RUGBY'S BREAKING POINT: The international game faces unprecedented challenges as world leaders like Gus Pichot and Riaan Oberholzer push for a unified global season amid shifting schedules and financial struggles. From the postponement of The Rugby Championship to high-stakes talks involving South Africa, New Zealand, and major domestic leagues, the future of rugby hangs in the balance.

Join David Pembroke, along with rugby legends Eddie Jones, Ewen McKenzie, and George Gregan, as they unravel the strategic moves, player power dynamics, and the race to secure a sustainable path forward for the world's most beloved sport.

• France's Nations Championship under review as teams scramble for international windows
• The impact of balancing club commitments and national team duties
• The move of the All Blacks' coaching position to a NZ insider
• Angus Crichton’s bold switch from league to union ahead of 2027 World Cup
• The future of rugby in the USA and the role of university sports
• The strategic importance of games in Baltimore and the US in World Cup planning

PLUS: the race for a vision-driven global rugby calendar, player influence on coaching decisions, and the evolving pathways connecting sevens, fifteens, and international growth.

Acquired Podcast: The NFL – listen here.

Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇

https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

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📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

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

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In this episode of Rugby Unity, David Pembroke is joined by rugby legends Ewen McKenzie and Eddie Jones to dissect the seismic shakeup in New Zealand rugby — the sacking of Scott Robertson as All Blacks head coach. With the sport at a pivotal crossroads, they unpack the behind-the-scenes power plays, the influence of player ego, and what this means for the future of rugby globally. Expect a candid debate on coaching timelines, player trust, the impact of private equity, and how rugby's evolving tactics are shaping the international landscape.

● New Zealand Rugby's coaching crisis: what's really going on behind the scenes?

● Player power and its role in top-level decision making

● The strategic shift in global rugby: North vs South battle

● Rising influence of private equity in sport

● How European rugby is innovating and what that means for Super Rugby

● The challenge of expanding rugby into North America in the age of fierce commercial interests

PLUS: insights into elite coaching, the changing tactics across hemispheres, and the growing commercial and geopolitical influences shaping the future of 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: info@rugbyunity.com.au

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.

In this episode of Rugby Unity, David Pembroke speaks with David Algie, the visionary fan behind the innovative Raeburn and Utrecht Shields—lineal rugby titles that turn matches into winners‑stay‑on battles. From Raeburn Place 1871 to Twickenham 2026, explore the rich history, upcoming challenges, and the fan-led movement aiming to bring a new layer of drama, story, and connection to rugby's past and future.

Discover how this grassroots idea, rooted in data and passion, could reshape how fans, players, and stakeholders engage with the game across nations and genders. As the shields get ready for their next big stage in the Six Nations and Rugby Championship, will England defend their claim, or will giants like France or Ireland claim the lineal title?

Plus, a preview of next week’s episode with former Raeburn Shield holder Eddie Jones and coach Ewen McKenzie—as well as David’s personal celebrations with his new grandson Lewin Gargan Pembroke, this episode is a must-listen for rugby fans eager to see history, innovation, and storytelling collide.

● The story behind the Raeburn and Utrecht Shields — rugby’s hidden lineal titles

● How fan-led ideas are shaping the future of the sport

● The journey of the shields from 1871 in Edinburgh to Twickenham 2026

● Sponsorship opportunities in rugby’s storytelling renaissance

● The potential for these shields to grow the game worldwide

● Upcoming battles for the lineal titles in the Six Nations and Rugby Championship

PLUS: the drama of lineal titles, fan engagement, sponsorship strategies, and how these shields could create a new lifetime of stories for rugby fans around the world.

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: info@rugbyunity.com.au

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.