The benefits of the Americas Rugby Championship

A few thoughts arguing why the concept of the Americas Rugby Championship, despite its lack of star names, will still be of use to those sides involved.

Portugal's strangely scattergun selection policy

Portugal are the only side other than Georgia and Romania to have topped the ENC, but over the past 4 years have languished nearer the basement of the top division. As the older 2007 RWC generation of players has faded out, here's a look at the seemingly random and bizarre selection policy they have taken in their rebuild.

The troubles ahead for the SunWolves

A look at the problems for the Japanese Super Rugby side the SunWolves, whose poor organisation and lack of preparation have left them faced with a daunting debut season.

Best and worst of Georgia (2012-2015)

The best and worst matches for Georgia over the last 4 year World Cup cycle under coach Milton Haig.

Tier 2 World XV 2015

A World XV of players from outside 'Tier 1' nations following the year of 2015.

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.