The Forward Pass Podcast: Recent Episodes
Graham Jenkins
Graham Jenkins chats to journalists and broadcasters covering rugby union to get an insight into their careers, discuss what they have learnt along the way and what they can pass on to the next generation of sports media professionals.
Graham Jenkins is joined by recently-retired rugby union journalist Steve Bale who brought the curtain down on a long and varied career covering the sport at the end of last season. The former rugby union correspondent for The Independent and The Daily Express and more recently the Welsh rugby correspondent for The Sunday Times, Bale looks back on his journalism journey, identifies the key figures in his development and reflects on how his role and the sport changed during his 44-year career.
Graham Jenkins is joined by the vastly experienced and widely respected rugby union commentator Miles Harrison. A key figure in Sky Sports' coverage of the sport for over 20 years and someone considered one of the best in the business, Harrison is currently working on his sixth British & Irish Lions tour. He began his career with BBC radio and has since clocked up countless internationals, European and domestic finals and not to mention the odd Rugby World Cup. He kindly took time out on the eve of the Lions tour to look back on his career and share what he has learnt along the way.
Graham Jenkins is joined by Dave Barton, the Head of Communications for arguably the sport’s biggest and most recognisable brand – the British & Irish Lions. A former sports journalist at regional and national level, Barton also previously worked for the Rugby Football Union during which time he served as England’s media manager at both the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups that were memorable for the team for all the wrong reasons.
Graham Jenkins is joined by former rugby union correspondent for The Independent newspaper Chris Hewett to reflect on his career covering the sport. Hewett has spent the best part of 40 years working in the industry and has earned many fans for his expert analysis and witty writing style. He had a front row seat for the dawn of the professional era and more recently has been working on a book with ex-England fly-half and the RFU's former director of elite rugby Rob Andrew.
Graham Jenkins is joined by veteran journalist Peter Jackson to look back on his long and distinguished career covering rugby union. Jackson was the Daily Mail rugby correspondent for 35 years before 'retiring' but continues to offer news and views for the likes of The Rugby Paper and BBC Sport's Scrum V magazine show. He chats about the key choices he made, his biggest influences, what he has learnt along the way and the colourful characters he has encountered.
Graham Jenkins chats to BBC Sport reporter and broadcaster Sonja McLaughlan who has covered many sports for a variety of media outlets in a career spanning more than 25 years. However, it is her work covering rugby union on radio and TV that will be familiar to most having been a pitchside presence for much of her professional career. She joins Graham to offer an insight into her career path, how she approaches her job and the challenges she has faced. (Note: Recorded mid-November, 2016)
Graham Jenkins chats to veteran radio broadcaster Ian Robertson who has covered rugby union for the BBC for the last 44 years during which time he has witnessed and described some of the biggest moments in the sport's history. A voice familiar to millions and a former Scotland international, Ian has had a long and varied career on and off the pitch that continues to this day having recently returned from Brazil where he reported on rugby’s return to the Olympics.
Graham Jenkins chats to Getty Images photographer Dave Rogers about his 41 years behind the lens covering rugby union around the globe. Rogers has had a front row seat for many of the sport’s greatest moments and has also been granted enviable behind-the-scenes access that fans and other members of the media can only dream about. He reflects on his fascinating career and offers a priceless insight into how he does his job and handles the pressure of capturing history as it happens.
Graham Jenkins chats to Sunday Times rugby correspondent Stephen Jones about his extensive career covering rugby union around the globe. The award-winning journalist and author offers a fascinating insight into his career choices, the demands of his job and his thoughts on the state of the game.
Graham Jenkins chats to journalist and sports commentator Nick Mullins who is widely regarded as 'the voice of rugby union' through his extensive work with BT Sport, the BBC and ITV. The broadcasting veteran chats about his career choices, offers a rare insight into how he does his job and shares a few tips for the next generation of media professionals.
Graham Jenkins is joined by recently-retired rugby union journalist Steve Bale who brought the curtain down on a long and varied career covering the sport at the end of last season. The former rugby union correspondent for The Independent and The Daily Express and more recently the Welsh rugby correspondent for The Sunday Times, Bale looks back on his journalism journey, identifies the key figures in his development and reflects on how his role and the sport changed during his 44-year career.
Graham Jenkins is joined by the vastly experienced and widely respected rugby union commentator Miles Harrison. A key figure in Sky Sports' coverage of the sport for over 20 years and someone considered one of the best in the business, Harrison is currently working on his sixth British & Irish Lions tour. He began his career with BBC radio and has since clocked up countless internationals, European and domestic finals and not to mention the odd Rugby World Cup. He kindly took time out on the eve of the Lions tour to look back on his career and share what he has learnt along the way.
Graham Jenkins is joined by Dave Barton, the Head of Communications for arguably the sport’s biggest and most recognisable brand – the British & Irish Lions. A former sports journalist at regional and national level, Barton also previously worked for the Rugby Football Union during which time he served as England’s media manager at both the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups that were memorable for the team for all the wrong reasons.