Northern | US

Contributors

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.

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
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
Philip Bendon
15 Aug 2025, 5:33
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
Philip Bendon
12 Jan 2025, 9:21
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
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
Philip Bendon
11 Jan 2025, 11:46
Opinion

Munster player ratings vs Leinster | 2024/25 URC

Munster were overwhelmed by a ferocious Leinster defensive performance in a 28 - 7 loss.

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
27 Dec 2024, 13:32
Opinion

Toulouse player ratings vs Exeter Chiefs | Investec Champions Cup

Stade Toulousain kept their title defence rolling with a crushing -- victory over the Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park. Spearheaded by …

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
15 Dec 2024, 11:19
Opinion

Glasgow Warriors player ratings vs Toulon | Investec Champions Cup

Glasgow's late comeback came up just a point short at the Stade Mayol. Trailing by a point at half-time, the Warriors never quite …

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
15 Dec 2024, 9:23
Opinion

Leinster player ratings vs Clermont | Investec Champions Cup

Leinster kept their undefeated start to the 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup rolling with a tight 15 - 7 win over Clermont at the Av…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
14 Dec 2024, 11:05
Opinion

Munster player ratings vs Stade Francais | Investec Champions Cup

Munster Rugby secured a 33 – 7 victory over Stade Francais at Thomond Park to get their Investec Champions Cup campaign off to t…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
07 Dec 2024, 13:31
Opinion

South Africa player ratings | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

South Africa completed an unbeaten tour of the United Kingdom with a - - victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
23 Nov 2024, 11:28
Opinion

South Africa player ratings vs Scotland | Autumn Nations Series

Reigning Rugby World Cup champions South Africa got their Autumn Nations Cup off to the perfect start with a 32 - 15 win over Scot…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
10 Nov 2024, 10:10
Opinion

Munster player ratings vs All Blacks XV | Autumn Nations Series

Munster player ratings: Munster conceded two late tries to let slip a golden opportunity to add to their list of wins over interna…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
02 Nov 2024, 12:53
Opinion

Lions player ratings vs Leinster | 2024/25 URC

The Lions' unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end this afternoon as they fell 24 - 6 to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
26 Oct 2024, 11:30
Opinion

Munster player ratings vs Leinster | 2024/25 URC

Munster player ratings: Munster lost 26 - 12 to rivals Leinster in front of a league record 80,000-plus fans at the iconic Croke P…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
12 Oct 2024, 10:51
Opinion

Argentina player ratings vs South Africa | The Rugby Championship

Argentina completed a superb comeback to keep their hopes of a Rugby Championship title alive with a 29 - 28 victory over the Spri…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
21 Sep 2024, 17:07

Major League Rugby confirm Dallas Jackals will not compete in 2025

Major League Rugby has confirmed that the Dallas Jackals will not compete in the 2025 competition due to the club 'evaluating a co…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
19 Sep 2024, 12:19

Scott Lawrence: 'I think the forward pass for the Fiji try was a pivotal moment in the game'

USA head coach Scott Lawrence is never one to mince his words when breaking down his team's performance. Speaking today ahead of h…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
19 Sep 2024, 6:21

USA make sweeping changes for Pacific Nations Cup third place play-off

USA head coach Scott Lawrence has made nine changes to his match day squad for their upcoming bronze medal Pacific Nations Cup cla…

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
19 Sep 2024, 3:49
Opinion

USA player ratings vs Fiji | Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup

Fiji stamped their ticket to the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup final with a dominant 22 - 3 victory over the USA Eagles.

Philip Bendon
Philip Bendon
14 Sep 2024, 5:09
Close Panel
Close Panel

Edition & Time Zone

{{current.name}}
Set time zone automatically
{{selectedTimezoneTitle}} (auto)
Choose a different time zone
Close Panel

Editions

Close Panel

Change Time Zone