The Nations Championship is one week away, so David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie run the ruler over every squad and storyline before an enormous November. There’s concern about the format and tie-breakers, plus a big look at who’s trending up or down: can Wales survive their off-field chaos, can Italy rediscover last year’s spark, and are Ireland slipping before they climb again? England’s pressure is front and centre ahead of Australia first up, with the warning that Japan can become a nasty banana skin if teams rotate. The All Blacks are backed to win all three, but there’s a blunt chat about “inconvenient conversations” and the areas that can still bite them. South Africa’s selections scream long-game planning, while France’s second-round showdown looms large.

PLUS: WXV, Samoa’s governance mess, and a big Monday preview with Ben Youngs and Steven Kitshoff.

Also in this episode:

● Nations Championship tables, pools, and who tops them

● Steve Hansen flags format flaws and tie-break concerns

● England v Australia pressure, selections, and banana skin risks

● All Blacks injuries, Scotty Barrett impact, and lineout worries

● Springboks squad rotation as Rassie plans ahead

● WXV final round, USA v England, Black Ferns v France

PLUS: How tours, injuries and club calendars shape performance windows.

SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈

Ask Steve Hansen 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

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

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

Canada have done it again, beating England 31–22 in Ottawa to win the series and defend the Utrecht Shield, and the big question now is what John Mitchell does next with selections, standards, and motivation. David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie unpack how Canada used width, tempo and intent to expose an England side that looked disjointed, despite still having their World Cup-winning tools in isolation. The conversation then swings to the Wallaroos’ 38–31 win over Scotland, where a “greatest hits” of yellow cards and reviews derailed the spectacle and raised bigger questions about common sense, coaching technique, and who’s really in charge of the system. There’s also Black Ferns 31–12 France, Australia A v USA in Nashville, PWR eligibility debates, scrum refereeing in the URC, and what’s next for Eddie Jones and Japan after Fiji’s 34–28 win.

Also in this episode:

● Canada’s width and tap try undo England

● Steve Hansen on motivation: it must come from players

● England selections and “serious conversations” after losses

● Wallaroos v Scotland: yellow cards wreck the flow

● PWR player limits and local development pathways

● Mark Nawaqanitawase, Les Kiss, and Wallabies priorities

PLUS: A wider debate on test windows, player availability, and whether international rugby should lead the global season.

SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈

Ask Steve Hansen, 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

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

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

David Pembroke is back on deck and kicks off with a rare look inside the coach’s head, asking Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie what it really takes to stay steady when results swing. From “performance not win or lose” to the brutal Monday-morning demand for answers, they lay out the habits that keep teams improving. The chat then shifts to the upcoming World Rugby coaches meeting in Windsor ahead of Rugby World Cup 2027, with both men zeroing in on the impact of yellow cards, TMO influence, and rugby’s “secret society” problem on communication. On the field, the panel previews WXV and key internationals: Wallaroos v Scotland in Canberra, Black Ferns v France in Whangārei, and the Canada v England decider in Ottawa with the Utrecht Shield on the line. Plus Eddie Jones’ Japan v Fiji (with Jake White), and a big debate on Australia’s playmaking talent and retaining young prospects.

Also in this episode:

● Steve Hansen on competitiveness as a coaching weakness

● Ewen McKenzie: Monday morning means having solutions ready

● World Rugby Windsor meeting: simplify laws and improve communication

● Yellow cards and TMO influence reshaping results unfairly

● WXV focus: Wallaroos v Scotland, Black Ferns v France

● Canada v England decider, Utrecht Shield on the line

PLUS: A blunt look at how Australia can stop losing talent to league and overseas by building real relationships.

SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈

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

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

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