The Big Jim Show

Danny Cipriani is one of the most talented and most written about rugby players ever to play the game. We discuss his upbringing, relationship with his mum and dad, journey from a wonderkid to a perceived troublemaker, why people had that perception of him, the role the media has played in his life, the front page stories about nights out and the incident with a police officer, his run-in with Mike Catt, Eddie Jones asking him about his sex life, why he can't get on board with the Australian's way, how he hasn't given up on playing the game, how to fix the ills of English rugby at the moment and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nile Wilson is an Olympic medal winning gymnast and a Commonwealth and European champion, who has gone on to be a YouTube sensation. We discuss injuries, transitioning into life after competing, where next after success at an early age, drugs in sport, how to make gymnastics and rugby more commercially viable, how to be successful on YouTube, inspiring the next generation and much more… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Barclay is a former Scotland captain, friend and neighbour (apparently!). We discuss how tough it is transitioning into a different career after playing rugby, life on the road, how it all ended for him at Edinburgh, loyalty in sport or the lack of it, differing views on coaches such as Scott Johnson, Vern Cotter and Gregor Townsend, Scotland's golden generation, who will win the 2023 World Cup and, of course, stories from the glory days of Scottish rugby... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richie Bartle is a former member of the UK Special Forces (SBS) and now co-founder of East Chase Distillers in Kenilworth. We discuss the ruthless selection process to get into the Special Forces in the first place, seeing a man die in training, night raids in the mountain strongholds of Afghanistan, whether it was all worth it after the political decision taken to pull out of the country, why he left the military, how he's ended up getting into the gin business and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freddie Burns is a Premiership-winning England international fly half and good friend. We discuss THAT drop goal in the Premiership final, his travels since then, the upcoming return to Japan, what sets Steve Borthwick apart as a coach, whether England have a chance at the World Cup, everything rugby has given him and how you go about solving the current issues in the game... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aden Durde is the defensive line coach of the Dallas Cowboys and the first British coach to work full-time in the NFL. We discuss his approach to coaching, managing superstars, the athletes in American football compared to rugby, his journey from London to the States, the importance of documentaries like Hard Knocks in sport nowadays, what it's like to feature in one and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Hills is a comedian and TV presenter and Scott Hallsworth is a rock 'n' roll chef. We discuss what you can and can't say and the chances of being cancelled as a comedian, Adam's passion for disability rugby league, the rock stars of the culinary world that influenced Scott, the challenge of opening a restaurant in the current economic climate, the future of food, running into Eddie Jones in a toilet and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lee McKenzie is one of the best presenters and reporters in the business across a number of sports. We discuss the future of rugby and how it isn't all doom and gloom, what the likes of Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer are really like behind the scenes, what it was like visiting Michael Schumacher's ranch, the challenges of life working in the travelling circus, tales from inside F1, her book on exactly that and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan Caldwell is a former Ulster, Bath, Exeter & Ireland second row with a hell of a story from life after rugby. We discuss the use of pain killers in rugby, transitioning into another life, his battles with addiction, troubles with the law, finding salvation in the Colombian jungle and his desire to help others turn their lives around too... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Linforth is Chief Smuggler and owner of swimwear company Budgy Smuggler. We discuss living in Australia, the UK and now France, building a brand gradually, overcoming financial adversity, mental health struggles, the badge of honour that is being voted the most hated swimwear item, how even the royal family now wear smugglers and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Jamieson is an Olympic and Commonwealth Games silver medal winning swimmer. We discuss the fine margins in swimming at elite level, the loneliness of such a solo sport, pushing yourself to the limits and beyond, mental health concerns in sport, life in the Olympic Village, how he never gets in an indoor pool any more and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mack Hansen is a Six Nations Grand Slam winning Ireland winger. We discuss his journey from Canberra to Galway, Connacht not getting the respect they deserve, his rapid rise to international rugby, being on the end of the Andy Farrell hairdryer treatment, where he's going to get a tattoo of his head coach's face, how the breakdown is refereed, the controversy with Johnny Sexton and Jaco Peyper at the Champions Cup final, Ireland's prospects of winning the World Cup, the pub crawl he'd go on if they did lift the trophy and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Smith is a personal trainer, author, comedian and social media sensation. We discuss his journey from playing rugby in National 2, the drug-related incident that inspired him to move to Australia, people's relationship with food in the modern world, the need to have a desperation to succeed, the pandemic, his rise to notoriety, the evolution into live shows and comedy, social media algorithms and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin Anayi is the CEO of the United Rugby Championship. We discuss the many iterations of the URC, the impact of the South African sides and their involvement in the Champions Cup, how to appeal to a broader and younger audience, whether a global calendar is achievable, if it's possible for a single broadcaster or platform to be the home of all rugby and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frank Murphy is a former Leicester, Munster & Connacht scrum half and now international rugby referee. We discuss his journey into refereeing, literally learning to blow the whistle, being fast-tracked, what a week looks like for a referee, the assessment process, what laws need to change, his disappointment at missing out on refereeing at the 2023 World Cup and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Craig Doyle is a broadcaster extraordinaire, host of BT Sport's rugby coverage and window salesman! We discuss his route from Ireland to the BBC, the emotional highs and lows of presenting Grandstand and working on an Olympics, the difficult position rugby currently finds itself in, what it was like to be in Ireland camp discussing the Shoulder To Shoulder documentary, how significant it would be for Ireland to win a World Cup and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jasper Wiese is a Leicester and South Africa number eight and one of the hardest to be playing the game at the moment. We discuss his father's hatred of rugby, steroids in the sport, the number of South Africans playing in the Premiership, travel for the SA franchises in European rugby, fulfilling a dream of playing for the Boks, Rassie Erasmus' special gift, how a night out cost him dear with Franco Smith, why he loves the physical confrontation and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard Jackman is one of the best thinkers and prominent voices in rugby. The former Ireland international discusses the perils of coaching, life in France, his own journey from buying cattle to playing rugby for a living, the financial situation in the sport, the phenomenal schools system in Ireland, why Johnny Sexton is the greatest and why this time it'll be different and Ireland will win the World Cup... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ellie Kildunne is still only 23 and is a World Cup finalist. The England full back discusses the final defeat, the effect the game had on women's rugby, how best to grow the sport, the sort of money being earned by players, whether now is the right time for a Lions women's tour and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gordon Smart is a former deputy editor of the Sun and now broadcast journalist. From Noel Gallagher to Vinnie Jones and Bono to Amy Winehouse, he has stories for days from the heady world of showbiz but also candid reflections on the fine line that's trodden between those in the public eye and the media and a fascinating personal back story to boot... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Gustard is a former England assistant coach who has also coached at Saracens, Harlequins, Benetton and now Stade Francais. He discusses life under Eddie Jones, the potential for central contracts to solve some of English rugby's problems, cultural differences coaching abroad, the genuine hatred between Saracens and Harlequins and how that affected his time at the latter and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wayne Pivac is a Six Nations and PRO12 winning coach but most recently he was replaced as Wales boss after home defeats to Italy and Georgia. He discusses when he knew his time was up, the move made to bring Warren Gatland in, the ongoing contract situation in Welsh rugby, his view on what should happen with the regions, how Scott Robertson's actions are ruffling feathers in New Zealand and what the future holds for him... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George Groves is a British boxing world champion. His bouts against Carl Froch, in particular, were huge deals and he sheds light on how they were made and fought, including how he promoted himself at times. Plus, he discusses how he went from being willing to die for the cause to putting someone in a coma and then knowing that his time was up but not before becoming a world champion... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lewis Ludlam is Northampton captain and has played a key role in the England back row in Steve Borthwick's opening couple of games in charge. It hasn't always been plain sailing, though, and we discuss how close he came to giving up the game not so long ago, as well as how much of a voice players should have in the modern game, the involvement of Netflix in England camp at the moment, what Borthwick's regime is like and comparisons with Ardie Savea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dean Richards is a Leicester and England legend, the man who gave me my first contract and arguably saved my life. From working in the police to having them visit the Tigers training ground regularly and being approached about the England job to bouncing back from the bloodgate cover up, his career has had plenty of ups and downs and there might be a chapter or two left to be written... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seb Negri is an Italian international with a fascinating back story. We discuss fleeing his home in Zimbabwe, coming through the Hartpury production line, earning back respect for Italian rugby, the leadership of Michele Lamaro, the stardust of Ange Capuozzo, Kieran Crowley's regime and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is a World Cup winner and leader of men. From tragedy in early life to triumph in 2003 and beyond, his is a story of passion, dedication and never losing perspective. We discuss the highs and lows, how to make the transition after the end of your playing career, why he didn't go into coaching, the media and much more. Plus, he tells us what went wrong for Eddie Jones, what England fans can expect from Steve Borthwick, why Owen Farrell shouldn't be captain and there's a controversial selection at fly half in his all-time England XV... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greig Laidlaw is one of Scotland's greatest ever captains and knows a thing or two about Calcutta Cup clashes. We look ahead to the encounter between England and Scotland at Twickenham this weekend, as well as discussing project players, captaincy, the relationship between Finn Russell and Gregor Townsend, who the next Scotland coach might be, life in Japan, how much he has left in the tank and what the future holds for Mr Greig... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Powell is known as one of the biggest characters rugby has ever seen but there's more to him than meets the eye. He has stories for days and shares some special ones from Lions tours, playing in France and his time with Wales under Warren Gatland, driving a golf buggy down the M4 is just the starting point, but there's also reflection on alcohol, gambling issues and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Billy Vunipola has been one of the most high profile rugby players in the world for the past decade and isn't short of an opinion or two. We discuss England disappointments, Eddie Jones, Steve Borthwick, the Saracens salary cap scandal, injury woes and personal struggles, criticism from former players, the state of the game and whether a lucrative move could be on the cards for him, while reminiscing a bit about the good old days too... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Big Jim Show - brought to you by Scotland rugby legend Jim Hamilton and featuring some of the biggest names in rugby, sport and the entertainment business... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.