World Cup

Premiership Rugby home-field advantage

Considering Premiership Rugby home-field advantage, you can question whether it is a constant benefactor? or a changeable one? A discussion for fans and stakeholders alike, home and away sides both. In this season to date, it is not a sole contributor to the current standings although, it will always play it’s part in every sport. […]


Stade de France stadium, as England needs to play the game of their lives
Charlie Inglefield - Oct 18, 2023

England will not lack any motivation on Saturday evening when they come up against the Springboks. The 2019 World Cup final defeat to South Africa still stings for many in this squad and that is motivation enough. The challenge for England is that the 2023 version of the Springboks is better than the 2019 vintage. […]

England scraped through Fiji in the 2023 Rugby World Cup
Charlie Inglefield - Oct 16, 2023

Elton John’s classic hit, ‘I’m Still Standing’ rang out as England’s players triumphantly walked around Marseille’s fantastic Stade Velodrome stadium. They had just seen off Fiji 30-24 in a breathless quarter-final. It was an apt tune because seven weeks ago England was trudging off the Twickenham turf after a disastrous loss to Fiji. England scraped […]

The Stade Vélodrome, home of the England vs. Fiji match which Borthwick has given England the tools to succeed
Charlie Inglefield - Oct 13, 2023

England’s management have made two huge selection calls for the quarter-final clash against Fiji on Saturday. The traditionally conservative Steve Borthwick has picked Marcus Smith over Freddie Steward at full-back. Secondly, the Ford/Farrell partnership has gone with Farrell being entrusted with the fly-half duties. Borthwick has given England the tools to unleash now the team […]

Antoine Dupont: French 'phantom' of the Rugby World Cup returns

With a nod to the Andrew Lloyd Webber stage show, it is Frenchman Antoine Dupont who is the leading man who has returned to the main stage, weeks after succumbing to a nasty broken cheekbone. Now given permission to rejoin training, it is assumed he will play with a face protector; giving him the similar […]

England's win against Samoa on October 7, 2023
Charlie Inglefield - Oct 8, 2023

Western Samoa were rightly devastated having lost a game they should have won. England were woeful for most of this match but somehow found a way to win. That is the positive that everyone associated with England Rugby needs to hold onto as they stumble into the quarter-finals. The reality is that Steve Borthwick and […]

Joe van Niekerk at Stade Mathon
Larissa Falls - Oct 4, 2023

We caught up with former South Africa Back-Rower, Joe van Niekerk, to look back on his time at the 2003 Rugby World Cup with the Springboks. He also opened up about his predictions for the national side this 2023 RWC. 2003 Rugby World Cup Anniversary: Joe van Niekerk Using the touchline as an extra defender, […]

Parc Olympique Lyonnais, home of the New Zealand vs. Uruguay and the France vs. Italy Game
James Alunga - Oct 3, 2023

The RWC 2023 fourth round sees teams tightly paired and will require the fifth round to decide the second spots for the quarterfinal. RWC 2023 fourth round: There are quarterfinal spots up for grabs Pool A The RWC 2023 fourth round sees quarterfinal second spots up for grabs with New Zealand and Italy still in […]

Flying Fijians must grab 'opportunity lost' by fumbling Eddie Jones' Wallabies

Grasping it with both hands is how the Flying Fijians must proceed in this Rugby World Cup. To grab every chance for their nation, to take the so-called ‘opportunity lost’ by a fumbling Eddie Jones’ Wallabies side, and go as far in this event as plausibly possible. Affectionately known as the ‘Flying Fijians’ the Fiji […]

Henry Arundell and Marcus Smith boost Borthwick's England attacking options
Charlie Inglefield - Sep 27, 2023

England’s 71-0 rout of Chile on Saturday was predictable but nonetheless a big confidence booster to the squad. Henry Arundell and Marcus Smith in particular made the most of their opportunities. With respect to Chile; who never stopped trying, they were never going to match England’s power. Sterner tests await for England but it would […]

Stade Vélodrome, home of the South Africa-Tonga game
James Alunga - Sep 26, 2023

The [Rugby World Cup] RWC 2023 race for the quarterfinal is on in the fourth round after matches in game week three saw teams that topped their various pools solidify their positions winning all their three matches while the rest fought for the remaining spots. Race for the quarterfinals of the RWC 2023 4 poules […]

Johnny Sexton will play against South Africa tomorrow

Saturday’s fixture Ireland v South Africa is a moc-Cup Final. It sees Johnny Sexton drive Irish hopes of a pinnacle World Title while defending title-holders the Springboks utilize their advanced 7-1 bench strategy. Ideally, fans could view this match-up later in the draw – your number one versus numbered teams two, three, or four should […]

2003 RWC Anniversary: Simon Shaw
Larissa Falls - Sep 22, 2023

It’s been 20 years since England were crowned 2003 Rugby World Cup champions, and Last Word on Rugby caught up with one of the successful squad members Simon Shaw. 2003 Rugby World Cup Anniversary: Simon Shaw Simon Shaw shared with Larissa Falls his favourite moments and memories from the 2003 triumph, and looked ahead to […]

Stade de la Beaujoire, one of the RWC 2023 venues
James Alunga - Sep 20, 2023

The Rugby World Cup 2023 round two matches saw most teams solidify their position in their respective pools. The pools have teams that have the upper hand of featuring in the quarterfinals. Teams leading the pools have so far had two out of two wins in their respective pools. RWC 2023 round two matches overview […]

England won ugly yet momentum growing; RWC Pool D
Charlie Inglefield - Sep 18, 2023

England eventually found a way through a determined but under-par Japanese outfit on Sunday evening. England won ugly yet momentum is growing, with two wins over the pool’s two toughest opponents, Argentina and Japan. It was not pretty but, successful World Cup campaigns rarely are, and England ultimately might have one foot in the quarter-finals. […]

2003 RWC 20th Anniversary: Matt Giteau interview
Larissa Falls - Sep 18, 2023

Hard to fathom that this year’s Rugby World Cup brings up the 20-year anniversary since the 2003 RWC tournament in Australia. A contest where Wallabies playmaker Matt Giteau would be involved in one of the more epic finales in all RWC folklore. The 40-year-old was then in his early career with the Australian national team, […]



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National Rugby League

Ever found yourself in a chat with a rugby-mad buddy, only to be baffled by the lingo and the rules? Let’s start unscrambling that confusion by diving into the world of the National Rugby League (NRL) – the premier global competition in Rugby League.

Welsh Rugby Union head coach Warren Gatland looks on with pride after the Wales Grand Slam Celebration
Thomas Booth - Sep 18, 2023

Warren Gatland has had his say on the Rugby World Cup in France in his recent UK Daily Telegraph article. Wales failed to progress beyond the last eight not because they were outfought and outthought. Rather that there is something wrong with the rules of the game, and how it is played at the highest […]

Rugby Heroes and Villains of 2023; Scotland

In a look back, Last Word on Rugby views the Rugby Heroes and Villains for 2023. Not focused entirely on one or the other – balanced in as how the sport of rugby union is a team-based game; as much as for individuals who can shine or be villainised for their contributions. Over the last […]

Rugby Canada women's team player, Fancy Bermudez, celebrates try against France

The 2023 Rugby Canada women’s team might be seen as one of the best years in the national team’s history. There were many highlights for the national team, including playing the Pacific Four Series in the nation’s capital in the summer. 2023 Rugby Canada women’s team: Finished second in the WXV 1 competition Strengths Players […]

Your Favourite Rugby Players' Most Interesting Hobbies
Ricky Carroll, Editor - Sep 18, 2023

Rugby League players are a talented and fearless bunch, so it only stands to reason that amongst them are some unusual hobbies. If you’ve ever wondered what some of the most exciting rugby league players in the world get up to in their spare time, or get up to now that they’ve retired, then we’ve […]

Jean-Bouin, home of the Stace Stade Français vs Leicester game on Sunday

The Champions Cup game of the Stade Français vs Leicester game will take place on Sunday at 12:30 PM ET. This will be the first group-stage game for Stade Français Paris after the Leicester Tigers won on December 10 against the Stormers. While Stade Français lost on the road against the Sale Sharks, it will […]

Marcus Smith, of the Harlequins F.C., playing against Racing 92
Charlie Inglefield - Sep 18, 2023

The two most impressive teams this past week in European Professional Rugby Club (EPRC) competition were perhaps the Harlequin F.C. and the Exeter Chiefs. And in those games, Marcus Smith and Will Joseph were superb in Harlequins’ scintillating win over Racing 92 in Paris. On Saturday afternoon, the Chiefs were equally impressive in downing mighty […]

Paris Stade Jean-Bouin, one of the 14 home venues for the Top14 Round Nine Games
Larissa Falls - Sep 18, 2023

If you love a stat or fact, then you’ve come to the right place! After the French Top14 Round Nine concludes, LWOS adds to your weekend’s enjoyment. 14 Fun Facts of Top14 Round Nine Larissa Falls continues her series breaking down the names and numbers from Round Nine of the French Top14. Après un énorme combat, […]