With the commencement of the Autumn Internationals and the Anglo-Welsh cup, there is plenty of rugby to feast on, but not much in the way of fantasy rugby action (shame, ESPN used to do a cracking Autumn Internationals game that the Fantasy Rugby Geek previously won a lot of stash through!). So while there are no fantasy rugby tips to look at, instead we turn our attention to those commute saving heroes, the kings of the digital airwaves, the chiefs of rugby chat, these (in no particular order) are Fantasy Rugby Geek’s Top 5 Rugby Podcasts…
Eggchasers
Probably the first fan-made rugby podcast to really crack the podcast mainstream (and the three eggchasers are less ‘fans’ these days and more like rugby royalty – apart from at Sale Sharks, where JB’s stock has fallen somewhat in recent times after YardeGate…), these are the guys that finally provided an alternative to the dreadful Brian Moore’s Full Contact podcast and for that I am eternally grateful. Three guys that know the game (all played at a decent level and the insight shows) but “don’t take the game too seriously”, and if ‘Nazi War Criminal or Springbok’, JB’s Miles Benjamin obsession and Wonderful Stollen are anything to go by, this is a great thing. They love their fantasy rugby too, being big fans of Fantasy Rugby Draft and putting on regular ESPN fantasy leagues for the Six Nations (81262!) and the Rugby World Cup (For the record, Mr Fantasy Rugby Geek was the Eggchasers league Rugby World Cup 2015 champion). Also, make sure you check out JB’s spin-off, The Rugby Dungeon, for some excellent and candid interviews from several well known figures within the game. Long may Monday morning commutes be soundtracked by the dulcet tones of Tim, Phil and JB. Let the boys play.
Flats & Shanks
A weekly(ish) show featuring David Flatman and Tom Shanklin chewing the fat for an hour each week. There are episodes where they could go for long stretches without going anywhere near mentioning rugby, but the chat is so good and the lads have such a great chemistry it’s all good. They share some absolutely golden stories from their playing days and on several occasions have reduced me to jibbering mess crying with laughter on public transport (listen to this in public at your own risk), stories about Mike Phillips’ legendary chat, Andy ‘Beast’ Beattie’s drunken abuse of George Kruis and Gareth Jenkins’ pre-match speech trousers will live long in the memory. Always entertaining and always worth a listen, get on it.
MaulOver
A group of passionate rugby fans from the West Country have pulled together to produce an absolute gem of a podcast that fully deserves a bit more recognition from rugby fans. Their love for the game at all levels is clear and they clearly are all knowledgeable about the game without going too far down the rugby nause route. Good variety of opinions and not afraid to voice a controversial call here and there, all with a Cornish lilt, what’s not to like. There is a lot of competition out there in the Rugby pod world, however, with Maulover, you can’t go wrong, it’s a must listen.
The Rugby Pod
Andy Goode and Jim Hamilton’s weekly podcast is going from strength to strength, particularly now that retirement and sleep deprivation from both Goodey and Big Jim’s recently expanded families are kicking in. Some brilliant stories from their illustrious careers, great insight on the game and some constantly high-calibre guests make this an essential weekly listen (Oh, and I promised myself I wouldn’t write the b*nter word in this article, but this podcast has plenty of it…).
Blood & Mud
Two of the men responsible for some of the finest blogs in the world of rugby (Blood and Mud and Rugby Shirt Watch) combine to review the week in the fashion that loyal readers of Blood and Mud would expect, plenty of SHIT/GOOD, Haskell-baiting, sweary, non-fence-sitting goodness for your ears. Recent high points included a glorious analysis and breakdown of HaskellMarlerSquirtGate. This is a pod that definitely falls in the GOOD category, keep it up lads.
Honourable Mention
Fantasy Rugby Draft
Not out on a regular basis, but when it does come out, it is essential listening for Fantasy Rugby Draft players. Bruce and the Mossman break down the fixtures looking at the best value picks and the sleepers in the world of Super Rugby and the Aviva Premiership. If you are looking for the edge, particularly in your Super Rugby Fantasy Rugby leagues, then give this a listen.
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