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 45: Season Review

    Episode 45: Season Review
    Jun 12 2025

    Now that Scotland’s 2024/25 domestic season is over, Barney and Burnsy team up with their old pals Mark Palmer and Craig Watson to review Edinburgh and Glasgow’s performances and how they are shaping up for next season, delve into R360 once more, preview Scotland’s summer tour and pick their highlights from the year.


    This episode of The Offside Line Pod is brought to you by Village Health and Wellness Clubs Edinburgh. Get summer ready and enjoy a club stacked with premium kit, a brand new Box N' Burn studio for the ultimate combat style workouts, plus spanking new bikes in the group cycling studio... ready for action!


    Gym, swim, throw shapes or get your chill on from just £50 per month. Summer's coming! Get ready to dig out those 'short shorts!'


    More details at www.village-hotels.com/workout-at-village

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Episode 44: R360 – a new dawn for the game?

    Episode 44: R360 – a new dawn for the game?
    Jun 3 2025

    This week, Barney and Burnsy talk URC quarter-finals, preview Glasgow’s semi-final visit to Leinster and review Edinburgh’s season. They also dive into the sevens programme and the newly proposed R360 breakaway tournament and what it means for global professional rugby.


    You can find out more about the My Nam5’s Doddie cycle talked about in the episode here: http://bit.ly/4kIijGI


    And you can buy Burnsy’s new children’s book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadow-Thieves-blockbuster-middle-grade-adventure/dp/0008667810


    Or a special signed edition here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/shadow-thieves/peter-burns/9780008785161


    This episode of The Offside Line Pod is brought to you by Village Health and Wellness Clubs Edinburgh. Get summer ready and enjoy a club stacked with premium kit, a brand new Box N' Burn studio for the ultimate combat style workouts, plus spanking new bikes in the group cycling studio... ready for action!


    Gym, swim, throw shapes or get your chill on from just £50 per month. Summer's coming! Get ready to dig out those 'short shorts!'


    More details at https://www.villagegym.co.uk/theoffsideline/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Episode 43: Rants and reviews

    Episode 43: Rants and reviews
    May 28 2025
    This week Barney and Burnsy delve into the Melrose 7s, the general state of worldwide international 7s, the Club World Cup announcement, the European finals double-header and preview this week’s URC quarter-finals.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    51 mins
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