Sean Shepherd shares his rugby journey, from playing at Gosport to captaining Hampshire and the challenges of moving up the leagues with Havant. He discusses the club's progress, the impact of the pitch, and the upcoming season in the regional league. Sean Shepherd discusses his experiences in rugby, including playing with and against top players, the impact of influential coaches, and his personal fitness goals for the upcoming season. He also shares insights into the club's approach to player development and the challenges of managing injuries. The conversation provides a deep dive into the world of grassroots rugby and the dedication required to excel in the sport.

James Shanahan, Director of Rugby at Blackheath Rugby Club, shares his rugby journey and the challenges faced by the club. The club has ambitions to reach the Championship but is currently focused on being a top-four National One club. The landscape of rugby in England, particularly in the Championship, is uncertain due to financial constraints and the RFU's proposed funding. Blackheath has a diverse player pool and relies on recruitment and loan players to strengthen the squad. The club also supports players with job opportunities outside of rugby. The conversation covers various topics related to rugby coaching and player development. The main themes include the level of play in national leagues, player scouting and recruitment, coaching methods and progress, the unique challenges of coaching Cambridge University, and the experience of playing rugby in Italy. The conversation also touches on the best players the host has played with and against.

Joe Batley, a pro rugby player, shares his inspiring journey from battling cancer to returning to the game. He discusses the support he received, his approach to training, and the impact of fatherhood on his perspective. The conversation covers the challenges of returning to professional rugby after a cancer diagnosis, the impact of injuries on a player's career, the structure and sustainability of the English rugby divisions, and the future of the Premiership and Championship leagues. It also delves into the potential solutions for closing the gap between the Premiership and Championship, as well as the fate of players from teams that have gone under. The conversation covers topics such as player transitions, rugby coaching, life experiences, cancer charity involvement, personal aspirations, and playing experiences. It also delves into the challenges and opportunities in professional rugby, as well as the potential for international recognition and future career prospects.

Kiano Fourie, a high performance coach for Rugby India, shares his journey from South Africa to India and discusses the development of rugby in India, the challenges, and the future goals for the sport. The conversation covers the growth and development of rugby in India, including the challenges and opportunities faced by the sport. It also explores the potential for professionalization and the regional structure of the game. The conversation delves into the geographical and logistical aspects of rugby in India, as well as the potential for a franchise-based model similar to the IPL in cricket.

In this conversation, Russell Earnshaw discusses his rugby journey and experiences as a player and coach. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the game and appreciating amateur rugby. He also talks about his time playing sevens and the benefits it brings to players and coaches. The conversation touches on the limitations of coaches in rugby, including their attitude towards learning, access to expertise, and the politics within the game. The lack of innovation in the sport is also discussed, with the need for coaches to push boundaries and think outside the box. The conversation revolves around the importance of coaching in sports, particularly rugby. The hosts discuss the need for coaches to be adaptable and encourage players to play multiple positions to develop a better understanding of the game. They emphasize the importance of creating a fun and supportive environment for players to thrive. The conversation also touches on the attributes of an ideal coach, including noticing, simplifying, kindness, and creating a positive team spirit. The hosts share their experiences with coaching and highlight the impact that good coaching can have on players' enjoyment and development. They also discuss the challenges and rewards of coaching and the importance of self-awareness and continuous learning.

Summary

Mark Witcher, assistant coach at Portsmouth Rugby Club, shares his rugby journey and experiences coaching at Portsmouth and Hampshire. He played for Portsmouth Rugby Club throughout his career and had the opportunity to captain the twos and the vets. Mark mentions players he played with who went on to make it, including Oscar Wingham and Brendan Tracy. He also talks about players who didn't make it but should have, such as Matt Brano and Rich Herring. Mark also discusses his coaching experience and highlights Abby Harding as a standout player he coached at Portsmouth. During the conversation, Mark Witcher and Carl discuss the progression of women's rugby during Mark's tenure as a coach. They mention the impact of televised games, initiatives like 'This Girl Can' and the Inner Warrior series, and the accessibility of women's rugby at the local level. They also touch on the challenges faced by women's rugby in terms of funding and opportunities for players to progress to higher levels. They discuss the need for a more open and inclusive approach in the sport, allowing for promotion and relegation and providing pathways for players who may not fit into the traditional academy system. They also highlight the importance of attracting and retaining top talent in order to compete with other nations. The conversation covers various topics related to rugby, including the promotion and marketing of the sport, the potential for the women's game to become a cash cow for the RFU, the challenges faced by grassroots clubs like Portsmouth Rugby Club, and the importance of sharing knowledge and supporting each other within the rugby community.

Matt McLean, the all-time highest point scorer in the National leagues of rugby, joins the podcast. He shares his rugby journey, starting from playing in Wales at a young age and progressing through school and university rugby. Matt highlights the importance of school rugby in Wales and the opportunities it provided, including touring Australia and playing in the World Schools Festival in Dubai. He also discusses the potential of the university system as a talent pool for clubs and suggests exploring alternative development pathways in rugby. Matt talks about his time in Worthing and his rugby career, including his experience with the Welsh Sevens team. He discusses how he ended up in Worthing and his initial reluctance to move there. He also talks about the family-oriented atmosphere of the rugby club and how he enjoyed playing for them. Matt reflects on his standout seasons and how he found success playing at the fly-half position. He also discusses the challenges and trade-offs of pursuing a higher level of rugby and the impact of injuries on his career. Matt reflects on his rugby career, discussing his achievements and the challenges he faced. He talks about his pride in representing England in the Rugby Sevens team and the difficulties of balancing training and work commitments. Matt also shares his transition from player to coach, highlighting the satisfaction he finds in developing players and seeing the team come together. He mentions some talented players he played with, including those who went on to achieve international success, and discusses the potential of players who didn't quite make it due to off-field discipline.

Michelle Holdsworth, captain of the England Deaf Rugby Union (EDIU), discusses the challenges faced by deaf rugby players and the need for financial support. She highlights the efforts of the team manager, Gloria, in securing sponsorship and funding for tours. Michelle also talks about the upcoming tour to South Africa and the fundraising efforts required to make it happen. She shares her personal rugby journey, including how she became deaf due to an injury on the field. Michelle emphasizes the importance of rugby as a supportive and inclusive community. The England Deaf Rugby Union (EDRU) team plays normal league games, ranging from low-level rugby to high-standard championship rugby. They train at Bromsgrove, with players travelling from all over the country, self-funded, to participate. The team uses sign language during training and games to communicate and has developed their own set of signs for different plays and strategies. The EDRU is trying to raise £10,000 to support their upcoming tour to South Africa. They have individual GoFundMe pages, and the EDRU has a presence on social media to raise awareness and encourage support.