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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.

LONG READ
Analysis

The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Time was, the rugby world cast envious glances at Antipodean coaching. Now, Australia and New Zealand are fishing desperately for …

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
22 Dec 2025, 4:06
LONG READ
Analysis

How Glasgow found the bleu-print for beating Toulouse

Extreme precision at the ruck allowed Glasgow to remove the jackaling juggernauts from the Toulouse arsenal.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
18 Dec 2025, 2:37
LONG READ
Analysis

Ireland are at a crossroads - will they ever make a World Cup semi-final?

Brendan Fanning's new book chronicles a golden era for the Irish game - but also serves as a warning there is much work yet to be …

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
15 Dec 2025, 4:36
Analysis

Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith and George Furbank offer a tantalisng East Midlands blend Steve Borrthwick may find hard to resist.

Bryn Palmer
Bryn Palmer
12 Dec 2025, 23:00
LONG READ
Analysis

Should Fabien Galthie take the hint from UBB's bullfighters?

A chastening loss to the Springboks suggests France's future lies with the free-wheeling European champions, not the serial Toulou…

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
08 Dec 2025, 12:17
LONG READ
Analysis

How England are building the foundations for World Cup success in 2027

The portents are promising that England can genuinely challenge in Australia with strength in every area of the squad

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
03 Dec 2025, 9:51
LONG READ
Analysis

Is 'Terminator 2.0' Andre Esterhuizen the ultimate Eddie Jones hybrid?

The Springboks centre-cum-flanker is a sequel to Levani Botia, but with a new visionary creative director in Svengali Rassie Erasm…

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
01 Dec 2025, 3:49
LONG READ
Analysis

Are the Pumas overtaking the All Blacks in rugby's world order?

Felipe Contepomi's men are one of the biggest success stories of the Quilter Nations Series, and their domestic setup is growing a…

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
27 Nov 2025, 15:33
LONG READ
Analysis

Is there a place for Scott Barrett in New Zealand's lock logjam?

The skipper remains an integral part of Scott Robertson's pack, but there are young, hungry rivals challenging his reign.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
25 Nov 2025, 3:14
LONG READ
Analysis

How South Africa scrummed Ireland into rugby oblivion

Breaking down the Bok pack's night of destruction in Dublin, paving the way to a long-awaited triumph in the Irish capital.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
24 Nov 2025, 9:29
LONG READ
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
Nick Bishop
21 Nov 2025, 11:12
LONG READ
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
Nick Bishop
17 Nov 2025, 15:42
LONG READ
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
Nick Bishop
12 Nov 2025, 0:00
LONG READ
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
Nick Bishop
10 Nov 2025, 11:35
LONG READ
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
Nick Bishop
06 Nov 2025, 0:18
LONG READ
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
Nick Bishop
03 Nov 2025, 4:49
LONG READ
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
Nick Bishop
31 Oct 2025, 3:37
LONG READ
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
Nick Bishop
27 Oct 2025, 5:17
LONG READ
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
Nick Bishop
24 Oct 2025, 11:06
LONG READ
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
Nick Bishop
20 Oct 2025, 13:42
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