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"S3 Ep 05 - Prem Rugby Bias or Champions Cup Crisis?" is an episode of Rucks, Mauls & Oval Balls. Runtime 59 min. Published October 20, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.
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A single weekend can remind you why rugby feels bigger than a scoreboard. We begin by sharing our condolences after the shocking news of Hiram Andrews’ passing, and we talk about the response across the rugby community. It is a sobering start, but it matters, and it frames everything else that follows.
From there we switch into the big talking points across the Champions Cup and the Gallagher Premiership, starting with a genuine statement at Kingsholm. Gloucester vs Bordeaux was meant to be a tough welcome back to Europe, yet Gloucester look organised, physical, and fearless, and the crowd turns the place into a proper bear pit. We break down what worked, which players put their hands up, and what this could mean for Gloucester’s season if they keep key bodies fit. We also touch on the Red Roses losing to Canada, and why that result is a positive sign for the competitiveness and health of women’s international rugby.
Saints get their own report too, with a rain-soaked, error-filled win over Cardiff that raises as many questions as it answers. That leads into the wider debate: why did so many Premiership rugby teams look short in Europe this round, and is it about style, squad depth, or simply commitment? We finish by looking ahead to Derby Day with predictions and storylines, then zoom out to England selection under Steve Borthwick, including possible bolters and positions that feel light heading into the Autumn Internationals.
If you enjoy honest rugby chat with proper detail, subscribe, share the episode, and leave us a review. What was your biggest takeaway from Gloucester vs Bordeaux and who are you picking for Derby Day?
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S3 Ep 07 - Slade Shines, Pollock Flies & England Rise
