The 2027 Rugby World Cup draw has sent ripples through the rugby community, with top-tier teams and emerging nations locked in a fierce contest for knockout glory. From Pool A's blockbuster Australia vs. New Zealand opener to the drama of potential upsets in Pools B and C, this episode unpacks the tactical battles, referee influences, and the strategic play for third-place thrillers. David Pembroke, Ewen McKenzie, and special guest Eddie Jones analyze every angle of this epic tournament—who'll survive the storm, and who will rise to claim rugby's ultimate prize?

In this bold, energetic episode, we dive into the implications of the expanded field, the importance of match scheduling, and the underdog stories that could shake the foundations of rugby’s world order. Ready yourself for cutting-edge insights, key match predictions, and the passion that only the Rugby World Cup can inspire.

• Why the New Zealand v Australia opener could define the whole tournament

• The hidden tactical battle for third-place qualification in every pool

• Eddie Jones’ early blueprint for Japan’s clash with France

• Fiji’s rise and which emerging nation has the highest World Cup ceiling

• The Six Nations mindset vs World Cup mindset — who it helps and hurts

• England, Wales and Tonga: the Pool F power struggle

PLUS: record-breaking crowds, global growth of rugby, and the future of fan engagement in the sport

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The Rugby World Cup is changing — and the stakes have never been higher.

This week, David Pembroke is joined by Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie to unpack a huge weekend in world rugby: South Africa’s demolition of Wales, the Etzebeth eye-gouge incident, and the breaking news that R360 has been pushed back to 2028.

Eddie and Ewen give a candid, insider view on Wales’ deep structural problems, how South Africa keep winning with ruthless simplicity, and why the new 24-team World Cup with a Round of 16 will create a more intense, more tactical tournament than ever before.

They also reflect on their own World Cup journeys — from the 1987 and 1991 memories to the 2003 classic, England 2019, the Brighton Miracle, and the pressure only a World Cup can create.

Also in this episode

• South Africa v Wales — dominance, discipline and what really happened

• Why Wales’ development system is failing — and how to fix it

• R360 delayed: player managers, contracts, and the talent drain

• The brutal logic of a 33-man World Cup squad

• How selection balance will change in 2027 (props, hookers, utilities)

• Australia’s path to winning back casual fans in 2027

PLUS: venue breakdowns, squad-build strategy, player load, and how the new compressed 43-day World Cup will change everything.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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The November window delivered answers, questions and warnings. In this episode, David Pembroke is joined by Eddie Jones to dissect the Wallabies’ 2025 prospects, the rise of England, France’s stalled progress, and the tactical shifts redefining Test rugby. Eddie breaks down how Australia’s season unfolded, why depth remains the core issue, what Les Kiss will bring as head coach, and how selection, pathways and politics still shape the national side. The pair also examine the November Series, from South Africa’s dominance to Scotland’s slump, England’s revival, and France’s uncertain identity. They close by looking at officiating, global fan engagement, sevens, finances, the Nations Championship, and what the upcoming Rugby World Cup draw means for 2027 preparations.

Also in this episode

• Wallabies’ highs, lows and the 2025 rebuild

• France, England, Scotland — where each nation stands after November

• The tactical evolution of Test rugby (scrums, kicking, power plays)

• Pathways, depth and long-term sustainability of global rugby

• Sevens, money games and the future economic model of the sport

PLUS: Why fan engagement, transparency and global competitions will determine rugby’s future.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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Thanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.

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The Wallabies stand at a crossroads — and with a home Rugby World Cup approaching in 2027, the stakes have never been higher. In this episode, David Pembroke and former Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie take a clear-eyed look at where Australia really sits in the world game.

From the selection volatility of 2024–25 to the strengths and weaknesses in each positional group, Ewen explains the structural changes needed for the Wallabies to compete with South Africa, England, Ireland and a fast-improving northern hemisphere. He also unpacks what Les Kiss will bring as national coach and why Australia must build a game plan that can survive high-ball pressure, tactical variety, and tournament intensity.

David and Ewen then broaden the lens — analysing England’s off-field rise, South Africa’s sustained dominance, rugby’s financial realities, and the global opportunities emerging through the new World Rugby Nations Cup and revamped sevens calendar.

Also in this episode

·      Why consistency in selection still separates good teams from great ones

·      What Les Kiss must prioritise from day one as Wallabies coach

·      England’s new personality-driven approach to communication

·      How social media is reshaping rugby’s global fanbase

·      Australia’s pathway to success at a home World Cup

·      The growing importance of emerging nations and expanded competitions

PLUS: insights on squad costs, leadership expectations, sevens pathways, and why world rugby must communicate in real time to stay relevant.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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Thanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.

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The red/yellow card crisis and the terminal TMO delays intervened with another huge weekend of international rugby —this episode goes deep into the consequences. David Pembroke is joined by Ewen McKenzie and Eddie Jones to unpack Ireland v South Africa, the match that sparked global outrage and renewed calls for World Rugby to overhaul officiating and TMO protocols.

Eddie details Japan’s gritty 25–23 win over Georgia in Tbilisi, shedding light on set-piece growth, discipline under pressure, and what he’s learned from a demanding 2025 campaign. Ewen breaks down New Zealand’s inconsistent year, the cultural shift inside the All Blacks, and why the top three Northern Hemisphere teams — Ireland, France, England — are on a collision course in the 2026 Six Nations.

A fast, honest, and global roundup of the game’s biggest stories.

Japan vs Georgia highlights: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqOYh45d2pU

Also in this episode

• South Africa’s season: power, depth and why they’re still the benchmark

• Ireland’s early-season resilience and their road to 2027

• Why red cards are distorting Test matches — and the fix Eddie wants

• Japan’s finishing, support play and next steps toward the World Cup

• England v Argentina analysed — are both teams top-four threats?

• Italy rising & Chile’s impressive performance against the Azzurri

PLUS: Record-breaking forward play, the modern coaching workload, player data obsession, and questions from the Rugby Unity Third Voice community.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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Thanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.

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Red-card chaos, judicial backflips, and one of the biggest Autumn Nations weekends of the year — this episode has everything.

David Pembroke, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie open with the fallout from Franco Mostert’s and Harry Hockings’ overturned red cards, and what the mess reveals about World Rugby’s decision-making. Eddie explains the real-world disruption caused by mid-week hearings, the strain on staff, and why coaching preparation gets derailed.

From there, the team dives into a stacked global fixture list: Wales v New Zealand, Ireland v South Africa, France v Australia, England v Argentina, Scotland v Tonga, Italy v Chile and more. Ewen breaks down tactical matchups across the board — from aerial contests to set-piece pressure — while Eddie reflects on Japan’s preparation ahead of their crucial test against Georgia.

The Third Voice returns with listener questions on coaching futures, simplifying the laws, and the rise of Japan and Fiji in the new Nations Championship.

Also in this episode

• Wales v New Zealand — pressure on Robertson and a refreshed XV

• Ireland v South Africa — Prendergast, Hansen, Etzebeth and a true heavyweight clash

• France v Australia — Gordon returns as the Wallabies face a lethal French back three

• England v Argentina — Borthwick’s rotation v Los Pumas’ quiet momentum

• Italy v Chile — rising nations and World Cup pathways

• Player of the Year + breakthrough player nominees for 2024

PLUS: Why governance needs an overhaul, the rise of kicking-based attacking strategies, audience shoutouts, Japan’s tour insights, and positive financial news across major unions.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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Game altering red and yellow cards continued to be flashed across the Rugby fields of Europe at the weekend with evidence piling up that these officiating decisions are playing a major role in determining results.

 Across the weekend, yellow and red cards swung key matches, from Japan v Wales to Scotland v Argentina. David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie lay out why the current approach isn’t working, what’s changed in modern contact situations, and how World Rugby could fix the problem without compromising player safety.

They also wrap England’s breakthrough performance against the All Blacks, Ireland’s dominance over the Wallabies, and Japan’s near-miss in Cardiff — plus a look at other International results and listener comments and questions.

Also in this episode

South Africa v Italy — bench impact, scrum power and late momentum

• England v All Blacks — George Ford, drop-goals and aerial control

• Wallabies v Ireland — selection rotation, confidence and high-ball issues

• Japan v Wales — the yellow-card turning points

• Scotland v Argentina — how a 21–0 lead evaporated

• France v Fiji, USA v Romania, Portugal, Georgia and more

PLUS: The growing pressure on World Rugby to communicate clearly and act decisively on officiating, card reviews and player safety.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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England v New Zealand at Twickenham headlines a massive weekend of international rugby — and Eddie Jones believes this could be England’s breakthrough game. David Pembroke, Eddie Jones, and Ewen McKenzie unpack every major storyline, from selection surprises to tactical battles and referee influence.

They break down why England may now be 12 months ahead of the All Blacks in their development, what Scott Robertson’s side must fix, and how both benches could decide the final 20 minutes.

The episode then shifts to Australia v Ireland, as James O’Connor returns at 10 and Sam Prendergast takes over Ireland’s attack. Plus: South Africa rotate 11 players, Italy push for another major scalp, and Japan eye their own breakthrough moment against Wales.

Also in this episode

England v All Blacks — selection calls, matchups, and the psychological barrier

• Wallabies v Ireland — O’Connor’s return, breakdown warfare, and key referee factors

• South Africa v Italy — Rassie’s rotation gamble + Italy’s improvement

• Scotland v Argentina — consistency v creativity

• Japan v Wales — can Japan breakthrough in Cardiff?

• France v Fiji — redemption after a frustrating week

PLUS: The state of refereeing, yellow-card impact, global development, and why illegal streaming could threaten rugby’s financial future.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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Eddie Jones says South Africa’s 32–17 win over France, achieved with 14 men in the second half was a masterclass in adaptability. Eddie breaks down the Springboks’ bench strength, tactical flexibility, and the controversial red card that changed everything.

After a hard-fought 41–10 loss to Ireland, Japan’s improvement under Eddie Jones is clear — but the coach says there’s still plenty to fix before facing Wales. Eddie joins David Pembroke to discuss the lessons from a brutal three-week schedule against Australia, South Africa and Ireland, and how the Brave Blossoms must turn effort into wins.

They unpack Italy’s win over Australia, England’s unbeaten run and the return of the post-match function — this episode dives deep into what’s working, what’s not, and where the global game is heading.

Also in this episode

·      Japan’s learning curve – consistency, mindset, and composure

·      South Africa v France – red card debate and Rassie’s tactics

·      Italy v Wallabies – Eddie’s positive take on Australia’s struggles

·      All Blacks v Scotland – depth, rotation and recovery

·      2003 World Cup memories and lessons from building great teams

·      Wales preview – Japan’s next big test

PLUS: Inside rugby’s evolving rituals, the power of the bench, and why emotional control could decide the next big upset.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Thanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.

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Europe’s rugby calendar explodes this weekend — and David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie are here to guide you through every major test match.

From France’s emotional rematch with South Africa at Stade de France, to New Zealand’s century-long dominance over Scotland at Murrayfield, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Eddie Jones’ Japan face Ireland, the Wallabies return to Italy seeking redemption, and Argentina take on Wales in Cardiff — all while rugby fever sweeps across the continent.

Ewen dissects team tactics, key match-ups, and coaching philosophies — while David brings the global context, showcasing just how much rugby is being played around the world this weekend.

Also in this episode

·      France v South Africa — revenge or repeat in Paris?

·       All Blacks v Scotland — can history finally be broken at Murrayfield?

·      Ireland v Japan — Eddie Jones’ third-week test

·      Wallabies v Italy — Carter Gordon’s comeback and Joe Schmidt’s strategy

·      Argentina v Wales — can Los Pumas keep their hot streak alive?

·      Plus: more on Ewen’s menagerie

PLUS: The global scale of rugby this weekend — from Bristol to Bucharest — and why the sport’s future lies in celebrating its international diversity.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

📧 Get in touch: [email protected]

Thanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.