<p>DISCLAIMER: This episode was recorded in February 2026.</p><br><p>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.</p><br><p>Also in this episode:</p><br><p>● Herbert Mensah’s first rugby memories in England</p><p>● Saracens, injury, and the shift into rugby administration</p><p>● The Max Brito tour and rugby’s unlikely Accra crowd</p><p>● Rugby Africa’s 675,000 pounds budget reality check</p><p>● Olympics and Sevens: Africa’s travel and cost challenges</p><p>● World Rugby’s USA 2031 gamble and revenue debate</p><br><p>PLUS: How rugby balances tradition with business reality, from Africa to the Executive Board.</p><br><p>SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity</a> 👈👈</p><br><p>Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇</p><p><a href="https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions</a> 👈👈</p><br><p>👉 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: <a href="https://rugbyunitypod.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rugby Unity | Substack</a></p><p><u>&nbsp;</u></p><p>📧 Get in touch: [email protected]</p><p>Thanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.</p><br><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@rugby_unity_podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rugbyunitypodcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Rugby_Unity" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>