Articles
News & Opinions articles
Topical articles and commentary on rugby events around the world.
How to swing for the fences: goal-kicking and the golf gameHow are the golf swing and goal kick connected? Analyst Nick Bishop looks at the effect top golf and kicking coach Dave Alred has had in the crossover between the golf swing and goal-kick in rugby.
Can Japan shock the world again?Countries have finalised their RWC squads and now finalise their preparations for the tournament. Writer Graham Jenkins in his latest article looks at Japan’s prospects as host nation and make another indelible mark on sporting history.
Innovate or die? Rugby's continued quest to stay relevant.The pressure on English rugby, and the game in general, to adapt and ensure the long-term success of the sport is evident in two innovations that are set to debut next season. Writer Graham Jenkins looks at these innovations and their possible positive effect on the game and its continued evolution.
Is it time the Six Nations packed down behind the Nations Championship concept?World Rugby’s plan for a ground-breaking annual Nations Championship uniting both hemispheres appeared to have little support when revealed last month but is it actually a concept we should all be embracing? Writer Graham Jenkins looks at the merits of the plan.
Super Rugby 2019 Performance PreviewThe Gainline Analytics team have taken their Cohesion and TWI markers to the Super Rugby competition starting this weekend. Simon and Ben have analysed how each team and conference is likely perform and why?
The Hidden Side of the 6 NationsOur friends at Gainline Analytics have had close look at the prospects of this year’s 6 nations tournament. It has been a moving feast in Northern Hemisphere Rugby especially at club level. Club and Test do not act in isolation however these effects take time to manifest. GAIN LINE Analytics research into teams show some very clear correlations over the long term around this aspect. They have taken a look at the prospects of this years 6 nations sides and the effect of their club setup and the draw might have on their prospects.
Is the sport lacking a global star?In a break during training recently, writer Graham Jenkins took the opportunity to ask a group of his Under 12s whether they had sat down and watched any of the great rugby we had been treated to in recent weeks.
Is the ‘jackal’ a protected species? – Northern Hemisphere (part one)What is the true value of a player who can compete for the ball with his hands on the ground, after a tackle has been made? The window for players to have a crack at the ball on the deck, looked to have shrunk in the phrasing of the Law 16 amendment. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at how in practice, consistent refereeing of the new laws has proved far from simple and its effect on the world game. In part 1 of 2, Nick reviews the interpreation and effect on northern hemisphere rugby.
Major League Rugby proves the land of opportunityLatest edition of the US Major league kicks off next weekend, writer Graham Jenkins talks to ex Wasps and now San Diego Legions coach Rob Hoadley about the benefits of coaching overseas and in the US Major league.
Top players must be hungry for homeworkPreparing the body for the physical demands of the elite game is just part of the challenge for the northern hemisphere’s finest with the mental preparation arguably just as pivotal in not only securing a victory but also prolonging a career at the top. Writer Graham Jenkins looks at what is expected of elite players outside the training pitch and gym as they prepare for big matches.
Does ‘retrospective refereeing’ do the game any good?England’s narrow 12-6 victory over Wales attracted an impressive UK TV audience of 6.4m to underline the appeal of what is billed as ‘rugby’s greatest championship’. Writer Graham Jenkins examines how rugby failed to capitalise on its popularity at Twickenham where the officials and not the players stole the headlines.
Continuity the key to continued success for EnglandIn a sporting landscape where the news of a coach losing their job often appears as common as a kick off, word of one being rewarded with a contract extension certainly commands attention. In his latest article, Graham Jenkins evaluates Eddie Jones’ England head coach contract extension and what the succession plan could be.
Money talks in World Cup bid processIn the wake of their success, even France acknowledged that the current financial model and the selection criteria make it almost impossible for any nation outside the deep-pocketed French and English to take on the role of tournament hosts. Writer Graham Jenkins explores the reality of the ‘voting’ and the future tournament prospects.
Is the congested calendar slowly killing the game?Graham Jenkins considers ongoing debate about the physical and mental demands of what is quite clearly an over-congested season.
How successful was Premiership's Philadelphia experiment?As the dust settles on the Aviva Premiership’s latest attempt to crack the United States market, Graham Jenkins reflects on what the league can learn from their Philadelphia experiment.
Exclusive: USA Rugby CEO Dan Payne talks growing the game StatesideWriter Graham Jenkins talks exclusively with USA Rugby CEO Dan Payne about various issues he’s faced in his first year in charge and looks ahead at the key areas of growth, ahead of this week’s Premiership game in the States.
Do you love rugby more than you love your children?As coaches and referees, it is incredibly important that we teach our youngsters the safest way to enjoy our game but it is also imperative that we educate ourselves about the player welfare issues and share that knowledge with players and parents. With the northern season nearly upon us, writer Graham Jenkins looks at what measures the RFU implementing to make the game safer for junior players.
Why Warren Gatland will not be the next All Blacks coachYou could be forgiven for thinking there was no winner in the British & Irish Lions’ recent showdown with New Zealand given that the enthralling Test series was drawn. However surprisingly this was not the case as Graham Jenkins explains one person emerged with their reputation greatly enhanced.
What is the currency of the British & Irish Lions after New Zealand 2017?The simple answer to the question in the title of the article is $69 million NZ dollars. That is the monetary amount that educated estimates suggest will be generated by the Lions cycle (every four years) for the host union. Analyst Nick Bishop outlines who benefits most from the tours and ways it could be improved for all involved.
No winner but World Rugby still losesThe British & Irish Lions’ tour of New Zealand came to an enthralling and painfully frustrating conclusion at Eden Park on Saturday night. The occasion may have failed to provide a winner but there was certainly a loser. Leading writer Graham Jenkins explores the sport’s shortcomings that can no longer be ignored by World Rugby.
How the All Blacks sidestepped the Lions rush defence in the first TestOne of the great questions in the build-up to the Test series between New Zealand and the British & Irish Lions was: How will the All Blacks attack the Lions’ rush defence? – masterminded by Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell. In this week’s article, leading analyst Nick Bishop explains how it was achieved.
Lions racing against time to beat the All BlacksAs daunting the prospect of facing the world’s best side on their own patch, the most formidable challenge facing the British & Irish Lions this summer is arguably not the All Blacks but the precious little time they have to ready themselves for an eagerly-awaited Test series. Leading writer Graham Jenkins looks at what Warren Gatland is doing to address the situation.
New learning and a way to unlock the Press defenceOne of the biggest challenges for both sides during the up-coming Lions tour to NZ will be how to find ways to break down the versions of Press defence which will be employed by both sides. Leading rugby analyst Nick Bishop examines merits of both sides likely approach.
Is the sport really putting players first?World Rugby and the rugby union’s key stakeholders announced the latest long-term calendar for the game with great fanfare last month highlighting the ‘harmony’ it had brought to the sport.
Leading writer Graham Jenkins looks at claims it appears to have promoted disharmony with many concerned that the international schedule and the changes it has subsequently triggered actually jeopardise player welfare.
Have England lost their majority vote on the Lions trip to New Zealand?Leading analyst Nick Bishop discusses what a difference one week makes. Had the British & Irish Lions squad to New Zealand been selected after the demolition of Scotland at Twickenham, as many as 19 or 20 English players might have made it. Read more here…
Should England get excited by a defeat?Such a high-profile failure to perform and complete a clean sweep may well be cause for muted celebration. Rugby writer Graham Jenkins assesses the potential effect of England’s loss to Ireland at the weekend.
There is no substitute for hard workEngland have successfully clinched the 6 nations and equalled the All Black’s 18 match winning streak. Graham Jenkins reflects on where Eddie Jones and the team are at.
How to attack ‘heads-up’ from scrumWhat is heads-up rugby in attack? Leading rugby analyst, Nick Bishop explains this in detail in his latest article.
England's growing belief will have All Blacks on high alertThis England side just refuses to accept defeat. Leading writer Graham Jenkins considers whether England’s growing unrelenting self belief will be causing the All Blacks any concern.
How to use ‘gadgets’ at the lineoutThe closer to set-piece a weakness can be pin-pointed, the more likely it is to result in a score. That score could be the difference between winning and losing. This week we hear from leading rugby analyst, Nick Bishop on his thoughts around lineout gadgets.
