Episodes
We take a look at some of the action last weekend with a particular focus on the Tier Two Nations along with a look ahead to this weekend's blockbuster round of final Pool games that sees numerous Quarter Final berths up for grabs!
Published 10/05/23
We whip round all the games of the second weekend of the Rugby World Cup in France.
Published 09/21/23
We whip round all eight games of the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup in France.
Published 09/12/23
It's Rugby World Cup time in less than 48 hours and we can't wait!!!! In this episode we break down all four Pools and where we think the teams will finish and as a result who will make it through to the knockout stages.
Published 09/06/23
We reflect back on Ireland's win over England and Keith Earls' 100th cap, while fretting over the injury to Dan Sheehan. We look at Fiji's ability to be just as impressive in the physical battles as they are with ball in hand, and the threat they consequently pose to Wales and Australia. We eagerly look forward to what should be a thriller between arch rivals New Zealand and South Africa at Twickenham but just cross our fingers the stretcher bearers get to take the night off. Lastly we look...
Published 08/25/23
Where to begin on such a controversial week. Sadly governance and officiating have once more dominated the headlines as a result of the farcical process surrounding the rescinding of England Captain Owen Farrell's red card in last week's match against Wales and which sets a dangerous precedent ahead of Rugby's global showpiece tournament. We look at Wales ongoing ineptitude at key moments, while looking ahead to South Africa's arrival on European shores and their clash with the Men in Red...
Published 08/18/23
The latest edition focuses on our Canadian Women's outstanding efforts in last month's Pacific Four Series, a New Zealand side risen from the ashes of 2022, and a Wallabies side whose woes continue under new Coach Eddie Jones. We also look at an impressive looking Scotland and an England World Cup squad that has singularly failed to fire the imagination.
Published 08/11/23
We look ahead to the Pacific Four Series to be played in Ottawa over the next two weekends and in which Canada's Women are poised to finish strongly. We take an initial look at the upcoming Rugby Championship as well as a look back at the recently concluded Super Rugby Final, in which incoming All Black Coach Scott Robertson and his Crusaders cemented their place as the most successful side in the competition's history. Lastly we concern ourselves once more with the unfortunate position...
Published 06/30/23
In this episode we focus on the end of the club season in Europe, the controversy surrounding Ireland and Leinster Captain Johnny Sexton's behaviour at the Heineken Cup Final, Munster's success in the URC and what it all means for Ireland's World Cup Chances. We continue our look at Australia's struggles in Super Rugby now the tournament has reached its business end and what it means for Australia with the Rugby Championship and World Cup just around the corner. We ask the question of what...
Published 06/15/23
We look at the recent contract extension for Scotland Coach Gregor Townsend. There's a nervous glimpse at a seemingly inevitable Irish sweep of European rugby and what it means for the World Cup (with Irish supporters fearfully muttering "we've been here before"). We end with a quick run down of the URC playoffs, Super Rugby action and a look ahead to the resumption of the Toronto Arrows beleaguered 2023 campaign.
Published 05/12/23
In this episode we wrap up the Women's Six Nations which culminated in the largest ever audience for a Women's game at Twickenham. We look at the best of the rest most notably Wales, while there's a lament for the unequal playing field Ireland's women find themselves on. We look at the fascinating contrast in Irish styles being cooked up for the Heineken Cup final between Leo Cullen's Leinster and former Munster and Ireland legend Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle. Lastly we try and pick the All...
Published 05/05/23
A look at the Toronto Arrows record MLR defeat to the New England Free Jacks in only their second home game, and a reflection on how the fan experience left a lot to be desired irrespective of the actual rugby being played. A look at Round 3 of the Women's Six Nations and the ever widening gap between England/France and everyone else. There's also a celebration of Moana Pasifika's first home game in Samoa irrespective of the scoreline and how important and exciting the Pacific Island...
Published 04/21/23
This week we focus on the Heineken Cup and a case of too much rugby and travel in too small a window. We look at the Women's Six Nations which resumes this weekend. We dive a bit more into Australian sides ongoing difficulties in getting any traction against New Zealand sides in Super Rugby and last but not least we celebrate the Toronto Arrows return home!
Published 04/14/23
We give our final verdict on the Six Nations, continue the ongoing debate about officiating and look at the All Blacks Coaching announcement post the World Cup. We take a snapshot of the opening round of the Womens' Six Nations and try and try and resume crying in our beer over the Arrows badly faltering start to their MLR season.
Published 03/31/23
We look back at a thoroughly absorbing Round 4 of the Six Nations and ahead to Super Saturday and the tournament's finale. We also celebrate Fijian Drua's fantastic home win over Super Rugby Defending Champions the Crusaders and our own Toronto Arrows get their first win of the season courtesy of fly half Sam Malcolm.
Published 03/17/23
Probably one of the most intriguing Round 4's of the Six Nations in recent memory gets underway in Rome on Saturday. Both Wales and Italy have EVERYTHING to play for, and for Wales in particular it's do or die stuff, not helped by the crisis in the game back home. England host a French time that looks dangerous but not quite the Grand Slam winning quality of last year. England continue to develop under new Coach Steve Borthwick and "Le Crunch" match will tell us much about what kind of...
Published 03/10/23
In this episode we use the Round 3 games to try and gauge where all the teams are heading into the two penultimate rounds of the Six Nations. Apologies as it was supposed to be based on a much more detailed piece over on the blog, but unfortunately a technological glitch got in the way and it never made it onto the blog and got deleted in the process. We are trying to salvage it but in the interim this is what I was able to dredge up from memory.
Published 03/03/23
We look ahead to this weekend's Six Nations action and crucial matches for all the teams involved especially the dustups between Wales and England in Cardiff and France and Scotland in Paris. Wales and England both with massive points to prove especially Wales after all the drama swirling around the state of the game and whether or not this match would even go ahead. France simply have to get their Six Nations campaign back on track, but Scotland need to prove that at this crucial juncture...
Published 02/24/23
We look back on last weekend's thrilling Round 2 Six Nations action, with the centerpiece being that extraordinary game between Ireland and France. The action was non stop and kept us on the edge of our seats. In addition, Scotland finally beat their consistency demon and now can consider themselves title contenders should they manage to get past France in Paris in ten days time. Welsh rugby looks like the sporting version of the Titanic, while England and Italy continue to impress. In short...
Published 02/17/23
If you've managed to catch your breath after last weekend's phenomenal opening round, we look ahead to what is arguably the biggest game of the year ahead of the World Cup, Ireland vs France and the rest of the Round 2 Six Nations action. We also look back at last weekend's Round 1 bumper crop of thrills and spills.
Published 02/11/23
Yes it's here folks, that wonderful time of the year - the start of the Six Nations. What a tournament it promises to be, especially with the World Cup just around the corner. We preview the start of the Six Nations this weekend, make some predictions and for what it's worth lay out our thoughts on how we think the teams will fare overall in the competition.
Published 02/03/23
We focus on the bombshell of Eddie Jones being appointed Wallaby Coach after being sacked by England, the wrap up of the Pool Stages of the European Champions Cup and the worrying form of French clubs ahead of the Six Nations. We also have a quick cursory look at the initial squad announcements for the Six Nations.
Published 01/25/23
We take a look ahead to Round 3 of the European Champions Cup action this weekend, by having a glance over the holiday action that took place and how the teams from France's Top 14, England's Premiership Rugby and the United Rugby Championship may fare as the tournament progresses in this vital midway marker for the Championship.
Published 01/11/23
We kick 2023 off by looking at the 10 competitors in the Six Nations and Rugby Championship and take a stab at predicting how their World Cup Year will pan out.
Published 01/06/23
We take a look at the first two Rounds of the European or (Heineken) Champions Cup, with the added excitement this year of the inclusion of three South African sides.
Published 12/22/22