Rallen's Rant - The Rugby Guests

"You should write an article, and mention all the guests you had on the show and explain what you covered in each episode" - Mr. X(a close friend).

The above was said to me about two weeks ago, about 2 hours before I spoke to Rugby World Cup winner Malcolm Marx on my podcast. I thought the idea would be helpful, especially since I gain new listeners every week, and to be honest, I lose listeners every week too. Highlighting the guests I've had on will help anyone who is reading this to gain a better understanding of what my conversations with these athletes consist of, and also how I had known them, or come in contact with them. So without further waffle, I will give a quick back story to each podcast, a little about the guest and what we talked about in each episode.

Episode One - Brian O'Meara (Leinster, Munster & Ireland Rugby Player)

• This was the first podcast. The start of a mental journey. The idea formed thanks to my co-workers and friends at the time. They essentially slagged me about how much waffle I'd talk and that my personality was so unique that it would work on a podcast, for better or worse. I knew Brian initially as my 4th year Sports Science teacher in St. Michael's College along with also being my SCT coach too, and a found memory I have of that time is that when he asked us to do a project on our favourite sportsperson I asked him if I could do it on him, and he told me to.....well you know the rest. For the podcast, I was coaching and working full-time in St. Michael's College and I thought it would be a good place to start the podcast. So with Brian, we talked about his childhood, AIL rugby, moving to a rival province, how unprofessional rugby was back then and Brian also spoke very openly about life after rugby. Still a fan favourite to this day, nobody tends to have a bad word to say about this podcast.

Episode Seven - Dan Leavy (Leinster & Ireland Rugby Player)

• Episode 7 proved to be key moment for the podcast. It had reached the stage where I didn't know if I wanted to keep it up, and after interest had started to decline, I turned to a close friend to try bring me and the podcast back to life somewhat. Originally this podcast was scheduled to be done during the season, but it was pushed to the Summer, which in hindsight worked out great as Dan would go on to feature in the 6 Nations and play in some vital European fixtures for Leinster. I'd know Dan for several years, having played rugby at JCT and SCT level with him. A memory I always have of him in school was when I was in 5th year, I used to sit with him in after-school study and make History quiz's for him while my grades were an absolute shambles. With all that said, I prepped him well for his Leaving Cert no doubt! In this episode, we talked about schools rugby, dealing with tough injury setbacks, playing for Ireland, a funny story about how he was almost late for his Irish camp due to his old email and his ambitions for the future. A very laid back chat, which took place in a stuffy office room in St. Michael's on a cold June morning.

Episode Eight - Greg McWilliams (USA Attack Coach)

• Following on the success of Episode 7, I decided to keep the ball rolling with rugby and get on my former coach Greg McWilliams who'd been doing great work over in the United States. I'd known Greg for several years, first as a teacher, then as a coach and now as a friend. Always a great man for advice, I do recall a funny incident while he was coaching me at U20s level in which we were having a few drinks after a game and Greg announced "he was having an early one" and didn't want to stay long or wouldn't drink. Fast forward 3 hours and Greg had a guitar in hand and was playing Coldplay to about 25 hammered players. Good times. Now in this episode, we talked about St. Michael's College and their first ever Senior Cup win, coaching the Irish Women's team, moving to the States and his goals with USA Rugby. Greg was really honest in this podcast and really enjoyed the stuff on Yale University too.

Episode Nineteen - Dave Dillon (Kobelco Steelers Head Coach)

• Several months had passed in the podcast, and I eventually moved away from having strictly St. Michael's related guests on. Having had UFC Champions, lawyers, actors and producers on the show since Greg McWilliams, I thought it was time for some jock talk to resume. Dave had been my PE teacher in school back in 2007. Dave had spent several years working in New Zealand with many of the pro teams and had just moved over to Japan to coach the likes of Dan Carter and Adam Ashley Cooper. To gain an insight into the league, culture and challenges was fascinating.

Episode Twenty - James Ryan (Leinster & Ireland Rugby Player)

• By the time I sat down with James, he'd gone from no caps, to a European and 6 Nations Champion. Prior to the podcast, although I'd known James as a close friend since 2013, he stated "I've never been more nervous for an interview in my life," well this made me all the more relaxed to know I'd rattled the big man. During the interview, I chatted to James about dealing with big losses in school, taking his chance with Ireland and the difference between club and country. A great chat, with a great man.

Episode Twenty Six - Bernard Jackman (Leinster & Ireland Rugby Player)

• Sitting down with Bernard was years in the making. I'd been coached back in 2012 by Bernard, and since then, had kept in touch. My fond memories of being coached by Bernard brings me back to a steep hill in Milltown in which he had me, and the rest of the squad, running up and down it while it was freezing and lashing raining only to hear the echos of his screams from the other end of the hill. I'd visited Bernard over in Grenoble & Newport to watch those respective teams train and he was always very welcoming of me and supportive in any questions I had to ask. In this episode we talked about his playing days, professionalism in Leinster, challenges of coaching in France and his time during Newport Gwent Dragons. A great chat.

Episode Twenty Eight - Cathal Marsh (Leinster & RUNY Rugby Player)

• While in New York, Cathal(Prince Loot) was kind enough to take some time off to have a chat with me about his rugby journey thus far. I'd known Cathal for years, having gone to the same school, been coached by him and played with him up in St. Mary's RFC. A bubbly personality, it was great to catch up with him and chat about his time with Leinster, struggling with leaving them and his experiences over in New York.

Episode Thirty Five - Alex Goode (Saracens & England)

• It's amazing was a simple DM on Instagram can do. I spoke to Alex over Instagram about coming on the podcast and he was more than happy to come on the show. Funnily enough he went to school with Telegraph Writer Charlie Morgan who'd been on the show multiple times and mugged him off a little. I've always been a fan of Saracens and their set-up(since then things have obviously changed a little...). I spoke to Alex in depth about life at Saracens, why he never reached the heights with England, World Cup failure, success with Saracens and some funny stories along the way. A great guy, and one of my favourite podcasts to date.

Episode Fifty One - Malcolm Marx (South Africa & Lions)

• After months of issues, Covid-19 mainly to blame, it was great to chat to one of the most impressive hookers in the game. Malcolm was dealing with a lot of pressure during this podcast due to speculation surrounding his future in South Africa, so postponed the podcast a few times which was completely understandable. Malcolm was very good with his time, and recently had lifted the Rugby World Cup. In this episode, we talked about breaking onto the scene in South Africa, making his Springbok debut, Rassie Erasmus as a coach, dealing with being on the bench during the World Cup and his future plans. An interesting chat.

Thank you for reading. If you like this idea, I may do more. Could do TV based ones, solo ones etc etc. I do intend on getting more rugby guests on, so if you know any players or coaches who'd been keen, pass on the message. Thank you.

If anyone wants to support the podcast, here is a link - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=12324770&fan_landing=true. Thank you for your kind support.