In this episode of A Load of BS on Sport, we sit down with Shaun Edwards, the legendary defence coach of the French national rugby team and a former playing great who has shaped the careers of countless athletes, including our very own Dan Biggar.

We dive deep into Shaun’s coaching philosophy, the cultural nuances of rugby and the secrets behind building a winning mentality.

Show notes:
Coaching Style

• Shaun emphasises clarity and simplicity in coaching, advocating concise communication

Cultural Differences

• Shaun notes the strong work ethic and commitment of French players, challenging stereotypes about their approach to the game

Player Insights

• Dan B shares his perspective on Shaun as a coach, highlighting his commitment to improving players and fostering a strong team culture
• Emphasis on importance of personal connections and understanding players' motivations

Team Dynamics

• The importance of conflict and differing opinions in creating a successful team environment

Legacy and Influence

• Shaun reflects on his impact as a coach and the importance of being approachable and relatable to players
• Dan B acknowledges Shaun’s ability to make defence engaging, fostering a culture of pride in defensive performance

Player Development

• Desire for Improvement: Shaun values players who show a willingness to improve and engage with the coaching process. He appreciates when players have opinions and ask questions, indicating their investment in the game
• Individualised Feedback: He focuses on giving targeted, actionable feedback to players, allowing them to see specific areas for improvement and reinforcing what they do well

Coaching and Legacy

• Impact Beyond Defense: Shaun expresses his desire to be seen as a coach who cares deeply about his players’ overall development, not just their defensive skills. He aims to be remembered for creating a positive environment where players feel valued and understood
• Learning from Experience: Both Shaun and Dan B reflect on the importance of learning from past experiences and failures, shaping their approach to coaching and playing

Personal Insights

• Self-Doubt and Humility: Shaun acknowledges that even successful coaches experience self-doubt and emphasises the need for humility in leadership roles

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• Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

In this episode of A Load of BS on Sport, Tour de France winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist Geraint Thomas joins Dan Ross and Dan Biggar for an in-depth conversation about the grueling demands of professional cycling, the mental toughness required to succeed, and the simple pleasures that keep him grounded. From training at altitude to navigating the pressures of racing, Geraint shares candid insights into his career, balancing family life, and his thoughts on what’s next beyond the bike. Tune in for an honest and inspiring chat with one of cycling’s greats.

Show Notes:

• Love for Suffering: pushing his physical and mental limits, likening cycling pain to a form of addictive suffering
• Team Dynamics & Leadership: changing role from team leader to mentor
• ⁠Mental Edge Over Physical: fine margins in elite cycling
• Embracing Simplicity: the challenges that the structured, monastic lifestyle of cycling imposes on personal relationships
• Tour de France Victory & Emotional Release: emotional break down after crossing the finish line
• Post-Career Fears and Plans: the daunting prospect of transitioning to a new phase in life
• ⁠The Value of Team Leadership: how working with Dave Brailsford shaped his approach to cycling
• Humility and Drive: Geraint shares his humble beginnings and how his mentality was driven by proving doubters wrong

Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!

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• Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

This week, the two Dans welcome their Rugby hero Jonny Wilkinson to the pod. You will be hard pressed to find a more eloquent, thoughtful and deep thinking sportsman than Jonny.

In this episode, we discuss:
- Dan B's and Jonny's French grammar tips
- Reputation from youngster to oldie
- Jonny's bizarre sense of humour
- Jonny's 3 personality archetypes: warrior, saviour & martyr
- Finding balance in life and sport: Jonny discusses how the constant search for balance — between effort and relaxation, discipline and freedom — has shaped his life and career
- Embracing vulnerability and humiliation as powerful tools for growth, both on and off the rugby field
- Reframing success: rather than being defined by his 2003 World Cup success, Jonny emphasises focusing on the present and future, seeing past glories as one part of an ongoing journey
- Jonny shares his thoughts on pressure, highlighting that it’s often a mental construct we can choose to engage with or let go of

Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!

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• Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

Welcome to Series 3 of A Load of BS - very much on Sport now! I am thrilled to be sat alongside Welsh Rugby Union and British Lions star Dan Biggar as my new co-host.

In this opening episode, as Dan and Dan get to know each other, we explore the mental aspects of top end sports performance, including handling pressure, technical soundness, and the evolution of Dan's mindset throughout his career. Dan shares insights into handling pressure during crucial moments, such as World Cup kicks and Lions matches. Dan Biggar this is. Dan Ross kicks balls only in parks if the knees allow.

We cover thoughts on leadership strategies within teams, understanding different personalities, and adapting to various cultural contexts in rugby clubs across Dan’s career for Ospreys, Northampton to Toulon.

And Dan reflects on the impact of coaches like Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards on his career, emphasizing their ability to understand individual players’ needs and motivations.

Dan shares the story of the beginning of his career - his mother’s influence and the impact Jonny Wilkinson (a future pod guest!) had on him during the 2003 World Cup and beyond.

And a cracking anecdote about drinking Gin & Tonics with Usain Bolt watching Man Utd together. Even Bolt and Biggar needed booze to manage the torpor of watching football at Old Trafford!

Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!

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• Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

This is the story of a decade long campaign to make contact sport safe.

In this episode, we welcome award winning author and journalist Sam Peters alongside Rugby Union World Cup winner Lewis Moody.

Sam has just won The Sports Writing Award at the Charles Tyrwhitt Book Awards for Concussed: Sport's Uncomfortable Truth, not only a fine piece of writing, but moreover a recognition for an ongoing campaign Sam has been fighting for over a decade.

Lewis won pretty well everything in Rugby Union, domestic and European titles with Leicester Tigers, British Lions caps, and most notably the World Cup with England in 2003. He himself suffered multiple serious concussions in his career; and this is the subject of today.

Show notes:

• Sam’s 10+ year campaign to save rugby
• Lewis’s own terrible concussion history
• The tragic stories of those who’ve suffered
• Mental health + concussion
• Resistance and conflicts of interest from the inside
• Grassroots and the future of rugby

Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!

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• Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

This week, we are joined by ex All Black Rugby Union legend Sean Fitzpatrick. Sean was part of the team which won the inaugural World Cup in 1987, and then captained the team subsequently. He is now Chairman at Laureus World Sports Academy.

Sean is an all round lovely guy! It was a huge pleasure talking to him.

Show notes

• Sean’s rugby background and story
• His on and off the field style
• Imposter syndrome
• Impact of winning the World Cup
• Amateur vs professional era
• Great influences

Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!

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• Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

Two old friends reunite for an unique conversation as we kick off a new mini-series for BS on Sport today exploring partnerships and what makes them great.

Today is a pretty damn good opener as yin and yang partnerships go. We have a huge treat as we are talking to 2 icons of British sport, certainly of the cricket world; Mike Brearley and Lord Botham of Ravensworth, otherwise known as Ian Botham.

The pair have never been interviewed like this together, so this is an unique listen.

Show notes

• The captain-player relationship
• Competitiveness, confidence, and calmness in high performance
• Experiences of fame and pressures on cricket families
• Contrasts with today’s modern sports psychology emphasis
• Reflections on their careers vs. the modern era of T20 cricket & central contracts
• Lasting camaraderie and mutual respect between players of their era
• Transitioning away from cricket into new fields in later life

Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!

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• Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

This week, we are joined by Caspar Berry. Caspar started out in acting aged 16 actor in BBC show Byker Grove with “Ant and Dec”. At Cambridge he had commercial success directing award-winning short films and TV commercials, then went on to write two feature films which were produced by Film Four and Columbia Tri Star before he had graduated.

Aged 26, he decided to take a risk and move to Las Vegas with his life savings in his pocket, and for next few years, became a professional poker player.

Caspar later returned to the UK to set up 21st Century Media which he later sold to Bob Geldof's Ten Alps plc. He now gives talks and mentors around the world on all his disparate experiences.

Show Notes:

• How Caspar’s early life decisions, driven by comfort with risk, led to diverse experiences
• Poker as a metaphor for decision-making processes in life and business
• The complexity of assigning probabilities to actions and the challenges posed by unpredictability
• Differences in risk-taking between individual and team sports
• The concept of 'negative metrics': sometimes the pursuit of certain performance metrics (e.g. home runs in baseball) might lead to higher failure rates (strikeouts)

Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!

• Get the podcast in your inbox every week by subscribing here
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• Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto