England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line
120 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago - ★★★★★ - 12 ratingsEngland Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line is all about the players; telling their unique stories, in their own words.
These first-person accounts will go in depth on topics they are passionate about, their life growing up and difficult times that have shaped them into who they are, along with special guest contributors.
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Episodes
Zoe Aldcroft
April 16, 2024 02:00 - 24 minutes - 249 MBFrom meeting her fiancé to giving her confidence on and off the pitch, rugby has given Zoe Aldcroft so much in her life so far. The Gloucester-Hartpury lock discussed the lack of female sporting role models growing up, now being rivals with her partner at club level with him working for Leicester Tigers, the added pressure of playing after being named World Player of the Year brought and her Jonny Wilkinson doll she carries with her every match day, In this pod you will also hear from her o...
Maud Muir
April 09, 2024 02:00 - 23 minutes - 241 MBFrom a desire to make people smile, to her photography and craft-making, Maud Muir puts as much into her time off the pitch as on it. The Red Roses and Gloucester-Hartpury prop opens up on her positive outlook on life, celebrating body confidence and size for strength and why she puts such an emphasis on rugby culture, and how that plays out in the West Country living near her club and international team mates. In this pod you will also hear from Maud's older brother Arthur, Red Roses and G...
John Mitchell
April 02, 2024 02:00 - 25 minutes - 255 MBAfter being attacked and tied up during a robbery in South Africa, John Mitchell's perspective on life completely changed. The Red Roses head coach talks in-depth about the trauma and recovery from that experience, how he has changed as a person from coaching the All Blacks to his first job in women's rugby as well as the personal difficulties he has had being a well-travelled elite coach. In this pod you will also hear from his wife Jules, coach Wayne Taylor who was with him on the night o...
Dan Cole
March 12, 2024 03:00 - 22 minutes - 223 MBFrom a special friendship with Joe Marler, to doubting if he would ever play for England again, Dan Cole continues to make memories in rugby. The Leicester Tigers prop opens up on returning to the England set up after being dropped in 2019, the addictive nature of playing at Twickenham and learning the ability to help compartmentalise with experience and family. In this pod you will also hear from one of his closest friends in Tom Collett and his wife Isabelle, as well as England players Ge...
Sam Underhill
March 05, 2024 03:00 - 21 minutes - 216 MBFrom USA to the West Country, plus a stint in Wales, Sam Underhill's journey to international rugby is an intriguing one. The Bath flanker speaks about finding love of the game in the physicality of it, the importance of sports psychologists as part of his preparation and growing up with three older sisters. You will also hear from Sam's older sister Rachael, his former teacher Chris Carter, as well as England players Ben Earl and Dan Cole. FOLLOW: ▪️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Of...
Ben Earl
February 27, 2024 03:00 - 20 minutes - 205 MBFrom a love of literature, to a talented young cricketer and a successful family environment, Ben Earl has had an intriguing upbringing. The Saracens and England back row forward opens up on relying too much on his natural talent as a youngster, seeing the funny side of how his celebrations are mocked on social media and thinking he might not get another chance at international level. You will also hear from Ben's brother James who is attempting to become a professional golfer, as well as E...
George Ford
February 20, 2024 03:00 - 25 minutes - 262 MBRugby is a driving force in George Ford's life. The Sale Sharks and England fly half opens up on growing up with a famous rugby league playing dad, on the high standards he sets himself in the game, as well as every day life, being Coffee shop and restaurant owner and the difficulty he has when it comes to relaxing. You will also hear from George's dad Mike, brother Joe and England players Dan Cole and Ben Earl. FOLLOW: ▪️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialEnglandRugby/ ▪️ Inst...
Ellie Kildunne
October 31, 2023 03:00 - 19 minutes - 26.6 MBEllie Kildunne loves weird, embraces different and individuality. The Red Roses and Harlequins full back understands the importance of image and being able to express yourself, whether that is through her photography, fashion or how she plays. Kildunne also opens up on building up muscles to play rugby and wanting to represent those who feel like they don't fit in. In this pod you will also hear from her mum Alison, boyfriend Cameron Sommerville-Bailey and England players Sarah Beckett and ...
Holly Aitchison
October 24, 2023 01:00 - 22 minutes - 31.5 MBWhether it has been overcoming social anxiety or her adult acne, Holly Aitchison has overcome a number of personal challenges to become the person and player she is today. The Bristol Bears and Red Roses fly half opens up on growing up in Liverpool, sharing her personal struggles on social media and how she rebuilt her confidence. In this pod you will also hear from her dad Ian, her former teacher and Red Roses' captain Gill Burns as well England players Sarah Beckett and Ellie Kildunne....
Sarah Beckett
October 17, 2023 01:00 - 23 minutes - 32 MBFrom a premature birth with her twin sister to selection heartbreak, Sarah Beckett has had to show her fair share of resilience. The Gloucester-Hartpury forward opens up on missing out the squad to New Zealand in 2022, how she hopes to inspire others who were born earlier than planned, the impact of body confidence issues and her continued work on mental health. In this pod you will also hear from her dad Mark, her twin sister Kate as well as England players Holly Aitchison and Ellie Ki...
Tom Curry
October 10, 2023 01:00 - 21 minutes - 30.1 MBIt was always about ‘we’ growing up with an identical twin for Tom Curry. The England and Sale Sharks flanker discusses their unique childhood together and what is now means playing in the same position, how the loss of his grandma affected him and his career to date. In this pod you will also hear from his brother Ben, his sister Charlotte and his uncle former England hooker John Olver, as well as England players Danny Care, Freddie Steward and Ollie Lawrence. FOLLOW: ▪️ Facebook: ...
Ollie Lawrence
October 03, 2023 01:00 - 21 minutes - 29.3 MBShowing emotions was not something that sat easily with Ollie Lawrence. The Bath and England centre opens up on his emotional maturity journey, his growth in mindset as an only child and what it means to him to be a rugby international from a mixed background. In this pod you will also hear from his old teacher Simon Dawes, current Bath team mate Niall Annett as well as England players Tom Curry and Danny Care. FOLLOW: ▪️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialEnglandRugby/ ▪️ Ins...
Lark Atkin-Davies
September 26, 2023 02:00 - 23 minutes - 31.8 MBFrom accepting a rugby player's body image, to combining a teaching career with rugby, Lark Atkin-Davies' journey to international rugby has been a fascinating one. Growing up in a sport-loving cottage in the countryside, Red Roses and Bristol Bears hooker opens up on setbacks, commitment and her determination to become a professional player. In this pod you will also hear from Lark's husband Jamie, her sister Fern as well as team mates Holly Aitchison and Sarah Beckett. FOLLOW: ▪️ Fac...
Danny Care
September 19, 2023 01:00 - 23 minutes - 32.7 MBMaking mistakes were part of growing up for Danny Care. The Harlequins scrum reflects on his lapses when establishing his rugby career and how they took away the thing he loved - playing for his country. Care also opens up about the importance of family, growing up in Yorkshire and playing football with Jamie Vardy. In this pod you will also hear from ex-international and club team mate David Strettle, former secondary school coach Peter Latham as well as current England players Ollie Lawre...
Courtney Lawes
September 12, 2023 01:00 - 22 minutes - 30.7 MBFamily is at the heart of everything Courtney Lawes believes in. The back row forward opens up about how his comments on social media on family life caused a reaction, and how he now reflects. Lawes also talks about race in rugby, different ethnicities playing the sport and being a dad. In this pod you will also hear from Courtney's wife Jessica Lawes, former teacher Paul Bryant, ex-coach Chris Parr Northampton Old Scouts, as well as team mates Freddie Steward and Ollie Lawrence. FOLLOW...
Freddie Steward
September 05, 2023 01:00 - 22 minutes - 31 MBDespite playing consistently for England since his debut, full back Freddie Steward still has his doubts. The Leicester Tigers back opens up on some of the mental hurdles he has overcome, explains the reasons why he quit some social media and what importance of family means to him. In this pod you will also hear from Freddie's mum, dad and brother, one of his closest friends from Loughborough University as well as England team mates Danny Care and Ollie Lawrence. FOLLOW: ▪️ Facebook: h...
Detysha Harper
April 18, 2023 02:00 - 21 minutes - 48.3 MBDespite being an upbeat, bubbly and sociable person, Detysha Harper's life has not always been easy. The Loughborough Lightning prop talks about her upbringing in Salford, how rugby saved her, her experience being mixed race in the sport and her last minute call-up for New Zealand 2022. In this pod you will also hear from her older brother Eze, as well as team mates Sarah Hunter and Tatyana Heard. FOLLOW: · England Rugby Facebook · England Rugby Instagram · E...
Tatyana Heard
April 11, 2023 02:00 - 22 minutes - 51.1 MBAs self-confessed introvert, Tatyana Heard is comfortable in her own company. The Gloucester-Hartpury centre talks about her journey back to international rugby after injuries, her job working for Asda during the COVID-19 pandemic, being proud of her roots in Yorkshire and her new found joy of reading in her own company. In this pod you will also hear from Tatyana's brother Alexander, as well as team mates Sarah Hunter and Detysha Harper. FOLLOW: · England Rugby Facebook · ...
Sarah Hunter
March 21, 2023 03:00 - 24 minutes - 55.1 MBAs England's most capped ever player, Sarah Hunter has had her fair share of highs and lows. The Red Roses' captain reflects on some of her most painful moments on the pitch including losing major finals, and why the hurt of her team mates from those moments is something she has to live with every day. From starting out playing rugby league, to making her hobby her job, Hunter also opens up on the injury that she thought might end her career, what being a captain means and how she remains au...
Manu Tuilagi
March 14, 2023 03:00 - 25 minutes - 27.5 MBAs one of the most talked about players of his generation, there are many facets to Manu Tuilagi’s life and career. However the Samoan-born centre has rarely told his story about some of the biggest moments. On this pod, Manu talks candidly about his arrest on a night out in Leicester, to thinking about retiring from the game when his injury problems were at there worst, as well as the close relationship with his family and brothers. From growing up in Samoa to then representing England, Man...
Maro Itoje
March 07, 2023 03:00 - 23 minutes - 53.5 MBMaro Itoje is more than just a rugby player. From discussing racism within modern society, how black history is viewed in the western world and his connection to Africa and African art, the England lock talks candidly about a number of wide ranging topics in this podcast. Although a native of north London, Itoje opens up on his connection to Nigeria and considering it home as well as his thoughts on the song ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.' In this pod you will also hear from Maro's former he...
Henry Slade
February 28, 2023 02:00 - 21 minutes - 49.7 MBBeing diagnosed with diabetes and developing an obsessive personality are two of the barriers that Henry Slade has overcome to play rugby for England. The Exeter Chiefs centre talks in depth about his diagnosis with diabetes and how it affects his life as a player and a person, as well as the steps he took to overcome his small daily obsessions that would be a part of his daily life. Slade opens up about how fatherhood as changed him as a person, what it means to be a 'Janner' and how much r...
Kevin Sinfield
February 21, 2023 02:00 - 23 minutes - 31.4 MBFamily and friendship are something incredibly important to Kevin Sinfield. Following the diagnosis of motor neurone disease in his friend and former Leeds Rhinos colleague Rob Burrow, Sinfield opens up on the effect that has had on him as a person, why he decided to run marathons to raise money and how the illness has changed his outlook on life. The England defence coach also speaks about his upbringing in Oldham, his incredibly rugby league career and his move into coaching in rugby union...
Billy Vunipola
November 29, 2022 10:03 - 24 minutes - 243 MBRugby was a passion as well as a coping tool for Billy Vunipola. The Saracens number 8 reveals what it was like growing up in Tonga before moving to Wales, opening up about the culture differences between the two and how he used rugby as a buffer to communicate in a country different to his native tongue. The backrower dives into his on-off professional career and how he works on himself to become a better person. In this pod you will also hear from Castle School PE teacher Lloyd Spacey, Bi...
Owen Farrell
November 15, 2022 02:00 - 20 minutes - 204 MBOwen Farrell and his dad Andy have a unique relationship. The Saracens back reveals what it was like growing watching him in an all-conquering Wigan Warriors team, to being coached by him and England and now facing him as opposition with his position as head coach of Ireland. Owen opens up about what it was like moving from Wigan to London when his dad switched to rugby union, how he spends his time away from the field and where his competitive streak comes from. In this pod you will also h...
Hannah Botterman
November 08, 2022 02:00 - 25 minutes - 258 MBBeing gay is not something that defines Hannah Botterman, she just want to be Hannah Botterman. The Red Roses and Saracens prop opens about about her relationship to club and international team mate Holly Aitchison, her unusual route to Test rugby via eating pasties while working as a painter and decorator and her family relationships. She also discusses why she never thought she had to 'come out', how she initially felt unprepared for international rugby and how she embraces being a role mo...
Marcus Smith
November 01, 2022 02:00 - 24 minutes - 248 MBFamily and close bonds mean everything to Marcus Smith. The England and Harlequins fly half opens up about his upbringing and childhood growing up in the Philippines and Singapore, the pride he takes in being half Filipino and how his parents have influenced in to become who he is today. Smith also discusses how his rejection for trials at Tottenham Hotspur helped his rugby career, the influence of working with Jonny Wilkinson has on him and his thoughts on the role of the spotlight and cele...
Rosie Galligan
October 25, 2022 02:01 - 21 minutes - 221 MBHaving come back from two career-threatening injuries, Rosie Galligan knows more than most about the long road back. The Harlequins and Red Roses second row talks about her hospitalisation with meningitis that required her to be quarantined and how a delay could have threatened the use of her legs, as well as the time she shattered her ankle and had to do her recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rosie also opens up about her recovery living with England team mate Zoe Harrison, her stage sc...
Sadia Kabeya
October 18, 2022 02:00 - 24 minutes - 242 MBGrowing up in south London, Sadia Kabeya did not come from a rugby background. The Red Roses and Loughborough Lightning flanker opens up about some of the challenges she has faced in her early career including growing up around gang culture, the lack of diversity she found as she progressed to higher levels and how the Black Lives Matter movement affected her view of the sport. Despite being relatively new to Test rugby, she explains how she already sees herself as a role model for the sport...
Jess Breach
October 11, 2022 02:00 - 22 minutes - 223 MBThe balance between marketing yourself and abuse on social media is not a choice that Jess Breach wants to make. The Red Roses winger opens up on the difficulties of social media and the changes she wants to see, as well as the negative effect it had on her questioning her own body image. Breach also talks about her close friendship with England fly half Zoe Harrison, the challenging time around her mum's cancer diagnosis and the growth of women's rugby since she first picked up a ball playi...
Simon Middleton
October 03, 2022 14:00 - 22 minutes - 227 MBFrom working in a glass factory to World Rugby coach of the year, Simon Middleton has an interesting story to tell. The Red Roses head coach opens up about life growing up in Yorkshire, his late arrival into professional rugby league and some of the times in his life that have been most challenging, from dealing with the death of his father to being jobless and having to care for his family. You will also hear contributions from his former head coach at Leeds Tykes, now Leinster and ex-Engl...
Abbie Ward
April 26, 2022 02:00 - 20 minutes - 211 MBBest friend. Head coach. Husband. Red Roses lock Abbie Ward and Bristol Bears Women head coach Dave Ward have an unique sporting and personal relationship, having to combine their marriage with a working life at the Allianz Premier 15s side. On this England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line, Abbie also talks about the difficult discussion she had with her dad about wanting to become a rugby player, her business plan to go to boarding school and life growing up in Cumbria. This pod will also hea...
Louis Deacon
April 19, 2022 02:00 - 19 minutes - 199 MBAs a former England men's international, Louis Deacon never envisaged himself getting involved in the women's game until he got offered the opportunity to become Red Roses' forwards coach in 2021. The ex-Leicester second row opens up on the differences between the men's and women's game, the dark times he faced while dealing with injuries as a player and how the players he is working with got his daughters interested in rugby. You will also hear contributions from his brother, fellow Leices...
Marlie Packer
April 12, 2022 02:00 - 22 minutes - 223 MBMaking the choice to balance a life in professional sport and becoming a parent is different for men and women, but one Marlie Packer wanted to embrace. The Red Roses flanker opens up on England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line about how her perception on life has changed since becoming a mum, learning from her mistakes following her drink driving charge in 2018 and her desire to reach a century of caps. You will also hear contributions from World Cup winner and former England team mate Maggie...
Shaunagh Brown
April 05, 2022 02:00 - 23 minutes - 241 MBGrowing up in south east London, where opportunity was seldom and crime was rife, early life for Shaunagh Brown was difficult. From knowing people that either died or went to prison, hear how she helped channel a different energy into sport, her varied career, coming to accept herself as a rugby role model as well as wanting to improve diversity in the sport. You will also hear contributions from his Shaunagh's mum Lesley Rickards, her athletics coach John Hillier as well her team mates Ma...
Mark Atkinson
March 15, 2022 03:00 - 21 minutes - 215 MBAny time representing your country is special, but for Mark Atkinson coming on at Twickenham at the age of 31 felt even more memorable. The Gloucester centre goes in-depth about his change in mindset when playing semi-professional rugby and considering taking a stewarding job at the 2012 Olympics, to focusing on being professional and then representing England. From support from friends and family, to a realisation that he wasn't giving it his all, this is a story about perseverance, determi...
Raffi Quirke
March 08, 2022 03:00 - 17 minutes - 174 MBRaffi Quirke doesn't want rugby to define him as a person. The Sale Sharks scrum half opens up about his passions and interests outside of the game including his love of cooking which inspired his Instagram account Pitch to Plate, and why buying a pair of clippers not only allows him to cut the hair of team mates but bond with them off the field. Quirke also speaks about a junior career as a triathlete growing up in Manchester and talks about being part of a new generation of England players...
Lewis Ludlam
March 01, 2022 03:00 - 17 minutes - 178 MBGrowing up in Suffolk, there were not many people that looked like Lewis Ludlam. The Northampton Saints captain opens up about growing up mixed race in an undiverse area of Ipswich with a Palestinian-Egyptian father and a Guyanese mother, and how despite feeling different to other children he found acceptance at his local rugby club. Ludlam also opens up about the politics of race, how England's squad is breaking down class barriers in the sport and where he gets his resilience from. You wi...
Ben Youngs
February 22, 2022 03:00 - 18 minutes - 185 MBGrowing up with 28 first cousins family was always going to mean a lot to Ben Youngs. As season nine of England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line returns, England's most capped scrum half opens up about the importance of family in his life, in particular his brother Tom who he's played alongside from childhood, to Leicester Tigers and then representing their country together. Youngs also discusses what it was liked being diagnosed with dyslexia aged nine, growing up on a working farm in north No...
Joe Marler
December 07, 2021 03:00 - 18 minutes - 182 MBFor Joe Marler, mental health is just as important as his physical health. After being diagnosed with depression and recommended medication and counselling, Joe tells England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line about what he has discovered about himself and how that allows him to enjoy life more. Joe goes into detail about why he wants to start more conversations around mental health and masculinity in rugby, and why he will continue to speak out to make it as normal as possible. This final episo...
Vicky Fleetwood
November 30, 2021 03:00 - 17 minutes - 177 MBDealing with the loss of a loved one is always difficult, but Red Roses' flanker Vicky Fleetwood had to deal with the passing of her mum while trying to prepare for the Olympics. On this England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line, Vicky opens up on the emotions she had to deal with at the time, how that period has influenced her as a person and how she grieves now. As well as her loss, Vicky explains how she left a life as a personal trainer to become a professional rugby player, becoming a worl...
Kyle Sinckler
November 23, 2021 03:00 - 17 minutes - 182 MBFrom a chance rugby session in south London to playing for his country, Kyle Sinckler explains what life was really like for him growing up on this England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line. Sinckler opens up on his mum bringing him up along, to living around with people who still don't know what rugby is, the potential for sport in the state education system and now creating a foundation to give young athletes the platform to perform. Season eight sees the players telling their own stories, in...
Claudia MacDonald
November 16, 2021 03:00 - 13 minutes - 136 MBClaudia MacDonald opens up about living her life as sustainably as possible and how she combines that with being a professional rugby player on this week's England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line. From ditching the car to drive to training to tackling team mates usage of one-use products, Claudia explains why this cause means so much to her when it comes to the planet and climate change, and reveals the steps she is taking to change how she lives. With guest contributor Coreen Grant who works...
Ellis Genge
November 09, 2021 03:00 - 15 minutes - 159 MBEllis Genge talks candidly about his life growing up. He reveals how rugby potentially saved him from prison, his money struggles during his academy days and conflicts he had to fit into rugby's lifestyle on this England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line. Season eight sees the players telling their own stories, in their own words, with this pod including contributions from England's Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler, as well as Ellis' former coach at Hartpury, and now Bristol Bears skills coach, Sea...
Poppy Cleall
November 02, 2021 03:00 - 19 minutes - 195 MBSeason eight of England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line returns with a new format with players telling their own stories, in their own words. The first episode is with Saracens and Red Roses' forward Poppy Cleall, along with contributions from Judy Murray and The Times rugby journalist Jessica Hayden. Poppy gives an intimate account of how she took to social media to fight inequality with sportswear manufacturers ignoring female athletes, talks about the bullying she suffered at school for b...
Davies and Harper - Six Nations winners, debut tales and sports psychology
April 27, 2021 02:00 - 43 minutes - 59.3 MBAfter the Red Roses are crowned 2021 Women's Six Nations champions, we speak to two players who featured in the win over France in the final in Lark Davies and Detysha Harper. Speaking to Dylan Hartley the day after the win against the French, Lark and Detsyha take us into the changing room after the final whistle and talk about the celebrations after securing their third straight title in the competition. The pair reflect on the shortened format of the tournament, as well as a new tourname...
Kildunne and Millar-Mills - homework after debut, awkward situations and 'lukewarm is no good'
April 20, 2021 02:00 - 53 minutes - 74.1 MBAhead of the 2021 Women’s Six Nations final, England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line, and Dylan Hartley, catch up with Wasps FC Ladies team mates Ellie Kildunne and Harriet Millar-Mills. The pair talk about growing up playing rugby in Leeds and Manchester respectively, about playing rugby league, being on the same team as boys and how they were seen as a rugby player over being a girl. Harriet explains the story about how she ended up playing for England but her sister played for Scotland,...
MacDonald and Riley – Scrum half battle, lockdown relationship training and a 10-year plan
April 13, 2021 02:00 - 52 minutes - 71.5 MBAfter the Red Roses book their place in the 2021 Women’s Six Nations final, this week’s England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line catches up with scrum halves Claudia MacDonald and Leanne Riley right after their win in Italy. Dylan chats to the pair about their routes into rugby and how they had very different routes, with Leanne making a 10-year plan at the age of 15 to represent her country and win the sport's biggest competition, while Claudia took it up after chance session while at univ...
Fleetwood and McKenna - Sevens & XVs, rugby beauty regimes and sulphur springs
April 06, 2021 02:00 - 49 minutes - 68.2 MBThis week on England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line, Dylan is back with the Red Roses as he chats to Vicky Fleetwood and Sarah McKenna. Fresh from the win over Scotland in the 2021 Women's Six Nations, the pair talk about life in camp and some of the activities they have been doing in their down time including arts and crafts. Vicky explains about the importance of 'look good, feel good' in her preparation for a game including her fake tan regime, and Sarah explains the requirement of hair b...
Botterman and Cleall - friendship, lockdown shows, first jobs and debuts
March 29, 2021 23:00 - 49 minutes - 68.4 MBAs the 2021 Women's Six Nations is set to begin, we move our attention to the Red Roses as Hannah Botterman and Poppy Cleall join Dylan Hartley on England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line. The pair talk about where their friendship began in camp and how that has flourished into creating their own Instagram show, complete with challenges during lockdown, as well as bonding over food. The pair also recall their first England starts, ranging from stories about unexpected late call-ups and then in...