Rugby Unity

World Rugby’s Shape of the Game summit was billed as a fix-it moment, but David Pembroke, Eddie Jones, and Ewen McKenzie aren’t buying the “no changes to the law” message. From depowered scrums and TMO scope, to red cards and the push for more 15-on-15 time, the crew break down why the sport’s governance keeps kicking the can down the road. There’s heat on the size and power of councils, with comparisons to the RFU’s reforms, plus frustration at the lack of transparency around the global season. On the field, the chat jumps from Ireland vs England and England’s “DNA”, to Super Rugby talking points like Brumbies vs Blues and the Fijian Drua beating the Hurricanes, plus a look at how kicking is shaping results. There’s also a quick snapshot of Germany’s broadcast boost and big Rugby Europe scorelines.

Also in this episode:
● World Rugby says no law changes after The Shape of the Game summit
● Eddie Jones: too many people, no decisions made
● Brumbies beat Blues 30-27 after yellow card swing
● England reaction after Ireland loss and George Ford debate
● Ewen McKenzie explains how scrums have been depowered
● Super Rugby kicking stats: Reds, Drua, Crusaders, Chiefs

PLUS: A blunt debate on governance, transparency, and whether rugby’s product matches its commercial ambitions.

Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

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David Pembroke, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie unpack the big agenda items that will be covered in the Shape of the Game conference in London, starting with the push to “depower” scrums and replace some restarts with free kicks. Eddie and Ewen are blunt: keep the scrum, speed it up, and protect rugby as a game for all shapes and sizes. From there, it’s straight into the global season debate, with both backing alignment for player welfare while warning everyone has to sacrifice something, not just Super Rugby. The 20-minute red card sparks a wider argument about keeping 15 on 15, with Ewen pitching better use of existing referee tools and stronger post-match sanctions. They also get into Six Nations form (Ireland’s response against England), Super Rugby trends, kicking and “meaningful” stats, plus quick hits on Andy Farrell, Stephen Larkham, injuries, Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s record run, and Rugby Europe Championship shocks.

Also in this episode:
● Eddie Jones rejects any move to depower scrums
● Ewen McKenzie says scrums are already overmanaged
● Global season backed to protect player welfare properly
● 20-minute red card debate turns into 15v15 argument
● Ireland v England analysed: intent, collisions, line speed
● Super Rugby vs Six Nations stats: points, tries, ball-in-play

PLUS: World Rugby transparency, refereeing consistency, and how attack trends are shifting across Six Nations and Super Rugby.

Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

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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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Ireland dismantle England 42-21 at Twickenham and David Pembroke, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie pull apart why it got ugly. Ewen says England simply did not turn up physically, fell off tackles, lost the aerial contest and never got to their usual attacking kick game, while Ireland kept the tempo high with quick taps and sharp work in the air. Eddie adds a coach’s view from inside the stadium: Andy Farrell’s management of Jamison Gibson-Park, Ireland’s flatter “off nine” attack, and England’s emotional control going missing when the game turned. Scotland then survive a huge scare to beat Wales 26-23 after Wales led 20-3, before France continue their surge with a 33-8 win over Italy, with talk of Dupont’s influence, France’s collision wins, and what it takes to slow them down. The episode closes with World Rugby’s “Shape of the Game”, world rankings, and a big Brumbies statement win over the Crusaders.

● Ireland’s tempo and aerial dominance breaks England early
● Eddie Jones on England leadership and preparation drift
● Gibson-Park and Ireland attacking flatter off nine
● Scotland escape Wales ambush after 20-3 lead
● France 33-8 Italy: Dupont, Ramos, collision wins
● World Rugby TMO debate: speed, sovereignty, forward passes

PLUS: The panel also hits World Rugby rankings, Rugby Europe Championship results, Under 20s Six Nations scores, and why Super Rugby’s Brumbies look the form team.

Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

📧 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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Six Nations round three is stacked, and Rugby Unity goes straight to the pressure points. David Pembroke, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie preview England v Ireland at Twickenham, including Jack Crowley starting at 10, Gibson-Park’s influence, and the big selection calls around Curry and Pollock, plus the ruck-speed battle and how the referee could shape it. There’s a proper salute to Maro Itoje on his 100th cap, and a blunt look at Wales v Scotland in Cardiff, including Wales’ current depth challenge and the impact of Matthew Carley’s card history. France v Italy in Lille gets the full treatment too, with real belief in Italy’s hardness, breakdown contest, kicking accuracy, and how an “off” France could be vulnerable. Then the chat widens: what’s actually happening across the Six Nations after two rounds, why intent and luck swing results, and why Super Rugby attacks can look stuck behind heavy line speed.

● England v Ireland: Crowley starts, Gibson-Park returns
● Curry’s match time and Pollock’s starting question
● Itoje’s 100th test and England togetherness pressure
● Wales v Scotland: Wales depth issues, Carley cards
● France v Italy: Italy breakdown, kicking, real upset chance
● Six Nations themes: intent, luck, discipline, short tournament

PLUS: Eddie and Ewen break down coaching messages, culture, and why structured attack is being tested by breakdown pressure and contestable kicks.

Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

📧 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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What a weekend of Six Nations rugby! The panel of David Pembroke, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie breakdown France’s slick skill, Scotland’s resilience, and Ireland’s relentless hustle. Plus, listen in as they scrutinize refereeing decisions, TMO controversies, and the evolving shape of the game. We also explore player movements to Super Rugby, top work-rates from Pieter-Steph du Toit and Malcolm Marx, and covers scores from Rugby Europe and U20 competitions. With a preview of this weekend’s clash between England and Ireland, Wales and Scotland, and France versus Italy, this is your must-listen take on rugby’s most heated debates.

● Six Nations clash summaries and highlights
● Refereeing controversies: yellow cards, TMOs, and decision inconsistencies
● Player transfers: Warner Dearns and Harada into Super Rugby
● Work-rate analysis: Pieter-Steph du Toit and Malcolm Marx
● Scores from Rugby Europe Championship and U20 competitions
● Upcoming match preview: England v Ireland, Wales v Scotland, France v Italy

PLUS: the ongoing quest for refereeing clarity, the future shape of rugby governance, and the relentless pursuit of faster, more exciting rugby.

Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

📧 Get in touch: [email protected]

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