Best Ashton Parks Podcasts (2024)

1
Wins, Losses, and Lessons 54:12

2d ago54:12

54:12

Ugo, Ashy and Danny are back on the sofa to look back at a busy weekend for the Home Nations. They begin with Ireland’s impressive victory over South Africa despite the absence of several key players. With England once again coming so close against the All Blacks, the guys ponder whether it was a missed opportunity for Steve Borthwick’s side. And h…

1
Another near miss for England 35:41

2h ago35:41

35:41

Chris is at Eden Park and looks back on another narrow defeat for England against New Zealand who win the test series 2-0. It was an important learning curve for Steve Borthwick's side, but what are the positives from two straight defeats? What can the team learn from this tour? All Blacks legend Ian Jones and World Cup winner Paul Grayson discuss,…

1
Can England pass rugby’s ultimate test? 32:29

1d ago32:29

32:29

We’re less than 24 hours from the second Test at Eden Park which finally brings the curtain down on a long season, and Alex Lowe is back on the pod to preview it all with Chris in the heart of Auckland. England will be without George Furbank who has been ruled out through injury. How much will the absence of the Northampton full-back change England…

1
Inside the England camp with Jamie George 25:48

2d ago25:48

25:48

Chris is at the England team hotel in Auckland to chat to captain, and friend of the pod, Jamie George. We hear how the England team watched their footballing counterparts reach the Euro 2024 final and why Gareth Southgate is such a big inspiration to Jamie and Steve Borthwick. Who will be England's Ollie Watkins at Eden Park on Saturday? Chris als…

1
The Nations pod 49:48

3d ago49:48

49:48

Tom channels his inner Rassie Erasmus as he highlights some issues with the officiating in the 1st Test between South Africa and Ireland. The Boks use of the bench is once again up for discussion. GRO tries to come up with some positives following another defeat for Wales that’s seen them fall to 11th in the world rankings. And where do England nee…

1
Eden Park: The All Blacks' fortress 40:58

4d ago40:58

40:58

There is no venue in world rugby like Eden Park in Auckland. It is now 30 years since the All Blacks have lost a game at the spiritual home of New Zealand rugby. Ahead of the 2nd Test match with England on Saturday, we ask what is so different about Eden Park, and why do the All Blacks never lose there? Chris is joined by one of the voices of New Z…

1
The weekend review with Danny, Ashy and Ugo 51:11

10d ago51:11

51:11

Ugo, Ashy and Danny pick through the bones of a busy weekend of games. They ask whether England could have done more to steal a win against the All Blacks in Dunedin and explain why a win at Eden Park next weekend is more than a possibility for Borthwick’s men. Did Wales' lack of discipline and experience cost them in Sydney against the Wallabies? …

1
A tight, titanic tussle of a test match 36:37

7d ago36:37

36:37

Chris is at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin reflecting on a narrow 16-15 defeat for England in the first test match. All Blacks legend Ian Jones is alongside him, with World Cup winner Paul Grayson joining in from London. It was a case of missed chances for England, but they can take lots of positives into the second and final test at Eden Park…

1
Can England shock the All Blacks in Dunedin? 37:23

8d ago37:23

37:23

Can England claim their first win in New Zealand since 2003? On the eve of the first Test, we take advice from one of our loyal listeners and head to a bar in Dunedin where Chris chats to rugby correspondent Alex Lowe from The Times. You'll also hear from centre Ollie Lawrence who is back in New Zealand for the first time since 2017 when he toured …

1
New Zealand's new era 38:37

9d ago38:37

38:37

Chris is at the All Blacks team hotel as Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson announces his first New Zealand team – and there’s a big surprise at fullback. We get the thoughts of NZ Herald correspondent Liam Napier on Robertson’s squad to face England which also sees the return of TJ Perenara and Damian McKenzie at fly-half. You will hear from the reigning wor…

1
The Nations pod 52:25

10d ago52:25

52:25

Chris, Tom English and Gareth Rhys Owen battle time zones and technical difficulties to bring you the first Nations pod of the summer. We do a deep dive into the many challenges facing Wales on their tour to Australia. Would drawing the series actually suit both Warren Gatland and Joe Schmidt? Tom is still basking in the glory of some Scottish silv…

1
We're in Auckland as Steve Borthwick names his team 33:41

11d ago33:41

33:41

Chris has made it to Auckland – short of both sleep and a suitcase – and he heads into the England hotel as Steve Borthwick names his team for the first Test with the All Blacks. Borthwick tells us what he wants from Marcus Smith after picking an unchanged backline, and why Fin Baxter and Ollie Sleightholme are both set for their debut. Vice-captai…

1
The big summer preview! 1:06:28

13d ago1:06:28

1:06:28

Chris, Danny and Ashy are joined by Jamie George and Nick Tompkins to look ahead to a brilliant few weeks of international rugby. Can Ireland win in South Africa, or is it a step too far for Andy Farrell’s side? There is an element of the unknown about the All Blacks, so do England have a chance of making history in New Zealand? Meanwhile Wales hav…

1
The England debrief and HuwRC 59:05

19d ago59:05

59:05

Danny gives Chris and Ashy the lowdown on his day with the Barbarians at Twickenham which ended with another yellow card! England passed their Tokyo Test with flying colours as Eddie Jones’ homecoming ends in defeat. Has Marcus Smith done enough to nail down the 10 shirt for the All Blacks series? Glasgow’s Huw Jones joins from Johannesburg airport…

1
Inside the Barbarians with Danny, Whitelock and Mercer 58:24

24d ago58:24

58:24

Chris tracks down Danny, who is a little worse for wear, for a special episode from the Barbarians team hotel in Mayfair. They're joined by some of Danny's Baa Baas team mates starting with All Blacks legend and captain for the week Sam Whitelock. Can Danny convince him to become vice-captain? Zach Mercer talks openly about his move back to the UK …

1
A Barbarian and a Warrior 57:04

26d ago57:04

57:04

Danny is on the sofa with Ashy and Ugo before he joins up with the Barbarians this week, but his fitness is quicky called into question after a chance encounter with a set of scales at Centre Parcs. Scotland centre Huw Jones joins the pod fresh after reaching the URC final with Glasgow. He talks about their big win at Thomond Park before flying out…

1
England summer squad pod 55:35

1M ago55:35

55:35

The pod is back at Twickenham two days after the Premiership final, but this time we're talking England as Steve Borthwick names his 36-man squad for the tour to Japan and New Zealand. Danny, Ugo, Ashy and Chris quiz the England head coach on his decision to take Tom Curry, the inexperience in the back line and style of play. With George Ford missi…

1
The Saints go marching in 37:13

1M ago37:13

37:13

Chris, Ashy and Matt Dawson bring you reaction to a thrilling Premiership final as Northampton beat 14-man Bath at Twickenham. Courtney Lawes is back on the pod after ending his Saints career on a high and ending the club's long wait for a title. But as Lawes departs, is this current squad full of homegrown talent destined for more success in the f…

1
Premiership final: Russell and Lawes 51:55

1M ago51:55

51:55

We're continuing our build-up to the Premiership final by speaking to two of the biggest names in the game who will run out on Saturday. Sara has been to Bath's training centre at Farleigh House to catch up with Finn Russell, who talks about his desire to win a first trophy since 2015, his partnership with Ben Spencer and how he deals with nerves a…

1
The Premiership final and Farrell's farewell 55:16

1M ago55:16

55:16

Ugo, Danny & Ashy are on the sofa to round-up Premiership semi-final weekend as Northampton and Bath both emerged from two titanic tussles to book their spot in the big dance at Twickenham. With the top two sides in the league going head-to-head in the final, we pick our combined XV. Which club ended up with the most players? They also discuss Owen…

1
The big play-off preview pod 44:00

2M ago44:00

44:00

Ashy and Chris are suited and booted for the RPA awards in central London where they manage to track down some of the biggest Premiership names who will be involved in this weekend's play-offs. First up on the pod it's Northampton duo Courtney Lawes and Fin Smith who look ahead to their showdown with Saracens which will be Lawes' final game at the …

1
Premiership play-offs: DOR special 45:24

2M ago45:24

45:24

It's Premiership semi-final week, so to kick things off we have a special episode with the directors of rugby from the four clubs competing for a spot at Twickenham this weekend. Mark McCall, Johann van Graan, Phil Dowson and Alex Sanderson are all together to chat to Chris about the challenges of a season that was delayed by the World Cup and put …

1
The Sale Avalanche 49:59

2M ago49:59

49:59

Sale's Ben Curry is our special guest this week after they stunned Saracens in the final round of the Premiership. He tells Chris and Ashy what's been behind their remarkable run to the play-offs and why Alex Sanderson had them catching tennis balls wrapped in white tape all week. We also discuss Saracens' farewell tour and whether Northampton's de…

1
Premiership play-offs and Gnasher the Goldfish 51:36

2M ago51:36

51:36

Will Saracens or Bath secure a home semi-final? Can Sale hang onto fourth spot? Or will Exeter, Harlequins or Bristol leapfrog them? Ashy, Ugo and Sara look ahead to the final round of the Premiership season which has all the makings of a classic weekend. There is also plenty of fallout from round 16 including THAT 90-0 defeat for Gloucester, late …

1
Leinster have it all Toulouse 54:17

3M ago54:17

54:17

Fresh from his trip to Toulouse, Danny gives Ugo and Chris the inside track on Quins’ defeat in the south of France. He tells us about his latest rendezvous with his favourite scrum-half and how Blair Kinghorn ended up in his bad books on Sunday. We also discuss Northampton’s narrow defeat at Croke Park and ask who will have the edge in the final a…

1
Danny’s discipline and the English Wallaby 1:04:40

3M ago1:04:40

1:04:40

Chris, Danny and Ashy are on the sofa as the race for the Premiership play-offs hots up. Are Bristol genuine title contenders after another big win? Elsewhere Harlequins beat the league leaders Northampton, but should Danny have been sent off? And why are scrum-halves the lowest-paid players in the league? We also chat to former England lock Geoff …

1
England's Grand Slam hat-trick 22:47

3M ago22:47

22:47

Sara is pitch side in Bordeaux with World Cup winner Katy Daley-McLean after England wrapped up a third straight Grand Slam with victory over France. They speak to an emotional John Mitchell and Katy is reunited with two of her favourite former team-mates. They also speak Ellie Kildunne who reveals some big news on the pod. Sara and Katy also wrap …

1
The Grand Slam decider 53:11

3M ago53:11

53:11

Sara, Chris and Philippa preview the final round of the Women’s Six Nations as England chase a third successive Grand Slam. Red Roses captain Marlie Packer talks about the challenge of facing France out in Bordeaux. We look ahead to a big day for Wales at the Principality as they look to avoid the wooden spoon, and the battle for third place which …

1
1994 World Cup Special: 30 years on 43:56

3M ago43:56

43:56

On the 30th anniversary of England's victory in the 1994 World Cup final, Sara sits down with Giselle Mather and Gill Burns to relive that historic day in English women's rugby. It was the tournament that almost never happened, but Scotland stepped in to host at the last minute and the rest as they say is history. Gill and Giselle take us back to t…

1
The Top 4 and the Top 9s 58:25

3M ago58:25

58:25

We're talking reunions on this week's pod after Ugo's trip to see Blue in Liverpool. If there was one team or player in their prime you could pay to watch, who would it be? Bristol get some love after crashing the top four party in the Premiership and that's time of year where we start to talk end of season awards. We get Danny to run the rule over…

1
Inside the England camp at Twickenham 50:31

3M ago50:31

50:31

Sara Orchard and World Cup winner Kat Merchant are at Twickenham chatting to Megan Jones and Maud Muir ahead of Ireland on Saturday. Megan and Maud talk the Twickenham noise and how the team have been preparing for the loud atmosphere. Plus Sara has been catching up with Ireland co-captains Edel McMahon and Sam Monaghan and how they think their fam…

1
All aboard the Quins rollercoaster 56:09

3M ago56:09

56:09

We're at full strength on the pod this week with Ugo, Danny, Ashy and Chris all on the sofa to review the Champions Cup quarter-final weekend. We had to start with the thriller in Bordeaux, friend of the pod Marcus Smith drops by to give us - and Danny - the lowdown on that epic win. Is it working having the South African teams in the competition? …

1
Ruthless Red Roses thrash Scotland 23:18

3M ago23:18

23:18

Sara is in Edinburgh to bring you reaction to another big win for the Red Roses as they remain on course for another Grand Slam. England ran in eight tries as they thrashed Scotland in front of a record crowd for Scottish women's rugby, despite being reduced to 14 players in the second half. Sara is joined by former Scotland prop Heather Lockhart p…

1
Mums, Moloney and 4.5 size ball mania 57:22

3M ago57:22

57:22

Sara Orchard and former Wales captain Philippa Tuttiett head into the England camp ahead of their trip to Scotland in the Women's Six Nations. They hear from the retiring Red Rose Vickii Cornborough after she had twins last year, whilst also speaking with current England lock Abbie Ward about her return to play after the birth of her daughter. Ital…

1
Danny: 101 and out 57:25

4M ago57:25

57:25

It’s a big day for Danny as he calls time on his England career after 16 years and 101 caps. He tells Chris and Ashy what was behind the decision, the conversation he had with England boss Steve Borthwick and we get to the bottom of how David Beckham sent him a video message for his 100th cap. We also round up the action from the weekend as the Pre…

1
The big Women’s Six Nations preview 56:14

4M ago56:14

56:14

The Six Nations continues as the Women’s tournament gets under way this weekend! Sara and Philippa Tuttiett are at the launch event to speak to the home nations captains and explain why the battle for third place this year will be so intense. They speak to England's Marlie Packer as she prepares to win her 100th cap for the Red Roses. Sara bounds w…

1
Nations Pod: The final word 53:54

4M ago53:54

53:54

Chris, Gareth and Tom reunite for one last pod to bring the curtain down on the 2024 Six Nations. What mark out of 10 does this year's tournament deserve? The guys pick their favourite match of this year's championship and their player of the tournament after the four-man shortlist was revealed. Can one scrum-half count himself unlucky to have miss…

1
The big Six Nations review! 58:54

4M ago58:54

58:54

Chris is joined by Ugo Monye, John Barclay and Sam Warburton to go through the Six Nations after Ireland win back-to-back titles, while Wales pick up the Wooden Spoon for the first time in 21 years. The team rate each country and pick out some key moments from the tournament. Who overachieved and who came up short and why? And what next for those t…

1
Ireland win back-to-back Six Nations titles 49:47

4M ago49:47

49:47

Chris is joined by Tommy Bowe and Fraser Brown for on the whistle reaction from the Aviva after Ireland beat Scotland to win back-to-back Six Nations titles. Plus Chris has pitch side reaction from Jack Crowley and Robbie Henshaw. The team also chat Wales’ loss to Italy and what’s next for them. Elsewhere Sara is out in Lyon with Matt Dawson and Ch…

1
Will it be a Super Saturday? 35:02

4M ago35:02

35:02

Chris manages to track down Tom English in Dublin to look ahead to the final round of the Six Nations. They debate where back-to-back titles would leave Andy Farrell's Ireland after they missed out on successive Grand Slams. Rory Darge joins the pod with Scotland in the hunt for a first Triple Crown since 1990. How do they end a run of nine straigh…

1
We're in Dublin and Lyon! 38:01

4M ago38:01

38:01

Will Ireland wrap up back-to-back Six Nations titles or is there a big shock in store? The teams are out for Super Saturday and Chris is in Dublin to preview Ireland's clash with Scotland and get the thoughts of Luke Fitzgerald, who was part of the last Irish team to win successive titles. Sara is Lyon and has been to the England team hotel to spea…

1
The Rivalries: France v England 48:06

4M ago48:06

48:06

In the last episode of our rivalries series, Chris sits down with Martin Johnson to discuss the fixture known simply as Le Crunch. They look at the brilliant French side of the 80s and England's dominance in the 90s as Johnson made his breakthrough. We look at how the psyche of the French rugby player is built on emotion and why facing France in Pa…

1
All over for round four! 29:04

4M ago29:04

29:04

Sara is joined by John Barclay and Philippa Tuttiett for on the whistle reaction from a very loud and lively Principality Stadium after France beat Wales to complete round four of the Six Nations. They discuss what went right for France and what next for Wales, who host Italy on the final day. They also console a rather sad John Barclay after Scotl…

1
England drop for glory once more 41:06

4M ago41:06

41:06

Chris Jones, Matt Dawson, Paul Grayson & Tommy Bowe reflect on England's shock win over Ireland. The team discuss what was a 'bouncing gantry' as England galvanised the Twickenham crowd to put a stop to Ireland's back-to-back grand slam hopes. We hear from Marcus Smith, whose drop goal won it for England to keep their Six Nations dream alive, and a…

1
Can England stop the Irish juggernaut? 29:13

5M ago29:13

29:13

With the Irish a bonus point victory away from another Six Nations title, Chris is at Twickenham chatting to The 42’s Murray Kinsella. They discuss takeaways from Peter O’Mahony’s press conference, what the England gameplan should be, and the fact that Ireland have barely come under any pressure during the competition to this point. England defence…

1
Danny joins England's 100 club 32:50

5M ago32:50

32:50

After 16 years on the international scene, Danny is set to win his 100th England cap this weekend. Chris and Ashy chat to him about the highs and lows of his career, his favourite tries, and how a chocolate cookie threatened to detail matters in 2017. We also ask if – and how - England can cause an upset against Ireland this weekend.…

1
The Rivalries: England v Ireland 42:37

5M ago42:37

42:37

In the latest episode of our rivalries series, Jamie Heaslip chats to Chris about the battles between England and Ireland down the years and how the rivalry has evolved. Has the move to professionalism helped Ireland turn the tables on England? We pick out some Jamie's memorable victories over England and remember that historic encounter at Croke P…

1
Calcutta Cup teams are out! 41:32

5M ago41:32

41:32

George Furbank's selection at full-back is the big talking point as England and Scotland name their teams ahead of the Calcutta Cup this weekend. Sara and Ugo discuss this, plus Ollie Lawrence's return to the England midfield and our very own Danny Care earning his 99th cap. Chris and Tom join from Edinburgh to pick through the Scotland team which …

1
The Rivalries: Ireland v Wales 49:52

5M ago49:52

49:52

Has the success of Ireland and Wales in the Six Nations era created a rivalry between these two Celtic nations? Sara chats to Shane Horgan and Tom Shanklin to find out what it was really like to play in this fixture and relive those infamous encounters in 2005 and 2009. Has the gulf between the Welsh regions and the Irish provinces also been a cont…

1
Inside the England camp 52:44

5M ago52:44

52:44

Danny again hosts Chris and Ashy at the England team hotel as the side prepare for a huge Six Nations clash against Scotland. DC discusses the prospect of starting on Saturday, the unique challenge of playing a Calcutta Cup game at Murrayfield, and how he is taking it hour by hour as he approaches a 100th England cap. Ollie Chessum is on the pod to…

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Ashton Parks Podcasts

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