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US Rugby Happy Hour

US Rugby Happy Hour

By: American Rugby Rising
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US Rugby Happy Hour, hosted by the dynamic duo of Bill Baker of American Rugby Rising and John Fitzpatrick of Rugby Morning, is a captivating blend of insightful rugby discussions, entertaining banter, and a celebration of the sport’s spirit. With their wealth of knowledge and infectious enthusiasm, Bill and Fitzy create an engaging space for rugby enthusiasts to connect and revel in the game’s glory. Whether delving into the latest matches or sharing anecdotes with special guests, this live show is a must-attend for anyone passionate about rugby, offering a delightful intersection of camaraderie and sports analysis. Guests have included head coaches Gary Gold, Rob Cain and Mike Friday. USA Eagles Joe Taufete’e, Greg Peterson, Kate Zackary, Hope Rogers, Christian Dyer, and Hall of Famers, Dan Lyle and Todd Clever. Major League Rugby stars Mitch Wilson, Nick Civetta, Connor Mooneyham and former MLR Commissioner, George Killebrew. Those covering the news too, including Brian Ray of Americas Rugby News and Wendy Young of YSC Rugby. Join us live on Facebook and Youtube (show days and times vary), or catch the Podcast replays right here! Follow @AmerRugbyRising on Twitter and @AmericanRugbyRising on Instagram for weekly guest announcements and direct link to the live shows. HOSTS: Bill Baker, an Emmy award winning editor and producer, has curated American Rugby Rising and Eagles Overseas Rugby since 1996, providing updates and news stories about USA Eagles plying their trade around the world. http://www.americanrugbyrising.com eaglesoverseas@comcast.net John Fitzpatrick is the brain behind Rugby Morning, serving rugby news everyday via email newsletters to rugby fans around the world. John@rugbymorning.com http://www.rugbymorning.comCopyright 2026 All rights reserved. Politics & Government Rugby
Episodes
  • March Madness on the Pitch: The Ultimate 2026 CRC Preview
    Apr 24 2026
    Get ready for the biggest weekend in American college rugby as hosts Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick dive deep into the 16th annual Collegiate Rugby Championship. We are joined by National Collegiate Rugby’s Pat Clifton and Zach Lanning to break down a massive field of 144 teams competing across eight divisions in Washington, D.C.. From the qualification process to "dark horse" contenders in Division III, this episode is your essential guide to the brackets, the players to watch, and the storylines that will define the tournament. We also celebrate the 2026 Hall of Fame class, including CRC's very own Darian Lovelace, and discuss the "cascading brackets" that keep the action going for every team, win or lose. Stick around for a breakdown of the new fantasy rugby game and our friendly wagers on who takes home the hardware. Plus, don't miss our opening jingle, a "banger"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • Building the Future: Jack Hanratty on the Eagles' Evolution and the Pacific Four Series
    Apr 23 2026
    In this episode, Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick sit down once again with USA Women’s Head Coach Jack Hanratty to recap a whirlwind opening to the Pacific Four Series. The episode kicks off with a custom blues-themed introduction jingle that pays homage to the musical roots of Kansas City and Chicago, setting a soulful tone for a deep dive into the state of American rugby. Hanratty shares his "front row seat" perspective on the recent matches against the Black Ferns and Australia, highlighting the emotional journey of handing out six debut caps in one of the most challenging environments in the world. Listeners will get an inside look at the emerging stars of the program, including 19-year-old Bella Vogel and sevens-crossover Hann Humphreys, as Coach Hanratty explains his "Yes, and..." philosophy for building a resilient team culture. From managing the nerves of international match days to the importance of finding joy through "Family Feud" and barbecue during a long tour, this interview explores what it takes to drive excellence in high-performance sport. It is a must-listen for fans wanting to understand how the Eagles are solving "American problems" on the road to the World Cup. —————————————— Connect with US Rugby Happy Hour: Twitter: https://x.com/AmerRugbyRising Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanrugbyrising/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanRugbyRising/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@americanrugbyrising Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@americanrugbyrising BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/americanrugbyrisin.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3OjEHf8 🎧 Listen to this and previous episodes of US Rugby Happy Hour on Youtube and your favorite podcast player today! iHeart: bit.ly/3A43Tff Apple: bit.ly/3Uuj9u7 Spotify: bit.ly/3ZxjAa0 Youtube: https://bit.ly/3ZUs7oV Like, follow, and subscribe and please leave a comment!! Check out americanrugbyrising.com for the latest on your USA Eagles, schedules, news and more, and visit rugbymorning.com for the latest on ALL rugby! Hosts, Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick are available for media opportunities and appearances. Contact information below. Bill Baker, an Emmy award winning editor and producer, has curated Eagles Overseas Rugby since 1996, providing updates and news stories about USA Eagles plying their trade around the world. http://www.americanrugbyrising.com⁠ ⁠eaglesoverseas@comcast.net⁠ John Fitzpatrick is the brain behind Rugby Morning, serving rugby news everyday via email newsletters to rugby fans around the world. ⁠John@rugbymorning.com⁠ ⁠http://www.rugbymorning.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Drafting the Blueprint: Conner Mooneyham on Anthem’s Rise and the "Prime at 30" Mindset
    Apr 16 2026
    In this episode of US Rugby Happy Hour, we sit down with the man who started it all as the first-ever Major League Rugby draft pick, Conner Mooneyham . We kick things off with a custom jingle that perfectly captures his "electric" speed on the wing and his status as a franchise cornerstone . Conner opens up about his grueling journey back from injury, explaining how a "reset" in his nutrition and physical therapy has him feeling like he has entered his true athletic prime just as he hits his 30th birthday . We dive deep into the locker room culture of Anthem Rugby, moving past the "first win" celebrations to discuss their legitimate status as playoff contenders. From the emotional coaching style of Agustin "Cuca" Cavalieri to a candid, unfiltered take on why the new MLR refereeing system might actually be slowing the game down, this interview covers the technical and the personal. Stay tuned until the end to hear a hilarious story about Conner’s dad, "Bad Moon Rising," and his insider trading in the fantasy rugby world! Connect with US Rugby Happy Hour: Twitter: https://x.com/AmerRugbyRising Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanrugbyrising/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanRugbyRising/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@americanrugbyrising Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@americanrugbyrising BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/americanrugbyrisin.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3OjEHf8 🎧 Listen to this and previous episodes of US Rugby Happy Hour on Youtube and your favorite podcast player today! iHeart: bit.ly/3A43Tff Apple: bit.ly/3Uuj9u7 Spotify: bit.ly/3ZxjAa0 Youtube: https://bit.ly/3ZUs7oV Like, follow, and subscribe and please leave a comment!! Check out americanrugbyrising.com for the latest on your USA Eagles, schedules, news and more, and visit rugbymorning.com for the latest on ALL rugby! Hosts, Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick are available for media opportunities and appearances. Contact information below. Bill Baker, an Emmy award winning editor and producer, has curated Eagles Overseas Rugby since 1996, providing updates and news stories about USA Eagles plying their trade around the world. http://www.americanrugbyrising.com⁠ ⁠eaglesoverseas@comcast.net⁠ John Fitzpatrick is the brain behind Rugby Morning, serving rugby news everyday via email newsletters to rugby fans around the world. ⁠John@rugbymorning.com⁠ ⁠http://www.rugbymorning.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    28 mins
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