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.

Roundup: November Internationals Week 3

A roundup of the international results from the final week of the test window, which again was a disappointing one for many sides, particularly for the Pacific Islanders.

Georgia’s poor form a blip or a concerning step backwards?

After recent positive progress, Georgia's form this month has been dire and a step back. Whether it's just a blip remains to be seen, but a third subpar performance in a row against Japan would leave confidence dented and a fair amount of concern over their World Cup challenge.

Team News: November Internationals Week 3

Team lists for the final week of the November international window, which includes big games for Samoa and Tonga whilst the ENC sides attempt to salvage something from a poor month.

Roundup: November Internationals Week 2

A roundup of the international results from the second week of the test window, which was a disappointing one for virtually all sides for various reasons apart from Tonga.

Do Japan need to revert to safer defensive wing options?

Japan despite possessing several good finishers, have struggled to find finishers who have also complemented that with safety and solidity in defence. This continued in the matches where the wide defence again looked vulnerable.

Team News: November Internationals Week 2

All the team lists ahead of the second week of the November international window, which notably includes Georgia's first non-RWC tests against a 6 Nations side for over 11 years.

Key moments in Japan's missed chance to beat Maori All Blacks

Whilst obviously a much improved performance in light of the previous week, Japan really missed a great chance and should have beat the Maori All Blacks in the second test. Here is a look at some of the key moments in the game.

Startling quote from Mike Tolkin on the USA’s scrummaging woes

Following last weekend's win over Romania, there was a rather startling and surprising quote from USA head coach Mike Tolkin regarding his side's ongoing struggles in the scrums.

Roundup: November Internationals Week 1

A roundup of the weekends international results from a busy weekend of action, which included a mixture of disappointments for some, with pleasant surprises for Tonga and USA.

Team News: November Internationals Week 1

All the team lists ahead of the first week of the November international window, which includes a chance for redemption for Japan and big games for Fiji and Samoa amongst others.

Team News: International friendlies November 1/2

Team news ahead of the internationals that are taking place the week before the November international window starts, involving big games for Japan and USA, and a trial game for Canada.

Eddie Jones talks about Japan's much improved scrum

Recently Japan coach Eddie Jones was asked during a talk at the Japan National Press Club about the remarkable improvements of his side’s scrum under the guidance of former French hooker Marc dal Maso, claiming it’s now approaching the level of the most elite scrummaging units in the world rugby.

Squad news for the November international window

A quick roundup looking at the squad news ahead of the upcoming November window of international friendlies.

JRFU Super Rugby project comes with considerable cost and risk

Whilst the JRFU have managed to secure a spot in an expanded Super Rugby format, there is a considerable amount of both cost and risk attached to the project.

The false sense of importance behind the IRB rankings

It’s become increasingly common to attach a ridiculous amount of importance to the IRB rankings. With some using them falsely to back up points, or arguing they should dictate the goals of the management.

Tongan complaints at odds with IRB Olympic loophole clarification

The alteration to the much reported Olympic loophole was met with anger from by Tongan officials who were hoping to benefit. However their complaints don’t appear to fully add up with the IRB’s actual clarification.

USA get PRL player release agreement for All Blacks test

There is now confirmation of USA Rugby's agreement with PRL for out of window release of players for the All Blacks test in Chicago, however it looks like it will come with a catch of not having players for the other 3 November games.

Players from 'Tier 2' nations playing in Europe (2014/2015)

For the 2014/15 season there are around 350 players from 29 nations outside the Tier 1 clique playing in the European professional leagues the Premiership, Championship, Top 14, Pro D2 and Pro12. Here is a look at them country by country.

Team News: Russia vs Uruguay RWC Qualifying Playoff September 27

Team news for the Rugby World Cup qualifying playoff match between Russia and Uruguay for the final place up for at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in the pool of death.

Explaining Super Rugby expansion – Japan vs Singapore

Since SANZAR's confirmation of Super Rugby expansion from 15 to 18 teams from 2016, alongside the addition of the Southern Kings and an Argentine franchise the other spot is being tightly contested by two options from Asia in Japan and Singapore.

September playoff fixtures confirmed

With the Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup fixtures announced, confirmation of the September playoffs involving teams from Eastern Europe were confirmed.

How World Cup failure unfairly cost John Kirwan credit for Japanese progress

After a recent winning run and a top 10 world ranking has finally made the rugby media more aware of Japan's improvements, the former coach John Kirwan has been totally forgotten from the narrative.

New American back row talent Danny Barrett

USA back rower Danny Barrett showed a just an early glimpse of his raw talent in his first international tests last June.

The remarkable improvement of the Japan scrum

The importance of the incredible improvements of the Japanese scrum under coach Marc dal Maso simply cannot be overstated and are making a huge difference for the side.