Welcome back to the boardroom for another massive episode of The Chargedown. Mat Vowles and Jack Wunsch are keeping the spotlight on the women's game with our second special episode of the season, and they are joined by two incredibly unique talents: French international Elodie Galinier and gritty back-rower Bella Lo Re.
Elodie brings a wealth of experience from her time playing for LOU Rugby Feminin in France. When she is not on the pitch, she is busy completing a PhD in Chemical Engineering with a focus on Solar Technology. Jack, surprises the team with his taste and takes time to bond with Elodieover their mutual agreement that French cheese is the undisputed champion of the dairy world.
On the other side of the table, Bella brings a completely different but equally impressive resume. A public servant by day, Bella is also a highly sought-after makeup artist who has worked at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix and 2025 New York Fashion Week. The boys are absolutely stunned to learn that despite her scrum-half stature, Bella is a fiercely competitive back-rower who loves punching above her weight, getting stuck into the rucks, and putting her body on the line. She also opens up about her tough road to recovery following a season-ending shoulder injury and the ultimate hope of making it back for the finals.
The girls also chat about their favourite players, and take part in the two games the boys have lined up to give it their best shot at taking the title.
In this episode:
- Solar Powered: Elodie Galinier on balancing top-flight rugby with a PhD in Chemical Engineering.
- Glamour to the Grind: Bella Lo Re on swapping the Monaco Grand Prix and New York Fashion Week for the local rugby rucks.
- Punching Above Her Weight: The boys' shock at Bella playing in the back-row and her love for the physical side of the game.
- Road to Recovery: Overcoming a season-ending shoulder injury to make it back for the finals.
