Maul or Nothing

The Maul or Nothing Round 4 Preview Show is here — and the 2026 Six Nations title race is reaching boiling point.

After England’s heavy defeat to Ireland at Twickenham, Steve Borthwick has torn up his backline and made 12 changes ahead of the trip to Rome.
Is this a necessary reset… or full panic stations inside England camp?

We break down all the major team selections, tactical questions and storylines heading into one of the biggest weekends of the championship.

🏉 In this episode

•⁠ ⁠England’s selection revolution after Twickenham
•⁠ ⁠Fin Smith starting, Freddie Steward dropped and the entire backline reshuffled
•⁠ ⁠Are England building toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup or still searching for an identity?
•⁠ ⁠Italy’s rise — the Cannone brothers, Ferrari and Capuozzo back
•⁠ ⁠Have Italy officially crossed the line from “free win” to genuine threat?
•⁠ ⁠Can Scotland shock France at Murrayfield?
•⁠ ⁠Is Ryan’s bold prediction actually possible… or delusional?
•⁠ ⁠Ireland v Wales — Andy Farrell leaning heavily on Ulster talent
•⁠ ⁠Are Wales finally beginning a proper rebuild?

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🎉 Big news on the pod

Max Lahiff has signed a new contract — and the boys have plenty to say about it.

AND… breaking rugby news means Maul or Nothing now technically has inside access to the All Blacks 👀

With Dave Rennie becoming the new New Zealand head coach, MON suddenly has a direct line to the top of world rugby — given he used to coach Ryan.

So naturally we’ll be expecting exclusive All Blacks insights any day now…

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💬 Join the conversation

England have lost 2 from 2 since Max Lahiff stopped being involved in the squad…

Should Steve Borthwick:

A) Bring Max back immediately
B) Bring Max back immediately but after a long speech about statistics
C) Bring Max back AND force the entire squad to wear a string vest

Let us know in the comments 👇

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🎙️ Maul or Nothing — the rugby podcast where insight meets chaos.
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Twickenham. 2026.
And England were dismantled.

🇮🇪 Ireland clinical.
🏴 England chaotic.
🗣 Ellis Genge admitting they may have believed their own hype.

One of the most sobering afternoons at HQ in recent Six Nations history.

This week on Maul or Nothing we break down:

•⁠ ⁠Luke Cowan-Dickie & Freddie Steward hooked
•⁠ ⁠George Ford’s missed kicks and the momentum swing
•⁠ ⁠Ireland majestic across the park
•⁠ ⁠Jamison Gibson-Park dictating everything
•⁠ ⁠What this means for Steve Borthwick with the 2027 Rugby World Cup just 18 months away

🏟 In Cardiff:
Wales finally show signs of life under Steve Tandy — but Scotland still find a way. Finn Russell magic. Again.

🇫🇷 And France?
Is the Grand Slam already inevitable? Their depth is frightening.

🇮🇹 Italy improving again — and will genuinely fancy England in Rome.

This is proper Six Nations analysis. No fence-sitting. No safe takes.

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🥃 ALSO SPONSORED BY WOLFCRAIG
This episode is also proudly sponsored by WOLFCRAIG.
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England’s Grand Slam talk lasted a week.

At Murrayfield in Round 2 of the 2026 Six Nations, Scotland delivered another Calcutta Cup statement — and this week on Maul or Nothing (MON) we’re joined by the man who ran it:

🔥 Scotland scrum-half Ben White, fresh off controlling one of the biggest games of the championship.

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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scotland v England – Calcutta Cup 2026

With Ben White in the studio:
•⁠ ⁠The tactical plan at Murrayfield
•⁠ ⁠The build-up after the Rome fallout
•⁠ ⁠Scotland’s fast start and the momentum swing
•⁠ ⁠The Arundell yellow/red and the 6–2 split gamble
•⁠ ⁠Why versatility matters at Test level
•⁠ ⁠What Finn Russell said to Ben just before his try 😂
•⁠ ⁠What it feels like when the crowd and momentum are fully behind you

White’s kicking game. Russell’s tempo. Tuipulotu carrying. Huw Jones lurking.
Scotland playing with belief.

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🇮🇪 Ireland v Italy

•⁠ ⁠Italy humbling the Irish scrum
•⁠ ⁠Tadhg Furlong and Dan Sheehan getting properly squashed up top
•⁠ ⁠The controversial TMO forward-pass call
•⁠ ⁠Ireland winning by the seat of their pants
•⁠ ⁠Hollie Davidson’s calm, authoritative display

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🇫🇷 Wales v France

•⁠ ⁠France’s frightening depth
•⁠ ⁠Jalibert & Dupont pulling strings behind a monstrous pack
•⁠ ⁠Charles Ollivon in full Greek-god mode
•⁠ ⁠Where Wales go from here

Elite-level Six Nations analysis, player insight and honest selection debate.

MON covers every round of the Six Nations 2026.

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The Six Nations is back — and Maul or Nothing opens Week 1 with a proper deep dive, featuring Italy winger Louis Lynagh after one of the most emotionally charged weekends of international rugby.
From Max’s whirlwind week inside England camp, to France’s brutal ballet in the rain and dismantling of Ireland, to serious questions about where Wales — and Scotland — go from here, this episode is packed with insider detail, big takes, and plenty of laughs.

🔥 MAX’S WEEK WITH ENGLAND
Fresh from camp, Max takes us inside the bubble:
•⁠ ⁠How did the call-up actually land?
•⁠ ⁠Who was the first person he told?
•⁠ ⁠Walking into a squad full of rivals… with just one club-mate
•⁠ ⁠Did he break the unspoken rule and train like an academy kid?
•⁠ ⁠Matchday nerves, stadium walk-ins, and the full Test-week rhythm
•⁠ ⁠And yes… trying to get Henry Pollock out after the match, throwing Ben Earl under the bus — and most importantly… the stash

🏉 LOUIS LYNAGH — FROM PREM FINALS TO SIX NATIONS
Louis joins us to relive:
•⁠ ⁠First-person thoughts on an epic international win
•⁠ ⁠What happens immediately after the final whistle
•⁠ ⁠Family watching on — and what that meant
•⁠ ⁠How does a Six Nations moment compare to those Premiership final tries?
•⁠ ⁠Italy’s passion, belief, and why this side feels different

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 SCOTLAND: THE ROAD AHEAD
•⁠ ⁠Is this the end of the road for Gregor Townsend?
•⁠ ⁠Where do Scotland go from here?

🔴 WALES: WHERE DO THEY GO FROM HERE?
•⁠ ⁠What can Steve Tandy realistically change?
•⁠ ⁠Is this tactical, psychological — or something deeper?

🔵 FRANCE v IRELAND — A SHIFTING POWER?
France were majestic in appalling conditions. One writer summed it up perfectly:
“Playing rugby against France is like spending 80 minutes being beaten up by a huge bloke, who breaks off to do a bit of ballet every now and again.”
We break down:
•⁠ ⁠France’s blend of violence and finesse
•⁠ ⁠The Bordeaux influence — the catalyst?
•⁠ ⁠Ireland’s injuries, pressure points, and performance
•⁠ ⁠What they could do — and what they can realistically do now

🧠 PLUS:
•⁠ ⁠MON Fantasy Squad Names
•⁠ ⁠Comments, controversy, and chaos — as ever

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This episode is also proudly sponsored by WOLFCRAIG.
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🥃 Check out their superb range — including the 14 Year Old Deluxe Blend – Second Edition (Triple Sherry Cask)

👍 Like | 🔔 Subscribe | 💬 Comment
This is Maul or Nothing — where the Six Nations gets pulled apart properly.
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The Six Nations is back — and this is the ultimate pre-show breakdown you need before kickoff.

On this episode of Maul or Nothing, we’re joined by Ireland & British & Irish Lions winger Simon Zebo for elite insight, dressing-room reality, and the stories behind the team sheets as Europe’s biggest championship explodes into life.

From France v Ireland on a rare Thursday night, to England v Wales at Twickenham, plus Scotland’s ceiling and Italy’s growing threat — nothing gets past us.

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🔴 FRANCE v IRELAND – THE OPENING BLOCKBUSTER

•⁠ ⁠Antoine Dupont RETURNS after an 11-month ACL layoff —
•⁠ ⁠Why France scheduled this game on Thursday night (and what it tells us)
•⁠ ⁠Jalibert over Ntamack — obvious call, but not an easy one
•⁠ ⁠Gaël Fickou’s omission — and just how long he’s actually been around
•⁠ ⁠Youth surge: Moefana (25), Depoortere (23), Gourgues (20)
•⁠ ⁠ROG insight: France’s “there’s nothing between them” mentality — except Dupont

Ireland under the radar?

•⁠ ⁠Big selection calls at fly-half
•⁠ ⁠Prendergast vs Byrne vs Crowley — who should start?
•⁠ ⁠Big players missing: Aki, Keenan, Hansen, Porter

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ENGLAND v WALES – PRESSURE EVERYWHERE

England talking points:

•⁠ ⁠Northampton connection: Freeman + Dingwall together
•⁠ ⁠Henry Arundell back on the wing
•⁠ ⁠Maro Itoje on the bench —
•⁠ ⁠Is the modern game now fully 23-man rugby?
•⁠ ⁠Henry Pollock — the ultimate impact player… and how much will he hate not starting?

Wales: fresh start or same problems?

•⁠ ⁠No win since March 2023 — but optimism is back
•⁠ ⁠Injuries hit hard: Jac Morgan, Faletau, Tshiunza, Llewellyn
•⁠ ⁠Bizarre stat: Louis Rees-Zammit has never played at Twickenham for Wales
•⁠ ⁠Max… wing or fullback?
•⁠ ⁠Alex Mann — world-champion agitator… shades of Ryan Wilson?

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🔵 SCOTLAND – EXPECTATION MANAGEMENT

•⁠ ⁠Preferred starting XV debate
•⁠ ⁠What does success actually look like?
•⁠ ⁠Sione’s careful messaging — humility or mind games?
•⁠ ⁠Is this last-chance saloon for Gregor Townsend?

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🇮🇹 ITALY – NOT A GIMME ANYMORE

•⁠ ⁠Why Italy are no longer a free hit
•⁠ ⁠Lessons from beating the Wallabies
•⁠ ⁠Louis Lynagh predicts a big step forward
•⁠ ⁠Big misses: Capuozzo, Negri, Vintcent, Allan

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🥃 PLUS

•⁠ ⁠Zebo stories you won’t hear elsewhere
•⁠ ⁠Scotland humility chat
•⁠ ⁠“10 channel fool’s gold”
•⁠ ⁠Duncie Weir last minute drop goal
•⁠ ⁠WOLFCRAIG shout-out to our fabulous sponsors 👉 https://www.wolfcraig.com

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