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Nick Bishop

Nick Bishop was rugby analyst/advisor to Graham Henry (1999-2003) and Mike Ruddock (2004-2006) with Wales. He has worked with Stuart Lancaster for England (2012-2015), Leinster (2016-2022) and currently for Racing 92 in France’s Top 14. Three of his four rugby books have shortlisted for, or won national sports book awards.

415 Articles
LONG READ
Analysis

'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i has the skillset to dominate in the back three, but only if club and country are prepared to abandon the m…

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
11 May 2026, 6:17
LONG READ
Analysis

How Bordeaux-Begles showed Bath the true meaning of 'superclub' in the Champions Cup

The reigning champions did not have to work hard enough for their scores in the semi-final showdown.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
05 May 2026, 2:47
LONG READ
Analysis

Analysing Leicester Fainga'anuku's 'overwhelmingly positive' hybrid debut

The former Toulon centre shone on his first outing in the number seven shirt, and could provide Dave Rennie with a valuable option…

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
30 Apr 2026, 6:37
LONG READ
Analysis

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto can be the Wallabies' heavyweight enforcer

With Will Skelton injured and Nick Frost running on fumes, the Reds second-row could provide Australia with much-needed snarl.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
29 Apr 2026, 4:26
LONG READ
Analysis

Dave Rennie's latest appointment could help New Zealand rein in Rassie's Springboks

Pressure is a privilege, and iconic mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka will remind New Zealand's players of just that as they gear …

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
28 Apr 2026, 12:25
LONG READ
Analysis

Why UBB are edging the battle of dynasties in European rugby

Bordeaux's Champions Cup win over Toulouse was the latest chapter in an unfolding storyline between the two French rivals.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
15 Apr 2026, 0:57
LONG READ
Analysis

Can Johann van Graan's Bath bomb squad conquer Europe?

With their resources. bench impact and fourth-quarter scoring power, Bath are the only English team left standing in the Investec …

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
13 Apr 2026, 15:30
LONG READ
Analysis

How the All Blacks can turn the curse of versatility into a blessing

Leicester Fainga’anuku’s ability to shift from centre to the back row opens up a world of possibility for New Zealand.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
08 Apr 2026, 14:32
LONG READ
Analysis

Who will win the Champions Cup quarter-finals? What the stats say

If two of the last-eight European ties seem relatively easy to forecast, two others could be real nailbiters.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
08 Apr 2026, 9:38
LONG READ
Analysis

Age is no barrier, world-leading Thomas du Toit and the Bok props are kings

The 'Tank' of Bath is a destructive scrummager on either side of the set-piece, epitomising South Africa's ageing but immense fron…

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
07 Apr 2026, 2:48
LONG READ
Analysis

How big-spending Bath and Saracens swapped places as England's dominant force

Under Johann van Graan, Bath have become England's biggest and deepest squad, mimicking their Champions Cup opponents of yesteryea…

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
02 Apr 2026, 2:19
LONG READ
Analysis

Barrett's Irish adventure is propelling the Hurricanes to new heights

The All Blacks great has imparted the wisdom he learned from Jacques Nienaber and the Leinster superclub, and the Canes are reapin…

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
30 Mar 2026, 4:52
LONG READ
Analysis

Why Rieko Ioane is struggling to match Barrett's X-factor impact for Leinster

The questions of how best Leinster can harness the All Black's talent, and where he is best positioned, remain unanswered.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
24 Mar 2026, 1:14
LONG READ
Analysis

The Six Nations deep dive: How France has the North playing Super Rugby

This year's epic Six Nations proved the ancient championship is no longer the preserve of set-piece grunt and gristle alone.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
23 Mar 2026, 5:42
LONG READ
Analysis

How Ireland rose from the dead at the Six Nations

Widely written off as ageing and in decline, Andy Farrell's men came within inches of the title as their transition phase continue…

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
18 Mar 2026, 3:49
LONG READ
Analysis

Why England may be in better shape to win the 2027 Rugby World Cup than France

After the Super Saturday epic, Fabien Galthie was left with more questions than Steve Borthwick, despite their sides' contrasting …

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
17 Mar 2026, 3:16
LONG READ
Analysis

Where do Steve Borthwick’s England go from here?

Now is not the time to bring out the firing squad for the head coach in broad daylight, despite England's historic loss to Italy.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
10 Mar 2026, 5:56
LONG READ
Analysis

Six Nations analysis: How France's Grand Slam chasers were beaten black and bleu at Murrayfield

Seemingly streets ahead of the rest, unbeaten France were put to the sword by Gregor Townsend's ultra-accurate and ruthless Scotla…

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
09 Mar 2026, 3:44
LONG READ
Analysis

'Breakdown brutality and counterattacking verve' - What Dave Rennie brings to the All Blacks

The new supremo will restore key traits to New Zealand's game model which went missing under Scott 'Razor' Robertson.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
04 Mar 2026, 11:44
LONG READ
Analysis

Why Les Kiss' Reds may have landed a blow in the All Blacks coaching race

The Super Rugby Pacific clash between Kiss' Reds and Jamie Joseph's Highlanders may have offered a preview of a forthcoming Bledis…

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
03 Mar 2026, 3:08
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