The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes Black Ferns star Ruby Tui—Olympic champion, World Cup winner, and one of rugby’s most electrifying voices—alongside Katy Daley-McLean, Phil Vickery, and Tom Shanklin for a conversation full of laughs, vulnerability and unforgettable stories.

Ruby opens up about her upbringing in New Zealand, how sport gave her a sense of purpose, and choosing between netball and rugby. She also shares the real story of when she met King Charles at Buckingham Palace.

Ruby reflects on New Zealand’s semi-final loss to Canada, her honest assessment of what went wrong, and bold predictions for the World Cup final. She also talks through the meaning of the haka, the emotional power of wearing the Black Ferns jersey, and what inspired her book Straight Up.

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00:00 – Bread Talk, Cookbooks & Scott’s Horror Injury

06:05 – Teaser

07:09 – Ruby Tui Joins & Kiwi Snack Chat

09:12 – Who Am I: All Blacks & Black Ferns Edition

12:33 – When Ruby Met King Charles

18:11 – Growing Up in New Zealand

21:35 – How Sport Gave Ruby Belonging

27:35 – When Ruby Knew Rugby Was It

30:48 – Weight of the New Zealand Jersey

35:39 – Rio 2016 & Olympic Village Stories

40:39 – Winning Olympic Gold in Tokyo

42:48 – The Power of the Haka

48:01 – Winning the 2021 Rugby World Cup

53:01 – Losing to Canada Reaction

55:50 – England vs Canada Semi-Final Preview

01:01:47 – The Real Ruby & Katy Daley McLean

01:05:24 – Ruby’s Memoir: Straight Up

01:09:16 – Growth of the Women’s Game

01:11:08 – Community Questions

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There’s 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘 World Cup winners on the latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, as rugby icon 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶 is welcomed to the panel alongside Katy Daley-McLean, Phil Vickery, Scott Quinnell and Tom Shanklin. 🤩

Maggie opens up about her remarkable journey from a council estate in South London to lifting the Rugby World Cup with the Red Roses. 🌹

She reveals how being born with clubfoot became her superpower, the teacher who first pushed her into rugby, and what it was like to play at a time when women’s rugby was still fighting for recognition. 🏉

She also reflects on the highs and lows of her England career from the heartbreak of losing World Cup finals to the relief of finally winning in 2014 and the teammates and role models who inspired her along the way. 👑

Away from the pitch, Maggie discusses life after rugby, her work breaking barriers in sport, and how she’s mistaken for England captain to this day (which Katy is having none of!) 😂🧐

An honest, powerful and inspiring conversation with one of the most influential figures in rugby.

This one is NOT to be missed!

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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

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