Canada take on the USA this weekend in the first of two critical World Cup Qualifiers, but you can be excused for not knowing anything about it, as Rugby Canada doesn't seem to know much more either, with the squad for the series only being announced today a mere five days away from kickoff. It all seems to smack of a serious lack of foresight and preparation, and we hope we are proven wrong on Saturday. To add insult to injury, in a cash grab Rugby Canada have sold the rights to a foreign broadcaster so that you now have to pay to watch your own national team, as if Rugby wasn't hard enough to watch in this country already. Meanwhile, the Rugby Championship after being thrown a curve ball by COVID-19 finds a way to continue to completion, but the whole process is marred by an ugliness in the media as Coaches past and present hurl insults at each other.

Argentina field a completely changed set of backs after failing to get to grips with a less than full strength Springbok side last weekend in Port Elizabeth. After a comprehensive victory last Saturday over the Pumas, South Africa bring back their Lions Series All Stars. South Africa are clearly the favorites on Saturday, but although some of these Argentinian backs may lack experience they can provide plenty of excitement, and there will be some genuine talent on display from the South American youngsters. Nevertheless it may well be a bridge too far against the World Champions who seem able to notch their game up another few gears with every outing so far this year.

After the highs and lows of the Lions Tour to South Africa, a victorious Springbok outfit host Argentina's Pumas in two back to back Tests which serve as the start to their first participation in the annual Rugby Championship since the World Cup, having elected not to participate last year. Argentina have also had a good summer of preparation after winning their two Test series against a Welsh side shorn of their Lions representatives. Argentina will be the more rested of the two, as some of Saturday's Springbok squad have seen three back to back Lions Tests. So questions aplenty and everybody knows what happened last year in Argentina's Rugby Championship opener when they upset the All Blacks. An evenly contested match on paper, and one where the momentum of victory over the Lions could either act as a benefit or a detriment for the Springboks. In theory it's anybody's game and we can't wait to see how the dice roll!

Although New Zealand and Australia meet again, this match marks the start of their respective Rugby Championship campaigns as well as being the second game of the three match Bledisloe Cup series. Australia have it all to play for, and despite the daunting and seemingly impossible task of beating the All Blacks at their hallowed fortress of Eden Park, the Wallabies will take heart from their late but positive surge in last weekend's Test, despite New Zealand ultimately emerging one up in the Bledisloe Cup at the final whistle.

And so it comes to this! A chance, despite all the controversy for the rugby to finally do the talking and all the off field sideshows to be put away once and for all. South Africa come into this match riding high from an impressive and emotionally charged win last weekend. The Lions are slightly shell shocked but looking to put in a performance that justifies the traditions and pedigree of the famous red jersey. It's all to do for both sides, and we hope will finally give the Series the credibility it has often lacked up to now both in terms of quality and spirit in which the game is played. It hasn't been pretty at times, though from a purist point of view the rugby has been a fascinating battle of tactics and strength, but surely it's time for both sides to take their feet off the brakes and give us a full on end to end blinder of a Test match to send the series off in style!

As a precursor to the forthcoming Rugby Championship, Australia and New Zealand revisit their age old rivalry in the first of three Bledisloe Cup matches at the All Blacks impregnable Fortress - Auckland's Eden Park.

In the opening Test between these two sides, there was plenty of on and off field drama. It was an edgy affair that perhaps lacked the quality we were hoping for and sadly was riddled with controversy particularly in how it was officiated. The second Test this weekend leaves the Springboks with it all to do, but they are at their most dangerous when their backs are against the wall. We look at some of the questions raised by the First Test, particularly in relation to former Head Coach Rassie Erasmus recently issued video, as well as a breakdown of the match day 23 for both sides.

After all the controversy, drama and hype, Saturday sees the British and Irish Lions and South Africa's Springboks get down to business in Cape Town as they face off in the first of three eagerly anticipated Tests. We look at the lineups and where we think the key battles could be in terms of head to heads.

The recently concluded three Test series between France and the Wallabies in Australia was superb rugby entertainment. We enjoyed every minute of three incredibly hard fought Test matches. The rugby on display had everything. There was huge physicality, dynamic and silky running and some shrewd tactics put into play by both sides. It was way more than just a tasty appetizer for the Lions tour to South Africa, it was a main course of equal quality and one which kept us on the edge of our seats for eleven whirlwind days! We break down how we think the players in the two sides fared and what their Coaches learnt about them with an eye to the future.

We look at the opening game of France and Australia's three Test series.