Rosbifs Rugby

Richard Croney & Rob Graham

Join Rob and Rich, two Englishmen ('Rosbifs'), as they dive into the heart of French rugby. From the glitz and glamour of the Top14, the madness of ProD2 and the highs and lows of Les Bleus on the international stage, this podcast is a love letter to France's brutal but beautiful game. There's stories from travels to France, dubious insights into French cuisine and culture, and even the odd bit of advice on getting you out to watch a game. Whether you're a die-hard French rugby nerd, curious about the towns and cities central to the game across the Channel, or just enjoy the odd tall tale from our special guests, The Rosbifs Rugby Podcast has you covered!

This podcast is for you if you find yourself asking questions such as…

How do I follow French Rugby in the UK?
How do I follow French Rugby if I don’t speak French?
What happened to Le French Rugby Podcast?
Is there anyone that talks about French Rugby in English?
What is good about French Rugby?
Why is rugby popular in France?
How does French rugby have so much money?
What Top 14 team should I support?
Are there any podcasts about French Rugby, Top 14 or Pro D2?
What is the best rugby experience in France?
What is the best place to visit for rugby in France?
How do I organise a trip to watch a Top 14 game?

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130 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes130

Newest first

Oct 1, 2024 · 59 min
S2 EP7 - Tipples, Twins & Teeth
Fresh off the back of trips to Italy and err, Ipswich, Rob and Rich return to discuss UBB's stunning win over Toulouse, whilst Pau impress and Perpignan get off the mark in the Top 14. Storm clouds are gathering in Paris with Racing under pressure and Stade Francais the first to make big changes. Elsewhere, Biarritz are riding a Basque wave at the top of ProD2, and what connects Italian liqueurs, Damian Penaud's teeth and Martin Offiah? The Rosbifs Rugby Podcast of course… 00:00 - 06:25 Entrées
Sep 26, 2024 · 47 min
S2 EP6 BONUS - Trips & Glitz with Charles Richardson
French Rugby Fun keeps on coming this week! In this bonus episode, the Rosbifs share the story of their trip last weekend to Brive & Castres to watch Pro D2 and Top14 rugby in the flesh! And it wouldn’t be Rosbifs without divulging the best of the food, drinks, towns and bars from their weekend. We are also delighted to be joined by Charles Richardson, Rugby Reporter for The Telegraph and one of only a couple of English writers invited to French Rugby’s grand awards ceremony, La Nuit du Rugb
Sep 25, 2024 · 57 min
S2 EP6 - Rosbifs Results Round Up
It's pure, unbridled rugby chat this week with an in-depth round up of the Top14 and ProD2, including reports from Castres and Brive where our Rosbifs report from on the ground. Elsewhere, there's a historic win for Vannes and a tough day out in Bordeaux for Owen Farrell and Racing 92. Join us tomorrow for a review of our first trip of the season into two proper rugby heartlands! 00:00 - 02:36 Entrées Top 14 02:36 - 11:10 Castres v Perpignan: Rosbifs Report 11:10 - 29:50 Top 14 Round 3 Review 2
Sep 17, 2024 · 1 hr 7 min
S2 EP5 - The Wine Derby
Another round of the Top 14 has been and gone and we examine the best of the action, as nerveless kicks and massive hits take centre stage across the weekend. Pro D2 continues to dazzle with tight results everywhere, and the Rosbifs look ahead to their upcoming French voyage to Brive and Castres in the only way they know how... a really nerdy quiz. 00:00 - 05:51 Entrées 05:51 - 36:32 Top 14 Round 2 Review 36:32 - 38:42 Nationale Nibbles 38:42 - 49:35 Pro D2 Round 3 Review 49:35 - 1:05:01 Petit-F
Sep 11, 2024 · 59 min
S2 EP4 - Rams, Roast Beef & Racing 92
Round 1 of the Top 14 has been and gone and the delicious storylines (and bad alliteration) are back with Blistering Bordeaux, Valiant Vannes, and Miserable Montpellier all on show. Pro D2 serves up another dose of high drama as the Away Day win becomes flavour of the month, and there's bagpipes, butchers and boring wedding guests to discuss. 00:00 - 05:05 Entrées 05:05 - 36:00 Top 14 Round 1 Review 36:00 - 39:20 Nationale Nibbles 39:20 - 50:30 Pro D2 Round 3 Review 50:30 - 57:50 Petit Fours &a
Sep 3, 2024 · 1 hr 10 min
S2 EP3 - Top 14 Returns!
Join us to look ahead to another enthralling season of Top 14 action as we ramble through the teams, new recruits and potential fortunes of Rugby's premier club competition. Can Toulouse be toppled? Can Vannes beat the drop? Can Montpellier get even worse? We fail to answer all of these questions and more, plus there's Pro D2, Nationale, and celeb spotting down in Hyères... Strap in, the season's just getting started! 00:00 - 03:55 Entrées 03:55 - 51:47 Top 14 Season Preview - 04:55 - 10:52 Can
Aug 27, 2024 · 1 hr 5 min
S2 EP2 - Pro D2 Season Preview with Illtud Dafydd
Astonishingly, the new Pro D2 season is already upon us! The Rosbifs welcome Illtud Dafydd, a Welshman living the dream of working in France and reporting on French Rugby for AFP. Illtud helps us run the rule over the contenders in the ‘Triple Ironman’ of domestic rugby leagues: Pro D2. Illtud brings the inside scoop on regional rivalries, crazy club Presidents and Siya Kolisi’s eating habits. 00:00 - 04:23 Entrées 04:23 - 51:04 Illtud Dafydd & Pro D2 preview 51:04 - 63:55 The Rosbifs Pro D2
Aug 20, 2024 · 57 min
S2 EP 1 - Lions Tour to France - Elgan Alderman Special
The Rosbifs are back for Series 2! Whilst we eagerly await the start of the 2024-2025 season, what better time to chew the fat with The Times Sports Reporter, and all round French Rugby aficionado, Elgan Alderman. The task at hand for us in this, a Lions season: devising the perfect Lions Tour of France Itinerary. Enjoy! 00:00 - 07:20 Entrées 07:20 - 45:18 Elgan Alderman & Lions Tour to France itinerary 45:18 - 52:45 The Rosbifs Lions Tour debrief 52:45 - 55:55 Petit-Fours & Digestifs
Aug 7, 2024 · 32 min
EP 21: Romeo Done
We bring the curtain down on 11 months of glorious French Rugby and Series 1 of our less glorious podcast. Join us for our finds of the season, favourite memories and the best petit-fours from the last 21 weeks. We'll be back in a couple of weeks for Series 2 with more guests, more tall tales and lots, lots more French Rugby. Merci!
Jul 31, 2024 · 40 min
EP 20 - Magnificent Sevens
A short pod for the short format... even with the Olympics in town, French rugby is the hottest ticket as the France Mens Sevens team claim an historic Gold Medal at the Stade de France, inspired by you-know-who. We discuss a day for the ages, GOATness, and just how good is this sporting storyline? 00:00 - 02:33 Entrées 02:33 - 26:31 Olympics & The GOAT? 26:31 - 38:03 Petit-Fours & Digestifs
Jul 25, 2024 · 1 hr 12 min
EP 19 - Vibes & Spreadsheets: Top 14 Team of the Year
The Olympics are here and whilst a certain Tony D has the eyes of a nation on him, our attentions turn to the nerdy pursuit of picking our Top14 team of the year. Join us to see whether the vibes or spreadsheets win out in the final selection, and for a tribute to one of the departing greats of French rugby. Entrées: 00:00 - 05:45 Olympic 7s: 05:45 - 11:40 U20s World Championships: 11:40 - 20:00 Top 14 Team of the Year: 20:00 - 54:35 Quiz - Rosbifs x Tour de France: 54:35 - 1:07:20 Petit Fours:
Jul 17, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
EP 18 - Tour Report & Fixture Frenzy
France's players finally wrap up their mammoth 2023/24 season with a cracker in Buenos Aires but the U20s fancy just one more game after an astonishing win against New Zealand in their bid to equal the Baby Blacks’ 4 successive World Cups. We review who shone in South America, whilst there's the small matter of all the new season fixtures to chow down on. If that's not enough, then listen to the very end for the job opportunity of a lifetime... 00:00 - 03:45 Entrées 03:45 - 27:32 France Tour of
Jul 10, 2024 · 59 min
EP 17 - Argentina & U20s
In what has been a shocking few days for French Rugby, join us to reflect on some of the high points, namely a youthful France comfortably getting past Argentina and an even more youthful under 20s side making the U20s semi-finals. The Champions and Challenge Cup Pools have been drawn and there are potential mouthwatering trips aplenty on the horizon, and Sofiane Guitoune takes dental hygiene to admirable new levels.... 00:00 - 04:40 Entrées - News headlines 04:40 - 07:00 Entrées 07:00 - 22:35
Jul 1, 2024 · 1 hr 1 min
EP 16 - Steve Cummins & Toulouse’s Triumph
We are joined by Section Paloise and soon to be Dragons Australian Second Row Steve Cummins, to discuss all things Pau: from Sam Whitelock mentoring the club's electric youngsters, to chance encounters with rowdy Brits in the city's bars. There's also the small matter of a Top14 final to digest, as Toulouse secure their 23rd Bouclier de Brennus in the most extraordinary fashion in Marseille on a night that few will ever forget. 00:00 - 17:45 Top 14 Final 17:45 - 50:05 Steve Cummins interview 50:
Jun 26, 2024 · 1 hr 8 min
EP 15 - Headbutts and Haircuts
With the denouement to the French rugby season nearly upon us, we dissect two cracking semi-finals in Bordeaux, including THAT headbutt from Reda Wardi and how it is linked to Rob’s haircut. With Stade Toulousain and UBB progressing to the Final, we preview Friday night’s game at the Stade Velodrome. There's also a preview of the updated France squad for their tour to South America, a fresh looking French U20s side is confirmed for the World Cup, there's transfers aplenty to tuck into, and find
Jun 19, 2024 · 1 hr 17 min
EP 14 - A Blank Clipboard
It's heartbreak in the Isere as Grenoble are pipped in the Access Match, whilst Montpellier live to fight another day. The Barrages are done, with La Rochelle saving their best 'til last to tee up a Friday night feast under the lights against Toulouse, whilst UBB cruise past an increasingly ramshackle Racing 92. Rob dips into his spreadsheet to discuss the fresh faces in Fabien's preliminary squad for Argentina and Uruguay, and there's joy in Geneva and transfers aplenty in the petit-fours. 00
Jun 11, 2024 · 1 hr 8 min
EP 13 - The Boys From Breton
It's all about them up-north this week, as Vannes make history securing their first promotion to the Top14, sparking wild scenes in the changing rooms of Toulouse and the ports of Brittany. The Top 6 are confirmed as we look ahead to the Barrage, and can Grenoble spring an upset and overturn the Montpellier Madness in the access match? 00:00 - 01:50 Intro 01:50 - 17:35 Pro D2 Final Review 17:35 - 27:24 Top 14 Access Match Preview 27:24 - 53:55 Top 14 Final Round Review 53:55 - 59:58 Top 14 Bar
Jun 4, 2024 · 1 hr 3 min
EP 12 - A Shrug & A Handshake
The Top14 is back and we review an absolute cracker between La Rochelle and a half-cut Toulouse at le Stadium on a Super Sunday where Toulon hammered home their title credentials. The ProD2 Final is upon us after two breathless semi-finals and it's heartbreak for Narbonne in a historic first Nationale Access Match as Jerome Bosviel's redemption arc comes full circle. Plus there's tips on how not to write a best man's speech, and how to shoehorn in a bit of rugby into your wedding, if that's your
May 28, 2024 · 1 hr 12 min
EP 11 - Tony & Toulouse’s Titanic Triumph in Tottenham
The Rosbifs dissect an astonishing Champions Cup final: Rich finds out whether Rob found it all a bit underwhelming, Toulouse add their 6th star, sparking city-wide celebrations for the ages. Meanwhile, Grenoble march on and Beziers confirm their place in the Pro D2 semi finals. There’s a first ever Pro D2/Nationale access match to chow down on, the Top 14 returns, and the Olympic torch pops up in Pau. 00:00 - 03:14 Entrées 03:14 - 34:41 Champions Cup Final Review 34:41 - 52:42 Pro D2: Barrage R
May 22, 2024 · 1 hr 11 min
EP 10 - A Convoy of Basque Cheesecake
The Rosbifs are back to review a pivotal round of Top14 action as the table begins to take shape. We preview what could be one of the all time Champions Cup Finals between Toulouse and Leinster and discuss the travails of following arguably the most dramatic round of PROD2 action ever via dodgy streams, whether you're a fan or a coach. Nice hit the ProD2 big time for the first time, but will any of this week's barrage hopefuls need to add them to their travel plans, or can they go one better?