Why Kieran Crowley deserves fans backing to take Canada forward

Why Canada coach Kieran Crowley, the man who drove the side out of a ditch, still should have the backing of the fans despite a frustrating recent run of results.

Roundup: IRB Nations Cup & IRB Tbilisi Cup

A lookback on this year's glorified training tournaments the IRB Nations Cup and the IRB Tbilisi Cup, where Emerging Ireland and Argentina Jaguars took the trophies.

Japan now ranked a top 10 nation, but don't get carried away

This week Japan reached the top 10 of the IRB rankings for the first time in their history, an achievement that has been regularly reported around the rugby world. But don't get carried away, there still remains a lot of work to be done to become a genuine top 10 nation of the world.

Details on European Rugby Challenge Cup qualifying emerge

Finally some details on what the "Qualifying Tournament" for the European Rugby Challenge Cup will likely be appears to have emerged following FIRA-AER AGM meetings in Croatia.

Roundup: June Internationals Week 3

A roundup of the weekend's action from the final week of the June window where Samoa kept their status as top Pacific Island, Japan took a Tier 1 scalp and USA ended a long losing streak.

Team News: June Internationals Week 3

Team news ahead of the final week of the June test window. Pacific Island and North American bragging rights is at stake, there is also an interesting clash between Japan and Italy. 

Players may now be able to switch nationalities thanks to 7's addition to the Olympics

Following rugby's addition to the Olympics and the requirement to hold a passport of the nation you are competing for there, it is leading to some changes that could potentially see some players now able to switch nationalities through 7's.

How will Kenki Fukuoka bounce back from nightmare in the USA?

After a nightmare match at the StubHub Center, will the exciting young wing Kenki Fukuoka be able to recover and bounce back and prove it was a one off in the big game against Italy.

How the smallest man in pro rugby Fumiaki Tanaka can still contribute defensively

At only 5ft 5in and 75kg, how can Japan scrum half Fumiaki Tanaka contribute defensively in a sport littered with giants?

Mike Fraser and some other past refereeing controversies that have cost wins against Tier 1 nations

After Canada lost out to a controversial decision by Kiwi ref Mike Fraser last weekend against Scotland, here is a lookback at a few other controversial refereeing decisions that have cost sides wins against Tier 1 nations over the years.

Roundup: June Internationals Week 2

A roundup of the weekend's action from the second week of June, where Samoa dominate Italy, Canada lost out in controversially whilst there were two other high scoring PNC matches.

Team News: June Internationals Week 2

Team news ahead of the second week of the June test window. The Pacific Nations Cup matches continue, whilst 6 Nations Italy and Scotland move onto to face Canada and Samoa.

Team News: IRB Nations Cup & IRB Tbilisi Cup Round 1

Team news ahead of the glorified training tournaments the IRB Nations Cup opening in Bucharest on Friday and the IRB Tbilisi Cup opening in Tbilisi this Saturday.

Should Georgia really be awarding caps in the IRB Tbilisi Cup?

The June tournament the IRB Tbilisi Cup is used as an experimental one for all involved in it. Should Georgia really be awarding all their games in it full cap status?

Canada's struggles in the last 30 minutes

A look into Canada's squandered 16 point half time lead last weekend against Japan and their issue of finishing poorly over the last 30 minutes of games.

FIRA-AER set to be replaced and reformed?

Following recent reforms at the top level of European rugby, the European governing body FIRA-AER for those outside the 6 Nations may also be modernised.

Where Japan's comeback against Canada ranks in rugby history

Japan's big comeback win against Canada in Burnaby was one of the largest half time deficits any side has successfully overcome in international rugby history.

Roundup: June Internationals Week 1

A roundup of the weekend's action from the first week of June, which saw Fiji record their first win over a Tier 1 side for 7 years and Japan record an incredible comeback against Canada.

Team News: June Internationals Week 1

Team news ahead of the first week of the June test window. All of the Pacific Nations Cup sides are in action, with USA and Fiji both hosting big home games against Italy and Scotland.

Canada kits over the years

Following Canada's launch of a new kit partnership with Under Armour. Here is a lookback at the history of the Canucks shirts down the years.

The real truth behind Japan's underachievement

If you were playing Japan rugby bingo, one of the first things that you would be able to scratch out is the inevitable lazy clichéd reference to the size of Japanese players as an explanation to their underachievement. Here is explained why it's not so simple and what the real reason is behind the Cherry Blossoms underachievement.

Can Vito Kolelishvili fulfil his potential on return to Clermont?

Can Georgian flanker Vito Kolelishvili finally shrug off his discipline problems and fulfil his potential? After a successful season and punch up free season at Lyon, has he turned the corner?

Japan’s failure to take a restart costs them again

Japan's problems at taking restarts ended up costing them yet again during Friday's match with Samoa at the Chichibunomiya Stadium. It follows on from similar problems that ran through out last year in various games.

Roundup: Japan vs Samoa

A roundup of Japan's test against Samoa (or really Samoa A), which saw them get useful match practice ahead of the games in June.