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Philip Bendon

Philip is a rugby journalist with a background in covering the sport at all levels. Having started out covering National One fixtures in the UK. He has gone on to write for several publications such as Planet Rugby, Rugby365 and RugbyDump. Due to his background of being an Irish/Saffa mix he has a particular focus on the sport in the two countries. His biggest passion however is reminding everyone of the glory days of Munster Rugby.

88 Articles

Player comparisons: Dominant England win Women's Rugby World Cup 2025

England’s Red Roses etched their names into the historic books with a comprehensive 33 – 13 victory over Canada in the 2025 Wo…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
27 Sep 2025, 10:16

Player comparisons: Black Ferns take bronze at Twickenham

New Zealand secured third place at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup with a 41 – 26  victory over France at Allianz Stadium Tw…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
27 Sep 2025, 6:52

GHPA driving growth of women’s coaching at the Women's Rugby World Cup

The most important room in women’s rugby isn’t the changing room or the media suite. It’s the meeting room where an aspiring…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
22 Sep 2025, 11:07

Ellie Kildunne: 'There is nothing more we can do to be prepared'

For all her speed, flair, and finishing instincts, Ellie Kildunne insists she’s no solo act. But under the lights at Ashton Gate…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
21 Sep 2025, 10:00

Player comparisons: Canada dismantle Black Ferns at Ashton Gate

Canada secured their place in the 2025 Rugby World Cup final with a statement 34–19 dismantling of New Zealand’s Black Ferns a…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
19 Sep 2025, 13:40

'We’re creating pathways' SA Rugby launches new women’s league

'The Betway Women’s Club Championship marks an important milestone in the development of women’s rugby, providing a vital plat…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
18 Sep 2025, 4:57
Opinion

Player comparisons: French flair overcomes resilient Irish in Exeter

France secured their spot in the semifinals following a titanic struggle with Ireland at Sandy Park in Exeter. Coming away with an…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
14 Sep 2025, 8:36
Opinion

Player comparisons: Black Ferns eventually crack resilient Springboks

New Zealand’s Black Ferns punched their ticket to the 2025 Rugby World Cup semifinals with a ruthless second-half display that f…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
13 Sep 2025, 8:47

Aoife Wafer returns to boost Ireland for World Cup quarterfinal clash

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has confirmed his match-day squad for Sunday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 quarter-final clas…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
12 Sep 2025, 3:32
Opinion

Japan vs Spain: Four takeaways from Sakura XV's 29-21 World Cup win

Japan finally earned the result their performances had been threatening all tournament, overturning a 14-5 halftime deficit to bea…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
07 Sep 2025, 6:37
Opinion

Key takeaways from USA vs Samoa: Eagles win but face anxious wait

The USA Eagles produced exactly the performance they needed to keep their Rugby World Cup campaign alive, hammering Samoa with a 1…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
06 Sep 2025, 8:00
Interview

Kate Zackary: ‘It can get so much bigger if we keep investing’

The USA still have business to take care of against Samoa, but for Zackary, the tournament has already proven what women’s rugby…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
06 Sep 2025, 2:11

“Focus on our performance”: USA Eagles name team for Samoa clash

The United States women’s rugby team faces a do-or-die challenge on Saturday when it meets Samoa in a pivotal Rugby World Cup gr…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
04 Sep 2025, 5:38

Player comparisons: South Africa stamp their ticket to the quarterfinals

South Africa stamped their way to a quarterfinal berth with a clutch 29 – 24 win over Italy in York.

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
31 Aug 2025, 10:25
Opinion

Player comparisons: Eagles and Wallaroos set up grandstand pool finish

Playing out an all-time classic in front of a raucous crowd at York’s LNER Community Stadium, the USA Eagles and Australian Wall…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
30 Aug 2025, 14:09

Kelter dropped as USA make sweeping changes for Wallaroos clash

USA head coach Sione Fukofuka has made sweeping alterations to his side ahead of their must-win Rugby World Cup meeting with Austr…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
28 Aug 2025, 7:20
Opinion

Player comparisons: Ireland's 7s stars steal the show in Northampton

Ireland kicked off their Rugby World Cup campaign on a good note to defeat Japan 42 – 14  at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampto…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
24 Aug 2025, 6:17
Opinion

Player Comparisons: England down USA to kick off World Cup campaign in style

John Mitchell’s Red Roses secured a dominant 69 - 7 win to get their World Cup campaign off to a perfect start in front of 40,00…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
22 Aug 2025, 14:01

Canada make wholesale changes for opening Rugby World Cup clash

Canada head coach Kevin Rouet has named an experienced lineup for his side’s opening 2025 Rugby World Cup clash with Fiji in Yor…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
21 Aug 2025, 7:00

Wales and Scotland name squads for Women’s Rugby World Cup opener

Wales and Scotland have confirmed their lineups for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool B opener at Salford Community Stadium …

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
21 Aug 2025, 5:24
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