The Official Scottish Rugby Podcast

Chris Harris & Mental Health Awareness with Dr James Robson & Ben Atiga

Chris Paterson and Jamie McMillan are  joined by Scotland international Chris Harris, following his recent call-up to the British and Irish Lions squad for this summer’s tour to South Africa.

On Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re joined by Scottish Rugby’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr James Robson MBE and Scottish Rugby’s Player Liaison Ben Atiga. Ben talks about the Rugby for Life programme, which helps players stay healthy, educate themselves and foster interests and careers for them outside of the game.

Dr James Robson MBE highlights the importance of mental health awareness and also talks about how Scottish Rugby have managed to keep their players safe during the recent pandemic.

British & Irish Lions | Selection and Reaction

Chris Paterson, Jamie McMillan and Rachel Malcolm review the 37-man British & Irish Lions squad selection announced today and throughout the episode we catch up with some of our Scottish Lions.

Duhan van der Merwe, Rory Sutherland and Hamish Watson join us from Edinburgh's new stadium, while Ali Price and Zander Fagerson join us from Scotstoun, with preparations continuing for the 1872 Cup fixture on Friday night.

Scotland captain Stuart Hogg speaks to us ahead of his third tour and Finn Russell calls in from Paris after being selected for his second tour.

Women's Six Nations Review with Jenny Maxwell

cotland scrum half Jenny Maxwell joins us on the Official Scottish Rugby Podcast this week to chat about her return to rugby and review the Women's Six Nations tournament. Jenny tells us about her rehab and return to rugby after a tough year, how it was great to be back in camp and get a start against Wales in the final fixture of the Women's Six Nations and how the team belief has developed across the board over the last year.

Chris Paterson and Rachel Malcolm review Edinburgh v Zebre and Benneton v Glasgow Warriors PRO14 Rainbow Cup fixtures from the weekend and look ahead to the Summer Tour, which will be led by Mike Blair, with a Scotland A fixture followed by two away fixtures against Romania and Georgia.

Hollie Davidson & Sam Grove-White | Refereeing around the world

Podcast hosts Chris Paterson and Jamie McMillan sit down with Scottish Rugby referees Hollie Davidson & Sam Grove-White to chat about their recent appointments to officiate in the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Hollie and Sam tell us how they have been working towards Olympic selection over the last four years, how and when they found out they would be heading to Tokyo and their favourite moments from their 7s refereeing careers so far.

Chris, Hollie, Jamie and Sam discuss the three new Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup trial laws: red card replacement, captain's challenge and goal line drop-out.

Rachel Malcolm tells us what it was like commentating on Scotland's game against Italy last weekend and we look ahead to Scotland's final Women's Six Nations fixture against Wales this Saturday at Scotstoun, kick-off 5pm BST.

Chloe Rollie, Gregor Townsend & Steve Tandy

Podcast hosts Chris Paterson, Rachel Malcolm and Jamie McMillan sit down with Chloe Rollie on the podcast this week ahead of the next Women's Six Nations fixture against Italy on Saturday and they also catch up with both Gregor Townsend and Steve Tandy following their recent Lions appointments.

Chloe Rollie looks ahead to Scotland against Italy at Scotstoun this weekend and talks about their plans on facing an aggressive Italian side and how their focus will be on themselves and sticking to their own team processes.

Chloe also talks about her busy schedule, playing in the Women's Six Nations, training for GB7s and playing in the Premiership for Harlequins.

Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend and Assistant Coach Steve Tandy are both on together this week to talk about being named in the coaching group for the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa and tell us where and when they got the news from Warren Gatland.

Rachel Malcolm gives us an update on the injury which has ruled her out of this weekend's Six Nations fixture and we pay tribute to former Scotland scrum coach Massimo Cuttitta.

Dominic McKay: The latest from Scottish Rugby

Podcast host Chris Paterson sits down with Chief Operating Officer, Dominic McKay to discuss the latest news from Scottish Rugby this week.

Dom talks about the positive business news this week with BT renewing their contract for another three years and bringing Peter Vardy back on board to become a Principal Partner and new front of shirt sponsor for Scotland men’s team.  

Chris and Dom reflect on Scottish Rugby evolving throughout the years with our #AsOne philosophy and hear some of Dom's personal highlights including Melrose Sevens, Glasgow Warriors winning the PRO12 Final and getting through a challenging 2021 Guinness Six Nations with historic wins at Twickenham and Paris.  

They look ahead to the future of Scottish Rugby and what is possible with aspects of the business including the return of grassroots rugby, the Women's national team throughout their Six Nations campaign and the new Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup. 

Dominic McKay leaves Scottish Rugby next week after 13 years with the organisation, we wish him the best of luck in his new role at Celtic FC.

Bryan Easson: 2021 Women's Six Nations

Hosts Chris Paterson and Rachel Malcolm look ahead to the Women's Six Nations with Head Coach, Bryan Easson. Bryan Easson is excited to be back in camp with a focus on England this weekend and talks to us about the details in the management team to ensure they are ready as a team and prepared for the upcoming tournament. Rachel Malcolm talks us through the past year and the transition from Premiership rugby into the Scotland camp, alongside players who have not played since October. She also and explains how they have come together in training to stay calm, focussed and prepared for this weekend.

Chris, Rachel and Bryan review the men's historic win over France in the Guinness Six Nations and discuss Hamish Watson's performances after the flanker was nominated for the Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship award. They also look back on Edinburgh and Glasgow's Guinness PRO14 performances from the weekend and look ahead to this weekend's European matches.

France Preview | Stuart Hogg & Johnnie Beattie

Hosts Chris Paterson and Rachel Malcolm catch up with former Scotland internationalist Johnnie Beattie, who joins from the South of France, and Scotland Captain Stuart Hogg from inside Scotland camp to look ahead to France v Scotland tomorrow night.

Guinness Six Nations | Ireland Review

Hosts Al Kellock, Chris Paterson, Rachel Malcolm and Jamie McMillan sit down for one last podcast episode together to reflect on a big weekend of rugby.They review Glasgow Warriors win over Ospreys and Edinburgh's away win against Connacht in the Guinness PRO14 and look back at Scotland's narrow defeat to Ireland in Round 4 of the Guinness Six Nations. Al Kellock and Rachel Malcolm discuss what makes a good defensive line-out, review the performances of both the Irish and Scottish forwards on Sunday and give an insight into the forwards training schedule on and off the field. Jamie McMillan updates us on the latest Scottish Rugby news with the announcement from World Rugby on the new women's global 15's format and news that Scottish referee Hollie Davidson will take charge of her first Guinness PRO14 match this weekend between Munster and Benetton.

After more than 90 episodes, Al Kellock will be "retiring" from the Official Scottish Rugby Podcast this week to take on his new role as Managing Director of Glasgow Warriors...congratulations Al and all the best!

Gregor Townsend: Guinness Six Nations so far

Hosts Al Kellock, Chris Paterson, Rachel Malcolm and Jamie McMillan catch up with Scotland Head Coach, Gregor Townsend to reflect on the Guinness Six Nations so far and look ahead to the remaining Scotland fixtures. Gregor Townsend gives us his opinion on the opening rounds of the Guinness Six Nations and the postponement of the France game, the privileged position they're in, with them able to continue to play professional sport through the current pandemic and what it felt like to win away at Twickenham for the first time in 38 years and bring home the Calcutta Cup. Gregor looks ahead to facing a tough, physical Ireland side this weekend and the planning and preparations in place to finish off the tournament against Italy and France.