Opinion
International Rugby
SANZAAR team of the week: Springboks lead combined XV
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Contributors
Philip Bendon
@pbendon
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.
110 Articles
Latest
International Rugby
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Nations Championship
Wales player ratings vs Springboks | Nations Championship 2026
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55 days ago
Opinion
France player ratings vs Wallabies | Nations Championship 2026
Fabian Galthié's much-changed French side secured a first win of the 2026 Nations Championship with a comprehensive 42 - 26 disma…
Philip Bendon
11 Jul 2026, 2:43
2
Opinion
Springboks player ratings vs England | 2026 Nations Championship
Rassie Erasmus's Springboks picked up where they left off in 2025 with a dominant 45 - 21 victory over England at Ellis Park.
Philip Bendon
04 Jul 2026, 10:35
18
Opinion
Wales player ratings vs Fiji | Nations Championship 2026
Steve Tandy's Wales got their Nations Championship campaign off to a perfect start at the home of Cardiff football with a 39-24 wi…
Philip Bendon
04 Jul 2026, 8:24
Chicago Hounds chase perfection as Legion target MLR final upset
The top seeded Hounds will face California Legion on Sunday at SeatGeek Stadium in the 2026 Major League Rugby Championship, with …
Philip Bendon
21 Jun 2026, 4:48
Saints and Chiefs headline Gallagher PREM semifinal Team of the week
For the seventh consecutive season, there will be no back-to-back Gallagher PREM champions, with Northampton Saints and Exeter Chi…
Philip Bendon
14 Jun 2026, 5:37
4
Opinion
DHL Stormers player ratings vs Cardiff | 2025/26 URC quarterfinals
John Dobson’s DHL Stormers saved their coaches blushes with a 44 – 21 victory over Cardiff at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
Philip Bendon
30 May 2026, 8:49
3
Opinion
Vodacom Bulls player ratings vs Munster | 2025/26 URC quarterfinals
Johan Ackermann’s Vodacom Bulls took the next step in their bid to secure a maiden United Rugby Championship crown with a 45 –…
Philip Bendon
30 May 2026, 6:44
2
Opinion
Munster player rating vs Bulls | 2025/26 URC quarterfinals
Clayton McMillan’s first season in charge came to a close in Pretoria with his side feeling the force of a rampant Vodacom bulls…
Philip Bendon
30 May 2026, 5:55
1
Sharks secure the services of towering 140kg lock prospect
Sebastian Vermeulen has always been hard to miss. Now, one of South African schoolboy rugby’s most recognisable figures is prepa…
Philip Bendon
24 May 2026, 8:02
3
Joey Carbery addresses Leinster return following Leo Cullen comments
Ireland international Joey Carbery has confirmed his return to Irish rugby ahead of next season, with a new deal to re-join Leinst…
Philip Bendon
24 May 2026, 4:48
10
Veteran rugby writer puts the boot into 'boring and dreadful' Leinster
Not one for mincing his words veteran Sunday Times rugby writer Stephen Jones has once again kicked up and online frenzy with his …
Philip Bendon
24 May 2026, 3:38
9
URC giants set to lure Cheslin Kolbe back to South African shores
Cheslin Kolbe is reportedly on the verge of a sensational return to the Stormers in a move that would bring one of South African r…
Philip Bendon
24 May 2026, 3:13
3
'We've got the right people in the right places' Doris backs Leinster structures
Another final, another heartbreak for Leinster Rugby who saw their drive for five come up short against a spectacular Union Bordea…
Philip Bendon
24 May 2026, 2:20
1
Opinion
Leinster edge Bordeaux in our combined Investec Champions Cup Final XV
With both matchday squads now named, we pick a combined starting XV between the two sides, weighing individual quality, recent for…
Philip Bendon
22 May 2026, 8:02
15
Exeter Chiefs player ratings vs Bath | Gallagher PREM 2025/26
Exeter Chiefs' for a berth in the Gallagher PREM semifinals received a major boost with a dominant 35 - 12 win over reigning champ…
Philip Bendon
10 May 2026, 10:12
Opinion
Bath player ratings vs Exeter Chiefs | 2025/26 Gallagher PREM
Bath Rugby let slip a golden opportunity to reclaim top spot in the Gallagher PREM with a -- loss to the Exeter Chiefs at a bluste…
Philip Bendon
10 May 2026, 9:28
Bath player ratings vs Union Bordeaux Bègles | 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup
Bath Rugby’s long wait for European glory will continue after a 38 - 26 Investec Champions Cup semi final defeat to Union Bordea…
Philip Bendon
03 May 2026, 9:16
5
Exeter Chiefs player ratings vs Gloucester | 2025/26 Gallagher Prem
Exeter's push towards the Gallagher Premiership top four took a significant hit with an upset loss 34 - 31 to 8th place Gloucester…
Philip Bendon
26 Apr 2026, 10:50
1
Gloucester Rugby player ratings vs Exeter Chiefs | 2025/25 Gallagher Prem
Gloucester Rugby secured a fourth victory of the 2025/26 Gallagher Prem season with a mightily impressive 26 - 12 victory over the…
Philip Bendon
26 Apr 2026, 9:37
1
Clayton McMillan admits concern for Oli Jager amid Munster's late season surge
Munster’s 41 - 14 win over Ulster at Thomond Park should have been framed as another step forward in a late season surge towards…
Philip Bendon
26 Apr 2026, 7:24
