Rugby Unity

Eddie Jones joins David Pembroke solo (no Ewen McKenzie this week) from a monster scouting trip through Australia, stopping in Townsville ahead of Japan’s August Test against the Wallabies. They unpack what Eddie took from visiting the North Queensland Cowboys, then zoom out to a blockbuster Super Rugby weekend in Christchurch and what it did and did not prove about the comp. There’s big-picture talk on Rugby Australia’s record surplus (fuelled by the British and Irish Lions Tour) and the hard question: where should the money actually go, especially with the Wallaroos still well behind the Black Ferns? Eddie fires up on World Rugby politics too, slamming Japan’s “home” Nations Championship match against Ireland being shifted to Newcastle. Plus listener questions on bringing back a national academy, Super Rugby’s future, and what Australia must do to keep elite talent from drifting to the NRL.Also in this episode:● Eddie Jones’ Townsville scouting ahead of Wallabies Test● Super Rugby Christchurch doubleheaders and Australia’s ongoing struggles● Rugby Australia’s $70.6m surplus after Lions Tour windfall● Wallaroos, Black Ferns, and women’s rugby inequality debate● Japan v Ireland in Newcastle and World Rugby power dynamics● National academy pathways to stop talent leaking to NRLPLUS: A straight-talking look at governance reform, development models, and what keeps rugby growing worldwide.RUGBY UNITY LIVE! IN NEWCASTLE 10 JULY 2026: https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdoSIGN 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: [email protected] to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.TikTok | Instagram | YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DISCLAIMER: This episode was recorded in February 2026.David Pembroke sits down with Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa and a member of the World Rugby Executive Board, to talk about what it really takes to grow the game across a continent of 1.4 billion people. From picking up a rugby ball in England in 1966 to playing for Saracens and then being pulled into rugby administration in Ghana, Mensah lays out the hard truth: Africa’s total annual competition budget is just 675,000 pounds. He explains the push to unlock government backing, why South Africa and France matter for pathways and pre-match opportunities, and how Sevens and the Olympics shape the future. The chat also zooms out to the global game: revenue pressure post-COVID, the high-stakes plan for USA 2031, and why rugby must package itself smarter without losing what makes it special. Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie are mentioned by David at the close.Also in this episode:● Herbert Mensah’s first rugby memories in England● Saracens, injury, and the shift into rugby administration● The Max Brito tour and rugby’s unlikely Accra crowd● Rugby Africa’s 675,000 pounds budget reality check● Olympics and Sevens: Africa’s travel and cost challenges● World Rugby’s USA 2031 gamble and revenue debatePLUS: How rugby balances tradition with business reality, from Africa to the Executive Board.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: [email protected] to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.TikTok | Instagram | YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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77,000 fans at Twickenham in the opening round of the Women’s Six Nations.

David Pembroke sits down with top referee Angus Gardner for a straight-talking look at what it really takes to run elite rugby, from Super Rugby to the Six Nations.