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The Offside Line Podcast: The First for Scottish Rugby

The Offside Line Podcast: The First for Scottish Rugby

Written by: David Barnes & Peter Burns
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About this listen


Welcome to the Offside Line Podcast with your hosts Peter Burns and David Barnes.


In this weekly show we examine all aspects of Scottish rugby, from the grassroots level to the Test arena, and discuss the goings on in the wider global game – helped by a regular panel of special guests and featuring exclusive interviews.


David Barnes has worked as a freelance rugby journalist since 2004 covering every level of the game in Scotland for publications including The Herald/Sunday Herald, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, The Scotsman/Scotland on Sunday/Evening News, The Daily Record, The Daily Mail/Mail on Sunday and The Sun. He established the Offside Line in 2016 to provide high-quality, independent and up-to-date coverage of all aspects of Scottish rugby.


In 2005 he co-authored Jim Renwick’s autobiography, Centre of Excellence, and in 2008 was shortlisted for Rugby Book of the Year at the British Sports Book Awards for The Accies: The Cradle of Scottish Rugby. He is the co-author of the critically acclaimed Behind the Thistle: Playing Rugby for Scotland and Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British & Irish Lions.



Peter Burns is a William Hill Sportsbook of the Year shortlisted author and the managing director of Polaris Publishing Ltd. He has written eleven sports books, including Behind the Thistle: Playing Rugby for Scotland, This is Murrayfield: 100 Years of History in 100 Matches, Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British & Irish Lions, This is Your Everest: The Lions, the Springboks and the Epic Tour of 1997, When Lions Roared: The Lions, the All Blacks and the Legendary Tour of 1971 and The Men in the Arena: England, Australia and the Battle for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He is also the author of the forthcoming children's book series, Shadow Thieves.


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David Barnes & Peter Burns
Politics & Government Rugby
Episodes
  • Edinburgh and Glasgow march on in Europe
    Jan 12 2026

    Hello Offside Liners, welcome to this week’s show. Barney and Burnsy review the latest round of action in the European Champions Cup as Edinburgh and Glasgow secure bonus point wins, they pick over the Celtic Challenge and domestic club action and debate potential selection headaches for Gregor Townsend ahead of the Six Nations


    This episode is sponsored by Arnold Clark. The ‘Arnold Clark Real Sale’ is on now with huge savings on offer, go to www.arnoldclark.com or visit your local branch today. https://www.arnoldclark.com?utm_source=the_offside+_line&utm_medium=web_banner&utm_campaign=offside_line_banner&utm_content=real_sale_2026

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    46 mins
  • The big end-of-year round-up
    Dec 28 2025

    Hello and welcome to the Offside Line Pod. Barney and Burnsy are delighted to be joined by the pod’s favourite regular renegade guests, Mr Mark Palmer of the Tjmes and Sunday Times and photographer extraordinaire Mr Craig Watson. The quartet pick over the bones of the 1872 Cup second-leg at Murrayfield, round up 2025 and look forward to what awaits us in 2026.


    We hope our listeners have had a wonderful festive period. Here’s to 2026. Happy new year when it comes.

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    53 mins
  • Christmas Eve Eve and 1872 first leg review
    Dec 23 2025

    Barney and Burnsy get together for a quick pre-Christmas pod to discuss the 1872 Cup first leg, the Celtic Challenge and the Inter-District Championship. Merry Christmas to all our listeners, we hope you have a wonderful time.


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    25 mins
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