'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
18 Sep 2025, 4:57
{{item.n}}
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.
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
14 Sep 2025, 8:36
3
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
13 Sep 2025, 8:47
2
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
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
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
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
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
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
31 Aug 2025, 10:25
1
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
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
28 Aug 2025, 7:20
4
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
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
22 Aug 2025, 14:01
1
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
21 Aug 2025, 7:00
1
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
21 Aug 2025, 5:24
1
Interview
McKenzie Hawkins: 'I was done' -From sitting in the stands to steering the USA
Selected in the USA Eagles squad but never stepping onto the field, Hawkins describes the experience as “a fever dream, being in…
Philip Bendon
19 Aug 2025, 4:10
Interview
Kate Zackary: ‘No Excuses’ as USA target England in World Cup opener
For most rugby players, just making it to one Rugby World Cup is a career-defining achievement. For USA Eagles captain Kate Zackar…
Philip Bendon
15 Aug 2025, 5:33
2
Opinion
Leinster player ratings vs La Rochelle | Investec Champions Cup
Leinster overcame La Rochelle 16 - 14 in a titanic struggle at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre. Scraping home on the back of a heroic d…
Philip Bendon
12 Jan 2025, 9:21
1
Opinion
Harlequins player ratings vs Toulon | Investec Champions Cup
Harlequins saw their Investec Champions Cup campaign drift worryingly close to the rocks courtesy of a 33 - 14 defeat at the hands…
Philip Bendon
12 Jan 2025, 7:10
Opinion
Munster player ratings vs Saracens | Investec Champions Cup
Munster picked up a signature Champions Cup win as they downed Saracens 17 - 12 in an old school tussle at Thomond Park.
Philip Bendon
11 Jan 2025, 11:46