World Cup
Ireland’s Grand Slam winning victory in Dublin showed they know ‘how to win ugly’. Secured with tenacity and by taking advantage of the situation provided, to win by 29-16 on home soil. This triumph will put them in a great position to enter the Rugby World Cup this Autumn, ranked as red-hot favourites. GRAND SLAM […]
Staff at the French Rugby RWC2023 headquarters are under investigation by authorities, with news that the France 2023 Ethics Committee was continuing its inquiry into the operation. Reuters stated that ‘Claude Atcher, the chief executive officer of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France [organization], has been sacked after a report by the French Labour […]
After two rounds of RWC playoff qualification matches completed, two out of the four sides in this knockout tournament remain; the USA Eagles and Portugal. And one last game is scheduled for Friday, November 18. Qualification for the 2023 Rugby World Cup (RWC) is limited to 24 sides, and just one place remains in Pool […]
For 80-minutes of the 2021 Rugby World Cup final, the tide shifted from hemisphere to hemisphere, as New Zealand struggled to overcome the world’s leading rugby team England. Yet in the end, a demonstration of rugby soul from the Southern hemisphere proved to be the winner on the day by the nearest of margins. Played […]
It is not hyperbolic to say that this might just be the biggest rugby match in the history of the women’s game. This Women’s Rugby World Cup has seen publicity like never before. Selling out Eden Park for the first round and doing so again for the final, games being televised all across the world, […]
The people who follow the Rugby Canada team, know about Sophie de Goede. Probably the best player on the team, De Goede has contributed a lot to the team’s success this year. For example, she won two Player of the Game Awards for Canada in the Pacific Four Series. Sophie de Goede: Rugby Canada’s Young […]
It was an Emily Scarratt masterclass when the classic ‘Le Crunch’ fixture was played out between France and England on Day Three of the 2021 Rugby World Cup. That was followed a day later by a somewhat Black Ferns cakewalk over Wales at Waitakere Stadium, on Day Four of the New Zealand-hosted tournament. Contrasts for […]
Despite Keira Bevan’s late penalty to ensure victory for the Wales women’s rugby team in their opening 2021 Rugby World Cup match against Scotland, it wasn’t the best performance from Ioan Cunningham’s side who led 15-5 at the break. Last weekend, they flew out of the blocks with an early try from flanker Alisha Butchers, with […]
Topping the try-scoring charts, England Red Roses Claudia MacDonald played out of her skin in her team’s opening Rugby World Cup 2021 campaign. With a huge 84-19 win over Fiji, MacDonald was one of several English players that crossed for multiple tries. Many other Internationals did likewise across the opening day at Eden Park Rugby […]
With the opening day one full of celebrations for women’s rugby, the Eden Park Rugby World Cup 2021 venue was ‘pumping’ from start to finish. Beginning with the first-class encounter between fourth-seed Frances’ Les Bleuets and South Africa, the day progressed with the World Rugby top-ranked England Red Roses side meeting Fiji – a real […]
It’s World Cup week! On Saturday, the Red Roses begin their task of winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the third time. They enter the tournament as hot favourites and are on an incredible 25-game winning streak! Who though are the players that are crucial to making this England side tick and who will […]
As the build-up continues, news out that the World’s top female rugby players are to wear smart mouthguards at the Rugby World Cup 2021 is a landmark agreement to help reduce concussions and introduce technology into the sport. ‘Smart’ instrumented mouthguards will be offered to all Rugby World Cup 2021 teams ahead of the October […]
In the most humble and respectful tone, Last Word on Rugby wishes to recognize and to honour the passing of the Monarch. A woman who some would see as the ‘Rugby Queen of our Hearts’. In doing this, firstly a reflection on the Queen who was to the majority, a constant leader and figurehead of […]
HALIFAX, NS – It was a historical moment for Nova Scotian Rugby at the Wanderers Grounds this weekend. This was the first-ever international senior women’s rugby game to ever take place on the Atlantic Canadian coast. It is also the last game before Rugby Canada starts playing in the Rugby World Cup in October. Rugby […]
England’s Rugby World Cup squad will be shaped in the coming weeks as the Gallagher Premiership season prepares to get underway. Who will lead the list of contenders for England’s Rugby World Cup squad? There will be a number of established players with work to do and some promising talent that might just break into […]
Even if it might not quell the external noises, the All Blacks head coach role has been assured to incumbent Ian Foster until the Rugby World Cup in France. That ‘noise’ had reached a crescendo on Friday, August 12, the day before the second Rugby Championship test in Johannesburg. Media attention was abundant, right across […]
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We are closing in on the halfway point of the Super Rugby Pacific season with Super Rugby Round 6 and a season that promised so much has failed to live up to expectations. It’s been a case of deja vu as the New Zealand sides continue to dominate the competition, with the Chiefs sitting undefeated […]
The rugby world has yet again been shocked, when Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg this week after he announced he would be retiring from the game altogether after this year’s Rugby World Cup in France. With 100 caps for his country, almost 200 club appearances and three British & Irish Lions Tours to his name, Hogg […]
Toronto Arrows’ Mike Sheppard is the current vice-captain who plays both the lock and flanker position for the Arrows. He has been with the team even before the Arrows made the jump to MLR. The Brampton native, born on December 20, 1988, has been a mainstay with the Canadian professional rugby union team. He has […]
Talent from around the world descended on Hong Kong today for the official opening of the 35th edition of the Tradition HKFC 10s rugby tournament which kicks off at Hong Kong Football Club this Wednesday. Billed the World’s Best tens, the tournament will once again blend emerging talent with international experience in a two-day festival of fast-running, hard-hitting rugby. The […]
With the 2023 Six Nations over, fans and pundits alike are discussing their teams of the tournament. But do the numbers tell the same story? Using Fantasy Rugby, we have comprised an XV of the best performers statistically. Of course, this isn’t perfect, but Fantasy Rugby does consider a wide range of factors from tries […]
South African provincial rugby has been a case of princes and paupers for decades. SA Rugby has tried to keep all its stakeholders and voting members happy with promises of a future in professional competitions. These promises have become unattainable in the modern professional game as the South African economy simply cannot afford to sustain […]
With a beaming smile, Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson has done enough to secure the All Blacks head coach role from 2024 on. Secure in his four-year upcoming role, he has impressed the majority of decision-makers. Impressed the New Zealand Rugby (NZR) board, the selection panel and a large number of All Blacks supporters. Many are buoyant […]
There is no doubt that Luke Pearce has become one of the most popular referees in the world. There is even a montage video on YouTube titled ‘5 minutes of Luke Pearce being Luke Pearce!’ with over 170,000 views (see below). He is cherished for giving clear and concise explanations and letting play continue. Pearce […]
About Author
Aaron Tillyer
Rugby writer focusing predominantly on Aviva Premiership and Top14. Big fan of Super Rugby and all things international.
Covered World Rugby U20 Championships in Georgia (2017) for LWOR, ESPN and Rugby World.
Planning for RWC in Japan 2019.