NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP 2026: Squad reviews with Steve Hansen & Ewen McKenzie

The Nations Championship is nearly here, and the margin for error is tiny. Who’s actually set to own November, and who’s about to get found out fast?

David Pembroke is joined by Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie to size up every team and every pressure point: England’s heat heading into Australia first up, Japan’s chance to sneak under the radar, Wales’ off-field turmoil, Italy’s search for last year’s form, and Ireland’s big question mark. The boys dig into the All Blacks’ expectations (and the “inconvenient conversations” still needed), South Africa’s youth-and-rest mix under Rassie, and France’s habit of brilliance followed by lapses. Plus WXV final round chat, Black Ferns v France in Christchurch, Samoa’s two-union stoush, and Monday’s preview with Ben Youngs and Steven Kitshoff.

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

Ask Steve Hansen, Ewen McKenzie & Eddie Jones anything! Fill out the form below 👇
tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

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

In this episode:
00:00 🏉 Nations Championship preview with David Pembroke
01:14 📊 Ewen McKenzie on tables, squads and “battle damage”
02:20 🤔 Steve Hansen questions Nations Championship final format
03:23 🧾 Nations Championship pools: South Africa, All Blacks, France
04:02 🎌 Japan preview: Wales, Scotland and England threats
06:27 🇮🇹 Italy form check before South Africa and Argentina
08:25 🐉 Wales struggles and the off-field financial crisis
14:06 🇳🇿 NPC and Super Rugby confirmed as New Zealand’s future
20:27 🇦🇺 Australia squads volatility and NZ players in Super Rugby
22:26 🌴 Fiji under Jake White with France and Ireland ahead
25:10 🇦🇷 Argentina v Ireland: tour start that can shape confidence
26:08 🏴 England v Australia: Borthwick pressure and rotation risks
31:03 🛡️ Scotland at Murrayfield: forward pack warning for Australia
31:28 🇫🇷 France threat: offloads, discipline and South Africa test
34:07 ☘️ Ireland trend: ageing core and November reality check
35:21 🖤 All Blacks expectations, growth, and “inconvenient conversations”
44:23 🇿🇦 Springboks squad: Etzebeth rested, youth blooded for 2027
49:24 👩 WXV wrap: USA v England, Black Ferns v France, Samoa talks

Call to action:
📌 Can England handle Australia first up, or does Borthwick’s side unravel?

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