World Rugby’s Strategic Plan + ERC Finals & Crunch Creator Sensation!

World Rugby’s strategic plan is finally here, and Rugby Unity is not letting it drift into the dark. David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie ask the real question: is this the blueprint rugby can actually align around to 2031, or does it still dodge hard accountability?

They also break down a massive weekend in Bilbao, with Montpellier crushing Ulster 59-26 and Bordeaux beating Leinster 41-19 in front of huge crowds. Ewen drills into Bordeaux’s defence, the halfback battle, and a yellow card flashpoint, before the conversation swings back to World Rugby’s big bets: the Nations Championship concept, player welfare, women’s rugby growth targets (2.2 million to 3.4 million by 2029), and whether the sport is taking too much financial risk by relying on Rugby World Cups for revenue. There’s also a look at Crunch Creator and what innovation could mean for rugby fandom.

RUGBY UNITY LIVE! IN NEWCASTLE 10 JULY 2026: tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdo

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

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

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? .substack.com/

In this episode:
00:00 🧩 David Pembroke introduces the World Rugby strategic plan
01:02 🏟️ Bilbao finals recap: Montpellier v Ulster, Bordeaux v Leinster
02:10 🔥 Ewen McKenzie on San Mamés atmosphere and access issues
03:18 🧱 Montpellier tactics, maul dominance, and Ulster blowout
03:55 🛡️ Bordeaux defence stifles Leinster’s Champions Cup attack
04:28 🎯 Lucu v Gibson Park: halfback battle decides Bordeaux win
05:22 🟨 Joe McCarthy hair-pull yellow card controversy
07:10 🇫🇷 Top 14 debate after Bordeaux and Montpellier wins
09:22 🇪🇸 Spain World Cup bid boost from Bilbao crowds
14:08 📺 Australia broadcast frustration with European Championship rugby
17:20 📘 World Rugby plan headline: Powering Rugby, Uniting the Game
21:05 🧠 “Enriching lives” and rugby’s community role discussion
27:22 🏆 Nations Championship, Nations Cup, and World XV structure
31:18 ✈️ Player welfare and travel debate, Ireland-Japan example
36:10 👩 Women’s rugby targets: 2.2m to 3.4m by 2029
45:40 💷 World Rugby revenue risk: relying on Rugby World Cup money
51:10 🎭 Crunch Creator, @DjaysonTV, and rugby entertainment innovation
01:04:20 🌏 Jakarta 10s, Asia Rugby Emirates Championship, Malta promotion
01:10:20 🗞️ Australian rugby accountability and media scrutiny debate

Call to action:
📌 Was Lucu’s yellow card for the Joe McCarthy hair pull a fair call?

📩 Got a question? Email us: info@rugbyunity.com.au
🔔 !
📲 Follow us on socials → TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook & LinkedIn @RugbyUnityPodcast