ANALYSIS
Seismic defensive shifts are on the horizon with new tackle laws
Rugby defences are going to have to make big changes with the new tackle laws.
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Nick Bishop Nick Bishop has worked as a rugby analyst and advisor to Graham Henry (1999-2003), Mike Ruddock (2004-2005) and most recently Stuart Lancaster (2011-2015). He also worked on the 2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia and produced his first rugby book with Graham Henry at the end of the tour. Three more rugby books have followed, all of which of have either been nominated for or won national sports book awards. Nick’s latest is a biography of Phil Larder, the first top Rugby League coach to successfully transfer over to Union, entitled “The Iron Curtain”. He is currently writing articles for The Roar and The Rugby Site, and working as a strategy & analysis consultant to Stuart Lancaster and the Leinster coaching staff for their European and Pro 14 playoff matches. He has also performed consultancy work for Super Rugby coaches in Australia over the past couple of seasons.
Eddie Jones' big Wallabies challenge following England jilting
Sacking Eddie Jones could come back to bite the RFU at the Rugby World Cup.
ANALYSIS
Has the England job come too early for Steve Borthwick?
Leicester's dominance has slipped following an exceptional 2021-22 season.
ANALYSIS
Why Warren Gatland's second tenure with Wales won't be so easy
Warren Gatland has to find some tight forwards, and he has to find them in a hurry.
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The three fixable factors behind Eddie Jones' England stagnation
Eddie Jones' England weren't far away from making the grade.
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All Blacks implosion: What really happened at Twickenham
The All Blacks simply didn't adjust to the changes that were happening on the field.
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The return of Dalton Papali'i puts Sam Cane's spot in jeopardy
Sam Cane might be the All Blacks captain but Dalton Papali'i could be the No 7 they need.
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Have Saracens reminded Eddie Jones what England have been missing?
Saracens have hauled themselves back into the spotlight of England selection by transforming their style of play.
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Premiership's on-field riches can't hide off-field rags
The Premiership is going from strength to strength on the field but things are a different story off the park.
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Will the Black Ferns be bullied by the Red Roses?
The Black Ferns still have lots of ground to make up on their English and French rivals.
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The All Blacks have found their No 12 - and must stick with him
Jordie Barrett is the answer to the All Blacks' problems in the midfield.
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The All Blacks can't afford to lose Ardie Savea
Ardie Savea's absence against the Wallabies left a big hole in the All Blacks loose forwards.
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How the north have gained parity and taken control of the rugby world
The raw stats tell a very different story from the tale they would have narrated 20 years ago.
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Can Schmidt lead All Blacks to promised land after Christchurch crisis?
It may take All Blacks players and fans some time to get used to Joe Schmidt's new approach.
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Have the Springboks stumbled upon their World Cup backline?
Jacques Nienaber may have inadvertently uncovered his best backline at Ellis Park.
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The two changes that elevated the All Blacks at Ellis Park
The All Blacks took their game up a level against the Springboks in Johannesburg.
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All Blacks back row desperate for a shake-up
Has the time come to make a big change in the All Blacks loose forwards?
ANALYSIS
It's not X-factor the All Blacks are desperate for in the midfield
For the last six years, the All Blacks have seemingly erred away from technical skills in favour of X-factor.
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Burned by Beirne: Is the All Blacks engine room coming off the rails?
The selection of tough, mobile second rows has always been a point of difference in New Zealand’s favour - until now.
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Has Ian Foster reached the tipping point as All Blacks coach?
Was the lack of foresight from the All Blacks in their second test with Ireland the death knell for the coach?
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Is England's Marcus Smith-Owen Farrell axis doomed to fail?
Marcus Smith's and Owen Farrell's individual strengths aren't necessarily going to synergise for England.
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Lineout-dismantler Cullen Grace can't be ignored by the All Blacks
Cullen Grace could be the man best-suited to fill Kieran Read's boots in the All Blacks.
ANALYSIS
Oppressive defence bites back as finals rugby arrives
After a period typified by free-flowing, attacking rugby, resolute defence has taken over in 2022.
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Ireland's Kiwis set to remind All Blacks what they're missing
Ireland's New Zealand-born stars weren't finished products when they arrived in the Emerald Isle - but they are now.
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How Joe Schmidt will make his mark on All Blacks
Joe Schmidt is not the kind of coach to take a 'hands off' approach to his work.
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Will the Premiership go to war with the URC?
ANALYSIS
England must embrace attacking flair of young firecrackers
When young Henry Arundell’s length-of-the-field try against Toulon went viral, something in the stratum of English rugby began t…
ANALYSIS
There can be no substitute for power in the All Blacks midfield
The All Blacks need a big body in the midfield if they want to succeed at next year's World Cup.
ANALYSIS
Should England relax its overseas eligibility rule for Zach Mercer?
Maybe it's time for England to start peeping over the parapet of national boundaries into the big world beyond.
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The foundation of the All Blacks' defence is breaking down
The bedrock of the modern All Blacks - and therefore, their defence - has always been the Crusaders.
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Ireland v France: Is it better to play with or without the ball?
France and Ireland have adopted very different strategies throughout this year's Six Nations championship.
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Six Nations highlights changes needed for the modern scrum
As a platform for constructive play, the scrum has become an afterthought.
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Does Roger Tuivasa-Sheck have the makings of a test midfielder?
Where will Roger Tuivasa-Sheck need to grow to become an All Blacks candidate?
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How England's exploits shut down the Wales lineout
England made the most of some lax refereeing in their win over Wales at Twickenham.
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How Shaun Edwards' France have gained the upper hand on defence
Shaun Edwards has led a defensive revolution with Les Bleus.
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Why did England's attack struggle in the Calcutta Cup?
England, normally so efficient on attack, struggled to crack the Scottish defence in Edinburgh.
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Is the Ireland rugby economy in a boom?
The Irish provinces have shown their potency in the Champions Cup.
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How can Eddie Jones get the best out of Tom Curry?
Will Eddie Jones continue to employ Tom Curry in the No 8 jersey in 2022?
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Forward thinking behind Leicester's transformation
Maybe, just maybe, the good old days of the ABC club are returning at Welford Road.
England's rivalry with New Zealand has grown on all fronts
Both the All Blacks and Black Ferns will be looking for revenge against England in 2022.
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Spoilers of old helping Irish provinces set the pace in Europe
Will Ireland prove the spanner in the EPCR works for England and France?
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How France channeled England to best All Blacks
France, like England, showed the tactics needed to beat the All Blacks.
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Why defending was easier for Ireland than the All Blacks
Ireland utilised their numbers in defence far more efficiently than the All Blacks.
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Ellis Jenkins' return highlights Wales' exceptional No 7 depth
Ellis Jenkins' return to test rugby adds another exceptional openside flanker to Wales' stocks.
ANALYSIS
The time has come for Eddie Jones to make a pivotal call
Eddie Jones has to make a choice between the old heads and the young blood.
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Why the All Blacks couldn't crack the Springboks defence
The All Blacks needed to have been smarter to break down the Springboks' defence.
ANALYSIS
Samisoni Taukei'aho brings pure power to the All Blacks front row
Analysis: The All Blacks' newest hooker is making waves both around the park and in the engine room.
ANALYSIS
Anton Lienert-Brown following in footsteps of Conrad Smith
Analysis: The All Blacks aren't likely to again rely on an out-of-position centre at the next World Cup.
Springboks' not-so-secret weapon a huge test for All Blacks
When the All Blacks and Springboks clash, the lineout could decide who emerges victorious.
Have the All Blacks found their long-term loose trio?
Analysis: The current trio of All Blacks loosies complement one another's games.
Sluggish play in Lions series a product of wild west breakdown
Analysis: Rassie Erasmus' public criticism has harmed the breakdown officiating in the Lions series.
Great Duane's absence a glaring issue for Springboks
Analysis: There's one man who's absence was keenly felt by the Springboks in their loss to the Lions.
Fiji's major France-honed advantage over the All Blacks
Analysis: The All Blacks were absolutely demolished at the breakdown in their first test with Fiji.
Adding blitz to rugby's last bastion of slow ball
Analysis: While breakdowns are getting faster, the scrum mostly remains stuck in rugby's dark ages.
