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BBC Radio 5 Live

Rugby Union Weekly is presented by Ugo Monye, Chris Jones and Danny Care. Between the bickering and tangents they'll bring you special guests and cover the biggest stories in the game. Get in touch with the pod via 5 Live Sport on social media or email rugbyunionweekly@bbc.co.uk, and remember to leave us your ratings and reviews!

Rugby Union Weekly

Chris and Paul Grayson are in Johannesburg ahead of England’s huge Nations Championship opener against South Africa. They are joined by the sport’s newest knight, Sir Kevin Sinfield, to talk about being awarded the knighthood and his determination to continue raising awareness for MND. Sinfield discusses England’s approach this weekend at Ellis Park and how they are dealing with the unique challenges of playing in the spiritual home of Springbok rugby.

In Jo’burg with Sir Kev

The inaugural Nation's Championship is here, but are fans actually excited about it? Do they even understand the format? Chris, Danny and Ashy dig into the new competition, the logistical nightmare facing travelling supporters and the huge challenge for players playing back-to-back matches in different continents. Rassie Erasmus has already named his team to face England this weekend, does this help with Steve Borthwick's selection dilemmas? Will Henry Pollock be unleashed in Johannesburg? Is it Ben Spencer or Alex Mitchell at nine? Plus, we discuss the three things England need to do if they are to beat the Boks. Ashy shares his memories of playing South Africa at Ellis Park and Danny explains what it’s like to play at altitude and how it effects players. And after Jack Willis captained Toulouse to a record-extending 25th Top 14 title, we debate whether he could ever be lured back to England and what the RFU could do to make it happen.

Nations Championship: Good for the game?

Did the new Prem champions, Northampton, make a mistake by letting George Furbank leave? And has Steve Borthwick got the balance right in his Nations Championship squad? Ugo, Chris and DC take a more considered look back at Saturday's Prem final, asking whether Exeter could have done more to trouble Saints. As England's squad for the Nations Championship is named, Ugo asks whether the team should start to be built around Henry Pollock. They also discuss the merits of neutral venues for semi-finals, consider who might succeed Leo Cullen at Leinster, and make their predictions for the Top 14 and PWR finals.

Final Thoughts and the England Squad

Chris Jones is joined by Matt Dawson and Chris Ashton as Northampton Saints beat Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham to claim their second Prem title in three years. They break down where Northampton edged the final, and discuss whether they're already building the foundations of a dynasty. We hear from man of the match Henry Pollock and Exeter captain Dafydd Jenkins. Plus, do the RFU need to a plan to ensure there's a pathway for the Prem's best coaches, including Saints' director of rugby Phil Dowson, to lead England?

Saints beat Exeter to the Prem title

Can Exeter pull off an upset and beat Northampton at Twickenham on Saturday? Chris and Ashy look ahead to the Prem final and discuss where the game could be won and lost. Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter joins the pod to explain why belief is growing within the Exeter camp, while departing Northampton captain George Furbank reflects on the feel-good factor around the Saints and why he's determined to sign off with one last piece of silverware.

Prem Final Preview with Furbank and Baxter

Have Exeter shown enough to convince us they can beat Northampton in Saturday’s Prem final? Ugo, Chris and Ashy look back at both semi-finals and assess whether the Chiefs have the game to upset the favourites. Or are Northampton simply operating on another level? Plus, with Steve Borthwick naming his 33-man squad to face a France XV on Friday, they debate whether Ollie Lawrence can count himself unlucky to miss out.

Saints or Chiefs?

The pod has been given exclusive access to the four directors of rugby ahead of this weekend's play-offs. Chris heads to the Prem awards in central London to sit down with Phil Dowson, Johann van Graan, Rob Baxter and Geoff Parling to reflect on the Prem season so far and the quality of rugby. Has there been too many blowouts? And have the recent law changes made it a better or worse spectacle? We also look at the gruelling schedule for the game's top international players. Should Maro Itoje and his fellow Lions be rested this summer? What do the DORs think to the Champions Cup and how that is scheduled? We hear about the changes to the pool stages next season and what the four coaches would change about the competition. We also delve into the relationship between the clubs and England and whether the players should be spending more time with club than country.

Prem play-offs: DOR special

Exeter are into the Prem play-offs and Ugo, Ashy and Danny are joined by Henry Slade to reflect on a memorable win over Saracens, and the Chiefs’ remarkable transformation. Slade also discusses his outstanding form after ending the regular season finishing as the league’s top points scorer. We also break down the final round of the Premiership season, including Bath securing a home semi-final thanks to Thomas du Toit’s try-scoring exploits. With Northampton hosting Leicester and Bath welcoming Exeter, will we get an away win in the play-offs this weekend? Plus, it's report card time for those teams that didn’t make the play-offs. We also round up the URC semi-finals after Glasgow’s dramatic collapse against the Bulls, discuss Leinster’s latest shot at silverware, and react to Andy Farrell committing to Ireland until 2031.

Slade, semi-finals & send-offs

Chris and Ashy head to the Saracens training base for a special pod about one of the most influential figures in English club rugby history. After 17 trophy-laden years at Sarries, Mark McCall is standing down as director of rugby at the end of the season. We speak to the man himself who explains why now is the time to move on, and what place he is leaving the club in. Two of Sarries’ senior players, Ben Earl and Nick Tompkins, share their memories of being coached by McCall, and explain what makes him such a good leader. We are also joined by journalist Gavin Mairs to discuss McCall’s legacy. Is he the best director of rugby in PREM history? How much does the salary cap scandal of 2019/2020 tarnish his reputation? And will the RFU miss a trick if they don’t tap into his experience?

Mark McCall: End of an era

All eyes are on Sandy Park this weekend as Rob Baxter and Mark McCall go head-to-head for one last time. Danny, Ugo and Chris look back on Exeter’s impressive win at Leicester that sets up Saturday’s showdown with Saracens for the final play-off spot. Who will come out on top? Will anybody other than Northampton rotate this weekend? It’s now only one win in five for Bath, what is behind their recent slump? Newcastle produced one of the comebacks of the season to stun Sale for a first win since January. There were four home wins as the URC quarter-finals went to form, but who is favourite to life the title in June? Plus, what next for Shaun Edwards amid reports he could be leaving France? Should unions be making a move if one of rugby's most decorated coaches becomes available? There’s also Worcester's Championship play-off triumph to discuss and Jo Yapp's appointment as the first women's British & Irish Lions head coach.

Mark McCall: End of an era

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