Rugby Rodeo

This week Jess is joined by friend of the pod Emma Swords stepping into the co-host saddle, and a very special guest all the way from Canada — Saracens and Canada international Alysha Corrigan.

Alysha opens up about her journey from growing up in Canada — where women’s rugby often flies under the radar — to taking a leap of faith and moving across the world to chase the professional game in England. She talks about the sacrifices behind that decision, the toughest off-field adjustments to life in the UK, and the moment she realised rugby could take her to the very top of the sport.

The conversation dives into Canada’s incredible run at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, including what it felt like to play in the record-breaking final at Allianz Twickenham, how the squad reflects on finishing second now the dust has settled, and the unforgettable memories from the tournament.

Alysha also reflects on a wild 12 months of rugby, going from an Olympic silver medal in Paris 2024 to challenging for World Cup gold, and the mental and emotional rollercoaster that comes with competing on the biggest stages in sport.

YEEEEHAW.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We kick things off with a PWR recap and dive straight into the big talking points — Gloucester-Hartpury’s relentless dominance as they go 10 from 10, a huge performance from Sisilia Tuipulotu, and whether Harlequins can take confidence from a losing bonus point that could prove massive come the business end of the season.

There was chaos in Saracens vs Bristol as Ruahei Demant brought that trademark Black Ferns magic, Sarah Bern powered over, and Zoe Harrison iced the game with a seriously cold late penalty. The girls also unpack Bristol’s tricky season so far after last year’s strong finish.

Elsewhere, Exeter leapfrog Quins with a dominant win over Loughborough, while Sale snatched victory in dramatic fashion against Trailfinders — including Canada’s Asia Hogan-Rochester delivering a top-tier celebration that absolutely deserved airtime.

We look ahead to next weekend’s fixtures, before switching gears to a Men’s Six Nations round-up — where Scotland stunned England, snapping their winning streak and raising big questions about England’s attack efficiency, discipline, and backline creativity. Jess and Ellie also give their honest back-three perspective on Henry Arundell’s tough afternoon.

Ireland edged past a massively improved Italy, sparking discussion around Sam Prendergast, online pressure, and Andy Farrell’s powerful comments — plus standout performances from James Lowe and a brilliant return from Robert Baloucoune.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Rugby Rodeo without listeners’ questions — covering everything from nutrition and training routines to pancake toppings, Wagamama orders, underrated rugby skills, and which dog breed the girls would be (important journalism).

So saddle up, settle in, and as always… Yeehaw 🤠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re back on the rodeo sofa and this week it’s wall-to-wall rugby. 🤠🏉

On this episode of Rugby Rodeo, Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach react to a HUGE weekend in the women’s game – and a blockbuster opening round of the men’s Six Nations championship too.

We start with a ruthless statement win for Saracens against Leicester Tigers – including Jess’ flying return to action. Was there any fear of rust after such a long break… or did the bodies feel fresher than ever?

Then it’s one of the games of the season so far as Harlequins and Exeter Chiefs play out a 38–38 thriller. Three sin-bins, relentless Quins pressure, a missed kick at the death… and Ellie talks us through her try – the dummy, the hand-off and the finish. Pure class.

The girls also dive into the opening weekend of the men’s Six Nations Championship – breaking down England’s big win over Wales, France’s statement performance against Ireland (including that pre-match light show and blockbuster TV audience), and Italy’s shock victory over Scotland in absolutely horrendous conditions.

Plus…💌 Valentine’s Day plans🎤 Jess’ behind-the-scenes 02 room stories🔥 favourite tries of the weekend – and why they stood out🌧️ how much rain really levels a match

And of course… it wouldn’t be Rugby Rodeo without your questions.One song they’d survive on for a year, hidden talents, everyday things that make them happy – and what their Instagram algorithms think they’re obsessed with.

We finish with a massive round of community shout-outs – grassroots wins, debuts, comebacks from injury, first-ever girls’ XVs, derby doubles on the line… and even a special celebration recommendation for a first try this weekend.

Settle back, enjoy and make sure you're subscribed on Spotify!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have a VERY special episode this week on Rugby Rodeo, as for the first time ever, Jess' mum Trish joins us!

But before the family interview, the girls catch up on a very busy week.

Ellie lifts the lid on releasing her own book – how the whole idea came about, what the writing process was really like, and what fans can expect inside...

There’s also one of the wildest off-field stories of the season, as Ellie tells the full tale of how Jason Derulo ended up asking for her number.

Then… it’s time for a truly special chat as Jess’s mum joins the show.

She talks about when she first realised rugby wasn’t just a hobby for Jess, what Jess was really like growing up at home, and what supporting an elite athlete actually looks like as a parent.

From watching her daughter make her England debut, to dealing with the nerves of big collisions and injuries – and sharing the moments fans never get to see – it’s an honest, emotional and brilliantly personal conversation.

To finish, Jess’s mum reflects on how proud she feels seeing women’s rugby grow, and what it means knowing her daughter is part of the generation helping change the game.

Yeehaw. 🎙️🤠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Rugby Rodeo, Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach are joined on the Rodeo sofa by one of the toughest, most inspiring athletes on the planet — Sophie Power.

Sophie is a world-leading ultra-marathon runner, Guinness World Record holder and a genuine trailblazer in endurance sport. She first became globally known after an extraordinary photo of her breastfeeding her three-month-old baby mid-race during a 100+ mile mountain ultra — an image later named by The Guardian as one of the photos that reshaped sport, sparking a global conversation about equality, motherhood and opportunity for women in sport.

Ahead of the release of her new autobiography The Power Within, Sophie takes us inside the wild world of ultra-running: what an ultra-marathon actually is, how you even begin to train for events that last days, and why her very first race was the infamous Marathon des Sables — a 250km, self-supported slog across the Sahara Desert in 40–50°C heat.

She opens up about “going to dark places”, the real dangers of extreme endurance racing (including a race that left her in a coma with a 50% chance of death), and the mental resilience needed to keep moving when your body wants to stop. We also dive deep into the story behind that iconic UTMB photo — why she raced while breastfeeding, what it cost her, and why pregnancy is still treated differently to injury in elite sport.

There’s also plenty on Sophie’s work beyond racing. She tells Ellie and Jess about her charity SheRaces, the SheRaces guidelines, and her mission to create fairer, safer and more inclusive start lines — from trail running to rugby pitches.

Settle back, enjoy — and make sure you’re subscribed.

'The Power Within' is out now at all good retailers and is also available in audiobook format. More information on Sophie's charity SheRACES can be found here: https://www.sheraces.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices