Josh Gardner
@joshgardner.bsky.social
Commissioning editor, Guitar.com. The one you don’t like off the Blood & Mud rugby podcast. Variably competent dad. I cannot be reasoned with. 🏴
That the WRU, Y11 and Lance Bradley are still trying to lie and bullshit that destroying Ospreys going isn't their desired outcome – while being comfortable saying opposite behind closed doors – is the most despicable part of all this.
Treating fans, players, coaches and everyone else like mugs.
Treating fans, players, coaches and everyone else like mugs.
January 22, 2026 at 8:11 PM
That the WRU, Y11 and Lance Bradley are still trying to lie and bullshit that destroying Ospreys going isn't their desired outcome – while being comfortable saying opposite behind closed doors – is the most despicable part of all this.
Treating fans, players, coaches and everyone else like mugs.
Treating fans, players, coaches and everyone else like mugs.
Without wishing to give the WRU too much (or any) credit - I don’t think the dual-ownership thing will be as much of an issue as it might appear.
Their whole plan is for Y11 to only have influence over the commercial side, while they control the rugby stuff.
Plenty of precedent for that already.
Their whole plan is for Y11 to only have influence over the commercial side, while they control the rugby stuff.
Plenty of precedent for that already.
Under World Rugby Regulation 14.1, Y11 owning both the Ospreys and Cardiff, and both of them playing in the URC, will require sign off from World Rugby, and Ireland, Scotland, Italy and South Africa …
Not convinced the WRU has taken that into account.
Not convinced the WRU has taken that into account.
"Y11 would also continue as the owners of Ospreys as a separate club, and Ospreys will continue to play in the URC and EPCR competitions until at least the end of the 26/27 season"
www.wru.wales/2026/01/wru-...
www.wru.wales/2026/01/wru-...
January 22, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Without wishing to give the WRU too much (or any) credit - I don’t think the dual-ownership thing will be as much of an issue as it might appear.
Their whole plan is for Y11 to only have influence over the commercial side, while they control the rugby stuff.
Plenty of precedent for that already.
Their whole plan is for Y11 to only have influence over the commercial side, while they control the rugby stuff.
Plenty of precedent for that already.
Multiple Ospreys players, including those just named in the Wales squad, have just posted this to Instagram.
Absolutely fucking disgraceful they’re expected to go out there and do their jobs while those above are hiding and shirking theirs tbh.
Absolutely fucking disgraceful they’re expected to go out there and do their jobs while those above are hiding and shirking theirs tbh.
January 20, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Multiple Ospreys players, including those just named in the Wales squad, have just posted this to Instagram.
Absolutely fucking disgraceful they’re expected to go out there and do their jobs while those above are hiding and shirking theirs tbh.
Absolutely fucking disgraceful they’re expected to go out there and do their jobs while those above are hiding and shirking theirs tbh.
I’m nearing the point of having lived the majority of my life outside of Wales.
Welsh rugby has been so important in keeping me connected to my roots in that time.
But I can’t keep supporting any team run by the WRU if they follow through with this needless, brutal act.
No Ospreys. No Wales. 🖕🏻
Welsh rugby has been so important in keeping me connected to my roots in that time.
But I can’t keep supporting any team run by the WRU if they follow through with this needless, brutal act.
No Ospreys. No Wales. 🖕🏻
January 20, 2026 at 9:27 AM
I’m nearing the point of having lived the majority of my life outside of Wales.
Welsh rugby has been so important in keeping me connected to my roots in that time.
But I can’t keep supporting any team run by the WRU if they follow through with this needless, brutal act.
No Ospreys. No Wales. 🖕🏻
Welsh rugby has been so important in keeping me connected to my roots in that time.
But I can’t keep supporting any team run by the WRU if they follow through with this needless, brutal act.
No Ospreys. No Wales. 🖕🏻
Reposted by Josh Gardner
The deal is not yet final.
There will be a way to fight this, to show that nobody but the WRU wants the death of Wales' most successful region.
It's time to find them and fight.
There will be a way to fight this, to show that nobody but the WRU wants the death of Wales' most successful region.
It's time to find them and fight.
January 19, 2026 at 10:35 PM
The deal is not yet final.
There will be a way to fight this, to show that nobody but the WRU wants the death of Wales' most successful region.
It's time to find them and fight.
There will be a way to fight this, to show that nobody but the WRU wants the death of Wales' most successful region.
It's time to find them and fight.
The Ospreys final home game will be against the Scarlets on 9 May.
If Y11 have the tiniest shred of respect for the fans they’ve wantonly fucked over for no real reason but avarice, they’ll move the game to St Helens - or even the Liberty - so we can say goodbye properly.
If Y11 have the tiniest shred of respect for the fans they’ve wantonly fucked over for no real reason but avarice, they’ll move the game to St Helens - or even the Liberty - so we can say goodbye properly.
I was there for the first league game against Ulster, I was there for the first rugby game at the Liberty, I was there for the Australia A win, I was there for the win at the Scarlets in December
The Ospreys are a massive part of my life, gutting
The Ospreys are a massive part of my life, gutting
I understand that Ospreys supporters should direct frustrations over previous mismanagement in Welsh Rugby at the WRU.
But if the reports are true, they should be seething at Y11. Feel sorry for all involved at the moment.
But if the reports are true, they should be seething at Y11. Feel sorry for all involved at the moment.
January 19, 2026 at 9:24 PM
The Ospreys final home game will be against the Scarlets on 9 May.
If Y11 have the tiniest shred of respect for the fans they’ve wantonly fucked over for no real reason but avarice, they’ll move the game to St Helens - or even the Liberty - so we can say goodbye properly.
If Y11 have the tiniest shred of respect for the fans they’ve wantonly fucked over for no real reason but avarice, they’ll move the game to St Helens - or even the Liberty - so we can say goodbye properly.
Well, I think I speak for literally every person in Wales not currently a board member when I say:
Fuck the WRU.
Fuck the WRU.
January 19, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Well, I think I speak for literally every person in Wales not currently a board member when I say:
Fuck the WRU.
Fuck the WRU.
Strap in for the Unserious Cup Final
January 18, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Strap in for the Unserious Cup Final
Judging by the evidence on display at Ashton Gate this afternoon, the only thing really capable of slowing this Bordeaux team down is absolutely rancid weather.
January 18, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Judging by the evidence on display at Ashton Gate this afternoon, the only thing really capable of slowing this Bordeaux team down is absolutely rancid weather.
“We have to be serious” coming from Thomas Ramos is so fucking funny man.
Thomas Ramos on Toulouse's #ChampionsCup title hopes:
"We have to be serious in the last 16 and see where we go from there. We decided by our performances to give ourselves a more difficult route compared to others. We have to take responsibility for that"
Via BeIn Sport
"We have to be serious in the last 16 and see where we go from there. We decided by our performances to give ourselves a more difficult route compared to others. We have to take responsibility for that"
Via BeIn Sport
January 17, 2026 at 8:59 PM
“We have to be serious” coming from Thomas Ramos is so fucking funny man.
We should get an extra bonus point for the sheer handsomeness we’re bringing to the field tonight tbqh.
January 17, 2026 at 8:53 PM
We should get an extra bonus point for the sheer handsomeness we’re bringing to the field tonight tbqh.
Feels silly to say when they’ve just scored 77 points, but I do think part of the reason Toulouse have struggled in Europe this season is that their tactical approach is so out of step with everyone else.
Recent law tweaks have made playing a possession game such a risk, but they refuse to adapt.
Recent law tweaks have made playing a possession game such a risk, but they refuse to adapt.
January 17, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Feels silly to say when they’ve just scored 77 points, but I do think part of the reason Toulouse have struggled in Europe this season is that their tactical approach is so out of step with everyone else.
Recent law tweaks have made playing a possession game such a risk, but they refuse to adapt.
Recent law tweaks have made playing a possession game such a risk, but they refuse to adapt.
Quite enjoyed Brace going to blow up for the end of advantage as he assumes it’s over, only for Dupont to David Blaine his way out of the mess and directly into setting up a try.
January 17, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Quite enjoyed Brace going to blow up for the end of advantage as he assumes it’s over, only for Dupont to David Blaine his way out of the mess and directly into setting up a try.
Hey, can I ruin all the warm cushy glow about the Lions and Nike and the women's tour next year…?
Here's the Lions famous travelling support in 1993.
Here's the Lions famous travelling support in 1993.
January 15, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Hey, can I ruin all the warm cushy glow about the Lions and Nike and the women's tour next year…?
Here's the Lions famous travelling support in 1993.
Here's the Lions famous travelling support in 1993.
Real talk, the Nike fits on the 1993 Lions tour were immaculate.
Just stick Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman in these and watch the money roll in.
Just stick Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman in these and watch the money roll in.
January 15, 2026 at 11:28 AM
Real talk, the Nike fits on the 1993 Lions tour were immaculate.
Just stick Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman in these and watch the money roll in.
Just stick Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman in these and watch the money roll in.
The absolute dream scenario here of course, is that Nike replicates the 1993 training jerseys which are of course, the same pattern as the legendary Toulouse/Cardiff Heineken Cup Final shirts.
Nike already has this pattern on file as they did a Toulouse heritage shirt replica a few years ago… 👀
Nike already has this pattern on file as they did a Toulouse heritage shirt replica a few years ago… 👀
January 15, 2026 at 11:24 AM
The absolute dream scenario here of course, is that Nike replicates the 1993 training jerseys which are of course, the same pattern as the legendary Toulouse/Cardiff Heineken Cup Final shirts.
Nike already has this pattern on file as they did a Toulouse heritage shirt replica a few years ago… 👀
Nike already has this pattern on file as they did a Toulouse heritage shirt replica a few years ago… 👀
I would like to take this opportunity to walk back my previous claims that the British & Irish Lions concept is washed.
January 15, 2026 at 9:44 AM
I would like to take this opportunity to walk back my previous claims that the British & Irish Lions concept is washed.
And it worked like a charm.
January 15, 2026 at 8:10 AM
And it worked like a charm.
It's fun how Leinster have become such a universal byword for loathsome financial largesse that they've effectively become rugby's equivalent of the Saudi Pro League.
The big-spending oligarchs that agents use to scaremonger better terms and deals out of their clients' existing employers.
The big-spending oligarchs that agents use to scaremonger better terms and deals out of their clients' existing employers.
January 14, 2026 at 1:57 PM
It's fun how Leinster have become such a universal byword for loathsome financial largesse that they've effectively become rugby's equivalent of the Saudi Pro League.
The big-spending oligarchs that agents use to scaremonger better terms and deals out of their clients' existing employers.
The big-spending oligarchs that agents use to scaremonger better terms and deals out of their clients' existing employers.
Reposted by Josh Gardner
Another week, another episode with @joshgardner.bsky.social for you to "enjoy". This one includes Monster Munch and jazz. Not necessarily in that order.
433: A Turducken Of Shit | Blood & Mud
Get more from Blood & Mud on Patreon
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January 12, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Another week, another episode with @joshgardner.bsky.social for you to "enjoy". This one includes Monster Munch and jazz. Not necessarily in that order.
Imagine if rugby referees had to deliver the result of a TMO intervention down the barrel of the camera like NBA refs do? Nigel Owens would unretire in a heartbeat
www.youtube.com/shorts/KxjnH...
www.youtube.com/shorts/KxjnH...
Bill Kennedy had the commentators in stitches 🤣
YouTube video by NBA on ESPN
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Imagine if rugby referees had to deliver the result of a TMO intervention down the barrel of the camera like NBA refs do? Nigel Owens would unretire in a heartbeat
www.youtube.com/shorts/KxjnH...
www.youtube.com/shorts/KxjnH...
The Lions playing France in, I presume, France will be quite the box office draw, you suspect.
Some info from Midi Olympique on the future FFR-LNR agreement...
#Top14 finalists available for #NZLvFRA on July 4
33 internationals will be followed by a group of 'experts'
Les Bleus to play the Lions in June 2029
www.rugbyrama.fr/2026/01/11/x...
#Top14 finalists available for #NZLvFRA on July 4
33 internationals will be followed by a group of 'experts'
Les Bleus to play the Lions in June 2029
www.rugbyrama.fr/2026/01/11/x...
Les Bleus toujours à 42, sélection des finalistes pour la tournée d'été : les dessous de l’accord LNR - FFR
Groupe élargi maintenu à 42 joueurs, règles encadrées pour les partenaires d’entraînement, souplesse sur la sélection des finalistes pour la tournée estivale, soutien financier de la Ligue vers le rug...
www.rugbyrama.fr
January 12, 2026 at 5:07 PM
The Lions playing France in, I presume, France will be quite the box office draw, you suspect.
Reposted by Josh Gardner
Now then yor lot, it's pod neet toneet wi' me an' @joshgardner.bsky.social . Yer'll teet want put thee #SHITGOOD in't' replies deahn theer.
Please and thanks...
Please and thanks...
January 12, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Now then yor lot, it's pod neet toneet wi' me an' @joshgardner.bsky.social . Yer'll teet want put thee #SHITGOOD in't' replies deahn theer.
Please and thanks...
Please and thanks...
How are the Toulouse fans responding to losing two pool games you ask?
January 11, 2026 at 8:25 PM
How are the Toulouse fans responding to losing two pool games you ask?