Analysis
Editors Pick
How Canada threw down the gauntlet and levelled the playing field against England's Red Roses
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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.
458 Articles
Latest
International Rugby
Why Springboks' scrum set-up is being copied by other teams
380
5 days ago
International Rugby
Why the Wallabies must mount a more convincing case for the defence
437
5 days ago
Gallagher Premiership
Has the Gallagher Prem become the new Super Rugby?
188
12 days ago
International Rugby
How New Zealand left Greatest Rivalry scars behind them at Eden Park
360
13 days ago
Analysis
Can late-bloomer Maxime Lucu be France’s number one No.9 in Nations Championship?
With Antoine Dupont no longer an automatic choice at scrum-half, Bordeaux's Maxime Lucu could take centre stage in November.
Nick Bishop
07 Oct 2026, 8:47
117
Analysis
'Rugby needs to be demystified to attract new fans and fresh investment'
The inaugural Nations Championship represents the first major opportunity to embrace private investment, but only if the game is a…
Nick Bishop
06 Oct 2026, 4:51
412
Analysis
'The Wallabies moved several steps closer to cracking the Springboks' DNA code'
Australia picked up where New Zealand left off in unearthing more of the tools which could stop South Africa's charge for a third …
Nick Bishop
30 Sep 2026, 2:23
508
Analysis
Can 'phenomenal' Andrew Porter save the Ireland scrum after latest tight-head switch?
Irish scrummaging has a chance to regain its pride against South Africa - the reconverted Leinsterman deserves to be at the heart …
Nick Bishop
29 Sep 2026, 0:11
114
Analysis
'In Shaun we trust': Could Edwards be part of an England masterplan?
At long last, 'the greatest coach England never had' is working with his home country, and his influence on the Red Roses defence …
Nick Bishop
28 Sep 2026, 4:07
22
Analysis
Can the Wallabies evoke the spirit of 2021 to rock the world champions?
No one expected the Wallabies to skittle the Springboks in 2021 but they did and they must summon all their collective talents to …
Nick Bishop
26 Sep 2026, 0:08
311
Analysis
Canada proved against the Red Roses you do not always have to 'earn the right to go wide'
Canada's innovative and educated players disproved Warren Gatland's old maxim as they ended England's winning run in a thrilling W…
Nick Bishop
21 Sep 2026, 2:22
124
Analysis
Rugby's Greatest Rivalry - The stats showcase South Africa's lethal adaptability
Halfway through the series, Rassie Erasmus' Springboks mended their ailing areas of play and doubled down on their strengths. New …
Nick Bishop
16 Sep 2026, 3:01
659
Analysis
Rugby's Greatest Rivalry deep dive - what has happened to the All Blacks’ scrum?
New Zealand's scrum performance against a dominant Springboks pack fell well short of the standards set by titans of the past.
Nick Bishop
14 Sep 2026, 10:02
542
Analysis
The Kennedy Tsimba shift series part three: Willie le Roux on the art of adaptability
South Africa learned to adapt quicker, and more effectively, to unstructured 'shifts' in their third Test win over the All Blacks.
Nick Bishop
10 Sep 2026, 5:00
113
Analysis
How the unplanned arrival of Manie Libbok turned the green and gold tide against New Zealand
The fly-half entered the fray after Cheslin Kolbe broke his jaw, and turned the Springboks from ball winners to ball users against…
Nick Bishop
07 Sep 2026, 6:32
595
Analysis
Tom Hooper is the missing 'monster' in Australia's back-row puzzle for the Rugby World Cup
The blindside flanker has added bulk to his frame and depth to his skillset in England with Exeter Chiefs, and Rugby Australia are…
Nick Bishop
02 Sep 2026, 14:10
213
Analysis
'The All Blacks are asking South Africa all the questions that matter'
The world champions maintain a vice-like grip on the set-piece, but New Zealand are hurting them in different ways as the Greatest…
Nick Bishop
31 Aug 2026, 5:52
480
Analysis
Kennedy Tsimba: How the All Blacks turned 'danger to dominance' to sink South Africa
In the latest of RugbyPass analyses, Tsimba observes New Zealand's mastery of 'shift theory' and their comfort in chaos on the Hig…
Nick Bishop
27 Aug 2026, 2:26
129
Analysis
'On a beggar's ration, New Zealand gave Rassie Erasmus' Springboks a dig in the ribs'
The All Blacks' scrum stood up admirably as New Zealand reminded South Africa of the stark difference between winning possession a…
Nick Bishop
24 Aug 2026, 4:37
673
Analysis
Who is best equipped to strike first in the Greatest Rivalry showdown?
Are the world champion Springboks or new-look All Blacks in pole position to win their hugely anticipated first Test on Saturday?
Nick Bishop
20 Aug 2026, 1:07
298
Analysis
Regarding Henry: Why Australian rugby has a new centre of attention
Isaac Henry's display against Japan proved that other brands than Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i are available for the Wallabies' No.…
Nick Bishop
17 Aug 2026, 2:00
224
Analysis
Shifting sands in the game - Kennedy Tsimba’s ‘shift theory’: Part one
The All Blacks will play the Bulls who have, in coach Kennedy Tsimba, a visionary who has evolved the game in South Africa
Nick Bishop
14 Aug 2026, 0:18
131
Analysis
Why Rassie will be happier than Rennie with early omens of Greatest Rivalry tour
A stop-start, set-piece-based game like the Stormers tour opener will not suit the All Blacks if the pattern extends into the Test…
Nick Bishop
11 Aug 2026, 6:19
374
Analysis
'The phoney war on the Greatest Rivalry tour is already gale-force in its intensity.'
A clash of styles is at the heart of The Greatest Rivalry and whoever prevails will set the tone for the short-term future of rugb…
Nick Bishop
11 Aug 2026, 1:56
268
