The Shape of the Game Review, England’s DNA + Super Rugby Roundup

World Rugby says the game’s in a “strong position”, but Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie see the exact opposite. If the Shape of the Game was meant to be a turning point, why does it feel like nothing changed?

David Pembroke pulls apart the official statement from the London meeting, with Eddie calling it a governance joke and Ewen questioning why key on-field issues keep getting dodged. The conversation hits TMOs, red cards, scrummaging, and the need for more 15-on-15 time, then pivots to Ireland vs England and what England do next, plus Super Rugby talking points like Brumbies vs Blues, Fijian Drua vs Hurricanes, and what the kicking numbers tell us. There’s also Germany’s rugby broadcast update, Rugby Europe blowouts, and a straight-shooting discussion about why transparency and faster decisions matter.

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

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In this episode:
00:00 🧨 Shape of the Game: “no law changes” shock
01:20 🟦 Brumbies vs Blues yellow card swing debate
02:00 📜 David reads World Rugby statement in full
02:40 🎙️ Eddie Jones: Shape of the Game reaction
03:20 🧩 TMO scope, law alignment and can kicked down the road
04:50 🏛️ Mark Robinson review confusion and stalled decisions
06:00 🏢 Governance dysfunction and 200 people in the room
07:30 🇬🇧 RFU council reform vs World Rugby structure
08:40 🇩🇪 Germany flag football growth and rugby threat
11:40 🔍 Global season transparency and Gus Pichot questions
13:00 🏴 Ireland vs England: turning point or deeper issues?
17:20 🧬 England DNA debate, George Ford and new 10 shift
23:00 🗣️ Eddie Jones on communication across cultures
26:30 🇫🇷 Ewen coaching in French and cultural nuance
29:40 🇩🇪 Germany rugby on free-to-air TV boost
32:40 🌍 North vs South combined Test series fantasy
37:50 ⏳ Best rugby era: amateur vs early 2000s balance
41:20 💥 Scrum depowered: Ewen breaks down lost craft
45:10 📚 Eddie’s Book Club: Attacking the Space by Sam Larner
47:40 🦵 Super Rugby kicking trends: Reds, Drua, Chiefs, Crusaders
51:00 📈 Rugby Europe big scores and The Big Three preview
53:00 🪟 Transparency, 15-on-15 time and fixing the product
58:00 👋 Wrap: governance reform, golden period hope and Third Voice call

Call to action:
📌 Should World Rugby change laws now to protect 15-on-15 time?

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