Rugby Unity

A blockbuster Six Nations weekend set the bar, and David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie reckon the biggest winner might have been World Rugby’s officiating. Scotland’s 50–40 shootout over France lit up Murrayfield, with the sunlight, kick-off tactics, discipline and Finn Russell’s influence all dissected. Ireland held off a fast-improving Wales 27–17, with big raps for Steve Tandy’s coaching and the rise of names like Rhys Carré and Dewi Lake. Then came Italy’s historic 23–18 first win over a flat England, with Maro Itoje’s late yellow card and Steve Borthwick’s pressure boiling over into an RFU statement. Off-field, Pemby notes Eddie Jones is in Sri Lanka for Chelsea’s wedding, but still ran coaching clinics and sessions for players ahead of tests vs New Zealand Under 85kg tour in April. Plus substitutions, fatigue, scrum data, instrumented mouthguards, and Rugby Europe Championship results.

● Six Nations refereeing praised: tempo, authority, minimal TMO
● Scotland 50–40 France: sun, kick-offs, discipline, lineout strike
● Ireland edge Wales 27–17 as Wales keep improving
● Italy beat England 23–18 as England discipline collapses
● Substitutions, fatigue, and whether rugby needs fewer law changes

PLUS: Nations Championship excitement grows as north-south battles loom, while Rugby Europe Championship finals day in Madrid sets up a full Saturday of matches.

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Dave Rennie is confirmed as the new All Blacks coach, and Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie break down what it means, right now, with two years to a World Cup. David Pembroke digs into whether the All Blacks actually change style, what happens at 9 and 10, and why Rennie’s lack of attachment to any Super Rugby franchise could light a fire under selection pressure. There’s also a big Rugby World Cup 2027 ticketing update: 750,000 tickets sold in the initial pre-sale, with huge demand for Australia v New Zealand and knockout matches, plus the next application phase opening 19th of May. Then it’s straight into the Guinness Six Nations restart: Ireland v Wales at the Aviva, Scotland v France at Murrayfield with Angus Gardner in the middle, and Italy v England in Rome after Borthwick’s sweeping changes.

Also in this episode:
● Dave Rennie named new All Blacks coach
● What changes in All Blacks style under Rennie?
● Roigard, Barrett, Mo’unga selection pressure discussed
● Brodie Retallick’s form in Japan highlighted heavily
● Rugby World Cup 2027 tickets: 750,000 sold fast
● Six Nations previews: Ireland v Wales, Scotland v France, Italy v England

PLUS: The panel debates World Rugby priorities, domestic competition sustainability, and what “hard decisions” really mean in coaching selections.

Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

📧 Get in touch: [email protected]
Thanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.

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World Rugby’s Shape of the Game summit was billed as a fix-it moment, but David Pembroke, Eddie Jones, and Ewen McKenzie aren’t buying the “no changes to the law” message. From depowered scrums and TMO scope, to red cards and the push for more 15-on-15 time, the crew break down why the sport’s governance keeps kicking the can down the road. There’s heat on the size and power of councils, with comparisons to the RFU’s reforms, plus frustration at the lack of transparency around the global season. On the field, the chat jumps from Ireland vs England and England’s “DNA”, to Super Rugby talking points like Brumbies vs Blues and the Fijian Drua beating the Hurricanes, plus a look at how kicking is shaping results. There’s also a quick snapshot of Germany’s broadcast boost and big Rugby Europe scorelines.

Also in this episode:
● World Rugby says no law changes after The Shape of the Game summit
● Eddie Jones: too many people, no decisions made
● Brumbies beat Blues 30-27 after yellow card swing
● England reaction after Ireland loss and George Ford debate
● Ewen McKenzie explains how scrums have been depowered
● Super Rugby kicking stats: Reds, Drua, Crusaders, Chiefs

PLUS: A blunt debate on governance, transparency, and whether rugby’s product matches its commercial ambitions.

Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

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David Pembroke, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie unpack the big agenda items that will be covered in the Shape of the Game conference in London, starting with the push to “depower” scrums and replace some restarts with free kicks. Eddie and Ewen are blunt: keep the scrum, speed it up, and protect rugby as a game for all shapes and sizes. From there, it’s straight into the global season debate, with both backing alignment for player welfare while warning everyone has to sacrifice something, not just Super Rugby. The 20-minute red card sparks a wider argument about keeping 15 on 15, with Ewen pitching better use of existing referee tools and stronger post-match sanctions. They also get into Six Nations form (Ireland’s response against England), Super Rugby trends, kicking and “meaningful” stats, plus quick hits on Andy Farrell, Stephen Larkham, injuries, Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s record run, and Rugby Europe Championship shocks.

Also in this episode:
● Eddie Jones rejects any move to depower scrums
● Ewen McKenzie says scrums are already overmanaged
● Global season backed to protect player welfare properly
● 20-minute red card debate turns into 15v15 argument
● Ireland v England analysed: intent, collisions, line speed
● Super Rugby vs Six Nations stats: points, tries, ball-in-play

PLUS: World Rugby transparency, refereeing consistency, and how attack trends are shifting across Six Nations and Super Rugby.

Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

📧 Get in touch: [email protected]
Thanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.

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Ireland dismantle England 42-21 at Twickenham and David Pembroke, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie pull apart why it got ugly. Ewen says England simply did not turn up physically, fell off tackles, lost the aerial contest and never got to their usual attacking kick game, while Ireland kept the tempo high with quick taps and sharp work in the air. Eddie adds a coach’s view from inside the stadium: Andy Farrell’s management of Jamison Gibson-Park, Ireland’s flatter “off nine” attack, and England’s emotional control going missing when the game turned. Scotland then survive a huge scare to beat Wales 26-23 after Wales led 20-3, before France continue their surge with a 33-8 win over Italy, with talk of Dupont’s influence, France’s collision wins, and what it takes to slow them down. The episode closes with World Rugby’s “Shape of the Game”, world rankings, and a big Brumbies statement win over the Crusaders.

● Ireland’s tempo and aerial dominance breaks England early
● Eddie Jones on England leadership and preparation drift
● Gibson-Park and Ireland attacking flatter off nine
● Scotland escape Wales ambush after 20-3 lead
● France 33-8 Italy: Dupont, Ramos, collision wins
● World Rugby TMO debate: speed, sovereignty, forward passes

PLUS: The panel also hits World Rugby rankings, Rugby Europe Championship results, Under 20s Six Nations scores, and why Super Rugby’s Brumbies look the form team.

Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

📧 Get in touch: [email protected]
Thanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.