Episode 5: Challenging Rugby’s Establishment — Money, Gatekeeping and Putting Players First

What role should social media, personality and content play in rugby now? In Episode 6, Bryony and Nash are joined by Flo Williams: Wales international, former Saracens and Wasps player, and most recently the first ever Creative Director at a rugby club, at Saracens. Flo gives a real insight into where rugby is heading, why the sport has been slower than others, and why young players need to understand the value of showing who they are, on and off the pitch. This episode covers: • Why rugby i...

What does real player development actually look like? In Episode 4, Bryony and Nash explore the philosophy behind player development at ERA and why producing better rugby players starts with developing better people. We discuss how players build resilience, accountability and confidence by experiencing pressure, solving problems and learning to make decisions for themselves. We also explain why young players need game-based learning, strong fundamental skills and the freedom to develop withou...

The opportunities available to aspiring female rugby players are growing—but understanding the pathway and making the right decisions can still be challenging. In this episode, Bryony and Nash take a detailed look at the girls’ rugby pathway, exploring the different routes available throughout the key development years and into the future. They discuss what selection may mean, what options remain if a player isn’t selected, and why long-term development must always remain the priority. The ep...

The development pathway can offer exciting opportunities—but it can also be confusing for young players and their parents. In this episode, Bryony and Nash take a deep dive into the boys’ rugby pathway and explore the different options available throughout the key development years and beyond. They discuss what selection may mean for a player’s future, what happens if selection doesn’t come, and why no single decision defines a young player’s potential. The episode also includes practical adv...

Episode 1: The ERA Story — Why We Started and Where We’re Going In the first episode of The ERA Podcast, Bryony and Nash share the story behind Elite Rugby Academy: how ERA began, what the early days were really like, and the ambition driving its future. They discuss why ERA was created, the problems they wanted to solve and what they have learned while building a development environment for ambitious young players. The conversation also explores the patterns they see in developing players to...