#33 Knockout Rugby Delivers, SA Teams OUT Already, Quarter Final Previews

April 7, 2026·1 hr 17 min·6 clips

All South African teams are out of the Champions Cup before the quarter-finals, and French giants look unstoppable.

Happy Easter, then straight into chaos. The pod starts in proper pub-table mode: bank holiday chat, French Easter confusion, kids' activities, Storm Dave, and a quick subscribe nudge before the rugby takes over. Knockout weekend gives them plenty to chew on: points everywhere, ugly weather, worldy tries, and defences the panel think went missing. South African teams are already out, which quickly becomes the first big headline. The French giants sound scary, although one of them still has to go next weekend. One team gets the roughest ride. The panel gives Don Brandt credit for defending his team against media noise and outside podcast judgment, but that goodwill runs out fast. At home, in the Champions Cup, in what the lads call club rugby's stellar tournament, a half-full stadium does not sit right with them. Big players have to front up. Chandler Cunningham South gets a strong nod for his bench impact, with Goody and the others clearly taken by him. Then England's hooker depth takes over. Coen Dickey's season leaves a gap, so the panel starts working through options with carrying, physicality, and something a bit different. Capu Tupulotu gets them most excited. Theo Dan earns respect for his point of difference, Curtis Langdon is back in the mix after shoulder trouble, and Gabe O'Gray and Jamie Blomire stay in the conversation. It stays loose all the way through, even when the rugby gets detailed. Nicknames, quick agreements, corrections, and interruptions keep bouncing around. The close is listener shout-outs: Kate, Veronica, the Valkerries, Guinness fatigue, 40 winks, Champions Cup next week, and one final Spotify chant.

As heard by us

A lively Champions Cup catch-up with South African exits, English club scrutiny, and a useful England hooker debate.

The Rugby Pod gets plenty out of a messy Champions Cup weekend: high scores, wild weather, South African sides already out, and the French heavyweights looking hard to stop.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

All the South African clubs are out of the Champions Cup before a single quarter-final is played.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from The Rugby Pod