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Six Nations
'We practised every day': Inside the rise of Italian rugby's history-chasers
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Contributors
Francisco Isaac
@francisaac87
A trained historian by day, Francisco covers the Rugby Europe Championship for Rugby Europe, Rugby World Magazine, Planet Rugby, and Talking Rugby Union. He works closely with the emerging European nations, providing stories from countries such as Portugal, Romania, Georgia and Spain.
40 Articles
Latest
International Rugby
Rugby's El Clasico and the lore which follows it
4
22 days ago
Rugby Europe Championship
Who will prevail at the Rugby Europe Championship?
3
42 days ago
Top 14
'To be loved in Perpignan, you have to be like this team'
1
72 days ago
International Rugby
Inside the rise of Portugal's young rugby wolves
1
91 days ago
Exclusive
'Forgotten' Hong Kong China can become 'a world force'
Having booked their ticket to a men's Rugby World Cup for the first time, the ambitious Asian nation has serious plans for the fut…
Francisco Isaac
10 Nov 2025, 11:42
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Exclusive
Santiago Videla: 'Players used to have no ambition, now it is a new age for Chile'
The Miami Shark has helped his country secure qualification to their first two Rugby World Cups, but things weren't always like th…
Francisco Isaac
13 Oct 2025, 4:59
1
Exclusive
'Unprecedented excellence': How have Argentina's Pumas found their claws?
The Pumas are racking up wins against the game's elite like never before, while their age-grade and sevens sides are pulling up tr…
Francisco Isaac
02 Oct 2025, 1:31
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Exclusive
'Impossible not to be emotional': How Ian Prior came out of retirement to help Zimbabwe end Rugby World Cup drought
The veteran Australian playmaker, born to Zimbabwean parents, answered the call of his heritage nation and has helped them reach t…
Francisco Isaac
30 Jul 2025, 5:58
3
Analysis
The forgotten art of the drop goal - and how it's making a comeback
The iconic three-point skill enshrined in English sporting folklore by Jonny Wilkinson has declined in recent years. There are sig…
Francisco Isaac
27 Jul 2025, 14:59
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Exclusive
'Rugby broke our chains of fate': The coaching project lifting children from poverty in the favelas of Brazil
The Rugby Para Todos initiative has used the sport to help over 5,000 children from the poorest areas in South America, several be…
Francisco Isaac
02 Jul 2025, 9:27
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Exclusive
Sam Davies: 'In Wales every mistake I made was put under the magnifying glass'
Rejuvenated and on course for Top 14 promotion with Grenoble, the Welsh pivot explains why leaving home rekindled his zest for rug…
Francisco Isaac
05 Jun 2025, 3:19
Interview
'We endure, we fight to survive - that's who we are': Welcome to the Basque Country
A unique blend of national pride and sporting passion, the Basque Country remains one of rugby's most special frontiers.
Francisco Isaac
02 Jun 2025, 4:11
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Exclusive
Is Spain rugby's next great superpower?
With renewed success at Test level, a vibrant domestic scene and ambitions to host Rugby World Cups, Spain is a nation on the rise…
Francisco Isaac
16 Apr 2025, 2:13
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Exclusive
How does a World Rugby consultant help emerging nations?
Often unseen but hugely influential, these wise rugby owls play a crucial part in growing the sport across the world.
Francisco Isaac
01 Apr 2025, 1:12
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Exclusive
David Gérard: Rebuilding Romania via Lomu, blood and broken hips
The rambunctious Frenchman has charted a remarkable voyage in rugby, and steered the struggling Stejarii to World Cup qualificatio…
Francisco Isaac
27 Feb 2025, 4:24
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Analysis
The big Rugby Europe Championship preview: A race to the land Down Under
Outwith the Six Nations spotlight, emerging nations jostle for position in another thrilling REC - with the added carrot of Rugby …
Francisco Isaac
30 Jan 2025, 0:25
Exclusive
Davit Niniashvili: 'Georgia can qualify for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals'
The Lyon speedster is at the forefront of a new generation of searing talent which could spur his national team to new heights.
Francisco Isaac
13 Jan 2025, 1:42
Exclusive
Joel Merkler: Meet the colossal Spaniard playing with Antoine Dupont's Toulouse
You may not know him, but the mighty prop has become a mainstay in Ugo Mola's all-conquering team of Galacticos.
Francisco Isaac
06 Jan 2025, 1:43
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Exclusive
Gaston Mieres: 'Rugby has been an addiction - a good one'
The Uruguay hero reflects on 14 years in the blue of Los Teros as he brings down the curtain on his Test career.
Francisco Isaac
29 Dec 2024, 15:01
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Exclusive
Raffaele Storti: The Portuguese 'arrow' poised to carve up Murrayfield
Nicknamed 'the arrow', the flying Stade Francais wing is one of Os Lobos' primary threats in a dangerous backline.
Francisco Isaac
13 Nov 2024, 2:29
1
Interview
The joy, spirit and obstacles of the rugby pilgrim
What is life like for those who traverse the rugby world as supporters, and is the game as accessible as it should be?
Francisco Isaac
04 Nov 2024, 8:53
2
Opinion
Why it's time for the British and Irish Lions to face the Pacific Islands
Fiji, Samoa and Tonga could provide a riveting combined XV to challenge the iconic tourists.
Francisco Isaac
01 Oct 2024, 3:38
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Exclusive
Laura 'Bimba' Delgado: 'I won't stop playing unless they retire me'
The Spain prop has played for 15 clubs and won two English titles, but has no intention of slowing down.
Francisco Isaac
24 Sep 2024, 1:44
Analysis
Why France has become rugby's land of milk and honey
A veritable galaxy of stars are flocking not just to the Top 14, but the second-tier ProD2.
Francisco Isaac
27 Aug 2024, 3:59
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