The Offside Line Podcast Podcast By David Barnes & Peter Burns cover art

The Offside Line Podcast

The Offside Line Podcast

By: David Barnes & Peter Burns
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About this listen


Welcome to the Offside Line Podcast with your hosts Peter Burns and David Barnes.


In this weekly show we examine all aspects of Scottish rugby, from the grassroots level to the Test arena, and discuss the goings on in the wider global game – helped by a regular panel of special guests and featuring exclusive interviews.


David Barnes has worked as a freelance rugby journalist since 2004 covering every level of the game in Scotland for publications including The Herald/Sunday Herald, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, The Scotsman/Scotland on Sunday/Evening News, The Daily Record, The Daily Mail/Mail on Sunday and The Sun. He established the Offside Line in 2016 to provide high-quality, independent and up-to-date coverage of all aspects of Scottish rugby.


In 2005 he co-authored Jim Renwick’s autobiography, Centre of Excellence, and in 2008 was shortlisted for Rugby Book of the Year at the British Sports Book Awards for The Accies: The Cradle of Scottish Rugby. He is the co-author of the critically acclaimed Behind the Thistle: Playing Rugby for Scotland and Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British & Irish Lions.



Peter Burns is a William Hill Sportsbook of the Year shortlisted author and the managing director of Polaris Publishing Ltd. He has written eleven sports books, including Behind the Thistle: Playing Rugby for Scotland, This is Murrayfield: 100 Years of History in 100 Matches, Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British & Irish Lions, This is Your Everest: The Lions, the Springboks and the Epic Tour of 1997, When Lions Roared: The Lions, the All Blacks and the Legendary Tour of 1971 and The Men in the Arena: England, Australia and the Battle for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He is also the author of the forthcoming children's book series, Shadow Thieves.


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David Barnes & Peter Burns
Politics & Government Rugby
Episodes
  • Episode 41: Into the Lions’ Den
    May 13 2025
    Fresh from Burnsy attending the Lions squad announcement and speaking to one of the coaches, the boys delve into Andy Farrell’s selection and review the Glasgow and Edinburgh’s contrasting URC performances at the weekend.

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    55 mins
  • Episode 40: Lions selection: who makes the cut?
    May 7 2025

    This week, Barney and Burnsy look back on an action-packed weekend of action in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup and make their predictions for Andy Farrell’s 2025 Lions squad selection.


    They also discuss Barney’s new venture, The Inside Edge, which you can sign up to here: https://insideedgecricket.substack.com


    And if you are interested in supporting Graeme Smeaton’s insane-sounding golf challenge to raise money for the My Nam5’s Doddie Foundation, you can find his page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/graeme-smeaton-2

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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Episode 39: Bath time
    Apr 28 2025

    This week Barney and Burnsy are joined by Duncan Hodge from Accelerate Rugby to reminisce about playing for Edinburgh against Bath in Europe back in 1996 before previewing Edinburgh’s Challenge Cup quarter-final against the same opposition on Saturday. They also review last weekend’s URC results, Scotland Women’s magnificent victory over Ireland and Ayr vs Watsonians in the Arnold Clark Premiership final play-off (while also discussing domestic player pathways).


    This episode is brought to you in partnership with Accelerate Rugby: High Performance Training. Their mission is to help young athletes take their game to the next level with coaching programs designed for talented 10 to 18 year olds. You can find out more at www.acceleraterugby.com

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    1 hr and 1 min
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