The Northern Rugby Podcast - Episode 1 - Ollie Stedman

Darren & Pete chat to Ollie Stedman, ex Leeds/Yorkshire Carnegie, Newcastle Falcons, London Welsh, Doncaster Knights & Ealing Trailfinders Number 8 about his life in rugby so far. Ollie takes us through his time as a young man coming through the Carnegie academy, and being part of an England U20 setup which included British & Irish Lions superstars like the Vunipola's, Owen Farrell, George Ford & Elliot Daly. He then had to find his feet at Tynedale rugby club before Dean Richards offered him a chance at Newcastle Falcons, who he helped to the Championship title in the 2012/13 season. The following year he was promoted again, this time with London Welsh where he tells us how the underdogs were able to topple the much more fancied Bristol to get to the Premiership. 

As a veteran of Championship rugby Ollie gives some fantastic insight into how the league has developed during his time there, why he thinks it has gotten worse since the removal of the playoffs, and how he thinks it can still thrive even if ring-fencing is brought in.