Best Dan Cottrell Podcasts (2025)

1
Coaching with Connection: Soft Skills That Win Hearts and Games 43:19

12d ago43:19

43:19

Send us a text In this episode, Dan Cottrell speaks with Leicester Tigers player and Peak Team Performance founder, Tiana Gordon, about the power of soft skills in coaching. Drawing on her academic background in neuroscience, psychology, and mental health, Tiana shares practical tools to help coaches improve communication, build genuine connections…

1
Bench Warmers, Buy-In, and Being Different, with Ben Herring 1:03:18

2M ago1:03:18

1:03:18

Send us a text In this episode, Dan Cottrell catches up with the globetrotting coach and former pro player Ben Herring. From being told he was too small for the 1st XV to wrestling with his dad for jackal strength, Ben shares a raw and inspiring journey through rugby, coaching, and personal growth. Now Director of Rugby at Newington College and hos…

1
Unlocking Creativity in Coaching with Dr. Michael Francis Pollin 59:38

2M ago59:38

59:38

Send us a text In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, host Dan Cottrell sits down with Dr. Michael Francis Pollin, a leading expert in coach development and coaching behaviours for player learning, development and performance. They dive into the fascinating world of creativity in rugby coaching, challenging traditional perceptions and e…

1
From First XV to U14s: Coaching Rugby Across the Age Groups 53:52

2M ago53:52

53:52

Send us a text In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Charlie Harrison, former professional player for Bath, Bedford, Rotherham and player/coach at Doncaster, ex-Head of Rugby at Marlborough College, and now coach of the U14s at Marlborough. They discuss the transition from coaching First XV to working with y…

1
Mastering Rugby Skills with The Rugby Trainer – Ben John’s Coaching Journey 41:47

2M ago41:47

41:47

Send us a text In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Ben John, better known as The Rugby Trainer, to explore his unique coaching philosophy and the rise of his hugely popular online brand. Ben shares how he transitioned from professional rugby to skill-specific coaching, the impact of his viral content, and …

1
The Why Behind Coaching: Developing Expertise and Decision-Making 56:09

3M ago56:09

56:09

Send us a text In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell welcomes Jamie Taylor—Assistant Professor of Elite Performance at Dublin City University, Academy Coach with Leicester Tigers, and Senior Coach Developer at Grey Matters UK. Together, they dive into the practical aspects of coaching, discussing session planning, skill ac…

1
The research secrets of dominant tackling revealed 1:00:15

3M ago1:00:15

1:00:15

Send us a text Tackling is at the heart of rugby, but what truly makes a tackle dominant or a miss? In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, host Dan Cottrell welcomes Oli Bishop, defence coach for Ealing Trailfinders Women and U23s, to break down the science behind effective tackling. Oli shares insights from his Level 4 RFU research, ex…

1
From Recruitment to Retention: Lessons in Coaching Girls' Rugby, with Sam Halliday 48:12

3M ago48:12

48:12

Send us a text In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Sam Halliday, a PE teacher and rugby coach working with the Oxfordshire U16 PDG squad and Brackley U14 girls. Sam shares his insights on building a thriving coaching environment, fostering player ownership, and creating opportunities for girls in rugby. He…

1
Beyond Perfection: Coaching for Excellence with Lewis Hatchett 1:04:23

3M ago1:04:23

1:04:23

Send us a text In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell speaks with Lewis Hatchett—former professional cricketer, mindset coach, and creator of the MindStrong Sport app. They discuss perfectionism in sport, its benefits and drawbacks, and how it affects athletes and coaches. Lewis shares his personal experiences with perfecti…

1
Fundraising for Grassroots Rugby: Secrets to Success with Ed Flynn 45:31

4M ago45:31

45:31

Send us a text Raising funds for grassroots rugby can feel like an uphill battle, but Ed Flynn has cracked the code. In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, host Dan Cottrell sits down with Ed, a coach and fundraising powerhouse, to uncover the strategies that have helped his clubs thrive. From securing local business sponsorships to run…

1
Building Better Coaches: Ethics, Education, and Inclusion with Stuart Armstrong 54:02

4M ago54:02

54:02

Send us a text Join Dan Cottrell on the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast as he dives into a compelling conversation with Stuart Armstrong, renowned coach developer and host of The Talent Equation podcast. Together, they tackle the nuanced topic of ethical coaching—what it means, why it matters, and how it can transform both grassroots and elite coaching …

1
Emotion on the Field: Coaching with Heart and Strength 54:57

4M ago54:57

54:57

Send us a text Join Rugby Coach Weekly's Dan Cottrell as he sits down with Marlo Boyd, Bath Rugby’s Development Officer, Bath University women's forward's coach and former Bristol Bears player. Marlo opens up about her unconventional journey into rugby, the lessons she's learned about managing emotions—both hers and her players’—and how emotional i…

1
Coaching Through the Lens: Simple and Effective Video Analysis 49:23

4M ago49:23

49:23

Send us a text Dan Cottrell welcomes Craig Wilson, director of rugby at Yale University and founder of The Contact Coach. Together, they explore practical, accessible approaches to video analysis for grassroots coaches. Craig shares personal experiences of using simple tools—smartphones, clipboards, and a bit of creativity—to make analysis both eff…

1
Myths of motivating athletes with Dr Mark Carroll 53:56

5M ago53:56

53:56

Send us a text In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell welcomes Dr. Mark Carroll, a sports coach and lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland, and a host of Labours of Sports Coaching. Together, they delve into the myths and realities of motivation in sports coaching. This conversation challenges traditional approa…

1
Do Women Tackle Differently? Coaching, Challenges, and Solutions 56:09

5M ago56:09

56:09

Send us a text In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell discusses tackling in women’s rugby with Kathryn Dane, an international rugby player, sports scientist, and coach. Kathryn, who has 23 caps for Ireland and is the coach for Ulster Women's Rugby and Old Belvedere, shares insights from her groundbreaking research into safe…

1
Building Rugby from the Ground Up: How Adam Izzard is Transforming Rugby at Stonar School 50:55

5M ago50:55

50:55

Send us a text In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell is joined by Adam Izzard, Head of Rugby and Head of Boarding at Stonar School. Adam shares his inspiring journey of building a rugby program from scratch at a small, co-educational school better known for its equestrian facilities than its rugby teams. From turning a hor…

1
Tackling Myths in Coaching with Mark Williams 48:43

6M ago48:43

48:43

Send us a text In this episode, Dan Cottrell sits down with renowned sports scientist and learning expert Mark Williams to explore some of the most controversial and misunderstood myths in sports coaching. Mark is a visiting professor at the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University. A world-leading expert in skill ac…

1
Practical rugby ways to use ‘It depends’ from the man himself! 43:43

6M ago43:43

43:43

Send us a text Join Dan Cottrell as he dives deep with coaching legend Dave Collins in this thought-provoking episode of Rugby Coach Weekly. Together, they explore how context dictates coaching strategies and how to develop adaptable, critical-thinking players. Dave tackles big questions: What does a Dave Collins rugby session look like? How do you…

1
Unlocking Skill Acquisition with Danny Powell 52:36

6M ago52:36

52:36

Send us a text Join host Dan Cottrell as he sits down with Danny Powell, a skill acquisition developer and performance psychologist from Manchester Metropolitan University. Danny shares his expertise working with coaches, including GB Aquatics and Sale Sharks, to explore the art and science behind skill acquisition. In this episode, they dive deep …

1
How we built a team from five players to 25 and why they loving coming back to play 44:49

6M ago44:49

44:49

Send us a text Dan Cottrell chats with Graham Bourton, head coach of the Milton Keynes Under 15s. Since taking over in 2016, Graham has transformed the team from a mere 5 players to a thriving squad of 25, thanks to his innovative coaching methods and strong community engagement. In this engaging conversation, Graham shares: His journey from rugby …

1
Why training on a Monday and Tuesday night means we field six men's teams a week, with Alex Hadley 43:23

7M ago43:23

43:23

Send us a text In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, host Dan Cottrell sits down with Alex Hadley, Director of Rugby at Battersea Ironsides, to explore what it takes to build and sustain one of the world's largest community rugby clubs. Alex shares insights on balancing player availability and club culture, creating a positive and welc…

1
Building Rugby Culture: Engaging Schools, New Players, and Overcoming Coaching Challenges 41:18

7M ago41:18

41:18

Send us a text In this episode, Dan and Lindsay Abery, Thatcham U14 coach and former mini and junior chair, dive into the ins and outs of building a thriving rugby culture in schools. They tackle essential topics like engaging new players, ensuring safety with innovative techniques, and adapting coaching styles for different age groups. Lindsay sha…

1
Inside a training session with Fi Hayes, one of Ireland's top women's rugby coaches 49:53

7M ago49:53

49:53

Send us a text Fi Hayes is a former Ireland international, winning two Six Nations and representing her country in the 2014 World Cup. More recently, she has coached UL Bohemians to cup and league titles, been head coach of Munster U18 girls, and is now Munster Women's head coach. She has also been the Energia Women's AIL coach of the year twice. I…

1
The reality of pro-rugby life, the good & the challenges, with Matt Garvey 49:36

7M ago49:36

49:36

Send us a text Dan welcomes Matt Garvey to the podcast. Matt had 13 years in English top flight rugby, playing for London Irish, Bath where he was also captain, Gloucester and Worcester. He is now the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) Development Manager for Bath Rugby and Gloucester. In the podcast, they discuss: When an 18-year-old signs up for a …

1
New laws, trial laws and old laws: Keeping up-to-date and pragmatic 53:16

8M ago53:16

53:16

Send us a text We are delighted to welcome back Keith Lewis to the podcast. Keith is a practising referee and runs the RugbyReferee.net website and Facebook community. Dan asks Keith about: The three new laws for this season The experimental laws you might see that aren't enshrined yet The old favourites of why it seems that not-straight at the scr…

1
Coaching Blasts: What should we expect of a U14 rugby player, with Gary Townsend 23:16

8M ago23:16

23:16

Send us a text In this short podcast, Dan speaks to Gary Townsend, head of rugby at Switch Rugby about whether we have the wrong expectations of young rugby players. He is former RFU National Player Development Manager and Bristol Bears Junior Academy manager. In this episode, they discuss what a capable 13-year-old rugby player should achieve on t…

1
Grassroots coaching: Asking why, fixing, changing philosophy 38:04

8M ago38:04

38:04

Send us a text We are going to turn the tables and Stu James, is going to ask me the questions. Stu is a club coaching ordinator and colts coach at Guildford RFC, as well as a coach within the Quins Foundation programme and for Surrey Colts. In addition to these volunteer roles, he has a day job as a business consultant and executive coach. In the …

1
Coaching Blasts: What age to specialise as a 9 or 10, with Gary Townsend 22:14

8M ago22:14

22:14

Send us a text In this short podcast, Dan speaks to Gary Townsend, head of rugby at Switch Rugby with a focus on deciding when to help players specialise as a 9 or 10. He is former RFU National Player Development Manager and Bristol Bears Junior Academy manager. In this episode, they discuss the best age, why it makes sense for this position and ho…

1
The Coaching Knife: Do you need a coaching philosophy, with Martin Haag 22:09

9M ago22:09

22:09

Send us a text Welcome to the Coaching Knife when we cut to the root of the matter. In this episode, we speak to Martin Haag, high performance team and executive coach. Focusing on managing people rugby we are going to cut to the root on the importance of having a coaching philosophy. Martin played for 14 years at Bath, then coached Bath, Nottingha…

1
The Coaching Knife: Why don't men rate women coaches, with Nic Evans 24:52

9M ago24:52

24:52

Send us a text Welcome to the Coaching Knife when we cut to the root of the matter. In this episode, we speak to Nic Evans, L4 coach and former director of rugby for the Kings Cross Steelers. Focusing on women's rugby, we are going to examine why there aren’t more women coaches coaching both men's and women's rugby. Nic is a former head of PE, dire…

1
Inside the Squidge Rugby brain: Coaching, analysis and rugby geekery with Will Owen 53:22

9M ago53:22

53:22

Send us a text Dan speaks to one-half of the Squidge Rugby Owen brothers, Will. With a massive following for their YouTube channel, Squidge Rugby analyses matches in a unique, bringing insight and entertainment in equal measure. Will is an avowed rugby geek but also still plays and coaches his local team's colts. Dan asks him about: How Squidge Rug…

1
The Coaching Knife: How to coach a dominated scrum, with Gavin Blackburn 18:30

9M ago18:30

18:30

Send us a text Welcome to the Coaching Knife when we cut to the root of the matter. In this episode, we speak to Gavin Blackburn, Head Coach Cambuslang RFC. Focusing on the scrum rugby we are going to cut to the root on how to deal with a pack that’s dominating you. Gavin was a former age-grade district and international prop. He was a member of Sa…

1
She Tackles: The Media versus Women's Sports. Lyndon Julius with Dr Jocelyn Solomons 47:12

9M ago47:12

47:12

Send us a text Dr Jocelyn Solomons tackles significant issues in women's sports. In this episode, she talks to Lyndon Julius about the role of media in this domain. Lyndon is a communications specialist and creative storyteller with over a decade of experience in sports reporting. He is dedicated to community sports and immerses himself in grassroo…

1
The Coaching Knife: How do you compete in 7s with limited speed in your team, with Jamie Barnwell 23:22

10M ago23:22

23:22

Send us a text Welcome to the Coaching Knife when we cut to the root of the matter. In this episode, we speak to Jamie Barnwell, Head Coach Cayman 7s and Performance director. Focusing on 7s rugby we are going to cut to the root on to coach to compete when you have limited speed. Can you win a game of sevens if you don’t have any pace in your team?…

1
Differentiate effectively and the power of variation theory with Stuart Welsh 53:49

10M ago53:49

53:49

Send us a text Dan speaks to Stuart Welsh, founder of ALTA Education. With nearly two decades of experience in education, specialising in maths teaching and as well as coaching rugby in schools, Stuart is a well-sought-after speaker and presenter. He has taught and led teams in schools worldwide, authored popular math textbooks, and founded a widel…

1
The Coaching Knife: Why player-centred is not waiting for the right answer, with Ben Lazenby 25:04

10M ago25:04

25:04

Send us a text We speak to Ben Lazenby, Head of Youth at Wakefield Trinity RLFC in this episode. Focusing on game understanding we are going to cut to the root on how a player-centred approach might lead to a shared collective team cohesion. The first question: Is a player-centred approach to game understanding just us waiting for the players to gi…

1
How to pursue the right sort of winning, with Cath Bishop, author of The Long Win 50:23

11M ago50:23

50:23

Send us a text Dan speaks to Cath Bishop about what winning really means and how we can create the right sort of winning in our sporting environments. Cath is a highly sought-after consultant and coach, an Olympian, former diplomat and author of The Long Win, the second edition published in May. She is also a regular contributor to the Guardian and…

1
Coaching blasts: What young players want from your session, with Gary Townsend 24:39

11M ago24:39

24:39

Send us a text In this short podcast, Dan speaks to Gary Townsend, head of rugby at Switch Rugby with a focus on developing young players, coaches and clubs. He is former RFU National Player Development Manager and Bristol Bears Junior Academy manager. In this episode, they discuss what players want from your coaching sessions. To find out more abo…

1
The Coaching Knife: Who is the most important player in ruck defence, with Jason Gilmore 18:39

11M ago18:39

18:39

Send us a text Welcome to the Coaching Knife when we cut to the root of the matter. In this episode, we speak to Jason Gilmore, Waratahs Senior Assistant Coach (Defence) and Australia A head coach. Note! He was with the Waratahs when we recorded this. He is now defence coach with Harlequins. Focusing on defence, we are going to cut to the root of w…

1
Progressive rugby: concussions in a community of care 1:18:31

11M ago1:18:31

1:18:31

Send us a text Dan speaks to Tom Morris from Progressive Rugby, an independent player welfare lobby group founded in 2021 to drive change that both better protects player brain health and the game’s long-term future. In this episode, they discuss: Separate strategies to make rugby safer and more appealing at both the community and professional leve…

1
How to find players and play more rugby 48:34

12M ago48:34

48:34

Send us a text Dan chats to Sean Phelan, the brains behind Fill Your Boots, the way that players and clubs can connect to fill the gaps on a Saturday. In the podcast, they discuss: How Fill Your Boots works Why clubs struggle to find players and creative ways to solve this How clubs can welcome players How can the women's game grow now How do we he…

1
Don't screw up the nuts and bolts of a coaching session 47:18

12M ago47:18

47:18

Send us a text Dan chats to Kris Stafford, Rugby Development Officer at Leeds Beckett, MSc in Sports Coaching, U.K Coaching award winner, and host of the @bigbreakdownhq podcast. In the podcast, they discuss: Making sure the players are valued and integrated into the coaching process How to genuinely engage with the players outside their sport How …

1
Coaching blasts: How do you make an U12 player more skilful, with Gary Townsend 21:46

12M ago21:46

21:46

Send us a text In this short podcast, Dan speaks to Gary Townsend, head of rugby at Switch Rugby with a focus on developing young players, coaches and clubs. He is former RFU National Player Development Manager and Bristol Bears Junior Academy manager. They discuss how you make a U12 player more skilful and what that might look like in training. To…

1
The Coaching Knife: Is organising ruck defence more important than improving tackling, with Callum Adam 19:38

1y ago19:38

19:38

Send us a text Welcome to the coaching knife when we cut to the root of the matter. In this episode, we speak to Callum Adam, Currie RFC Senior Mens Assistant Coach and Edinburgh University Women’s 2nd XV Head Coach. Focusing on defence we are going to cut to the root on what comes first, tackling or defence As well as coaching with Currie Mens and…

1
How to design your coaching for more powerful learning outcomes 55:08

1y ago55:08

55:08

Send us a text Dan welcomes Dr Kimberly Berens, founder of Fit Learning and CEO of Fit Learning Online and author of Blind Spots: Why Students Fail and the Science That Can Save Them. Fit Learning is a powerful system of instruction based in behavioural science and the Technology of Teaching, and it aims to transform the learning abilities of child…

1
Is the learning styles myth the worst myth in sports coaching, with Dr Amy Whitehead and Jenny Coe 48:56

1y ago48:56

48:56

Send us a text Dan quizzes the Myths of Sports Coaching editors around how we deal with some of the muddling thinking coaches believe is true. Dr Amy Whitehead is an Associate Professor at Liverpool John Moores University, and Jenny Coe is the Performance Well-Being Lead for the Women's Professional Game at the FA. Their first edition was so good t…

1
Why women love playing rugby 49:56

1y ago49:56

49:56

Send us a text Dan chats to Telegraph sports journalist Fi Tomas about where women’s rugby needs to go next. Fi has worked on the paper since 2019, was number 11 on 2023 BBC Women's Hour Power List and recently nominated for the 2023 British Sports Journalism women’s category. She is a keen advocate for a stronger voice in female sports. In the pod…

1
Wait a minute, I’ve just realised I’m a role model for black rugby players 1:04:52

1y ago1:04:52

1:04:52

Send us a text Ralph Knibbs, Head of Human Resources at UK Athletics and a Bristol rugby legend, chats with Samba Ceesay, Broad Plain RFC’s captain. In an extraordinary podcast, Ralph first describes his journey as a black player from a non-traditional rugby background, why he turned down playing for England twice and how his children made him more…

1
Don't let perfect be the enemy of be good: How to set up a SEND rugby programme 48:40

1+ y ago48:40

48:40

Send us a text This podcast is dedicated to the memory of one of the guest's daughter, who passed away suddenly a few weeks after the recording. The Peel family have set up a donation page for Katie in support of FarmAbility. Here's a link. https://www.justgiving.com/page/katiepeelfarmability Please listen to this inspiring journey of three coaches…

1
When balloons and ribbons can help improve catching skills 50:37

1+ y ago50:37

50:37

Send us a text Dan chats with Dr Rachael Jefferson about fundamental movement skills and how to introduce them effectively into our coaching sessions. Rachael is a lecturer in human movement studies and creative arts, and author of Fundamental fun: 132 activities to develop fundamental movement skills. You can get a copy of her book here. In the po…

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