Ian works with the players at South Sydney Rabbitohs, which is one of the NRLs biggest club, is owned by Russel Crowe and will be coached by Wayne Bennett next season.

Ian chats about how he helps players off the field, so that they can perform on it. We chat about identity and how this can positively or negatively affect players, how different players prepare differently for games and tools that can help you be at your best to perform.

Before moving to the NRL Ian worked with gaelic footballs in Ireland through the GPA. We chat about his time there, the differences between working with GAA and NRL players, and how he got his break with the Rabbitohs.

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David Sharkey is a communications consultant who works with elite teams across 8 different sports, as well as leaders in business.

His clients include La Rochelle, coached by Ronan O'Gara, Rugby Australia and the GAA.

In the podcast he explains the work that he does with these teams, and gives key insights into how you can be a better communicator.

Unleash Your Potential - Course for Players That Want to Become Professionals

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David is a physio now, and played age grade for Munster Rugby, and AIL with Lansdowne fc.

Unleash Your Potential - Course for Players That Want to Become Professionals

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Brian's LinkedIn

We chat about"

• Playing underage for Munster Rugby with Peter O'Mahony & Conor Murray.
• How he got into the Leinster Rugby system.
• His experiences in Auckland Rugby
• What weight cuts are like for under 85kg rugby
• Why he started running.
• How you can get into running
• The process to becoming an ultramarathon runner
• Steps you can take to improve your wellbeing.
• Why he goes for multiple days into he New Zealand wilderness.
• What its like being off the grid.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Order a Copy of my new book The Book On How You Become A Pro Rugby Player today!

Joe Van Niekerk was one of the best players in the world. But had a lot of inner challenges throughout his career. We talk through the spiritual journey he went on to find answers, and there’s some incredible insights for young players from a man who’s seen and done it all.

We also chat about;

• Why he left Toulon to live in Costa Rica
• The hit his ego took towards the end of his career and the journey he went on to find answers.
• Doing inner work
• How he chose to respond when he was dropped.
• Dealing with adversity 
• How to be a leader when its not going your way
• Trauma’s that he had in his life, how he didnt understand how much it affected him and the way he behaved
• Escapism, heavy drinking and being close to losing everything at 27.
• Advice for younger players today.
• Spirituality & The Ego - what’s right for rugby players
• If you can be a high level player without being tied up in your Ego
• How to realize your potential
• Why achievement often doesn’t live up to your expectations 
• How to deal with negative thoughts 
• The instinctual flow state on the field
• Why we suffer
• The importance of having space to be vulnerable
• What can help players be the best version of themselves

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - offfieldrugby@gmail.com

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Order a Copy of my new book The Book On How You Become A Pro Rugby Player today!

Aaron Takel is a coach, coach educator and former national team analyst.

We chat about;

• Analysing Coaches - Behaviour, Language & Performance 
• How long it takes to code an international game
• How to structure your training, for your specific level.
• How to challenge players, to optimize growth.
• Preparing your team for different scenarios 
• Masters in Sports Performance Coaching 
• What makes an effective coach
• The power that coaches have.
• Concussion
• What makes prematch meetings effective
• How coaches can influence game
• Problems in Welsh Rugby 
• Eddie Jones and England
• South Africa in the 6 Nations
• Being an analyst for Rugby Canada

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - offfieldrugby@gmail.com

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Order a Copy of my new book The Book On How You Become A Pro Rugby Player today!

Guy Armitage speaks openly about his mental health struggles during a career which has seen him play for years in the premiership and now Super League

We also chat about;

• Switching to rugby league
• Going on trial at different clubs (Hull FC & London Broncos).
• Bizarre story of getting his chance with Broncos.
• Looking for contracts, and getting breaks. 
• Difficulties during covid 
• Finding his why
• Going contract to contract looking for a job.
• Times he thought about quitting pro rugby
• Losing self worth
• Not enjoying being a rugby 
• Times he was struggling mentally, and shut himself off from his friends.
• Seeing a councillor 
• Learning to open up about his mental health struggles
• How you can be your best self 
• What he’s doing now to help others with their mental health

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - offfieldrugby@gmail.com

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Order a Copy of my new book The Book On How You Become A Pro Rugby Player today!

Steve Crosbie signed for Leinster, Munster & Connacht during his career and then decided to turn down pro contacts to go a different direction in life.

• The story behind Fad Saoil 
• Sea swimming & saunas 
• Why he turned down MLR & left pro rugby
• Getting to a place mentally where he can look back fondly on his career
• When he played his best rugby
• Being close to obsessive at times
• The relationship he had with Mike Ruddock
• How, & why, he struggled stepping into professional rugby
• Why timing can be important
• Why he lost the coaches trust in Leinster
• Failing a medical 
• Why he started hating rugby while under contract at Leinster
• Moving to New Zealand to play provincial rugby
• Signing for Axel at Munster the week before he passed away
• Getting his break with Connacht
• Working with Enda McNulty
• Turning down contracts to leave pro rugby in his mid-twenties

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - offfieldrugby@gmail.com

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Order a Copy of my new book The Book On How You Become A Pro Rugby Player today!

Nate Ebner is a former USA u20 rugby player who decided to switch to American Football, and won 3 SuperBowls with Tom Brady, Bill Bellichick and the New England Patriots.

We chat about his journey and,

• Recovering from surgery 
• Playing through pain in the NFL
• Difference between NFL & rugby trainings
• Being seen as the rugby guy by everyone in the NFL
• Why he left rugby to try his hand at football. 
• Playing rugby Junior World Cup gave him the confidence to break into the NFL.
• Playing at Ohio State in front of 100,000 people.
• Walking away from the NFL to try to get into Rio 2016
• Being present, being where your feet are
• Trusting the Process
• Getting out of your head
• How he achieved the impossible of getting into the NFL, (and the formula for how he thinks anyone can achieve their dreams in sport)
• Willpower
• How Bill Belichick works, and how he sustains success
• The type of player that thrives in the Patriots
• What he feels young players could do better

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - offfieldrugby@gmail.com

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

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Jonny McMurtry has coached in the Aussie underage pathway and in recent years has been working with Rugby Australia to understand how to best motivate young players and get the most of them.

We also chat about this work and also;

• Why young players drop out of rugby.
• How you can better understand young players to motivate them.
• What he found motivated young Australian players.
• Creating an environment to help your players thrive.
• How social media could be creating individualism.
• What he learned from Brad Thorne.
• How to structure trainings to accelerate development.
• How golfers often have a better training environment.
• Why, as a coach, you shouldn’t always copy the pros
• How coaches can develop leaders.
• Lessons from Wayne Smith
• The importance of connecting with your players as people.
• When less is more, as a coach.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - offfieldrugby@gmail.com

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Galbraith is a renowned sports psychologist who has been working with Japan since 2018, has previously worked with the Chiefs where he won a Super Rugby title in 2018 with Sonny Bill Williams and Bundee Aki, and also works with New Zealand Olympic Athletes.

We chat about;

• Living your truth
• Listening to your gut, and who your are.
• Being a lion and not a sheep
• Courage
• Understanding who you are
• What you can learn from your ancestry
• Why you should trust your feeling over your thinking 
• The work he does with players to help them be their best selves.
• How to understand your goals
• What the best coaches have in common
• He gives a simple formula for how you can achieve your goals 
• Difference he’s found between Japanese players & kiwis.
• Overtraining.
• How you can train at your max level and never burnout.

David has also works with the New Zealand / All Blacks 7s team, and is in his 11th campaign.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - offfieldrugby@gmail.com

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conor Gilsenan is a former London Irish, Leinster and Connacht rugby player who recently had to retire due to injury.

We chat about;

• Transitioning from Pro Rugby to the corporate world.
• How he takes on challenges.
• Getting onto The Apprentice.
• Becoming an entrepreneur after retiring.
• Worrying about what people think of you.
• What held him back as a player.
• Advice that changed his perspective as a pro.
• Advice that he would give a young rugby player.
• Dealing with setbacks.
• His time with Leinster
• Why he left Irish provincial rugby to join London Irish.
• The bar he set up at London Irish stadiums (Converted Land Rover, horse box and a bit of an accident that they had day 1 on a motorway)
• Dreaming big and Goal setting.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - offfieldrugby@gmail.com

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/ any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Photo: Adam Davey

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Jonny Cooper is a 7 time All-Ireland winning Gaelic footballer, who also works as a leadership consultant.

We also chat about;

• How understanding of leadership has changed in recent years.
• How Jim Gavin motivated & influenced the Dublin Footballers.
• Mindset.
• Mindfulness.
• Morning routine.
• Knowing your Why.
• Wanting to impact and influence his community.
• The importance of good feedback.
• What culture is.
• How to connect with people, &
• How to understand teammates at a deeper level.
• How a leader empowers players.
• What has helped him stay at the top for so long, and how The Dublin Footballers have had sustained success.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - offfieldrugby@gmail.com

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/ any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Riki-James Cribb (Mystic Maori) who is a performance coach that works with top rugby players and athletes across the world.

We chat about;

• Morning Routine
• The Ego
• Inner fear and insecurity
• The need for flexibility in your approach
• Whats causing rising anxiety levels in society 
• Tools to become more present 
• Awareness 
• Meditation
• How to access the flow state 
• How to have a calmness while playing
• What he does when coaching pro rugby players 
• Identity
• What has helped Beauden Barrett and Anton Lienert-Brown improve their performance.
• The mindset that Conor McGregor and Kobe Bryant had at their peak.
• The importance of focus
• Reducing anxiety around games
• What the All Blacks tell debutants
• What coaches do that makes their players anxious.
• Showing empathy

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - offfieldrugby@gmail.com

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/ any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unleash Your Potential - Course for Players That Want to Become Professionals

Audible.com |Audible.co.uk - Get your audio book version of my new book today! (Free trial for new Audible customers)

Amazon Paperback Book - Get your physical copy of my new book today!

Brian's Instagram

Off-Field Rugby Instagram

Brian's LinkedIn

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Niall Williams is a Black Ferns sevens player, Olympic silver medalist and before transitioning to sevens was one of the best touch rugby players in the world.

Niall talks about;

• The neck injury that ruled her out of the Olympics.
• The new perspective & mindset her recent injury gave her.
• The nerves she feels returning to play.
• Age & getting old not worrying her.
• What has helped her developed mental toughness.
• Transitioning from Touch Rugby to Sevens.
• Her dreams growing up.
• Her relationship with failure.
• Becoming independent at a young age.
• Being dropped and feeling worthless.
• Her brother, Sonny Bill Williams, helping her when she was in a black hole.
• Work the Black Ferns do on their personalities.
• The importance of connection amongst teammates.
• Trauma.
• Having difficult conversations.
• Processing shitty comments online.
• Being a mum and a pro rugby player.
• Moving from touch rugby to sevens.
• The money she makes in Sevens.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/ any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast on your twitter or instagram, and with some friends.

Please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

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Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

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Andy Lockwood is the man behind Rugby Vacancies. The best place online to find a job in rugby.

Here we chat about this and the unusual roles he has placed former rugby players in.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

My instagram is @offfieldrugby - The Off Field Rugby Coach, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

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Andrew Lockwood is a Major in the British Army who has worked extensively in identifying leaders for the army, leadership development and building culture in teams. We chat about these things and also;

• Why he decided join the British Army.
• The importance of empathy.
• How to Build trust in teams
• How he assessed and selected future leaders for the army.
• The similarities between sports teams and the military.
• What characteristics to look for in leaders. 
• Key leadership attributes.
• How the army develops leaders.
• The benefits of experience.
• How you can become more determined.
• Negative & positive motivation.
• How to Build a Culture.
• How to have effective video reviews
• How coaches can help players with nerves.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

My instagram is @offfieldrugby - The Off Field Rugby Coach, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

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Peter Lydon is an Irish rugby player currently playing in France with Rouen Normandie Rugby in the Pro D2.

Peter talks about the crazy turn of events that saw him go from playing average Irish club rugby to signing with State Francais and playing with Sergio Parisse. We chat about his journey from playing schools rugby in Kilkenny College, playing with me in the Lansdowne under 20s team, Seapoint RFC and then going on to play professionally in England and France.

We also chat about;

• Why he decided to move from France to England during Covid.
• Why he moved down leagues to pursue his pro rugby dream.
• What as it was like being Morne Steyn’s back up in Stade.
• Getting Irish soccer trials & giving up on that dream.
• How he got confidence as a young player.
• How he realized he had to stop listening to people and look within.
• Conor O’Shea from Harlequins trying to poach him. 
• Being coached by Mike Friday.
• How professionalism in the Championship changed.
• What England need to do differently with their structures.
• What the All Ireland League need to do differently.
• Not seeing eye to eye with his Head Coach & deciding to leave.
• The business he would like to open when he retires.
• The studies he decides to start recently.
• His experience playing Pro D2.
• Hostile receptions he’s got in France from fans.
• Contract clauses if they get relegated.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

My instagram is @offfieldrugby - The Off Field Rugby Coach, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a snippet from a full pod released on Patreon.

Join The 1st XV Patreon Group below to get the full episode and weekly extra content that help you become more confident, increase your self belief and understand what you need to do to become the best version of yourself.

If you are a coach and would like your team to become mentally stronger, build the culture or leadership. Please send me a DM here on,

instagram https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/ @offfieldrugby, or

twitter https://twitter.com/offfieldrugby @offfieldrugby

Thanks for clicking in, hope you got something from the pod.

Brian

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Ilona Maher is USA international (7s & 15s), Olympian and the most followed rugby player on social media.

Ilona talks about the positives and negatives with having close to 1 million followers on social media. She opens up about a time where she fell into a depression because of rugby and how she worked her way out of that hole, and is continuing to do so. We chat about her time at the Olympics last summer with Team USA & also;

We also chat about;

• Why she decided to start playing rugby.
• Being a role models for young girls and wanting to grow the game.
• Her experience playing collegiate rugby in the States. 
• Balancing a nursing degree with rugby.
• Winning the USA Collegiate Player of The Year.
• Deciding she wanted to become a pro rugby.
• What she wants to do after the next Olympics.
• Why she’s doing a TEDx Talk.
• Pre match nerves & Breaking down before a match.
• Working with a sports psychology coach.
• Going to see a therapist.
• The contract situation with the USA Women’s Sevens.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/

Ilona’s is https://www.instagram.com/ilonamaher/

To help the pod please,

- share the podcast with some friends / on social media 

- subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

- leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts… Thank you! 

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Russell Earnshaw (aka Rusty) is a Heineken Cup winning player, who has coached England Men’s Sevens, u18s & u20s. Recently he has worked with Eddie Jones and the England senior team, Liverpool fc and other Premier League soccer teams.

We chat about how you can become a more skillful and adaptable player, and also how as a coach you can help players be their best selves. After winning a Heineken cup in his early 20s, Rusty didn’t kick on at the top end of the game and instead dropped down the divisions, he chats about why this was and the learnings he took from it.

We also chat about;

• The importance of being happy.
• Why it’s so important to be yourself.
• How you can accelerate your learning as a young player.
• How you can become a skillful adaptable player.
• How you can help your teammates feel like they belong.
• Why he didn’t enjoy being a professional rugby player. (Even though he won a Heineken Cup)
• What would have helped him be a better player.
• How to deal with Social Media.
• Coaching Marcus Smith & what he does well mentally.
• Advice Mike Tindal gave him & how he worked with Jonny Wilkinson & Sam Underhill to help English u20 players.
• What rugby players can learn from hockey.
• American Football tactics that rugby can take.
• What positions you should try out when you’re young.
• Rusty’s favourite coaches & why.
• What it was like working with Eddie Jones in the England camp.
• What it was like winning a European Cup as a young player.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

My instagram is @offfieldrugby - The Off Field Rugby Coach, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

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Noel McNamara is the Attack & Backs coach for the Sharks in South Africa, and before that coached UCD in the All Ireland League, North Harbour in New Zealand’s Mitre 10, the Ireland under 18s, Ireland 20s, Leinster 20s, their A side and was also their academy manager before leaving to join the Sharks. In the pod talks about his unorthodox route to where he is today and what has helped him get there. 

Noel has played a huge role in bringing through a lot of the latest crop of senior Irish internationals and we talk a lot about player development, and what you can do to get to the next level.

We also chat about;

• Why he left Leinster & the IRFU to join the Sharks. 
• Challenges he’s faced while starting with the Sharks.
• Coaching Siya Kolisi, Lukhanyo Am & Makazole Mapimpi.
• The difference between coaching in Ireland & South Africa.
• How he has changed as a coach since he started out coaching schoolboy rugby in Clongowes.
• How his unorthodox route as a coach has been an asset.
• His relationship with failure.
• What he learned coaching provincial rugby in New Zealand.
• How Gareth Southgate used a used advisors with David Brailsford, Stuart Lancaster & Sue Barker when leading England to the final of Euro 2020.
• Visiting Willie Mullins horse yard and what he learned there around high performance, seeing the gold cup winning horses.
• The advantages of being a late developer.
• The importance of being curious. 
• Coaching with Paul O’Connell, Tana Umaga, JP Pietersen & Leo Cullen.
• What he believes makes a good coach.
• What he thinks Alex Ferguson, Jim Gavin & Brian Cody have in common, and what admires about them.
• What Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter told him helped their development as young players.
• What Jordan Larmour, James Ryan, Ross Byrne and Harry Byrne did differently, that he feels helped them get to where they are.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

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Link to Support the Pod

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My instagram is @offfieldrugby - The Off Field Rugby Coach, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

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Robbie Henshaw is a test Lion, has won two Six Nations Titles and been a European Champion with Leinster. 

We chat about his journey from starting out with Connacht Rugby right after he left high school right up to winning the Irish Players’ Player of the Year award recently. Robbie opens up about times he lacked confidence on the field, periods where he wasn’t enjoying playing rugby and also the attitude and mindset he adopted in recent times that helped propel him to being one of the standout players in world rugby this year. 

We also chat about;

• What motivated him over the last few years.
• Dealing with adversity.
• How he deals with nerves, and gets rid of them.
• How it felt getting selected for the Lions.
• The players he became friendly with on the Lions, that you mightn’t expect.
• The message that Jack Carty sent him before they played each other recently.
• His Recovery Protocol.
• What he thinks are the best ways to form bonds with teammates.
• The importance of balance in life, and how he finds it.
• His favourite post match meals.
• The impact Joe Schmidt had on career.
• Moving around positions throughout his career.
• Having to put on weight & how he found his ideal weight.
• Where he looks for 1% Improvements
• How he overcame a lack of confidence.
• How Senior Players can help young players.
• How Brian O’Driscoll helped him in his career.
• His proudest moment in rugby.
• How he deals with the media. 
• Working with Enda McNulty, his mental skills coach.
• How many surgeries he’s had.
• What’s driving him now.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

My instagram is @offfieldrugby - The Off Field Rugby Coach, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

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Jimmy Gopperth has been named Premiership Player of the Season, won the Golden Boot 3 times and also won a Pro 14 title with Leinster. He’s been one of the top fly halves in Europe for the last decade, and before that was played Super Rugby with the Hurricanes and Blues.

We chat about his journey from a farm in New Plymouth to playing with some of the all time greats and becoming one of the top fly halves in Europe. Jimmy talks about what has helped him become the player he is today, and what has helped him stay at the top for so long. We also talk about;

• Why nerves are a good thing. 

• Why he gave up his dream of being an All Black.

• What it was like being in a dressing room with Jonah Lomu, Jerry Collins and Tana Umaga.

• Times he didn’t see eye to eye with coaches, and what he did about it.

• What he gets up to outside of rugby

• The weekly schedule at Wasps.

• How Wasps use GPS around their training.

• Adapting to the northern hemisphere 

• Challenging times he’s had and how he grew through them.

• How his relationship with coaches have changed over time.

• The story behind why he has launched the Jimmy G kicking tee.

• The Jimmy G Kicking Academy.

• The coaching that he’s doing now and his plans for the future.

• How he interacts with the players around him to get the best out of them.

• His demeanour on the field and how he carries himself. 

• What he thinks are the best prematch meetings.

• What has allowed him to continue performing at the top of the game, aged 38.

Get your Jimmy G Tee here! https://www.jimmygtees.com/

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

My instagram is @offfieldrugby - The Off Field Rugby Coach, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends, and also please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening.

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Fergus is an extreme challenger, former rugby player, and recent recoveree from a traumatic spinal injury.

Unleash Your Potential - Course for Players That Want to Become Professionals

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Portia Woodman is an Olympic gold medal winner, the all time leading women’s try scorer on the World Series, and in 2020 was named Sevens Player of the Decade. She is also the only person ever to have been named both World Rugby 7s and 15s Player of the Year. 

We chat about her journey from athletics, to professional netball to rugby, all the way up to winning gold in Tokyo last summer. Portia opens up about the struggles she’s had in her career, and what she has done to overcome them. She speaks about why she recently wanted to quit the game and we also talk about the below;

Leaving a professional Netball contract to pursue her rugby dream.

Her PreMatch routine. 

How she felt she let her teammates down in what was the biggest game of her career.

The one day in her career she would like to relive.

The mental skills that have helped her have control how she feels about her performances.

What she did over over Covid and lockdowns.

Going against her mums wishes to pursue a different path.

The legacy that she wants to leave behind her.

How the Black Ferns sevens coaches treat people who are suffering mentally.

She details how the Black Ferns 7s built their culture.

The importance of knowing what your superpower is as a player and how to align that for the team.

How she stayed motivated during her lengthy injury rehab.

What her Māori culture means to her.

Leading the Haka and why Black Ferns and All Black have different Haka's 

The forward position she would like to play in 15s.

How she copes with the pressure that the media puts on her.

The sports she thinks are the best base for young players.

How she feels about being a role model to female rugby players all over the world.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

My instagram is @offfieldrugby - The Off Field Rugby Coach, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends, and also please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening.

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Enda McNulty is a renowned sports psychologist and was the Irish rugby team’s mental skills coach for a number of years. Enda came to prominence in rugby circles when he started working with Brian O’Driscoll in 2007, and O’Driscoll pays huge credit to Enda in his autobiography. Enda talks about the work he is now doing with Robbie Henshaw, what he is getting right mentally, and also;

• How you can train your mind, like you would train your muscles.
• Practices you can start now to become more mentally stronger.
• He explains a mental training routine/program that you can start today.
• How he became interested in sports psychology aged 12.
• How he became a sports psychologist aged 19/20.
• The different areas of preparation that elite performers have to get right.
• How he approaches skeptical players.
• How to deal with difficult situations to give yourself the best chance of success.
• Different elite athletes he is working with today.
• Work he does with CEO of multinational corporations.
• What it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.
• What gives him the most satisfaction in his work.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

My instagram is The Off Field Rugby Coach @offfieldrugby, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends and also please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening.

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Instagram: @offfieldrugby

Twitter: @offfieldrugby

LinkedIn: Brian Moylett

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Today I chat with Ireland 7s international Ian Fitzpatrick.

Ian was with the Irish 7s from its relaunch in 2015 right up to the Olympics in 2021. We chat about that journey from playing the likes of Malta to playing Fiji with Semi Radradra and Josh Tuisova. He talks about the nights out the team would have after tournaments and also,

• How he felt getting released and not getting another contract.
• Irish 7s players walking away because of contract issues.
• How Ireland played differently to beat the big teams.
• What it’s like playing Fiji in sevens. 
• How the Irish 7s train.
• What the living conditions were like in the Olympic Village.
• The food that the athletes got in Tokyo and how surprised he was with it.
• Difficulties with negotiating contracts as a sevens player.
• Fears he has around the sustainability of Sevens around the world.
• Solutions that he believes could help sevens players earn a better living.
• Marketing sevens and the selling point of the game.
• Getting accustomed to life after rugby, and what he misses.
• Dealing with injuries and surgeries, and any regrets he has.
• Trying to find his identity outside of rugby.
• How he wants to help young players.

You can find Ian on instagram @_ianfitzpatrick

My instagram is The Off Field Rugby Coach @offfieldrugby, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

If you enjoyed the podcast please share it with some friends, and if you’re listening on Apple Podcasts please leave a rating and a review.

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Today I chat with USA Eagle Malon Al Jiboori who is currently playing with Ealing Trailfinders in the English Championship.

Malon signed with the USA sevens when he was 18. He left first year university, moved to San Diego and started travelling across the world on the HSBC World Series. When he was 20 he was capped by the Eagles and then jumped back to sevens before going to the 2019 RWC. He’s now playing with Ealing in the English Championship because he has a goal to play in the Premiership. We talk about all of this and also,

• Difficulties he had adjusting to life in London when he signed for Ealing.
• How he got recruited to Lindenwood.
• Why he turned down D1 College football scholarships to play rugby.  
• What it was like moving over and back between USA 7s & 15s.
• How set sets goals.
• Why he backed himself to make the RWC 2019 squad when he wasn’t playing 15s.
• He naturally overthinks things, and how he has learned to deal with that.
• The mindset he has adopted that allows him to play his best.
• The prejudice he feels there is against American rugby players.
• The effect rugby can have on his mental health.
• Training with David Pocock at the Brumbies 
• Why he had to get off Instagram.

My instagram is The Off Field Rugby Coach @offfieldrugby, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

If you enjoyed the podcast please share it with some friends, and if you’re listening on Apple Podcasts please leave a rating and a review.

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Michael Baska is a US Eagle who, this year, has played against Ireland, England and the All Blacks. But for most of his career he has been a back up player. Constantly being overlooked by coaches and struggling at times to get a contract. Baska talks about the mindset, determination and work ethic he had to keep following his dream of becoming a US Eagle no matter what setbacks he faced.

We also chat about,

• How it felt playing the All Blacks in DC.
• Why he switched from American football to playing rugby .
• Getting a scholarship to play collegiate rugby.
• Having a beginners mindset & the importance of always learning
• Why he always wanting to be outside of his comfort zone.
• How he got his break in the MLR.
• Mistakes he has made when negotiating contracts.  
• How he believed in himself when few others did. 
• Mindset and work ethic that enabled him to become a US Eagle when he had recently been struggling to get a contract.
• How coaches can have most impact on players.
• A huge risk he’s currently taking by walking away from a contract.

You can find Michael on instagram @michaelbaska - https://www.instagram.com/michaelbaska/

My instagram is The Off Field Rugby Coach @offfieldrugby. Please follow me there and let me know any thoughts or feedback you have for the pod.

If you enjoyed the podcast, please send it to a friend and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts if that's where you're listening.

& Please subscribe/follow the podcast if you haven't already.

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Mike Ruddock is a Grand Slam winning coach. 

Throughout his 35 year career he built a reputation for turning around underperforming teams into unlikely champions. When he took over at Wales they had lost 10 games in a row, and he won a Slam in his first full season. We chat about this, and Mike shares his practices and learnings from a 35 year coaching career. 

We also talk about;

• The best way for you to get coaching jobs in rugby.
• What he did to turn the Ospreys around, from bottom to challenging for top.
• Advice for young coaches today.
• How to know when your team will peak, and what to do to keep them there.
• Beating himself up as a young coach
• Giving Brian O’Driscoll, Shane Horgan and Leo Cullen their first contracts.
• What he would have done differently as Leinster Coach.
• What coaches today are getting wrong.
• How you can inspire losing teams to believe in themselves.
• Building a winning culture in teams.
• Striking the balance as a coach between being empathetic and driving players hard.
• What he would do differently if he was starting out again.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

My instagram is The Off Field Rugby Coach @offfieldrugby, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Thanks to all the people sharing the podcast on their instagram stories (I put a post out for each pod). If you enjoyed the chat, I would be grateful if you also shared the pod and sent it to some friends.

Please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening.

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Today I chat with Mack Carson, who is a Canadian international, and has been playing in the Allianz Premier 15s for the past couple of seasons, firstly with Bristol and more recently Saracens. I’m currently coaching Mack as she is back in UBC for a semester to finish her degree, before going back to Saracens in January.

We chat about what it’s like to play with one of the top teams in the Allianz Premier 15s, which is the most professional women’s league in the world.

We also talk about;

• How she started playing rugby in BC, playing u18s aged 12.
• How her move to the Allianz Premier 15s came about.
• Balancing school and playing rugby full time.
• How the Allianz Premier 15s has moved from amateur to semi-pro.
• What it’s like playing for Bristol and Saracens.
• Advice she would give a North American girls thinking of going to England to play.
• Why it’s more important for women, than men, to balance life outside of rugby.
• How much women in Canada have to pay to represent their province/country.
• WXV, the new women’s international global competition.
• The impact rugby and injuries has on mental health.

You can find Mack on instagram @mackcarson11

My instagram is The Off Field Rugby Coach @offfieldrugby, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

If you enjoyed the chat please send it to some friends, or share it in a WhatsApp group.

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Today I chat with Rugby Bricks Founder Pete Breen.

Pete is a former ITM Cup player, having represented Otago and Northland. Since retiring from the game he has founded Rugby Bricks, which has over 143k followers on instagram and developed the @rugbybricks kicking tees, which are used by some of the best players in the world. On @rugbybricks insta he coaches skills, and sometimes does so with All Blacks. He is also a coach with the Melbourne Storm in the NRL and until very recently the Australian Women’s rugby union team. We chat about all of this, as well as;

• What he learned from Japan coach Tony Brown.
• Best advice he got as a fly half.
• How he became a more effective coach at the international level.
• How you can get more distance on your kicks.
• How to be a more accurate goal kicker.
• Kicking in aussie rules, rugby league and union. What can be learned from each.
• The story behind why he started Rugby Bricks.
• Growing Rugby Bricks from day 1 to today.
• How he got more engagement on his content.
• Dealing with imposter syndrome.
• What he does to switch off from the person we see on screen.

https://rugbybricks.com/

My instagram is The Off Field Rugby Coach @offfieldrugby, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Thanks to all the people sharing the podcast on their instagram stories (I put a post out for each pod). If you enjoyed the chat, I would be grateful if you sent it to some friends and left a review on Apple Podcasts.

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Today I chat with rugby agent Tom Beattie, who is the founder of TDB Sports. 

We talk about;

• What he does to maximize players earnings.
• How agents get paid in rugby.
• How he got started as an agent.
• The British & Irish Lions coach that mentored him.
• How transfer dealings with club work, and the impact Covid had.
• The RFU requirements to being an agent, and representing players in England.
• What he does when a player doesn't settle in a club. 
• CVC and his thoughts on outside investments into rugby.

If you’ve any feedback for the podcast please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or send me a DM on instagram - The Off Field Rugby Coach @offfieldrugby.

Thanks to all the people sharing the podcast on their instagram stories. If you enjoyed the chat, I would be grateful if you also shared the pod and sent it to some friends.

Please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening.

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We chat about:

Difference between S&C for amateur and pro players

How to structure a preseason S&C program for amateur/semi pro teams.

Mistakes S&C coaches make

How to integrate conditioning with pre-pitch sessions

Chasing power and strength versus mobility.

The processes he learned as Glasgow Warriors.

The one mantra, Rassi Erasmus had at Munster rugby.

The biggest mistakes coaches make

What the great coaches have

The importance of having a purpose.

How knowledge & information can become a problem.

Why teams go flat, and how to prevent it 

What I learned from Nigel Carolan at Connacht rugby

What to do in a training warmup, and a match warmup

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Today I chat with England Rugby’s Head Nutritionist Dr Graeme Close.

Graeme is also the Head of Nutrition on the European Tour of Golf, a Professor of Human Physiology at Liverpool John Moores University and has worked in Premier League Soccer. He is also a former professional rugby league player.

We talk about;

• What it’s like working for Eddie Jones and the English Rugby (RFU) environment.
• If alcohol has a place at the top level in the modern game.
• How to fuel your body in the lead up to matches.
• What to do if you feel you can’t eat before games.
• His opinions on the vegan / plant based diet and how it affects performance in rugby.
• Best overall supplement for rugby players.
• Best pre-workout / pre match supplement.
• His opinion on whether rugby players should be allowed to smoke weed.
• His research into CBD.
• WADA loopholes that allow rugby players to take banned substances.
• How to gain weight.
• Biggest mistakes rugby players make around nutrition.

You can find Graeme on instagram @closenutrition

https://www.closenutrition.com/

My instagram is The Off Field Rugby Coach @offfieldrugby, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Thanks to all the people sharing the podcast on their instagram stories (I put a post out for each pod). If you enjoyed the chat, I would be grateful if you also shared the pod and sent it to some friends.

Please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening.

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Today I chat with Connacht Rugby player Tom Daly.

Tom was in the recent Ireland squad and is playing the best rugby of his life recently, but he was very close to walking away from pro rugby a couple of years ago because things just didn’t seem to be working out. We chat about that time and also,

• Why his time at Leinster didn’t work out.
• The point of difference he feels he has, that got him into the Ireland squad.
• How it felt getting selected for the Ireland squad, but then not getting capped.
• He he would have done differently if he had his time back with Leinster.
• Balancing a physiotherapy degree with playing pro rugby.
• The type of business he would like to open when he hangs up the boots.
• Why he changed agents recently.
• The Irish international that is mentoring him.
• Impact crowds have on players and referees.
• Most enjoyable part of the week for him as a pro rugby player.

You can find Tom on instagram @thomasdaly12

My instagram is The Off Field Rugby Coach @offfieldrugby, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Thanks to all the people sharing the podcast on their instagram stories (I put a post out for each pod). If you enjoyed the chat, I would be grateful if you also shared the pod and sent it to some friends.

Please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening.

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

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Today I chat with Clare Sadler, who is the USA Men’s Sevens Mental Skills Coach.

Clare has previously worked with England Rugby, top level football teams and the Premier League. She is also an executive coach to business leaders, a coach developer and a therapist.

We talk about;

• How your beliefs and assumptions dictate what you are capable of.
• How your personal biases can hold you back.
• How to access the FLOW State.
• What you can do to recover quicker from injury, both mentally and physically.
• How to speed up, or slow down, your nervous system to aid performance and wellbeing.
• How to use breath work to shift your state and aid recovery.
• How focusing your attention helps performance and how you can improve yours.
• How to learn quicker and more effectively.
• How sleep affects performance.
• What we can learn from the army to improve training.
• Difference between coaching men and women.

Clare founded the company Beyond Instinct www.beyondinstinct.com , and you can get in touch with her at clare@beyondinstinct.com

My instagram is The Off Field Rugby Coach @offfieldrugby, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Thanks to all the people sharing the podcast on their instagram stories (I put a post out for each pod). If you enjoyed the chat, I would be grateful if you also shared the pod and sent it to some friends.

Please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening.

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

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Matai Leuta has played for the USA Sevens since early 2015, he was at the recent Olympics and has been capped 4 times for the USA Eagles in 15s.

Matai talks about,

• The day Mike Friday sat him down and told him his attitude needed to change.
• What it was like growing up in Fiji 
• How he knew at age 7/8 what his life’s purpose was and how he pursued it from that day.
• The obstacles he had to overcome to pursue his goal and become an International Sevens player.
• How taxing sevens is and the mindset you need to stay at the top.
• A typical training day with the USA Sevens.
• How he gets balance in his life and avoids burnout.
• How it felt missing out on Rio 2016, and getting to Tokyo 2021
• The lessons he learned from failure at the Olympics and how he is moving forward.
• How the USA Sevens have built The Dawgs
• What you can do to build trust among teammates on the field.
• How he deals with high pressurized situations in matches.

You can find Matai on instagram @muhfly

My instagram is The Off Field Rugby Coach @offfieldrugby, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Thanks to all the people sharing the podcast on their instagram stories (I put a post out for each pod). If you enjoyed the chat, I would be grateful if you also shared the pod and sent it to some friends.

Please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening.

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

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Today I chat with Saracens player, and Wales international, Georgia Evans.

This week 123 Wales international players started a petition to call on the Welsh Rugby Union to implement women’s performance pathways in the country. We talk about that, what the current pathway (or lack of one) is like in Wales and what potentially could be done to improve it.

We also talk about;

• How it feels playing for the Welsh national team
• Why Georgia decided to move to Saracens
• Finances around the Allianz Premier 15s league, and how Saracens players get paid
• The training schedule in Saracens
• Balancing work, while playing elite level rugby and training like a professional 
• The facilities, backroom team and support the Saracens women have
• Nutrition, and how its different for different player
• What travel is like in the Allianz Premier 15s
• Long term goals, and plans after rugby
• Reflect on last seasons 6 Nations
• Why Georgia switched from playing netball to rugby as a teenager.

You can find Georgia on instagram @georgiaemilyyx

My instagram is The Off Field Rugby Coach @offfieldrugby, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Thanks to all the people sharing the podcast on their instagram stories (I put a post out for each pod). If you enjoyed the chat, I would be grateful if you also shared the pod and sent it to some friends.

Please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening.

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

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After 3 years in the Leinster Academy, Tom Farrell was released. In fact, Tom speaks about how Leinster released him early from his contract.

After being dropped by Leinster he speaks about how he knew deep down that he was good enough to play for an Irish province and that his chance would come. So to make it happen he moved over to the English Championship, to get himself into the shop window. We chat about what the standard of play is like there, the level of professionalism and Tom talks about what salary he was on and how he gave himself a time limit of 2 years to make it happen, and get a contract with an Irish province. 

Tom opens up about how he realized that his attitude needed to change, if he were to fulfill his potential. He speaks about why he was dropped by Leinster and he also explains how his recent injuries have given him a new perspective in life, and details the parts of being a pro rugby player that he now enjoys which wasn't always the case. 

We discuss prematch nerves, and how you can deal with them to ensure that they work for you, vs against you. Tom describes what the Connacht dressing room is like prematch, what players are calm and relaxed and who are the ones bringing the energy. Also, what it’s like playing in a packed Sportsground and how much that means to him. 

Tom also explains what recovery sessions look like for the Connacht squad, and what he does personally. We chat about a business that he started recently and much more!

You can find Tom on instagram @tomfarrell_00

If you enjoy the pod, please share it with a friend, and leave a rating and a review.

Any feedback, please send me a DM on instagram @offfieldrugby, would love to hear your thoughts.

Cheers, Brian

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Cristian Rodriguez, LA Giltinis scrum half, got into rugby through a program called Alternatives to Gang Membership, which is what it says on the tin, a program that helps keep kids focused on sports and out of the gangs. We chat about that, Cristian explains how gangs recruit young kids, often pre teens, and how, unfortunately, some of his friends growing up went down the wrong path. Cristian now runs that program voluntarily, while playing pro rugby with the LA Giltinis.

We chat about how in his final year of High School he was ready to give up sports but a chance meeting with Lindenwood University coaches lead to a scholarship to play collegiate rugby, and when there he kicked on to become a Collegiate All American 7s and 15s player, play with the USA u20s and also be named the best college 7s player in the country in his final year at Lindenwood.

Cristian talks about how he negotiated his contract with the Giltinis. It involves signing for another MLR club to then being brought to Maui in Hawaii with the Giltinis and signing for them while there.

We also chat about the LA Giltinis 5 day celebrations after the final, the incredible HeadQuarters they have and what a match day playing in the LA Coliseum is like.

You can find Cristian on instagram @crisrodriguez20 

Any feedback, please send me a DM on instagram @offfieldrugby, would love to hear your thoughts.

Please subscribe/follow the pod wherever you listen, and also please share it with some friends.

Cheers, Brian

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This week I chat with Ross Deacon, who plays in the back row for Rugby ATL in Major League Rugby, and who is also studying for a Dr of chiropractic degree at the same time.

Ross grew up in Wexford, Ireland, and went to secondary school, or high school, in Kilkenny College. After that he did an undergraduate degree in UCD and played club rugby in Lansdowne fc. He joined Lansdowne in 2011 and we had a great few years playing together there. Ross has represented both Leinster u20s and USA u20s.

We chat about his journey to the MLR, how he originally went over to the States to work in a bar and play some club rugby, to then getting called up to the Eagles squad and reaching the recent MLR final, where he lost out to Matt Giteau’s LA Giltinis.

Ross has played with 3 different MLR clubs and gives a great insight into what the day to day schedule is like, the level of professionalism of the league, and how this varies from club to club. And he also speaks about what goes through your head when playing some of the biggest superstars in World Rugby.

You can find Ross on instagram @rossdeacon8

Any feedback, please send me a DM on instagram @offfieldrugby, would love to hear your thoughts.

Please subscribe/follow the pod wherever you listen, and also please share it with some friends.

Cheers, Brian

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This week I chat with Connacht and Ireland Out-Half Jack Carty. Jack came through the Connacht academy and is the province’s record points scorer. On the pod we speak about how, over Jack’s career Connacht have gone from one of the worst teams in the Pro 14, to champions and now regular contenders. Jack speaks about Pat Lam's influence, but gives a different reason as to why he thinks Connacht have become the team they are. And he also gives a really interesting insight into how the attitudes of young players can positively affect a team's mindset. 

We speak about preseason, what Connacht are doing, and how drastically it has changed over the past 10 years.

Jack touches on what coaches can do to get the best out of players in today’s game. 

We discuss the new laws, the 50:22 and goal-line drop out. Jack gives a great insight into some of the things he will do to exploit them, and we discuss the knock on effects the rules might have on how the game is played. I found his perspective here really interesting and if you’re a player or coach I think you’ll definitely learn a trick or two. Let me know if you agree with us, or think of any other ways to exploit them.

Jack speaks about mindfulness, sports science and what professional players are doing today, away from training and gym to get an upper hand. And all of these can be replicated no matter what level you’re playing at.

We played together through the Connacht system, for the under 20s and for the Eagles. I was his captain at u20s and he was mine for the Eagles. Our u20s team beat the other 3 Irish provinces and Jack speaks about how good that side was and our style of play, below is a highlights video from that team. There’s a few future internationals and also Robbie Henshaw who has gone onto be a Lion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8UxlPJSNpU&ab_channel=ConnachtRugby

You can find Jack on instagram @jackcarty10.

Any feedback, please send me a DM on instagram @offfieldrugby, would love to hear your thoughts.

Please subscribe/follow the pod wherever you listen, leave a rating and review, and also please share it with some friends.

Cheers, Brian

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Paul Mullen, is an Irishman but plays tighthead prop for the US Eagles and also the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby.

This season the Warriors ran Matt Giteau’s LA Giltinis the closest, losing by 4 points in the conference final. We chat about that, and get an insight into life in the Warriors organization. Paul certainly isn’t complaining, but he mentions some of the challenges the Warriors had to face, that the Giltinis didn’t.

We chat about Paul’s journey, growing up on the Aran islands, playing in the Irish pathway to playing social rugby for 7 years, and then ending up going to the World Cup in 2019. 

Paul has played with 3 Major League Rugby teams and he speaks about the different levels of professionalism he has experienced between the 3 clubs.

Paul chats about his mindset before playing against the best players in the world and what he finds helps him to perform his best in those games, and we also speak about what life is like in the USA camp and how Covid has affected them.

You can find Paul on instagram @paulmullen3.

Any feedback, please send me a DM on instagram @offfieldrugby, would love to hear your thoughts.

Cheers, Brian

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Unleash Your Potential - Course for Players That Want to Become Professionals

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Nick Feakes is a winger for NOLA Gold in the US Major League Rugby. We chat about his journey from being a skinny 16 year old, that was lacking confidence and not much good by his own account, to becoming the first player to score a hat trick for NOLA in the MLR.

Feakes also talks about the mindset which enabled him to come back from a devastating leg break and ankle dislocation to become one of the best collegiate players in the States. 

Along with playing in the MLR, Feakes is helping young players follow in his footsteps and get a scholarship to play collegiate rugby in the States. If you’d like to know more about this, send him a DM on instagram @striveathletesabroad and follow him @nickfeakes.

Any feedback, please send me a DM on instagram @offfieldrugby, would love to hear your thought.

Cheers, Brian

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Unleash Your Potential - Course for Players That Want to Become Professionals

Audible.com |Audible.co.uk - Get your audio book version of my new book today! (Free trial for new Audible customers)

Amazon Paperback Book - Get your physical copy of my new book today!

Brian's Instagram

Off-Field Rugby Instagram

Brian's LinkedIn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unleash Your Potential - Course for Players That Want to Become Professionals

Audible.com |Audible.co.uk - Get your audio book version of my new book today! (Free trial for new Audible customers)

Amazon Paperback Book - Get your physical copy of my new book today!

Brian's Instagram

Off-Field Rugby Instagram

Brian's LinkedIn

We chat about:

How to understand and help neurodiverse people.

How to identify Neurodiversity

The benefits of ADHD and dyslexia.

The survival responses that people adapt. 

Gabor Mate insights on sensory secrets.

The type of people who are anti-authoritarian

Why people become a class clown.

Deepak Chopra’s insights around times space

How anxiety can be reduced

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