Analysis
International Rugby
How England are building the foundations for World Cup success in 2027
224
{{item.n}}
Contributors
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.
365 Articles
Latest
International Rugby
Boks 'unicorn' Esterhuizen is a super-sized sequel to Levani Botia
206
3 days ago
Autumn Nations Series
Are the Pumas overtaking the All Blacks in rugby's world order?
320
7 days ago
Autumn Nations Series
Where does captain Barrett fit in New Zealand's second-row stocks?
248
10 days ago
Autumn Nations Series
How South Africa scrummed Ireland into rugby oblivion
469
10 days ago
Analysis
'Red-lining France and Australia face last chance saloon in Paris'
Les Bleus and the Wallabies have lost their early-year momentum as fatigue mounts towards the end of a gruelling 2025 campaign.
Nick Bishop
21 Nov 2025, 11:12
35
Analysis
Can Beauden Barrett still win the 'battle for inches' at the 2027 Rugby World Cup?
The all-time great appeared injured and hobbled at Twickenham, where England's tactical clarity and ruthless bench exposed the All…
Nick Bishop
17 Nov 2025, 15:42
425
Analysis
Revenge was never on the menu as the Springboks feasted at Stade de France
There was never any period in the game when French physicality dominated the world champions on their mission for vengeance.
Nick Bishop
12 Nov 2025, 0:00
272
Analysis
More questions than answers for Wallabies as Schmidt era enters final year
Joe Schmidt, like Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones before him, sits on a sub-40% win rate as Wallabies supremo and the future is uncert…
Nick Bishop
10 Nov 2025, 11:35
228
Analysis
Why Leicester Fainga'anuku is taking centre stage for the All Blacks
The barnstorming New Zealander has returned home from France and provides Scott Robertson with dexterity and dynamism in midfield.
Nick Bishop
06 Nov 2025, 0:18
341
Analysis
How England's five sevens made a full house at Twickenham
Steve Borthwick fielded a quintet of openside scavengers, signalling a surefire change towards a progressive brand Australia were …
Nick Bishop
03 Nov 2025, 4:49
309
Analysis
The big stats reveal: Which Rugby Championship side is in the best shape to conquer the north?
The quartet of southern hemisphere giants head north this November, but who can feel most confident about their prospects of sweep…
Nick Bishop
31 Oct 2025, 3:37
199
Analysis
Rassie Erasmus may have found his own Will Skelton-sized juggernaut
Northampton Saints behemoth JJ van der Mescht has the physique and the skillset to offer South Africa something even their giant g…
Nick Bishop
27 Oct 2025, 5:17
193
Analysis
Why England has proven a land of plenty for Australia's high-flying travellers
A slew of Wallabies have chosen England's Prem as the stage to enhance their skills and experience, and add to the national team's…
Nick Bishop
24 Oct 2025, 11:06
53
Analysis
Who makes a stats-based team of the Rugby Championship?
Our eyes tell us so much, but the numbers behind performances can result in a totally different team selection.
Nick Bishop
20 Oct 2025, 13:42
173
Analysis
Clayton McMillan's Munster magic - and what the All Blacks could learn from it
The New Zealander has shown a willingness to step out of his comfort zone and Munster are reaping the early rewards.
Nick Bishop
20 Oct 2025, 5:07
167
Analysis
Shorn of their once terrifying counterattack, who exactly are Razor's All Blacks?
Under Sir Wayne Smith, New Zealand's counterattack was the envy of world rugby but its blistering potency has vanished with the cu…
Nick Bishop
16 Oct 2025, 11:43
561
Analysis
Why Carter Gordon is once again knocking on the door to Australia's number 10
Parachuted straight back into the Wallabies squad after a stint in NRL, Gordon may finally settle one of Joe Schmidt's biggest sel…
Jamie Lyall
15 Oct 2025, 13:14
101
Analysis
'If the Boks' beauty doesn't get you, its Bomb Squad beast certainly will'
Tony Brown's new-look attack has garnered headlines, but the trusty muscle of South Africa's pack underpinned a second straight Ru…
Nick Bishop
06 Oct 2025, 13:31
217
Analysis
'Adapting to referees is giving Wallabies growing pains'
Joe Schmidt's team were unable to change Andrea Piardi's perception at the breakdown, just as Canada toiled to paint good scrum pi…
Nick Bishop
02 Oct 2025, 5:08
111
Analysis
How South Africa found their perfect pair of attacking 'twins'
Dual playmakers Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse are at the heart of Tony Brown's purring Springbok attack.
Nick Bishop
29 Sep 2025, 3:08
548
Analysis
How Felipe Contepomi has transformed the Pumas
No longer balancing medicine and rugby, the Argentina legend took his Leinster-honed nous and drove his country to new heights.
Jamie Lyall
25 Sep 2025, 23:30
28
Analysis
Who will win the 2025 Rugby World Cup final?
Saturday's monumental Allianz Stadium showpiece represents a mouth-watering clash of styles.
Nick Bishop
25 Sep 2025, 1:00
14
Analysis
How will New Zealand react to a double disaster on the Test stage?
With the All Blacks smashed by South Africa and the Black Ferns' world champion status gone, uncomfortable questions aare being ra…
Nick Bishop
23 Sep 2025, 23:41
307
Analysis
Are Joe Schmidt's Wallabies adapting fast enough?
Australia have improved on the wily supremo's watch, but are they keeping up with the trends key to winning Test matches?
Nick Bishop
17 Sep 2025, 15:19
73