The Rugby Conversation: Recent Episodes
The Rugby Conversation
The Rugby Conversation: A weekly rugby podcast with Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas featuring special guests and interviews from across the globe.
Out every Thursday on SoundCloud, iTunes & Acast Contact: therugbyconversation@gmail.com
100: On the last episode of the podcast Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas ask why is Wayne Pivac the right man to succeed Warren Gatland as Wales head coach? Who will be in his back-room staff? Who will replace him at the Scarlets? How are the four Welsh regions shaping up ahead of next season?
Thanks to everyone who's ever contributed, listened and downloaded the podcast over last two and a half, it's been a blast! Follow @Steffan_Thomas1 and @IlltudDafydd to keep in touch!
99: For the penultimate episode of the podcast Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas ask how impressive were Wales in beating Argentina? Should All Blacks Ofa Tuungafasi and Sam Cane have been banned for their tackle on Remy Grosso and will Warren Gatland's side finish their summer tour with victory in San Juan? They also preview the rest of this weekend's Test matches
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98: Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas ask what did we learn from Wales' win in Washington? Should the Baby Blacks have seen two red cards in their victory over Wales' U20s and what's Warren Gatland expecting from the first Test against Argentina? Illtud also speaks to americasrugbynews.com's Paul Tait to look ahead of the match in San Juan on Saturday. Illtud and Steff also preview the other international fixtures this weekend.
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97: Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas reflect on Leinster winning the double, they look ahead to the World Rugby U20s Championship as well as some new tackle law variations. They're joined by Paul Eddison to preview Saturday's Top14 Final between Montpellier and Castres before looking ahead to South Africa against Wales in Washington DC.
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96: Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas ask who's answerable for players' injuries on plastic pitches? Who replaces Paul Gustard as England's defence coach as he joins Harlequins and how frustrated will Luke Charteris, Josh Adams and Tomas Francis be after being released from the Wales' summer squad?
They preview the Guinness Pro14 Final with TodayFM's Neil Treacy, look ahead to the Aviva Premiership Final before assessing Crusaders v Hurricanes and the Barbarians' trip to Twickenham
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95: Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas reflect on Cardiff Blues winning the Challenge Cup and Leinster claiming the Champions Cup. They ask how much of a mess has lead to Russia taking Romania's Rugby World Cup spot, what's stopping a Suva-based franchise playing in Super Rugby and they speak to Glasgow Warriors supporter Iain Hay about Scarlets' Pro14 semi-final at Scotstoun
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93: Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas review Judgement Day VI before Richard Mulligan from The Newsletter gives the latest on Ulster's on and off-the-field situation before they assess Premier Sports' announced coverage of the Pro14. They also speak to Morgan Piek from South African radio station OFM about the franchises from the country's first year in the competition.
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92: Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas are joined by the Times' Elgan Alderman to review the Champions and Challenge Cup semi-finals, assess George North returning to Wales with the Ospreys, reflect on Bryan Habana's career before previewing Judgement Day VI
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91: Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas ask why have Bristol re-branded as the Bears? What impact will Israel Folau's homophobic statements have on his relationship with his team-mates and where does Vincent Clerc rank among modern day wingers as the Frenchman announces his retirement? They also preview the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals in Dublin, Bordeaux, Gloucester and Cardiff
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90: Illtud Dafydd is joined by journalist Mike Pearce as Steffan Thomas misses out with a throat illness. They reflect on the European quarter-finals review and ask are the fixtures as good as Six Nations Test matches? Who will make it to the finals in Bilbao? Why is there no Aviva Premiership team in the last four? They also asses Juan Martin Hernandez's career after 'El Mago' announced his retirement
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89: On this week's podcast (a bit early as we're excited!) Illtud Dafydd & Steff Thomas ask how good was former Wales prop Adam Jones? Are Justin Tipuric and Hallam Amos setting a precedent as 15-a-side internationals playing sevens? How big is it for Welsh rugby to have the Scarlets in the last eight of the Champions Cup and who will make it to the semi-finals of the competition and the Challenge Cup?
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88: Former Rugby World editor Owain Jones joins Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas to pick their favourite moments from the 2018 Six Nations Championship before asking who is the new Cardiff Blues head coach John Mulvihill and how big of a statement have the Scarlets made in signing Springbok Uzair Cassiem?
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87: Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas are joined by SportBeat's Paul Eddison to ask how good will it be to have Champions Cup on free to air TV in the UK and Ireland? Why did Eddie Jones make those comments about Ireland and Wales before previewing round five of the Six Nations.
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86: Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas are joined by the Daily Telegraph's Ben Coles to assess live Guinness Pro14 games leaving terrestrial television, they preview Blade Thomson's move to the Scarlets and look ahead to Round Four of the Six Nations with Scotland travelling to Dublin, Le Crunch in Paris and a much changed Wales welcoming Italy.
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85: Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas are joined by the Irish Independent's rugby correspondent Rúaidhrí O'Connor to preview Ireland v Wales Preview. They talk rugby in the Irish schools systems, Warren Gatland reverting to the old heads and who are Joe Schmidt's options to replace the injured Robbie Henshaw and Tadhg Furlong?
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84: Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas are joined by Rugby World's Paul Williams to review round two of the Six Nations before assessing the possibility of South African Gert Smal taking over as Cardiff Blues head coach as well as previewing the new Super Rugby season!
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83: A short sharp Six Nations Round Two Preview for this week's podcast sees Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas joined by Westgate Sport Agency's Alex Bywater. Can Wales' inexperienced side win in Twickenham? Will Eddie Jones' mind games get to Rhys Patchell and who will give his side the biggest kick up the back side, Joe Schmidt or Gregor Townsend?
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82: Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas are joined by David Arnott (@thepenGW) to preview the opening round of the Six Nations. Can Scotland win in Cardiff for the first time since 2002? They also assess with Chris Boyd's appointment as Northampton director of rugby is Wayne Pivac or Dave Rennie the favourite to replace Warren Gatland?
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81: Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas are joined by Ged from the Attacking Scrum podcast to reflect on the Scarlets and the Cardiff Blues reaching the last eight of the European Champions and Challenge Cups, they pick out who could succeed Steve Tandy as Ospreys head coach before previewing this year's Six Nations
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80: Illtud Dafydd & SteffanThomas are joined by Sports Beat's Paul Eddison. They ask is Bernard Jackman's public criticism of his Dragons players justified? How long is Clermont's injury list? Who'll make it through to the Champions Cup quarter-finals?
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79: Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas review the New Year's Eve Welsh derbies, assess Wales growing 370+ caps injury list and predict a Six Nations squad berth for Worcester winger Josh Adams
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78: In the final podcast of 2017 Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas discuss the Festive Welsh derbies, Dai Young ruling himself out of the Wales head coach role and Jacques Brunel replacing Guy Novès as France boss
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77: Illtud Dafydd & Steff Thomas reflect on Round 3 of the Champions and Challenge Cups and ask are La Rochelle title contenders? How big of a blow is Sam Warburton's injury? Why are the Cardiff Blues in talks with Geordan Murphy to take over as head coach and they preview Round 4 of European rugby.
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76: Illtud Dafydd & Steff Thomas review Wales' Autumn Internationals Series, they ask why are All Blacks with Pacific Islands heritage looking to to play for Samoa, Tonga and Fiji before previewing Round Three of the Champions and Challenge Cup
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75: Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas ask have the Scarlets or the Ospreys got the best deal out of the Scott Williams/ Kieron Fonotia signatures? Is the Principality Stadium too nice of a place to go as a player? How can Wales beat South Africa?
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74: Illtud Dafydd & Steff Thomas are joined by Kiwi rugby journalist Jamie Wall. Are players/ coaches showing less respect to refs? Is Chris Boyd the next Wales head coach? How can Wales beat the All Blacks?
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73: Steff and Illtud reflect on Wales' 13th straight loss to Australia, predict their favourites for World Rugby's Player of the Year Award and preview Georgia's visit to Cardiff as part of #GamesOfTheWeek.
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72: Steff Thomas & Illtud Dafydd talk Six Nations sponsorship, #GamesOfTheWeek & preview Wales v Australia.
Illtud chats to Courier Mails's Jim Tucker at Cardiff's Coffee Corner to look ahead to the fixture. (Sincere apologies for the sound quality)
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71: Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas are joined by Mike Pearce to preview the November/December Tests. What shape are the top ten nations in? Who's looking good halfway through a Rugby World Cup cycle? How will Wales approach the next four games? There's also some #GamesOfThWeek to discuss!
Remember to download food ordering app Too Good To Go and listen to more of Breichiau Hir's stuff on bandcamp.com/breichiauhir
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70: Steff and Illtud reflect on Round 2 of the Champions and Challenge Cups. They discuss the Wales squad for the November Tests. Who are the shock inclusions? Who will be annoyed not be named? Who will play 10 & 12 for Warren Gatland? There's also a trio of #GamesOfTheWeek to preview
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69: Illtud Dafydd & Steff Thomas ask what impact will the changes to Gatland's Law have? Who is on the WRU's three-man shortlist to succeed Warren Gatland? Who's looking good after Round One of European rugby? And of course #GamesOfTheWeek
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68: Steff & Illtud reflect on the first Welsh derbies of the season before previewing the Champions & Challenge Cup.
Who'll get out of the pools of death? Who are the players to watch out for? Who'll lift the trophies in Bilbao next May?
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67: Steff Thomas and Illtud Dafydd discuss Danny Wilson leaving the Cardiff Blues, last weekend's Pro14 action and they preview this Saturday's West Wales derby. Illtud talks to former Ospreys and Scarlets scrum-half Martin Roberts. The three-time Wales international now plays in France's Federale 1 with Rouen.
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66: Steffan Thomas & Illtud Dafydd reflect on last weekend's action, discuss their best rugby pairings, talk Sean O'Brien's Lions thoughts and Illtud speaks to rugby365.com's Jan de Koning about the South African bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup
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65: Steffan Thomas and Illtud Dafydd talk the Cardiff Blues' problems, the Dragons first win in more than 10 games and the possibilities within Wales' back-three. Remember to send in your thoughts and predictions for #GamesOfTheWeek
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64: Illtud Dafydd & Steffan Thomas ask what impact will Dan Biggar leaving the Ospreys have? Will Rhys Priestland & Patchell continue their early season form? Is Rhys Webb leaving the Liberty Stadium? And why don't more touring teams play domestic sides?
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Number 63: Illtud Dafydd and Steffan Thomas preview the Guinness Pro14 and Aviva Premiership. Too Good To Go's and London Irish season ticket holder Jamie Crummie looks ahead to the newly-promoted side's year in England's top tier and Matt from The Thistle Scottish Rugby Podcast is on to discuss Edinburgh and Glasgow's new eras under new coaches.
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Illtud Dafydd speaks to Oyonnax’s backs and attack coach Mike Prendergast.
They discuss his time playing and then coaching in France with Bourgoin and Grenoble, the benefits of leaving your rugby 'comfort zone' as he’s done before previewing Oyonnax’s return to the Top 14.
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Steff & Illtud discuss the imbalance in Welsh dual contracts before talking to rugby365.com's editor Jan de Koning in South Africa to preview this year's Rugby Championship and get an assessment of the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings' preparation ahead of the coming Pro14 season.
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Illtud Dafydd's joined by rugby journalist Mike Pearce to ask where does Leigh Halfpenny fit in the Scarlets’ backline, how good is it to finally have the Pro14 fixtures before previewing the teams and players at this year’s Women’s rugby World Cup.
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Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas talk about the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings finally joining the Pro14, Leigh Halfpenny signing for the Scarlets as well as previewing the Super Rugby Final between the Lions and the Crusaders.
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Steff and Illtud talk to Kiwi rugby journalist Jamie Wall and to ask was a drawn Lions series against the All Blacks a fair result? What are their highlights of the Tour and with the expansion of the Pro12 in mind what is Jamie’s experience in New Zealand of the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings?
We're taking a two week break by the way, we'll be back in August, don't miss us too much!
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How did the Lions beat New Zealand to tie the series? What impact will BT Sport becoming the only broadcaster of the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup have on the competitions? Can the Lions be the first team to beat the All Blacks at Eden Park in more than twenty years to win the series? Sam Waburton's dark arts at the breakdown.
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This week Steff and Illtud are joined by South African rugby journalist Benedict Chanakira.
What did they make of the first Test between New Zealand and the Lions? Will the All Blacks claim the series in Wellington on Saturday? And what’s the latest with the expansion of the Pro 12 with sides from South Africa and the USA interested in joining the league?
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Steff and Illtud are joined by New Zealand rugby journalist Jamie Wall to ask have the Lions finally settled into their gameplan? Which members of Warren Gatland’s squad are the All Blacks most worried about and What are our predictions for the first Test match of the series?
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What were the positives from the Lions’ loss to the Highlanders? How will Wales’ debutants fare against Tonga and Illtud speaks to former Samoa centre Seilala Mapasua to talk the Lions tour, London Irish and his involvement with the Pacific Island Players’ Association.
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Why are the Lions so lacklustre with ball in hand? How good are the three Barret brothers and how difficult of a task will it be against the Crusaders for Warren Gatland’s side on Saturday?
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Steff sends in his reflections on the Scarlets’ first trophy since 2004 with the Guinness Pro12 victory as well as the Exeter Chiefs’ fairytale Aviva Premiership win.
Illtud catches up with Radio Sport NZ’s Elliott Smith to preview the Provincial Barbarians match and gets an insight into the mood down in the land of the long white cloud as the Lions arrive in New Zealand
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Where does that Scarlets victory rank? How disappointed will Warren Gatland be not to have Billy Vunipola on tour?
We also have two special guests as Illtud speak to Today FM’s Neil Treacy who’s based in Dublin about the final two weeks of the Pro12 as well as talking to rugby blogger Andy Flower about the culmination of the Aviva Premiership season.
On this week’s podcast Steff and Illtud ask are Saracens now one of the best club sides ever? How worried should the All Blacks be with their injury list and why has no away side won a Pro12 play-off?
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Who'll be happiest with the 2019 World Cup draw? What effect will the residency rule changes have on the sport and how’s James Davies not in Robin McBryde’s Wales’ squad?
Illtud also speaks to Clermont’s rugby manager Neil McIlory ahead of his return to Scotland for this weekend’s Champions Cup final against Saracens.
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Why isn’t Danny Wilson going on Wales’ summer tour? What’s the latest with the Stade Francais takeover and what impact will injuries to key All Blacks have on Steve Hansen’s team’s preparations to the Lions tour.
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How impressive were the Munster and Clermont fans? Where does Todd Blackadder see Bath going and who’s the German billionaire interested in buying Stade Français? All on this week's podcast
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What do Steff and Illtud make of the Lions squad announcement? Who’s lucky to be in there? Who’s unlucky not to be in there? They cover all the bases of Warren Gatland’s 41-man squad before talking it’s impact on Wales’ tour to the Pacific Islands
They also preview the European Cup semi-finals this weekend and reflect on Thierry Dusautoir’s career after the Dark Destroyer announced his retirement.
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Who will get into the Pro12 play-offs? How much of an event has Judgement Day now become and what effect will the Super Rugby changes have on the sport in Australia and South Africa? Steff and Illtud cover all these subjects. Illtud speaks to South African rugby journalist Benedict Chanakira to get an insight into loss of the Cheetahs and Kings in the rainbow nation.
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Why can’t the Welsh regions win when it matters in Europe? Who are Steff’s favourites to lift the Champions Cup and we speak to Gloucestershire Live’s rugby reporter Ellis Lane.
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Illtud talks to Stade Francais supporter Neil Wright. They discuss the called off merger between the club and Racing 92 and we preview the Parisian outfit’s trip to Cardiff to face the Ospreys in the Challenge Cup.
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Has there been a crazier finish to a game compared to the final 20 minutes in Paris? Which players have claimed their places in Steff and Illtud’s Lions XVs and the Parisian merger was never going to happen was it? Send us in your thoughts on Twitter and Facebook
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How relieved will Rob Howley be? Did anyone see the Parisian merger coming? And what are Ireland’s chances of beating record equalling England? Illtud also spoke sports journalist Paul Eddison to preview the Wales’ trip to Paris.
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No Steff this week but Illtud talks to the Irish Independent’s Rugby Correspondent Ruaidrhi O’Connor.
What impact will Scott Fardy and James Lowe have at Leinster? How good of a back up to Johnny Sexton is Ulster’s Paddy Jackson and is it actually all that doom and gloom for Wales?
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Illtud talks to Germany head coach Kobus Potgieter about this year’s Rugby Europe Championship and German rugby on the whole.
Steff discusses Round 3 of the Six Nations, alleged Parisian substance taking, French central contracts and some Games Of The Week to preview and review.
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The Six Nations returns after a week of slumber. Steff and Illtud are joined by David from @thepenGW to preview Wales' trip to Edinburgh. There's also talk about Georgian rugby and a domestic dust-up to keep us busy. Leave your reviews on iTunes and like our Facebook page.
Forgive Illtud's croaky throat, we've gone through two pods this week!
Illtud's joined by RadioSport NZ's Elliott Smith, Iain Payten from the Australian Daily Telegraph, Kyodo news' Rich Freeman, Francisco Capizzi from ESPNArgentina and South African rugby journalists Benedict Chanakira to preview the new Super Rugby season.
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Why on earth did Jonathan Davies not kick that ball dead? Have we seen the return of ze French Flair and what does that victory over Romania mean for German and European rugby on the whole? Steff and Illtud return for this week's podcast.
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Steff and Illtud talk to Paul Turner and discuss his work at identifying young rugby talent, the current crop of Welsh U20s and preview Wales v England in Round Two of the Six Nations
We hear from Benedict Chanakira in Durban after the sad passing of former Springbok captain Joost van der Westhuizen. There's also previews to Guinness Pro12, Aviva Premiership and Top 14 matches
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*SIX NATIONS 2017 PREVIEW***
Steff and Illtud are joined by Alex Shaw to discuss the strengths and the weaknesses of the nations going into this year's Six Nations Championship. Alex also talks about a new blog, check that out at u20rugby.wordpress.com.
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What's it like for an American forward playing in France's ProD2? How did he get into rugby in the first place? Find out as Illtud speaks to Aurillac's Christian Ostberg.
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Steff talks Liam Williams’ move to the Saracens and previews round 5 of the Champions and Challenge Cup. Illtud speaks to Brive chairman Simon Gillham as the club’s celebrating the 20th anniversary of winning the European Cup. Enjoy this week’s episode, Diolch.
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Happy New Year On this week’s podcast Steff Thomas, Sam Chinnery and Illtud Dafydd talk about the fixtures during the festive period, Richard Cockerill’s dismissal by Leicester and there’s more #GamesOfTheWeek to be previewed. Steff and Sam offer their favourite rugby moments of 2016 before they look ahead to 2017.
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Our favourite bits and bobs from a pretty busy 2016 full of rugby.
Over the next hour or so you’ll hear from Cardiff Blues fan and twitter account PhillBB as he spoke to Steff Thomas. There’s an interview with Rich Freeman and also my trip to Bordeaux to watch and Australian side be humbled by the French Barbarians.
Before all of them we’ll start with an interview with the captain of the Nigerian national rugby team Azeez Ladipo.
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Steff & Illtud are joined by Scarlets fan Rickie Harries to look back on Round 4 of the Champions & Challenge Cup, they discuss Johan Goosen's future before previewing some festive fixtures. Illtud talks to the Ospreys Supporter Club's Chairman Nigel Jones to talk the Ospreys against Scarlets derby.
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Steff and Illtud talk the Champions & Challenge Cups as well as discussing coaching selections for both the Lions tour to New Zealand and Wales’ trip to the south pacific next summer.
There's also a taste of a French speaking former British and Irish Lion test fly-half. But who is it?
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Steff, Sam & Illtud are joined by debutant contributor George Bearman to talk a combined #NovemberTestXV presented by Too Good To Go. They preview Round 3 of the Champions & Challenge Cup as well as discussing Pat Lam's appointment at Bristol.
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Steff & Illtud talk the penultimate round of international rugby this year. Sam sends in his thoughts on England's victory over Argentina as well as Australia's visit to Twickenham.
There's also Guinness Pro12, Aviva Premiership and Top 14 round-ups and an assessment of Liam Williams' move to Saracens.
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In a special episode of the podcast Illtud travels to Bordeaux to cover the French Barbarians' fixture against an Australian XV at Stade Chaban-Delmas.
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In the first of two episodes this week Steff, Sam and Illtud are joined by South African scribe Benedict Chanakira to dissect the November internationals. They talks the crises in Springbok and Welsh rugby as well as preview the fixture between both side.
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Illtud Dafydd and Steff Thomas talk to freelance journalist Alex Shaw about the November Test action. Tokyo-based rugby writer Richard Freeman previews Wales v Japan in Cardiff
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Steff, Sam and Illtud cover Ireland's win over the All Blacks with the Irish Independent's Ruaidhri O'Connor, they preview Argentina's match agains Wales with Francisco Capizzi of ESPN before talking Americas rugby with Brian Ray from Americas Rugby News.
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Steff, Illtud and Sam preview the opening weekend of the November Tests. There's also an interview with Warren Mullis from the America Rugby Pod to talk this weekend's double rugby header in Chicago.
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Illtud Dafydd and Sam Chinnery discuss the opening two rounds of European rugby. There's an interview with Alun Morgan and Steve Cummins from the Saracens Supporters Association and Steff Thomas send in his assessment of the Welsh regions in European action.
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@IlltudDafydd and SChinnery1990 talk the European Cups with the help of Russia's former strength and conditioning coach Mike Perry. Mike gives a n insight before the Newport Gwent Dragons match against Russian outfit Enisei-STM in the Challnge Cup.
They also preview the Bledisloe Cup finale and they discuss wales' squad for the Autumn Internationals.
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On this week's show Steff and Illtud are joined by Veronique Landew from the Saracens Supporters Association to preview the European Challenge and Champions Cups.
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The lads are back to talk Pro12 Rugby, the Aviva Premiership and the Top 14. They mention the Scarlets' forwards, the pressure on the Ospreys ahead of this weekend's derby as well as a Parisian derby.
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@Steff_Thomas1 & @Illtud return with your weekly dose of rugby goodness.
They talk Wayne Pivac's future at the Scarlets, the Ospreys' perfect start to the Guinness Pro12 season as well as the futures of Liam Williams, Leigh Halfpenny & Hallam Amos.
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On this week's show Steff and Sam sent in their thoughts on the Northern Hemisphere action.
They look back on round two in the Aviva Premiership and Guinness Pro12 before previewing this weekend's action.
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It's @SChinery1990 & @IlltudDafydd live this week with insight from @SteffThomas1 as well as a clip from Springbok centre Juan de Jongh.
They talk the opening rounds of the Pro12 and the Aviva Premiership, discuss Lions coaches as well as previewing the third round of The Rugby Championship.
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Steff and Illtud are joined by new contributor Sam Chinery (@Schinery1990) to preview the new Pro12 and Premiership seasons.
They talk to Cardiff Blues supporter @rugbyPhilBB and Newport Gwent Dragons fan @gavin_potts2 about the new season.
There's also talk from Rhys Gill about a Saracens jaunt to Bordeaux, a full Top 14 round-up as well as Welsh interest in New Zealand's Mitre10 Cup.
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@Steff_Thomas1 and @IlltudDafydd welcome @Schinery1990 to the podcast as they talk The Rugby Championship, the opening weekend of the Top 14, Oyonnax's mammoth ProD2 budget as well as Montpellier's Jim Nagusa losing his bank card in Fiji...
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On this week's show @IlltudDafydd and @Steff_Thomas1 change it up with a new format ahead of the Rugby Championship.
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Illtud's joined by Nigeria's Azeez Ladipo. They talk about the game in Africa's most populous nation, they assess what Sevens at the Olympics could mean for rugby not only in Nigeria but across the world before finish off with a mention of a global rugby season.
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Steff and Illtud are back. They talk the Super Rugby final between the Hurricanes and Lions, they preview 7s at the Rio Olympics before glancing at this week's rugby news including Willie le Roux signing for Wasps.
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After last week's interview with Matt Spicer Illtud and Steff return to acth up with the week's rugby news. They discuss the mooted Pro12 expansion(s) to Spain or even the USA as well as the RFU's Ian Ritchie's comments about a global rugby season.
There's also a quick preview to the Super Rugby semi finals as the 'Canes face the Chiefs at the Cake Tin and the 'Landers travel to Jo'burg to play the Lions.
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Illtud talks to Matt Spicer who plays for the Cowra Eagles in New South Wales. They discuss his decision behind moving 10,000 miles to play rugby, the emphasis there is on technique over physical side in Australia and the pressure on Michael Cheika ahead of the Rugby Championship.
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Steff & Illtud reflect on the June Test Series with dark clouds ahead for Wales. They present their possible Lions Test starting lineups one year out from a New Zealand tour. They also have a look at the pool draw for the Challenge & Champions Cup draw.
Steff and Illtud look back on the All Blacks' second test win against Wales, the return for Wales' A side & look ahead to Friday night's Top14 Final in the Camp Nou. There's also talk of England's series win in Australia and the deals for coaches Robert Howley and Robin McBryde.
On this week's doom and gloom podcast Steff & Illtud try and see a positive side to Wales' double defeats in New Zealand. Is the #6 jersey Ross Moriarty's to lose? What does Ben Smith think of Wales? Just how good were England and Ireland and can they do it again this weekend? There's also talk of the first test between Argentina and France as well as a preview of the Top 14 play-offs. Send us in your tweets @TheRugbyConvo and let us know what you think!
This week we bring a Facebook Live feed to you. @Steff_Thomas1 & @IlltudDafydd preview the first test between New Zealand& Wales. There's praise for Alun-Wyn Jones reaching his century of caps, there's question asked about the selection of Gethin Jenkins and even some sympathy for Guy Noves before France's tour to Argentina.
Steff and Illtud ask Where next for Gatland's Wales after conceding five tries to a fellow Six Nations team for the first time in almost a decade. They also dissect Connacht's heroic Pro 12 win as well as Saracens securing the first European and domestic double. There's a French rugby round-up which includes a return for Leigh Halfpenny & relegation to Federale 1 for Biarritz, Bourgoin and Narbonne. VOTE for Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd in Natwest Rugby Force HERE:http://www.wru.wales/natwestrugbyforce
The Rugby Conversation: Six Nations Round 3 Preview. Steff Thomas and Illtud Dafydd hear from Gavin Mortimer, Mike Pearce and Pierre Ammiche ahead of France's visit to Cardiff. They also talk Eddie Jones' first home match as England head coach and Italy v Scotland. There's talk ahead of this weekend's Guinness Pro12 fixtures too. Get in touch with questions and comments on @TheRugbyConvo. Enjoy!