The Contact Book with Craig Doyle

This week Will Carling, England’s youngest ever rugby captain, hands his contact book over to Craig Doyle. On the Contact Book, Will admits he is nervous because “There’s a lot that shouldn’t be coming out’. The episode is full of honest and revealing tales about the life and times of the rugby legend. These stories include the full, uncensored history about the time he was sacked for calling all 57 of those who ran the English game of rugby “old farts”. Carling also mentions how when he first got the call to be captain, he answered assuming he was being dropped from the squad. We even learn why when meeting the England team, Nelson Mandela was asked about road tax. Will also candidly delves into the period where he was in the full glare of the world’s media, for all the wrong reasons – reflecting on how his journey from the back pages of newspapers to the front almost destroyed his life and those around him. Craig Doyle calls up some of Will’s closest friends who, for the first time, shed light on how they had to help him through this most difficult period. This episode is enlightening, moving and funny in equal measure. Our thanks to the contributors to Will Carling's episode Jack Rowell Brain Moore Tony Underwood Alex Hambly Andrew Harle Joan Howgill ......................................... The Contact Book with Craig Doyle is an original by 3 Rock Production for Auddy #doylecontactbook Special thanks once again to all of our guests on the show. Presenter, Craig Doyle Theme Music by Owen Parker Series Producer, Keith Doyle Sound editing, Mark Sharman Album Art, Nicole Stewart Executive Producer, Andrew Sampson

In this episode, one of the greatest All Black of all time, the “All Black’s All Black” - Sean Fitzpatrick hands over his contact book. Craig delves into “Fitzy’s” life and career, calling up those who were part of it. We hear from the person who first spotted his talents on the field and how Sean went back to work as a carpenter after winning New Zealand’s first Rugby World Cup. Sean also reveals how he never wanted to be the captain of the All Blacks but being so made him a better person. He explains how losing The World Cup final in 1995 changed his life forever. Other legendary All Blacks line up to heap praise on their former captain, who was capped a total off 121 times and only missed 2 matches in a decade. They also reveal secrets including what the ice baths were really used for. The tough man of rugby, Sean tells how he regrets never telling his father he loved him and how he now makes sure he tells his daughters he loves them as often as possible. We also discover how, because of Sean, the Haka is now performed before matches in the most unlikely place. This is a fascinating and entertain insight into one of the world’s greatest ever players which will be enjoyed by everyone not just rugby fans. .......................................... The Contact Book with Craig Doyle is an original by 3 Rock Production for Auddy #doylecontactbook Special thanks to all of our guests on the show. Presenter, Craig Doyle Theme Music by Owen Parker Series Producer, Keith Doyle Sound editing, Mark Sharman Album Art, Nicole Stewart Executive Producer, Andrew Sampson

In this episode of The Contact Book, "The Raging Potato” AKA Irish rugby player Keith Wood hands over his phone to Craig who calls upon an all-star list to join in with the conversation. Wood and his Lions' Captain Martin Johnson dissect that history-making Lions winning test series against the Springboks in 1997 in what Craig describes simply as “Rugby Porn”! His Ireland teammate David Wallace gives the inside story on Woody as Ireland captain. Ugo Moyne explains how he and Keith struck up a long-lasting bromance and reveals who has the biggest balls in rugby. Other shocking secrets that emerge include how Woody played bodyguard for Formula 1’s Eddie Jordan and how he got locked into 10 Downing Street. There is mention of the belly button fetish again, thankfully Mrs Wood, Nicolla is on hand to set the record straight.This bumper edition of The Contact Book is the last in the series and provides a truly unique insight into the life and career and of one of the best rugby players of all time, as told by some of the world's greatest rugby players.Our thanks to the contributors to Keith Wood's episode including. Martin JohnsonBarry GleesonPat Cross David Wallace Ugo MoyneEddie Jordan.Moss Rowan Nicola Wood.........................................The Contact Book with Craig Doyle is an original by 3 Rock Production for Auddy #doylecontactbookSpecial thanks once again to all of our guests on the show.Presenter, Craig DoyleTheme Music by Owen Parker Series Producer, Keith DoyleSound editing, Mark SharmanAlbum Art, Nicole StewartExecutive Producer, Andrew SampsonSpecial thanks to Alastair Eykyn.

Former Australian Rugby Union captain, David Pocock hands over his contact book to Craig Doyle who calls up some of those who have played a very important part in his life so far. From his childhood in Zimbabwe where his first coach reveals how parents of the other rugby children complained about him, to one of his brothers explaining why the family had to take a bench press in the middle of a snorkelling holiday. On field, his friend and former teammate Kurtley Beale spills the beans on match tactics and coach, Robbie Deane explains why he picked “Poey” to lead Australia. In a fascinating programme that reveals many sides of the legendary Australian flanker, David explains why he’s stood up for LGBTQ rights, gives all the details of his arrest during a famous environmental protest and talks about his future political ambitions.Our thanks to the contributors to David Pocock's episode including. David PocockMichael PocockSimon GoughKurtley BealeRobbie Deans.Rick LairdAnania NcubePatience Ncube .........................................The Contact Book with Craig Doyle is an original by 3 Rock Production for Auddy #doylecontactbookSpecial thanks once again to all of our guests on the show.Presenter, Craig DoyleTheme Music by Owen Parker Series Producer, Keith DoyleSound editing, Mark SharmanAlbum Art, Nicole StewartExecutive Producer, Andrew Sampson

This is no ordinary interview programme, Craig Doyle gets deep and dirty interviewing some of the greatest sporting legends about their lives and careers. However Craig doesn't talk to just them, he gets some help from those who know them best. As he navigates the highs and lows of their lives Craig has access to their contact book and calls up those who lived through those experiences with them. In this first episode he talks to rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll.In a candid interview Brian opens up about how he received threats of violence after playing a Lambeg drum, a hugely divisive symbol of the sectarian divide in Northern Ireland, while making a documentary. For the first time Brian is brought together with the Orangeman who gave him the drum on that fateful day. Jonathan Buckley tells Brian he felt sorry for him after the event but he believes the Irish rugby star made a little bit of history that day.Elsewhere on “The Contact Book with Craig Doyle”, Brian’s family reveal intimate details about how they all “had a moment” with the six nations trophy during family celebrations after Ireland's historic win. Brian is also brought back together with his coach from Leister and reveals how he ended up hiking through the night with the Irish Army in golf shoes. Craig and Brian also make a worldwide appeal to find the missing Irish rugby jersey that had to be cut off the injured Lions captain.The contact book gets unique access to the world's greatest sporting stars and brings you their story from all sides...........................................The Contact Book with Craig Doyle is an original by 3 Rock Production for Auddy #doylecontactbookSpecial thanks to all of our guests on the show.Presenter, Craig DoyleTheme Music by Owen Parker Series Producer, Keith DoyleSound editing, Mark SharmanAlbum Art, Nicole StewartExecutive Producer, Andrew Sampson