Thomas Booth (@tboothy) of Last Word on Rugby looks at the Best International Captains through the history of the game and presents to you part two of our overview of the World Rugby ranked top ten international men’s sides in 2022. With the listed six sides, from number 10 down to no. five already published, […]

For many clubs, with the National Leagues Rugby returning to English rugby union competition, some will have had almost a month since their last outing in the next round of fixtures. The impacts of the latest wave of the Omicron COVID-19 variant; coupled with the Christmas break, have had quite an impact on the season. […]

There is never a dull moment under Eddie Jones whether you are an England rugby fan, a player or a coach. The usual stoushes and flirting with the media, lost in translation barbs over Great Britain’s most promising sports stars (think tennis) and selections that no one saw coming. But, Eddie Jones has got England’s […]

Those who followed rugby prior to the 1990s will be well-aware of the name Rosslyn Park FC. The London side was one of the country’s top teams, twice reaching the final of the National Cup. They have plenty of historic moments since their inception in 1879, which includes partaking in the first-ever rugby games in […]

When World Rugby announced their rugby contact training load guidelines on September 22, it was recognized that the follow-up data from Imperial College London research has reinforced the message – less contact to the head is everyone’s goal. News this week came through via NZME that the Drake Foundation had a study conducted by the […]

We’re in the middle of a Spanish Rugby siesta after Spain’s season came to an end with a hard-fought victory for VRAC against challengers Alconbendas in the División de Honor final. However, the third triumph in a row for Alconbendas in the Copa Del Rey de Rugby confirms them as Spanish Rugby’s second force. With […]

To many, he is still the Professor. Former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith, the mind behind much of the New Zealand teams ‘cut and thrust’ for over 17 years has returned from Japan and is refreshingly critical of the Super Rugby Aotearoa rugby style. Having been back in his native homeland for five weeks, as […]

A look at maverick outside halves with a focus on Racing 92 and Scotland’s Lions candidate Finn Russell. Will Gatland, “throw the dice?”

The last weekend of February saw the Madrid 7s 2021 finale and despite setbacks, it was a worthy sendoff. As well, as predicted in February by this writer, the Spanish women were crowned as the 2020 Rugby Europe Women’s Champions – yet again. And with this continued success, how is it that one of the […]

On February 28, the crown was firmly positioned with Spain Rugby Europe Women’s Champions for 2020. With their win over the Netherlands, they also secure a spot in the European qualifying tournament for the RWC 2021. 🏆 | Introducing the 2020 Women's Rugby Europe Champions and now taking their place in the @rugbyworldcup European Qualifier….@ferugby! […]

It is rare to see one side so utterly dominant in a rugby match. But that is what happened today when Spain hosted Russia. Spain savaged Russia in that penultimate match of the 2020 Rugby Europe Women’s Championship. The scoring opened with a short-range drop goal by Spain, after which Russia ran in their single […]

To align better with World Rugby anti-doping unit policy and sampling, the co-ordination of in and out-of-competition test planning during the 6 Nations is to be managed by the world governing body. So this weekend, and across the tournament, tests will be administered, sampled, and tested under World Rugby (WR) direction; a media release on […]

Former Wales and British and Irish Lion Dafydd James ran 31 marathons for the duration of January. He covered 812.2 miles altogether when he finished yesterday by running, rowing or cycling. The former winger opened up last February, admitting he had considered taking his own life after experiencing anxiety and panic attacks following his retirement. […]

In División de Honor Rugby Week 9, a vital game took place between Alcobendas Rugby and El Salvador. Not only is it a battle between two top teams in the competition but due to the 2021 structure, it’s a result that will count for more than just the points this week. That’s because this year […]

Following reports that Bath back row Zach Mercer will sacrifice his chances of England caps by joining Montpellier Hérault, it has been announced that Gabriel Ibitoye will join the club as a ‘medical joker’.  Neither will be impressed by their new club’s current form, however. In Round 14 they lead 19-0 at half time away […]

It might not so much be the where, it could be as much the what, why, and when. Because now that Brett Gosper – CEO of World Rugby – has gone to the NFL, important questions on direction, motivation, and its political desires are raised. His term was not a poor one. In fact, two […]

Australia has been awarded the 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup and the women’s tournament two years later. This has kickstarted talk about whether Rugby Australia will look to a few NRL converts to boost their chances? In the past, NRL converts have had mixed success. For every Sonny Bill Williams, there is a Sam Burgess. […]

Each new squad announced by a head coach brings joy to some corners of the country, and some misery for others. This squad is no different. The latest England men’s rugby squad is out, and supremo Eddie Jones has made some big decisions. There are recalls for discarded stars and first-time call-ups for young talent […]

The Rassie Erasmus waterboy role was addressed by World Rugby with a change in the wording of the relevant law. Head Coaches and Directors of Rugby are now both not permitted to fulfill this role. Rassie Erasmus’s waterboy role was torpedoed by World Rugby Erasmus is very much a Marmite character. You either love him […]

Last week saw Leicester Tigers announce a host of new contracts for existing squad members, as well as new signings ahead of next season. What was striking was that on both sides of the coin it showed the Tigers’ squad building strategy continues to follow a theme and purpose that started three years ago. This […]

The Māori All Blacks have played Ireland on two previous occasions, the most famous being the New Zealand Natives’ 13-4 win at Landsdowne Road in Dublin in 1888. So the news that two additional Māori All Blacks Ireland fixtures give many traditional supporters a feel-good factor. After the disruption of the last 24 months, seeing […]

World Rugby gets plenty of stick yet deserves praise for its decisions over the last 12 months with the freshly appointed Rugby World Cup hosts being one of them. Other policies and decisions include; the change in eligibility laws will that allow Pacific Island teams to compete and encourage their qualified national representatives to continue […]

The 2021/22 Indigo Group Premiership and end of season rewards are revealed after another thrilling season of community rugby. Indigo Group Premiership Team of the Season After a season of both an Indigo Group Cup and Premiership, the Team of the Season has been selected by Robert Rees. Rowan Jenkins (Aberavon) Will Griffiths (Newport) Geraint […]

USA Rugby got a huge boost today as they will host the 2031 Rugby World Cup (men’s) and the 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup. They will be hoping to replicate the success Japan had in the 2019 Rugby World Cup (men’s). USA Rugby was given rights to host both Rugby World Cups Embed from Getty […]