Best and worst of Japan (2012-2015)

The best and worst matches for Japan over the last 4 year World Cup cycle under coach Eddie Jones.

Failure of Mike Tolkin regime obvious before doomed RWC

Despite the pre-RWC optimism, it had been clear for at least 2 years beforehand that a win at the tournament would be unlikely and that the Mike Tolkin era was destined to fail.

Players from 'Tier 2' nations playing in Europe (2015/2016)

For the 2015/16 season there are right now around 354 players from 31 nations outside Tier 1 playing for clubs in the 5 fully professional leagues in Europe (Premiership, Championship, Top 14, Pro D2 and Pro12), plus at least another 50+ in Espoirs squads in France. Here is a breakdown country by country of those players.

Canada's trouble in managing both 15's and 7's

The major problems behind Canada's failure to win at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, were not necessarily coaching ones as reaction would suggest. But what the tournament possibly showed was the need to find a better relationship between the 15's and 7's programs.

A look at the collision dominance of Vito Kolelishvili

A look at the dominant gainline winning tackling of Georgia's flanker Vito Kolelishvili who had a huge impact in the World Cup win over Tonga last Saturday.

RWC Preview: Namibia

A short look at Namibia's preparation and build up and squad for the tournament, as they hope just to limit the heaviness of defeat they suffer.

RWC Preview: Georgia

A short look at Georgia's preparation and build up and squad for the tournament, as they hope to trump Tonga and qualify automatically for 2019.

RWC Preview: Japan

A short look at Japan's preparation, build up and squad for the tournament, as they hope to improve their damaged reputation, and win a World Cup game for the first time in 24 years.

RWC Preview: Romania

A short look at Romania's preparation, build up and squad for the tournament, as they hope to continue their success against Canada, and finally beat Italy.

RWC Preview: Tonga

A short look at Tonga's preparation, build up and squad for the tournament, as they look to repeat another major upset achieved in 2011.

RWC Preview: Fiji

A short look at Fiji's preparation, build up and squad for the tournament, as they head into a pool of death with three of the world's top 6 sides.

RWC Preview: Samoa

A short look at Samoa's preparation and build up and squad for the tournament, as they look to reach the quarter finals for the first time in the professional era.

The issues of the 20 team World Cup format

A question as to whether the scheduling, that has often made it difficult particularly for Tier 2 sides with less depth, detracts from the Rugby World Cup, and whether fans may feel ripped off if they knew that some games had teams not picking their strongest XV.

Try in Romania vs Tonga match a reminder of why TMO is important

Recent internationals in the PNC and RWC warm ups have lacked a TMO, and it's resulted in match deciding calls going wrong. Most recently last weekend in a close game, Romania unluckily conceding a try in the corner that shouldn't have stood.

The improvement of the Japan lineout

A look at the improvement in Japan's lineout over the past couple of years under the coaching of former England lock Steve Borthwick, which has become easily the most efficient of any Tier 2 nations.

The concerning basic errors behind Canada's collapse to Fiji

A look at some of the concerning basic errors in what was a miserable Sunday for Canada, who suffered their worst defeat for three years against Fiji.

The awfulness of the Japanese rugby system

Explaining some of the major faults of the player development system in Japan, a system which their coach says leaves their young players progress 'retarded', but it's a system aged JRFU leaders stubbornly refuse to modernise and reform.

A brief look at Uruguayan rugby

As Uruguay enter the toughest pool in RWC history, with four top 10 ranked opponents. All they tell the media is how they are amateur, so here is an attempt at a slightly different look at the team.

The new scrum engagement laws: 2 years on

We are now 2 years on from the first match under the new scrum engagement laws, brought in after tolerance of the mess the scrum had descended into reached its limit in 2013 and WR were forced to make changes. Here is a look at how those changes disappeared.

Key factors behind Canada's lack of form

After easily securing top spot beating USA in RWC qualifying, Canada have gone a torrid run of form, with 11 straight losses to top 18 ranked nations. Here is a look at some of the factors behind that.

Pacific Island internationals in Super Rugby

A brief look at how in 20 seasons of Super Rugby, the amount of Pacific Island internationals fell dramatically, followed by a rise in the past 5 years of players moving to Europe and playing international rugby.

Signs of improvement for the Fijian scrum

The Fijian scrum has long been one of the most derided in world rugby. Over three tests vs Italy, Romania and Italy again between 2013 & 2014, it conceded four penalty tries. But there are signs it may be improving.

The global trend of referees ignoring players not supporting weight

Worldwide referees are failing to police the breakdown properly, creating a free for all that is regularly going to the benefit of defending teams allowing them to spoil possession, and also bringing in some other unwanted consequences.

Preview: Pacific Nations Cup 2015

As the 10th edition of the Pacific Nations Cup kicks off this weekend, here is a summary on how each of the six nations involved are approaching this tournament that will serve as preparation for the upcoming World Cup.

Georgia embark on urgent fitness mission prior to World Cup

Despite the many positives that come from Georgia exporting so many players to France, there's also the negative of a few clubs shoddy conditioning. With a once in four year chance to get the squad together for months, reports suggest coach Milton Haig is putting a major emphasis on rectifying fitness levels.

A statistical look at the Romanian scrum

The Romanian scrum has been best amongst Tier 2 nations in recent times. A hugely dominant force which along with the maul has won games almost single handedly on occasions, although they have also become hugely dependant on it. Here is a statistical look at how it has fared in recent times.

Uruguay and their fixation with amateurism

Uruguay are fixated on telling the world about how amateur they are, often evenexaggerating. But the Teros clinging to that amateurism as a badge of pride is what will prevent any significant progression in the future.

Indiscipline levels becoming a major issue for Georgia

Indiscipline continues to be an issue for Georgian rugby, and under coach Milton Haig they've been a side that's received more cards than any other often hampering them in matches. Haig has just a few months left to try and fix the issue, or risk a lapse of discipline potentially costing him his job.

Oxford University centre Matt Janney emerges as surprise Georgian World Cup contender

Oxford University rugby player Matthew Janney has emerged as an unlikely World Cup bolter - for Georgia, that is.

Brendan Gallagher's latest ill thought out attack on New Zealand

A rebuttal to those such as journalist Brendan Gallagher who have been all wrong when slamming New Zealand for their U20 selection.

Farcical non-banning exposes rugby's disciplinary process yet again

The citing system in rugby is an utter farce and has been for many years. The fact the system is ripe for abuse couldn't have been highlighted better than this week's incident in the Ireland vs Barbarians game.

Joke rankings change cancels out another joke rankings change

Japan dropped down the rankings thanks merely to their washout in Hong Kong. That cancelled them rising up the rankings in similarly silly circumstances last year as well.

Kingsley Jones memory evades him as recalls facing Georgia

Former Russia head coach Kingsley Jones appeared to be struggling to remember the times he faced off against Georgia as he talked trash about them this on Scrum V this week.