Alex 'Apollo' Gray: Olympic Heartbreak, How NFL Can Help Rugby & Captaining England | Stick to Rugby EP 34

The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, features ex-England Sevens player and now Gladiators star Alex Gray, alongside Topsy Ojo, Katy Daley-McLean, Scott Quinnell and Tom Shanklin

From the Newcastle Red Bulls to the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, and now starring as Apollo on Gladiators, Alex opens up about his unique journey across rugby, American football, and primetime TV.

The panel dives into his transition between sports, why rugby lost him to the NFL, and whether he’d ever make a return. Alex shares what filming Gladiators was really like behind the scenes, how it pushed him physically and mentally, and the surprising pressures of fame.

There’s plenty of rugby chat too—from the future of Sevens, to the talent coming through in the UK, and what it’s like forging a new identity beyond the pitch.

00:00 - On the Road Again

03:56 - Teaser

04:46 - Behind-the-Scenes & Delicacy of the Week

06:10 - How ‘Apollo’ Got His Name

07:26 - True or False: Quiz

10:15 - Diet, Training & Game-Ready Physique

12:13 - Gladiator Names

13:01 - Auditioning for Gladiators

19:47 - Gladiator Pressure & Nerves

23:50 - Early Life & Rugby Roots

29:44 - Topsy Ojo’s Memory of Young Alex

31:58 - Switching Codes: 15s to Sevens

36:00 - Rio 2016 Olympic Heartbreak

38:29 - Biggest Rugby Regret

40:13 - Women’s Rugby World Cup

48:16 - First Brit to Captain an NFL Pre-Season Game

54:52 - Rugby or NFL?

59:28 - Time at Bath Rugby

01:03:07 - Louis Rees-Zammit’s Return to Rugby

01:05:04 - Either/Or Quiz

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