The 6 Nations has started and it was a magical first weekend of fixtures. And as usual, I got a load of special guests to add some wonderful insight into what were three great games.

For Scotland vs Italy - I spoke with Mike Petretta from the Fratelli D’Rugby podcast.
For Ireland vs England - I spoke with Former Harlequins and Connacht player - Dave Slemen.
But we started with France vs Wales where I spoke with my friend Stephen Corlett.

LINKS
David Slemen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidslemen
Fratelli D'Rugby - https://www.youtube.com/@FRATELLIDRUGBY

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My guest this week is Veor RFC player and Chairman - Scott Lake.

Scott has done so much for the game of rugby and the community around Veor RFC in Cornwall that he was awarded the prestigious RFU Volunteer of the Year award.

Shortly after that his family received the tragic news that his son, Riley had been diagnosed with the extremely rare Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The rugby family gathered and supported Scott and his family and now the annual Rugby for Riley event has become a huge event in Cornwall’s calendar.

This is an incredible, emotional episode - I hope you enjoy.

LINKS
Rugby 4 Riley - https://www.facebook.com/events/s/rugby4riley-the-finale-/1530138634531042/
Just Giving - https://www.justgiving.com/page/scott-lake-1729238579813
Rugby 4 Riley 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFPiTnp-uW0
Veor RFC - https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/veor/

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PATREON
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SUPPORT
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With the 2025 Six Nations fast approaching, I spoke with some incredible rugby folk to analyse the upcoming games in Round 1 of the 2025 6 Nations.

For France vs Wales - Rugby YouTuber - Rugby Merlin For Scotland vs Italy - former player for Cumbernauld RFC - Chris Burns For Ireland vs England - Former Harlequins and Connacht player - Dave Slemen

Enjoy the games!

LINKS
Rugby Merlin - https://www.youtube.com/@RugbyMerlin
David Slemen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidslemen
Chris Burns - https://www.instagram.com/savagescholarchris/

GET STASH
England Rugby Store - https://ers.pxf.io/KjV30v
British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4

BUY ME A COFFEE
Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast

PATREON
Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)

SUPPORT
If you would like to support the podcast in some way there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

With the 2025 Six Nations fast approaching, I spoke with some incredible rugby-folk to get the inside line on each of the Nations.

For Wales - Former Dragons Head Coach - Dai Flanagan
For England - Former England 7’s Captain - Mike Friday
For France - Huge French Rugby fan - Jerome Moisan
For Italy - Fratelli D’Rugby Podcaster - Mike Petretta
For Ireland - Former London Irish Academy Manager - Patrick O’Grady

Sadly, we didn’t manage to get a Scot on board - listen to the end to find out why…

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British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4

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PATREON
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SUPPORT
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Martin and I were teammates for many years at Old Colfeians RFC and spent three more seasons running the team as DoR/1stXV Manager. We are also former work-mates in the London Fire Brigade. Our rugby history goes back a long way!

LINKS
Old Colfeians announce Tim Tunnicliff as DoR – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jggtg4YnCD0
Croatia rugby kit – https://twitter.com/AlbionRFC/status/1161610123246276608
Al Knuckey kick which led to social media shaming – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va9grfq1Mik

#rugby #amateurrugby #grassrootsrugby

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Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast

PATREON
Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)

SUPPORT
If you would like to support the podcast in some way there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

'Towner' and I have played a lot of rugby over the years across many different teams - Cheltenham Civil Service, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Colts, Combined London Old Boys and of course Old Colfeians.

We had a good dig through our rugby history and enjoyed reminiscing about the social side of the game.

LINKS

Towner kindly offered to provide some assistance and advice to anyone aspiring to a career in a 'big 4' accountancy firm. Contact me on hello@amateurrugbypodcast.com and I will pass on your details.

GET STASH
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British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4

BUY ME A COFFEE
Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast

PATREON
Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)

SUPPORT
If you would like to support the podcast in some way there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

He ain't heavy...

From tackling practice in the back garden to playing together for Cheltenham RFC and Gloucestershire Schools to recently coaching minis rugby at Ellingham and Ringwood RFC, it's been a long rugby-filled ride with my only sibling.

LINKS

Chris has kindly managed to offer a membership discount for any new mini or junior players that want to try rugby at Ellingham and Ringwood RFC. Just email tryrugby@errfc.com to find out more details.

The Coaching Matrix Chris mentioned can be found on the Hampshire RFU website. (https://www.hampshirerugby.com/media/PDFLibrary/Forms-Minutes/ERRFC Coach Skills Matrix 2018-19.pdf)

Lastly, Chris can be contacted via @c_tunni on Twitter

GET STASH

England Rugby Store - https://ers.pxf.io/KjV30v

British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4

BUY ME A COFFEE

Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast

PATREON

Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)

PODCAST KIT

Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

SUPPORT

If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is current Minchinhampton RFC player Andy Burfoot.

Andy is still playing at 48 years of age and has had the privilege of playing alongside both of his sons. We chatted about all the great things going on at Minch, including the rapid growth of the Women’s section, their remarkable and truly unique clubhouse and the influence of their famous royal member.

This is an awesome episode - I hope you enjoy.

LINKS
Minchinhampton RFC - https://www.minchrugby.com/
Minchinhampton RFC referee’s changing room - https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cz6653kAs7Q/

BUY ME A COFFEE
Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast

PATREON
Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)

PODCAST KIT
Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

SUPPORT
If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.