Épisodes

  • Alex 'Apollo' Gray: Olympic Heartbreak, How NFL Can Help Rugby & Captaining England | Stick to Rugby EP 34
    Sep 10 2025

    The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, features ex-England Sevens player and now Gladiators star Alex Gray, alongside Topsy Ojo, Katy Daley-McLean, Scott Quinnell and Tom Shanklin


    From the Newcastle Red Bulls to the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, and now starring as Apollo on Gladiators, Alex opens up about his unique journey across rugby, American football, and primetime TV.


    The panel dives into his transition between sports, why rugby lost him to the NFL, and whether he’d ever make a return. Alex shares what filming Gladiators was really like behind the scenes, how it pushed him physically and mentally, and the surprising pressures of fame.


    There’s plenty of rugby chat too—from the future of Sevens, to the talent coming through in the UK, and what it’s like forging a new identity beyond the pitch.


    00:00 - On the Road Again

    03:56 - Teaser

    04:46 - Behind-the-Scenes & Delicacy of the Week

    06:10 - How ‘Apollo’ Got His Name

    07:26 - True or False: Quiz

    10:15 - Diet, Training & Game-Ready Physique

    12:13 - Gladiator Names

    13:01 - Auditioning for Gladiators

    19:47 - Gladiator Pressure & Nerves

    23:50 - Early Life & Rugby Roots

    29:44 - Topsy Ojo’s Memory of Young Alex

    31:58 - Switching Codes: 15s to Sevens

    36:00 - Rio 2016 Olympic Heartbreak

    38:29 - Biggest Rugby Regret

    40:13 - Women’s Rugby World Cup

    48:16 - First Brit to Captain an NFL Pre-Season Game

    54:52 - Rugby or NFL?

    59:28 - Time at Bath Rugby

    01:03:07 - Louis Rees-Zammit’s Return to Rugby

    01:05:04 - Either/Or Quiz

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 h et 8 min
  • Mackenzie Carson: Winning the World Cup & Switching from Canada to Red Roses | Stick to Rugby EP 33
    Sep 3 2025

    Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, is back and 𝗢𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 as they go for a spin around Bath with England's Mackenzie Carson!


    Carson talks all things Red Roses, how she made the daring switch from representing Canada to donning an England shirt, growing up playing ice hockey, her relationship with fellow Red Rose Sarah Bern and much more! 🌹


    A jam-packed World Cup special that you do not want to miss! 👀

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    49 min
  • Clare Balding: Rugby League’s Decline, Celebrity Traitors & Olympic Memories | Stick to Rugby EP 32
    Aug 27 2025

    The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes broadcasting legend Clare Balding to the panel alongside Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, Scott Quinnell and Tom Shanklin. 🚨


    Clare opens up about her time at the heart of rugby league, why she believes the sport has fallen behind union, and what needs to change to secure its future. She reflects on the impact of the London 2012 Olympics, how it became a turning point for women’s sport, and what she’s seen since in terms of growth and visibility. 👑


    Away from rugby, Clare shares behind-the-scenes stories from Celebrity Traitors, the challenges of fronting huge national events, and how her passion for sport has shaped her broadcasting career. 🧐


    A wide-ranging and inspiring conversation with one of the most respected voices in British sport. It is NOT to be missed!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 h et 2 min
  • Shane Williams: Wales' Golden Era, Lions Comeback & Gatland Fight Secrets | STR EP 31
    Aug 20 2025

    Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, is back as Lawrence Dallaglio, Tom Shanklin, Scott Quinell and Red Roses legend Nolli Waterman are joined by Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams.


    From being told he was too small for rugby to becoming World Player of the Year, Shane opens up on his remarkable journey through the highs and lows of Welsh rugby. He reveals the truth about his bust-up with Warren Gatland, what it was really like during Wales’ golden era, and how he ended up coming out of retirement for the Lions! 🦁


    The group also dive into Shane’s debut against New Zealand, the pressure of international rugby, and why beating England always meant so much. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿


    With just two days until the Red Roses launch their World Cup campaign, we look at what success will looks like for England and Nolli tells how pressure has such a big affect on players, no matter how good they are! 🌹


    🔥 A mix of brutal honesty, behind-the-scenes stories, and iconic rugby moments you won’t want to miss.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 h et 23 min
  • Jason Fox: SAS Secrets, England Bootcamp Chaos & PTSD Recovery | Stick to Rugby EP 30
    Aug 13 2025

    Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, is back with a bang as ex-special forces Jason Fox parachutes into the studio for a hard-hitting episode with Katy Daley-Mclean, Lawrence Dallaglio, Topsy Ojo and Lewis Moody just in time for the Women’s World Cup. 🪂


    Jason lifts the lid on covert missions, reveals SAS: Who Dares Wins intel, and debriefs us on what happened when Lawrence and his England teammates faced a brutal military-style boot camp. He also opens up about his battle with PTSD, the mission to stay authentic, and why pressure either makes or breaks you.


    Elsewhere, Katy and the team preview the tournament’s biggest talking points and are joined by actor Amy Nelsen, who plays Emily Valentine, the first recorded female rugby player, in Defender’s new World Cup campaign. 🏉


    From leadership and mental resilience to iconic rugby stories and historic moments this is a powerful episode you won’t want to miss.


    Over and out 🫡


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 h et 9 min
  • LIVE FROM AUSTRALIA: Jac Morgan's Rise, Beirne Brilliance & Lions in France? | Stick to Rugby EP 29
    Aug 4 2025

    Coming to you from Down Under, we've got a Shanks and Scott special episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, break down all the drama from the Lions' final test. 🏆


    Was a 3–0 Lions whitewash on the cards? Did Australia do enough to earn their win? And should Rugby Australia be worried about what’s coming next?


    The lads dig into the series highs and lows, assess standout players, and chat about how impressed they were with the travelling Lions' fans! 🦁


    Big opinions, test match fallout, and plenty of tour chaos all from the heart of Australia. 🇦🇺

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    15 min
  • Were Australia ROBBED? Topsy Ojo on Being Dropped & Lewis ‘Mad Dog’ Moody! | Stick to Rugby EP 28
    Jul 30 2025

    Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, returns with Lawrence Dallaglio and Katy Daly-McLean joined by birthday boy Topsy Ojo and England World Cup winner Lewis Moody!


    Lewis reflects on the moment he became the first England player in 105 years to get a red card at Twickenham, relives his 2003 World Cup memories, and reveals the truth behind his “Mad Dog” nickname, including that infamous scrap with Alex Tuilagi.


    Topsy opens up about scoring twice on debut against New Zealand (and still getting dropped), how close he came to joining Toulouse, and the moment he decided to give rugby one last shot on a gap year.


    The panel also debates the Lions’ epic comeback against Australia, whether England’s fly-half debate is finally settled, and how Maro Itoje has handled captaincy on tour.


    From red cards and World Cup glory to family lessons, drinking culture and missed opportunities, this is Lewis and Topsy as you’ve never heard them before.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 h et 12 min
  • Neil Back: Hand of Back, Banned for Pushing Ref & England World Cup Win! | Stick to Rugby EP 27
    Jul 23 2025

    Topsy Ojo and Lewis Moody join Lawrence and Katy this week as they sit down with England legend Neil Back for an unfiltered look back at one of rugby’s most fascinating careers.


    Neil reflects on the controversies that defined him — from being banned for (allegedly) pushing a referee to masterminding the infamous “Hand of Back” in the 2002 European Cup Final and if he has any regrets.


    There’s plenty of British & Irish Lions reaction too, as the panel debates this year’s squad, Neil shares his Lions memories and lifts the lid on what really happens on tour.


    He opens up about his journey from being laughed at as a youngster to lifting the 2003 World Cup, and explains how a six-month ban shaped the player he became.


    There are stories of brutal bleep tests, fierce rivalries and chaotic moments — including the time Back knocked out a fan after the 1999 World Cup.


    00:00 - Lewis Moody & Topsy Ojo Step In For Shanks & Scott!

    05:07 - Dream Teammates: Past or Present

    08:25 - Teaser

    09:33 - Behind-the-Scenes & Delicacy of the Week

    10:09 - Quickfire Questions

    20:24 - Neil Back’s Sporting Upbringing

    24:05 - Breaking the Mould as a Back Row Forward

    28:01 - Nottingham, Leicester & England U21s

    32:07 - Leicester Standout Moments

    35:27 - Drinking Culture

    37:41 - Leicester vs Wasps Rivalry

    40:47 - Pilkington Cup Final & 6-Month Ban

    42:37 - The Hand of Back Explained

    47:27 - England’s 2003 World Cup Win

    50:00 - Fight With a Fan in 1999

    52:20 - Dean Richards & Clive Woodward

    55:15 - The Holy Trinity Back Row

    01:00:09 - World Cup Anti-Climax?

    01:02:45 - Lions First Test Picks & New Format Debate

    01:12:45 - Either/Or Quiz

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 h et 14 min