Podcast · Sport

The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

by Platform Media · English · Sport

James Haskell, Mike Tindall and Alex Payne return for Season 7 of The Good, The Bad & The Rugby. Expect more great guests, insight, laughter and tears.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 8 min
Latest: 14 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 9 minNew

Lawes, Genge & The State Of The Game

Payno is joined by two England captains: Courtney Lawes and Ellis Genge for a players’ perspective on the state of the game.They cover whether player salaries should be made public, the Prem cap versus the Top 14, and the Henry Pollock million-pound debate. They also discuss England players moving to France, player welfare and why rugby matters to them. ───────────────────────────── 🎤 Off-Road Live Tour: https://myticket.co.uk/artists/the-go... 📗 The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones 💻 NordVPN - To get 4 extra months head to:…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S7 · E3 · 7 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
Nick Knowles: Pirates, Pasties & Prem Dreams
This week, DIY SOS TV star Nick Knowles joins Alex Payne, James Haskell and Mike Tindall and he’s got some great stories to tell. Now part-owner of the Cornish Pirates, Nick talks about his Welcome to Wrexham-inspired documentary and his ambitious 10-year plan to take the club all the way to the top of the Prem. He also opens up on the realities of making it happen, from the stadium and budget to the challenges of travel to and from Cornwall. From American investment and pirate-themed stadiums to pasties and cannons, this episode is top drawer. 00:00 🛞 Season 6 is Sponsored By Continental…
S7 · E2 · 30 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
Joe Heyes: From Personal Crisis to England's Finest
England's Player of the Season, Joe Heyes, joins the GBR lads for one of the most honest interviews we’ve ever done. Joe talks us through Leicester's opening-weekend defeat to Saracens, before opening up on a much tougher chapter as a teenager, a battle with his mental health and the journey back to become England's best scummager. We also dig into Joe’s passion for history, his family's sporting heritage, his smoked-fish side hustle and where England go after a tough 12 months. ... Jonny May eventually made it in too. Links: 🏰 Follow Joe’s History channels on TikTok & Instagram: @Heyestory…
S7 · E1 · 23 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
The Signings, The Kits & The Massive Punts
New season, same chaos. The wheels are rolling on Season 7 of The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, and we're kicking things off with our wildest preview yet. Payno, Hask and Tins run through everything ahead of a huge year of rugby: the headlines you need to know, the signings that'll shake up the leagues, the fixtures already circled in the calendar, the kits we're loving (and the ones we're not), the coaches we'd love to play for, and a full set of "Massive Punt Predictions" for 2026/27 that we absolutely do not expect to age well. Thank you as always to Continental Tyres, official tyre partner…
S6 · E43 · 20 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
Season Finale: Courtney Lawes on England's Wild Year
It's the last show of the season, and what better way to sign off than with a brand new member of Team GBR joining the panel, Courtney Lawes sits down with Tins to break down a chaotic, controversial final weekend of Nations Championship rugby. England scrape past Argentina in one of the most chaotic games we've seen in years, four yellow cards and all. Courtney gives his verdict on whether England were simply "too aggy" against a scrappy Pumas side. We also round up the rest of the weekend: New Zealand's impressive win over Ireland, Scotland's near-miss against Fiji, and a dominant…
S6 · 16 Jul 2026 · 20 min
Argentina v England Preview
Producer Tom and Mike Brown dig into Steve Borthwick’s final selection for the summer leg of the Nations Championship ahead of England v Argentina. Steve has a 5/5 record against Los Pumas… no excuses then? 00:29 💔 Football Heartbreak 03:41 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England Team Named 05:07 🔄 Marcus at Fullback 06:19 🤫 Start Pollock Debate 11:03 💥 Buenos Aires Hostility 13:45 💸 Refund Club 14:44 📈 What Counts as Progress? 17:25 🔥 How Big Is This Game? 💸 Refund Club is a trading style of Sandsford Law Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA no. 8008114). Checking is free.…
S6 · E42 · 12 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
Stop The Boks! Can't Stop The Boks!
Alex Payne is joined by Mike Brown and former Scotland Captain John Barclay to break down Round 2 of the Nations Championship. The trio unpack South Africa's incredible depth, ask whether anyone can stop the Boks on the road to 2027, and debate whether Scotland's performance was a step forward despite the defeat. Plus, England finally get back to winning ways against Fiji where Henry Pollock continues his remarkable rise. Will Steve Borthwick start him v Argentina? The guys give their verdict. Refund Club is a trading style of Sandsford Law Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors…
S6 · 9 Jul 2026 · 23 min
Fiji v England Preview
Alex Payne and Mike Brown run the rule over Steve Borthwick’s selection ahead of England’s game against Fiji. The pressure is on Steve Borthwick following a 5th straight defeat this year. 00:00 🚗 - Season 6 Is Sponsored By Continental Tyres 01:26 🏉 - England v Fiji Build-Up 02:49 📋 - England Team Sheet Analysis 06:11 🎙️ - Brown On England’s Backline 10:47 💷 - Refund Club 11:46 🤔 - Who Should Play 15? 14:20 💥 - How Will England Deal With The Pressure? 17:57 🧠 - The Value Of Experience 20:14 🍻 - O’Neills Pubs 20:58 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 - Come On England Refund Club is a trading style of Sandsford Law…
S6 · E41 · 5 Jul 2026 · 52 min
Altitude Sickness: Can England Find a Cure?
South Africa reminded everyone exactly why they're world champions, brushing England aside 45-21 at altitude in Johannesburg to open the new Nations Championship. Payno, Hask and Tins dig into where it really went wrong for England, not the early 17-0 hole (they clawed back to within three at half-time), but the, two costly yellow cards, and defensive system the boys argue isn't getting the best out of these players. It sparks a proper debate about whether Shaun Edwards is the "elephant in the room" England can't keep ignoring. The lads give their early thoughts on the tournament itself.…
S6 · 2 Jul 2026 · 28 min
South Africa v England Preview
Mike Brown joins Payno to react to Steve Borthwick's England team selection ahead of the blockbuster Test against South Africa. From Tommy Freeman at 13 to Tom Curry's massive back row battle, Brown gives his verdict on England's chances against the world champion Springboks. 01:53 🏉 Starting XV Breakdown 03:20 💬 Freeman at 13 Debate 04:53 ⚡ Van Poortvliet and Curry Spotlight 09:21 🎖️ Caps and Experience Gap 11:20 🛡️ Furbank Fullback Fundamentals 13:24 ⛰️ Altitude Reality Check 16:23 🔥 Ellis Park Hostility 19:38 📝 Composite XV Picks 22:35 🎯 How England Can Upset 24:36 🔮 Prediction and Wrap…
S6 · E40 · 30 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
How to Beat the Boks in South Africa
In this week’s show we hear from two men who have done what few England players ever have: beaten the Springboks in South Africa. Mike Tindall and Jonny May take us inside England's historic victories in 2000 and 2018, sharing untold tour stories and revealing the physical and mental blueprint required to "Beat the Boks". 2000: SA 22 – ENG 27 at Bloemfontein: (1-8) Jason Leonard, Phil Greening, Julian White, Martin Johnson, Danny Grewcock, Richard Hill, Neil Back, Lawrence Dallaglio (9-15) Kyran Bracken, Jonny Wilkinson, Ben Cohen, Mike Catt, Mike Tindall, Austin Healey, Matt Perry Bench –…
S6 · 25 Jun 2026 · 24 min
Gordon D'Arcy on Leinster, Leo Cullen & Ireland's Summer
Leinster, British & Irish Lions and Ireland veteran Gordon D’Arcy joins GBRXtra to discuss Leinster’s triumph in the URC and the form of Irish rugby ahead of the Nations Championship. Gordon gives his disappointed verdict on the departure of Leo Cullen, praise for Andy Farrell’s extension as Ireland’s Head Coach and his analysis of the Irish pathway system. Speaking of future rugby stars, the lads have a read of Gordon’s latest book, Let’s Play Rugby, the fifth in his series for children. Gordon’s new picture book encourages children to play out every step of a professional a rugby game from…
S6 · E39 · 23 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
Can Northampton’s “Champ Babies” Inspire England?
Fresh from the Saints' Prem triumph, we ask whether the club’s champion "kids" can provide the spark England need this summer. Payno, Hask and Tins react to Steve Borthwick’s squad for their opening test v South Africa and we also look into why the centre position remains such a puzzle. 00:00 🛞 Season 6 is sponsored by Continental Tyres00:47 🏉 Full Kit Flanker02:11 🏆 Prem Final Takeaways18:11 🔧 Exeter and Baxter Rebuild21:48 🧶 Henry Pollock and WI Tribute29:04 ✨ Ruben Love30:07 🏟️ Neutral Venue Semifinals Debate33:39 🌹 England Squad Breakdown35:49 💥 Back Row Selection Arguments39:56 🔟…
S6 · E38 · 16 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 17 min
Dawson & Grayson: The Prem Final, England's Half Backs & Their Story
For the week of the Prem Final we have reunited Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson an iconic Northampton half-back partnership, immortalised on the computer game Jonah Lomu Rugby. Joining Payno, they preview the Prem Final, debate whether Fin Smith is ready to make the England No.10 shirt his own, and relive the 2003 Rugby World Cup, including the call that set up Jonny Wilkinson’s famous drop goal. 00:00 🛞 Season 6 Powered by Continental Tyres 02:00 😇 Saints Breathtaking Rugby 04:14 🎓 Dowson Coaching Journey 05:55 🤔 Bath Drop Goal Indecision 10:14 🛁 Wilko 2003 Routine 15:31 🌹 Is Fin Smith…
S6 · E37 · 10 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 12 min
The Sports Psychology Secrets of The Springboks, F1 & Bath Rugby
Payno and Tins are joined by Professor Pieter Kruger - clinical psychologist, performance consultant, and one of sport's most sought-after minds. Having worked with the Springboks, Team GB, Formula 1 teams, he now works with Bath as they chase back-to-back Premiership titles, Pieter offers a rare and fascinating window into what really separates good from the great. 00:00 🛞 Season 6 Powered by Continental Tyres 02:25 🧠 What Performance Psychs Do 05:23 🩸 Bloodgate and Rebuild 07:58 🧱 Bath Turnaround Blueprint 13:03 😎 Finn Russell Calm Under Fire 18:03 ❤️ Managing Pre Game Anxiety 21:11 🇿🇦…
S6 · E36 · 2 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 17 min
Elliot Daly: Joker in the Wolf Pack
Saracens, England and Lions legend Elliot Daly joins the boys for a wide-ranging conversation that's as entertaining off the field as he is on it. From his infamous first day at Wasps in full school uniform (briefcase very much denied), to three Lions tours, a siege-gun boot, and mentoring the next generation of English talent, Daly proves he's as sharp in the studio as he is at fullback. The lads also look ahead to a crunch Premiership clash with Exeter, dissect Mark McCall's coaching genius, and assess whether England's talented young squad can peak at the 2027 World Cup. 00:00 🛞 Season 6…
S6 · 26 May 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
Lifting The Lid On Alfie Barbeary
The lads are joined by a man sporting one of rugby’s most iconic hairdoos, Alfie Barbeary. From going “full Barbs” in nothing but budgies and a flag as Bath celebrated winning the treble, to navigating back row, hooker and number 8 at Wasps Academy, we untangle Alfie’s irreverent and impressive career. 00:00 🛞 Season 6 is sponsored by Continental Tyres 02:39 🩲 Full Barbs Budgies Story 05:39 🌟 Cult Hero and Team Jokes 16:40 😤 You’re Not My Dad! 19:50 🥃 Remy Martin Fathers Day Moment 21:23 🛁 Bath Exit and Sarries Move 34:11 🏉 Hooker Skills And Scraps 36:50 💪 Choosing Back Row Life 39:07 ⚠️…
S6 · E34 · 20 May 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
State of Origin: The Union Way
Before professionalism swept it away, the Divisional Championship packed out Twickenham and launched international careers. Today, we're bringing it back. Armed with current pros, regional pride, and very little agreement on eligibility rules, our panel drafts four teams - North, Midlands, London & South, and the South West - and puts it to you to decide who'd win. Joining the show are World Cup winner and Leicester Tigers legend Ben Kay, and cross-code flying machine Martin "Chariots" Offiah - a man who actually pulled on the London jersey in 1987. Together with Payno and Tins, they argue,…
S6 · E33 · 12 May 2026 · 1 hr 20 min
Thomas “The Tank” Du Toit
The Springbok tighthead, the broken grip strength machine, and a bag of homemade biltong. This one had it all. Thomas du Toit sits down with the boys to talk farm life, front row dark arts, Springbok test weeks, and what England can really expect when they rock up at Ellis Park in July. Simply one of the best guests we've ever had. 00:00 🛞 Season 6 is sponsored by Continental Tyres 01:22 💪 Grip Strength Chaos 03:58 🥩 Biltong And Boerewors 12:49 🚜 Farm Kid To Pro Pathway 15:05 🏉 Schoolboy Rugby Rivalries 23:15 🔧 Machinery and Fixing Stuff 30:00 ↔️ Switching to Tighthead 32:04 📚 Loosehead vs…
S6 · E32 · 6 May 2026 · 1 hr 16 min
Ryan Lamb: The Gunslinger
His coach told him to keep the guns in the holsters. Ryan Lamb never listened. The cult Gloucester fly-half who helped light up the Premiership at just 20 years old joins Alex and Tins for a GBR classic. From locking a teacher in a cupboard to calling Stuart Lancaster "Steve", Lamby holds nothing back. He relives the iconic Bristol promotion playoff, his love-hate relationship with Dean Ryan, why he thought Premiership rugby was "quite easy," and what it's like running Plymouth Albion on their promotion charge. Honest, hilarious, and completely unfiltered - this one's not to be missed. 00:00…
S6 · E31 · 28 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
Bath: Now Vs Then
With Bath chasing a historic double and a Champions Cup semi-final looming in Bordeaux, Tins is joined by two proper club legends, and his former flatmates: Matt Perry and Lee Mears. Bath Now: The Finn Russell era, a world-class academy at Farleigh House, 9,000 fans watching Bath University games, and a squad that has traded "hope" for "belief." Bath Then: From Matt Perry earning £1.80 an hour in a tea room to the training-ground fights at Lambridge that led Bath to '98 European Glory. Plus Lions Tales and why Paul O'Connell begged the 2009 squad to "sacrifice professionalism" to become…
S6 · E30 · 21 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 20 min
Joe Launchbury & The Legend of "Slosh"
From stacking shelves at Sainsbury’s to 70 England caps, Joe Launchbury joins Payno and former teammate Hask for an emotional retirement special. He reveals the "heartless" moment Wasps collapsed, the truth behind Eddie Jones’ psychological mind games, and his decision to move to Japan over Leicester. From 2015 World Cup heartbreak to “slosh” banter, this is an unfiltered look at the integrity & resilience of one of England’s most respected players. 01:42 🔥Retirement Decision 02:22 💦 The Story Behind “Slosh” 15:06 🛒 Sainsbury’s Shelf Stacker 22:49 🐝 Wasps Breakthrough 30:11 ⭐ The Biggest…
S6 · 16 Apr 2026 · 23 min
Wayne Barnes on the Battle to Reform English Rugby
Wayne Barnes returns to GBR to discuss his transition from World Cup Final referee to the RFU Board - and the tension brewing over the future of English rugby. As a member of the RFU Board, he’s at the center of a massive vote on April 24th that could change the governance of English rugby for the first time in 20 years. 01:08 ⚖️ Online Abuse and Accountability 03:02 🌱 Life After the Whistle 04:17 🏛️ Inside the RFU Boardroom 10:10 🏉 Community Game Priorities 12:14 📅 April 24 SGM Explained 15:19 🎯 What Success Looks Like 20:54 🎤 Final Pitch and Sign Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
S6 · E29 · 14 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
10 Things That Must Happen Before Season’s End
Payno, Hask and Tins draft their ultimate rugby wishlist: blockbuster signings, Bledisloe redemption, Champions Cup reform, and England’s shot at the Springboks. Expect big opinions and bigger laughs as they count down ten season-defining moments that they still want to see unfold this season. 02:00 🤝 Finn Russell x Gregor Townsend Red Bull Link-Up?10:43 🇦🇺 Can Australia Finally Break Through?14:05 💨 The “Old Fart” Problem 16:50 🏆 Can Bath Fight on 2 Fronts?22:15👞 Saints for the Prem?31:08 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿Welsh Regions join the Prem?36:31 🥀Can the Red Roses Finally Be Beaten?41:01 🔄 Does the…
S6 · 8 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 23 min
Marland Yarde: Rising Fast, Falling Hard, and Starting Again
From electrifying England winger to a sudden career halt. For the first time, Marland opens up about the seismic shifts in his life: moving from St. Lucia to London, his rise at London Irish and Harlequins, and the devastating injury that nearly ended it all. He also addresses the harrowing period of being wrongly accused of rape and how he lost everything - his job, his reputation, and his peace - only to rebuild it from the ground up. Now living in Lisbon and training to be a commercial pilot, Marland reflects on accountability, fatherhood, and why he holds no bitterness. ✈️ 02:24 Pilot…
S6 · 31 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 28 min
James O’Connor: The Original Poster Boy
James O’Connor was the first of his kind - a teenage prodigy who transcended the back pages to become the face of Australian rugby. James O’Connor joins Alex, Hask and Tins to discuss the heavy crown of early fame, his global "rock star" journey which climaxed in a Parisian prison to his settled life at Leicester Tigers. The boys dive into the week’s massive news: Henry Pollock’s alliance with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom. We ask: Is rugby finally ready to embrace a superstar, or will the "tall poppy" syndrome strike again? 🏠 00:59 Settling in Leicester Life 🌍 07:03 Nomadic Career Choices 🌟 15:12…
S6 · E26 · 25 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 19 min
Mad Dog Unleashed: Lewis Moody
England legend Lewis Moody joins Payno and Tins to celebrate his remarkable career. From untold tactics behind the 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph to the night Tommo’s uppercut left a lasting impression, “Mad Dog” lifts the lid on the hilarious, unfiltered reality of life as one of the game’s early professionals. Discover the “secret sauce” behind Leicester Tigers’ four consecutive Premiership titles, as Lewis reveals what drove their dominance, and he names the toughest Tiger of them all. It’s a high-octane trip down memory lane with one of rugby’s most fearless greats. 01:33 🎁 Charity…
S6 · E25 · 17 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
Marler & Brown: The Anglo Inquisition
Joe Marler and Mike Brown join Payno and Tins for the Anglo Inquisition, dissecting England’s Six Nations. The team tackle the 2003 legends criticism, Steve Borthwick’s leadership style, and the discipline crisis. It’s a raw, unfiltered health check on the state of English rugby. 00:00 🛞 Proudly Sponsored by Continental Tyres 03:04 🍷 Why 2026 Was a Vintage Year 11:52 🏥 England Health Check 21:05 🤔 Do You Believe in Steve? 30:39 ⚔️ 2003 vs 2026: The Fallout 53:09 🥃 Rémy Martin Moment of Excellence 🗒️GBR Survey https://purespectrum.decipherinc.com/survey/selfserve/53b/260334?list=1 🥃 Remy…
S6 · E23 · 10 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
Go Out Swinging: England’s French Test
After one of the wildest weekends of the Six Nations, the boys are back to break it all down. Payno, Tins, Jonny May and Ben Kayser dive into Scotland’s breathtaking performance against France. Then it’s time for the uncomfortable truth: England’s loss to Italy. Is this a rock-bottom moment for England? And is the criticism of Head Coach Steve Borthwick fair? The panel also unpacks the on-field confusion between Maro Itoje and Fin Smith, with Tins revealing what really happens when leadership, pressure and game plan collide in the chaos of a Test match. 00:00 🛞 Proudly Sponsored by…
S6 · E23 · 4 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
Inside England Camp: Can They Bounce Back In Rome?
After a tough set of runs for England, Alex and Hask head to Allianz to speak with those at the heart of the storm. First-up, the lads sit down with Conor O’Shea, Director of Performance Rugby at England Rugby, to hear about how England are dealing with the pressure approaching Rome. Conor gives his verdict on both England and Italy and speaks passionately about developing pathways through the Continental Tyres Schools Cup. In the second half, Jamie George, Jack van Poortvliet and Manny Iyogun share the mood inside camp and what it means to wear the England shirt, from their earliest…

About The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

James Haskell, Mike Tindall and Alex Payne return for Season 7 of The Good, The Bad & The Rugby. Expect more great guests, insight, laughter and tears.

The Good, The Bad & The Rugby is a English sport podcast from Platform Media. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Platform Media
Language: English
Category: Sport
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 8 min
Latest episode: 14 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1524156217

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