Talking Rugby Episode 37 with special guest David Barnes

thomond2006

Link: http://theworldstalking.com/2012/04/26/talking-rugby-episode-37-special-guest-david-barnes/

Finally we get a special guest and it was a great one. David Barnes is a well known in English rugby with his work in the The Rugby Players Association. He had some good stories and had plenty to contribute regarding the pro game, the state of the English/European game and his work with the RPA.

This is Talking Rugby's longest episode to date and not without good reason! We are delighted to welcome our first special guest to the show, David Barnes, current chairman of the Rugby Players' Association in England and former West Hartlepool, Newcastle, Harlequins and Bath prop.

We also welcome back Doc and William from Ireland while Mike chimes in from Durham, England. Along with David Barnes, we discuss the topical issues in rugby at the moment, most notably the upcoming Heineken Cup semi-finals where we are 2 victories away from an all Irish final.

Coming up on the show:

0:00 - The team say hi!

PART 1: RABODIRECT PRO12 REVIEW
3:10 - Leinster severely dented Ulster's playoff hopes with a win at Ravenhill, ahead of their Heineken semi-finals.
7:10 - Munster eeked out a disappointing draw in a poor game away to Scarlets, but the result puts them in the playoffs. Meanwhile Matthew Jarvis was the hero for Connacht as they earned a last minute victory at home to Aironi.
13:00 - David Barnes gives his 2c on the Rabo.

PART 2: HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINALS PREVIEW
14:45 - We look ahead to the first Heineken Cup semi-final: Ulster vs Edinburgh at the Aviva Stadium. Ulster are strong favourites but can Edinburgh spring a surpise?
25:40 - Clermont host Leinster in Bordeaux in a highly anticipated clash, probably the two sides in Europe will be on show here. A contest that is tough to call!

PART 3: AMLIN CHALLENGE CUP + AVIVA PREMIERSHIP TALK
38:05 - It's two all French affairs in the Amlin Challenge Cup: Toulon vs Stade Francais & Biarritz vs Brive. The panel also debate the merit of the existence of the competition, compared to the "big stage" that is the Heineken Cup.
50:20 - We talk Aviva Premiership, with a look at the relegation battle and what it entails for the side that do go down.

PART 4: DAVID BARNES SPECIAL
1:06:30 - David talks about his career.
1:15:00 - David talks about the Rugby Players' Association, the background behind its founding and his work with the Injured Players' Fund.
1:19:10 - We take some fans' questions for David, leading to discussions about player welfare, a global parallel rugby season and the scrum.

Talking Rugby is by the fans, for the fans. If you would like to advertise, sponsor or simply get involved with the show, drop us an email to TheWorldsTalking@gmail.com.

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Thanks to the posters here that sent in some good questions and enjoy the show! Be sure to post your comments below!

The Talking Rugby Team

DeDoc

I can highly recommend this episode - David Barnes was a great guest, who has had a very interesting career - playing at the first professional club (Newcastle) alongside the likes of Nick Popplewell, before moving on to Quins (Jason Leonard, Keith Wood, Zinzan Brooke) and then Bath. Until recently he held the record for most premiership appearances for a prop. He has also played in 3 Challenge Cup finals and plenty of HEC games also. Although not getting capped he was involved in various squads under coaches like Clive Woodward (don't miss his great story about how he missed the 'tour of hell' :pac::D) and is now chairman of the Rugby Players Association, while he is also heavily involved in charity work for the Injured Players fund.

irishbucsfan

Can't wait to give this a listen tonight

4PP

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Can't wait to give this a listen tonight

Just had a listen, you won't be dissapointed

leftleg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTmCKRP7lcc

David Barnes at his best; one of his last games before he retired;

thomond2006

DeDoc wrote: »

I can highly recommend this episode - David Barnes was a great guest, who has had a very interesting career - playing at the first professional club (Newcastle) alongside the likes of Nick Popplewell, before moving on to Quins (Jason Leonard, Keith Wood, Zinzan Brooke) and then Bath. Until recently he held the record for most premiership appearances for a prop. He has also played in 3 Challenge Cup finals and plenty of HEC games also. Although not getting capped he was involved in various squads under coaches like Clive Woodward (don't miss his great story about how he missed the 'tour of hell' :pac::D) and is now chairman of the Rugby Players Association, while he is also heavily involved in charity work for the Injured Players fund.

Great insight alright, hopefully he'll be willing to come back soon.

irishbucsfan

I reckon if one of those bots posted in an Ireland match thread no one would notice

4PP

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I reckon if one of those bots posted in an Ireland match thread no one would notice

:p:p:p:p

Davekoolhill

He was a great guest, a total gent too.

4PP

I'm still waiting for "Seamus" to "out" himself publically on this forum! :P