Wind Yer Neck In artwork

Wind Yer Neck In

42 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago -

A podcast with host and professional rugby player Niall Annett and guests! Guests include current and former professional athletes from many fields along with experts in elite performance giving a close and honest insight to their experiences and views.Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode!!

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Episodes

'A Message of Hope' with Floyd Steadman

November 05, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 43.5 MB

In this episode of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome Ex Saracens captain and Headmaster Floyd Steadman to the show who recently released his autobiography 'A Week One Summer.' Floyd covers some difficult topics in this chat around his tough and challenging upbringing which lead to foster care and physical and emotional abuse. Floyd discusses how he ended up in rugby and broke barriers down with position and team leadership roles. Floyd reflects on playing in the 80's as a black man and how he ha...

'A Message of Hope' with Floyd Steadman

November 05, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 43.5 MB

In this episode of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome Ex Saracens captain and Headmaster Floyd Steadman to the show who recently released his autobiography 'A Week One Summer.' Floyd covers some difficult topics in this chat around his tough and challenging upbringing which lead to foster care and physical and emotional abuse. Floyd discusses how he ended up in rugby and broke barriers down with position and team leadership roles. Floyd reflects on playing in the 80's as a black man and how he ha...

Every feed counts with Graeme Close and Nutrition X

October 08, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 45.8 MB

In this episode of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome world renowned Performance Nutritionist Graeme Close in association with Supplement brand Nutrition X. Graeme discusses how he hopes to educate young people in a 'food first' style diet.  Graeme reflects on his association with Nutrition X and how his role with the brand allows him to do some ground breaking study in tandem with his role as a professor at the Liverpool John Moores University. Graeme also looks at how his role with lead Perform...

Keep it Simple with Shaun Edwards

September 24, 2021 04:00 - 49 minutes - 34.1 MB

In episode 2 of Wind Yer Neck In , season 3, we welcome current France Rugby Union Defence coach Shaun Edwards to the show. In a rare interview, Shaun discusses transitioning from League to Union and how his late mother helped with the decision. Shaun talks coaching philosophy and how 'keeping it simple' helps when under the biggest pressure and strain. Shaun also touches on the game as it is now and how some of the new law adaptations have changed the game. Let us know what you think on Twi...

"Discipline comes from deep within you" with Joel Stransky

September 10, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MB

In episode 1 of the brand new Season 3 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome world cup winner and the only point scorer in the final against a famous New Zealand side, Joel Stransky to the show! Joel discusses what needs to change in the game for Rugby Union as a product to improve. Joel delves into some of the inspirational leaders and coaches he worked with and what made them such high performers. Joel then reflects on his youth and how it paved the way for his success and the behaviours he lea...

'Light the Fire' with GJ Van Velze

June 11, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 53.8 MB

In episode 13 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome GJ Van Velze to the show. GJ talks through his early childhood and how his school life shaped his character. GJ touches on his time with the Blue bulls and his move to Saints came about after a conversation with a coach. GJ looks to explain how he found the culture shift in England compared to what he was used to as a South African in Pretoria. GJ describes the meeting he had with former Director of Rugby Dean Ryan that finally made him put off ...

'Inspiring Others' with Francois Hougaard

May 28, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 43 MB

In episode 12 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome Worcester Warriors teammate and Springbok star Francois Hougaard to the show.  Francois begins by talking through his up bringing and how his family supported him and encouraged him to be driven and athletic. Francois talks us through his time at school, Paul Roos Gymnasium. How important it was there and what skills and life lessons he learnt. Francois discusses his steps into professional rugby and how moving to the Bulls in Pretoria and worki...

Lions Special

May 07, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 58.5 MB

In Episode 11 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome a special panel consisting of English International Matt Kvesic, Scottish International Kelly Brown and Welsh international and former British and Irish Lion Richard Hibbard to the show. In this episode we break down the recent announcement of the 37 man touring squad that Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland has selected to tour South Africa in July 2021.  The panel works its way through some of the big names left out, some of the people who have co...

'Out of the frying pan, into the fire.' with John Robbie

April 23, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 48.5 MB

In episode 10 of Wind Yer Neck In  we welcome  former Irish Rugby International, British and Irish Lion star John Robbie to the show. John recalls his Irish Rugby debut and the lead up to it being an interesting turn of events. John discusses the pride and honour he felt when he had been called into the British and Irish Lions squad for the 1981 tour to South Africa. John looks back to reflect on the decision to tour South Africa at a time when tensions were high and how he regrets the decis...

'I am who I am' with Ollie Lawrence

April 09, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 49 MB

In episode 9 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome the young and hugely talented Worcester Warriors and England Centre Ollie Lawrence to the show. Ollie talks early life, social media hype around him and how he and his family shielded and prepared him for that. Ollie then discusses the rapid transition into senior professional rugby and how that experience fed his hunger to be the best centre in the world. Ollie then reflects on a time in his life when he need to show huge amount of resilience an...

'An Unconventional Route' with Josh Adams

March 26, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 48.9 MB

In episode 8 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome Cardiff and Wales Rugby Union starJosh Adams to the show. Josh looks back to his unconventional route back into professional rugby after being let go by the Welsh Rugby Regions, only to find a new home in Worcester with the Warriors. Josh looks back to the early stages of breaking into the senior team and how he forged a reputation as one of the most deadly finishers in the English Premiership over a period of 3 seasons. Josh reflects then on how...

Internal Drivers with Rory Best

March 12, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 53 MB

In episode 7 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome former British and Irish Lion, third most capped Irish player of all time and former captain and Ulster Rugby legend Rory Best to the show.  Rory starts by discussing his journey into professional rugby and how 2 years in Newcastle at university gave him the spark he needed to push on with his rugby career. Rory reflects on his time cutting his teeth at Irish club rugby level before he broke through to the Ulster Rugby set up and shortly after be...

'Commitment Culture' with Damian Hughes

February 26, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 61.1 MB

In episode 6 of 'Wind Yer Neck In'  we welcome Professor Damian Hughes to the show. Damian is the man behind many of the best sports psychology books out there like ‘The Barcelona Way’, ‘The Winning Mindset’, ‘Liquid Thinking,' He also doubles up as a Consultant for many elite level sports teams including previously working with the Scottish Rugby Union Team in the build up to the World cup in 2015 and also in Education roles and within the corporate world. A Professor of ‘Organisational Psy...

'Forming Early Habits' with AB De Villiers

February 12, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 43.8 MB

In episode 5 of 'Wind Yer Neck In'  we welcome one of the most iconic batsmen to have wielded a cricket bat in the modern era. AB De Villiers the ICC ODI Player of the Year three times during his 15-year international career and was one of the five 'Wisden' cricketers of the decade at the end of 2019. AB starts by allowing us to journey back to his upbringing in South Africa and how his early years formed by battling it out in the garden with his brothers began the journey to becoming one of...

'It's Always About People' with Johann Van Graan

January 29, 2021 05:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MB

In episode 4 of 'Wind Yer Neck In'  we welcome current Munster Rugby head coach Johann Van Graan to the show. Johann shares how his Munster Rugby team have navigated Covid and how the season has gone so far. Johann reflects on his untraditional journey into coaching and how the people he worked with gave him opportunities he is grateful for. Johann looks back at his time at his beloved Blue Bulls in South Africa before he moved into a role with the Springbok National team which was a dream c...

Learning Curves with Iain Henderson

January 14, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 57.2 MB

In episode 3 of 'Wind Yer Neck In'  we welcome Ulster Rugby Club Captain, Irish International and British and Irish Lion, Iain Henderson to the show. Iain talks about his upbringing and how his school and club helped form great habits which he would lean on as he entered and began to excel in professional rugby. Iain reflects on the difficult introduction to professional rugby  and how that steep learning curve moulded him into becoming a force within Irish and European Rugby. Iain chats abo...

'Clear the mind, watch the ball, look to score' with Dawid Malan

December 03, 2020 05:00 - 57 minutes - 39.8 MB

In episode 2 of 'Wind Yer Neck In'  we welcome Dawid Malan fresh off back off leading the English Twenty20 Cricket team to a 3-0 series win over South Africa which also cemented their place as the number 1 ranked team in this format. Dawid had a 'Man of the Match' display in game two followed by a record breaking partnership in which he scored 99 runs not out in game three. Throughout the episode Dawid allows us to discuss his journey into international cricket beginning with the culture sho...

Bounce Back Ability with Duncan Weir

November 19, 2020 05:00 - 59 minutes - 40.9 MB

In episode 1 of 'Wind Yer Neck In'  Season 2, we welcome Scotland Rugby Union International and Worcester Warriors Out-half Duncan Weir to the show! Duncan starts off by providing insight into what goes on in Scotland camp during the Covid-19 pandemic and how the lads are keeping busy. Duncan looks back to his early years as a keen Rangers Football fan and at which point rugby became the path he would pursue. Duncan reflects on what it was like to burst onto the Professional Rugby scene at a...

BONUS - The English Championship with Ed Griffiths

August 08, 2020 04:00 - 59 minutes - 40.9 MB

In this BONUS episode of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we get an exclusive chat with the man who has brought a new proposal to English Rugby. In this chat Ed outlines in great detail some of the areas of his proposal to revamp the The Championship (the second tier competition in English Rugby) as we know it, into The English Championship (TEC) moving forward. Ed explains how changes to Player Welfare, Academies, Independent Governance and the Finances in the proposal would work. Most importantly Ed exp...

The Lion King with Willie John Mcbride

August 06, 2020 04:00 - 50 minutes - 35 MB

In episode 20 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome “the Lion King”, Willie John Mcbride to the show. Willie John is one of the most iconic Rugby Union Players to have played the great game and a few months after his 80th birthday we welcome the legend on for a chat. Willie John discusses early life and a rapid rise into rugby from being a farmer and having to prioritise work when tragedy hit home. Willie John reflects on how the call up to the Lions touring squad came only 4 years after starting...

'Pinch yourself moments' with Jonny Arr

July 23, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 46.2 MB

In episode 19 of 'Wind Yer Neck In', we welcome former teammate and close friend Jonny Arr to the show. Jonny starts our discussion at the beginning of his long and illustrious career with Worcester Warriors and Worcester RFC. Starting as an under 8, Jonny reflects on his long-term association with Worcester Rugby, which included a 12 year professional career with Worcester Warriors. Jonny reveals some of the highs and some of the lows that came with that longstanding relationship. From inju...

A Driver of Change with Gus Pichot

July 09, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MB

In episode 18 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome Agustin Pichot. Gus had a long and decorated rugby career, playing for teams all over Europe and being a catalyst for the Argentinian national team's rapid progress up the world rankings. Gus talks us through where the journey started with his local club and why that connection is so important to him. Gus navigates his way through his career and explores how he was a 'driver of change’, always asking for more from his teammates in an effort to b...

'Is it too good to be true?' with David Walsh

July 02, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 60.7 MB

In episode 17 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome David Walsh, the chief sports writer for the British newspaper The Sunday Times and author of multiple books. David has enjoyed over forty years as a sports journalist and has rubbed shoulders with some of the best sportsmen and women out there. David talks us through the most impressive athletes that he’s encountered, including one of the greatest golfers to ever play the game, Tiger Woods. David is world renowned for writing books on the Tour ...

In the Pursuit of Greatness with Steve Hansen

June 25, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 47.1 MB

In episode 16 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome two time rugby World Cup winning coach Steve Hansen to the pod. Steve and I start by reminiscing about his transition from player to coach and his rise through the coaching ranks. Steve reflects on an experience with the Welsh Rugby team which he believes 'was the making of him as a coach,' but then explains the move back home to New Zealand and the jobs that followed. A large part of this episode is spent asking Steve to reflect on how he took ...

Positive choices with Joe Schmidt

June 18, 2020 04:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MB

In episode 15 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' it is a privilege to welcome former Irish Rugby head coach Joe Schmidt to the show. Joe and I chat about his early life as a school teacher and his transition into professional coaching. Joe describes the people who helped form his coaching style and his early coaching philosophy and then move to discuss the 'growth' mindset that allows him to review and evolve his thoughts and style. We touch on how important self-awareness is in the review process. Joe o...

Fitter, Faster and Stronger with Phil Morrow

June 11, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 62.6 MB

In episode 14 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome current head of performance at Saracens Rugby Club to the show. Phil openly and honestly talks us through his career and how he first got involved in rugby. We examine the path Phil has taken, from working in a gym in his early years to becoming one of the most respected performance coaches in Europe. We review the huge strides that have been made in strength and conditioning in the years Phil has been involved, but also acknowledge those aspect...

'Creating connections' with Pat Lam

June 04, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 50.5 MB

In Episode 13 of "Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome Bristol Bears Director of Rugby Pat Lam to the show. Pat had a distinguished career as a player and talks us through aspects of playing in England and also choosing to play for Samoa, the country of his ancestry, over New Zealand, the country of his birth. As a top coach, Pat then moves on to describe how he now sets a vision for his organisation to work towards. Pat stresses the importance of everyone heading in the same direction and creating ...

On the 'Frontline' with Lyndsay O'Donnell

May 28, 2020 04:00 - 58 minutes - 40.5 MB

In Ep 12 of 'Wind Yer Neck In', we welcome Worcester Women's captain Lyndsay O'Donnell to the show. We hear firsthand from Lyndsay about the transitions and progress made in the women's game over the last couple of years, as well as her move from Scotland down to the Midlands where she has made a significant impact both on and off the field. Lyndsay explains some of the differences between when she first arrived at an amateur Worcester Women's club and how the environment has developed. Lynd...

'Tackling the Stigma' with Graeme Morrison

May 21, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 51.6 MB

In Ep 11 of 'Wind Yer Neck In’, we welcome former Scottish and Glasgow Warriors player Graeme Morrison to the show. In light of it being 'Mental Health Week’, Graeme talks frankly about his early career and experiences within the game, as well as the ways in which his mental health suffered at times throughout his career. We delve into how these thoughts can manifest and grow into more serious issues. Graeme describes his experiences after retiring from rugby, discussing the ways in which hi...

A catch up with Keith Wood

May 14, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 55.6 MB

In Episode 10 of 'Wind Yer Neck In’, we welcome Munster Rugby, Harlequins Rugby, Irish Rugby and British and Irish Lions legend, Keith Wood. Keith and I catch up and get to chat about his early life in Limerick, along with the pressures Keith felt with his father having been an Irish and Lions player. In addition we discuss the pressures his three son's will feel in turn. Keith tells us how the move to London with Harlequins came about and also how his growing influence with the Irish Rugby ...

'The Art of coaching' with Stuart Lancaster

May 07, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 60 MB

In Episode 9 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we have world renowned Rugby Union coach Stuart Lancaster on to talk about the 'Art' of coaching. Stuart discusses his early life as a teacher and what skills that gave him when he moved into coaching professionally. We also chat about, Culture, Accountability and Mindfulness and how they can be created to help teams and players be successful. What makes a good coach, who he has learnt from and why always reviewing and reflecting on your sessions and how yo...

A Yarn with Nick Mullins

April 30, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 57.2 MB

In Episode 8 of Wind Yer Neck In we host sports broadcaster Nick Mullins. Nick has a history of working in many different sports and we get to discuss some of those events in great detail. Which of them make the hairs on his neck stand up when he recalls them and which are 'flashbulb' moments. We also delve into journalism and how we perceive the current transformation that journalism is going through and the positives and negatives that come with that. Nick is now the main man on the BT spo...

A Lekker chat with John Smit

April 23, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 52.8 MB

In Episode 7 of Wind Yer Neck In  we host World Cup winning captain John Smit. A man who achieved a huge amount throughout his career gets to give his verdict on culture and lifestyle in South Africa along with the food and drinks that go with it. We delve into his early rugby years and why he choose to play for the 'Natal Sharks' over the 'Bulls.' His Springbok debut and the 3 subsequent World Cups that he participated in along the way. World Cup victory and a Lions test series amongst some...

A Talking to with Wayne Barnes

April 16, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 53.3 MB

In episode 6 of Wind Yer Neck In we welcome one of the most highly regarded referee's in Rugby Union. Wayne Barnes joins us and we get the chance to talk through his early transition from a player to a ref and the journey that took him on in tandem with his full time studying and moving on to become a fully qualified barrister. His experiences in Premiership and European Rugby along with flying the world as an international level ref and the challenges that come with that. Finally we get to ...

A Natter with Richard Wigglesworth

April 09, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 51 MB

In Episode 5 of Wind Yer Neck In we welcome the most capped Premiership player of all time, Richard Wigglesworth. Richard and I discuss early life in the Sale academy and a Grand Slam win at under 21 level. How that bridged the gap to senior rugby and after many frustrations, some welcome success with Sale with 2 trophies in 2 years.  His subsequent move in 2010 to Saracens and all of the success that followed tied in with an England career that lasted 10 years and had many ups and downs. Fi...

Donncha O'Callaghan Special Content

April 08, 2020 04:00 - 10 minutes - 7.04 MB

In this bonus episode Donncha and I discuss, 'The best of the best' and which 'forward' would make the best 'back' and vice versa. We also answer some of the questions sent in for him from fans and ex teammates. We hope you enjoy!!

A Cùpla focal with Donncha O'Callaghan

April 02, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 60 MB

In Ep 4 of Wind Yer Neck In, we welcome a legend of rugby Donncha O'Callaghan for a cùpla focal (A chat in Irish). Donncha and I chat about early life, breaking into the Munster team along with the success that followed. We discuss his long standing international career and how he reached the pinnacle of being selected to go on two Lions tours. We move on to his representation for the most iconic invitational team in the sport "The Baba's" and how that experience created an opportunity for h...

"Sgwrs" with Nick Tompkins

March 26, 2020 05:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MB

In Ep 3 of Wind Yer Neck In, we welcome current Welsh international and Saracens star to the pod "am sgwrs"(Welsh for "a chat!"). We Discuss, early life, competition for places, tasting success with saracens and how the culture and environment helped them succeed. We announce our prize giveaway and then move on to cover his recent international experiences and how he came to make that decision to switch. Finally we review the recent six nations games, get an insight into what Nick is up to d...

Chris Pennell (Special Features)

March 22, 2020 05:00 - 8 minutes - 5.98 MB

In this special feature we get Chris Pennell for a Quickfire Quiz of all the things he likes.     We also find out his "Best 3 players he has played with' and also which 'forward would make the best back and which back would make the best forward?'     Finally we allow Chris to take some of your questions asked on social media (( twitter (@WindYerNeck_In) and Instagram (windyerneck.in))   From the influence of Chris Latham, who is the best back 3 you have played with and also the pressures o...

Chris Pennell (BONUS CONTENT)

March 20, 2020 05:00 - 4 minutes - 3.13 MB

A follow on BONUS SECTION from the main podcast episode 2, Chris and I discuss exclusive, additional content about the 'Diabetes Academy' he set up nearly 3 years ago. Hear what Chris had to say and as always let us know what you think on twitter (@WindYerNeck_In) and Instagram (windyerneck.in)

A Chit-Chat with Chris Pennell

March 19, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 52.9 MB

In Ep 2 of Wind Yer Neck In, we are delighted to welcome current Worcester Warriors star and teammate, Chris Pennell. In this episode we discuss; growing up and his influences, facing a diagnoses of diabetes at the age of 19 and tough periods of cruel and long term injuries. We also discuss his resilience to come back and show his undoubted ability which was capped off by representing his country. Finally we talk life at Worcester, what needs to be done to improve and what life looks like fo...

A chinwag with Alex Grove

March 04, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 46.4 MB

In Ep1 of Wind Yer Neck In we welcome former teammate and good friend Alex Grove to the show. We discuss, The early years at Worcester Warriors, The push for international honours, That infamous Championship final, The end of a distinguished Worcester Warriors career, The transition to part time rugby and 'the Real World' and finally setting an almighty challenge all in the name of raising money for Acorns Children Hospice. Enjoy and let us know what you think on twitter (@WindYerNeck_In) an...