : "The Shane O'Leary Interview"

https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-shane-o-leary-interview/id1364222879?i=1000472900108

3) Three Blokes, A Ball & BOD : "British & Irish Lions Series Part 1"

https://www.facebook.com/threeblokesaballandbod/videos/2661256537493396/

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