Nations Championship is here! Plus ANZAC Day Bledisloe + U-20 Championship

Toulouse go four straight in France, but the bigger story is what rugby’s new calendar moments could become, starting right now with the opening weekend of the Nations Championship.

David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie unpack a thunderstorm-hit Top 14 final, the stats that don’t make sense until you watch the detail, and why defence and adaptability still win titles. Then it’s full speed into New Zealand v France, South Africa v England, and Australia v Ireland, plus the Nations Cup fixtures that matter for 2027. They also hit the ANZAC Day Bledisloe announcement for Brisbane (2027, 2029, 2031), the end of Moana Pasifika, questions around Super Rugby’s sustainability, and the private equity debate around CVC and Silver Lake. Finally, what can rugby steal from the Football World Cup’s crowds, colour, and presentation?

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

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In this episode:
00:00 🏆 Toulouse win Top 14 again v Montpellier
01:10 ⛈️ Thunderstorm stoppage reshapes Toulouse v Montpellier final
02:05 📊 Toulouse stats: scrums, carries, kicking vs Montpellier
03:05 🧠 Dupont, Ramos and Toulouse culture behind four straight
04:05 🛡️ Willis praise and Toulouse defence wins big games
06:05 ✈️ Dupont and Top 14 players released for Nations Championship
09:45 🌍 Six Nations window and the global season stalemate
12:40 💼 CVC, Silver Lake and private equity in rugby unions
18:05 📹 All Blacks content, England media, and Eddie-era storytelling
23:10 🇦🇺 ANZAC Day Bledisloe confirmed for Brisbane 2027–2031
28:40 🧾 Moana Pasifika ends as Super Rugby finances questioned
32:20 ⚽ Football World Cup crowds and what rugby can learn
43:10 🗣️ Chiefs, Bulls, Leinster finals pain and Super Rugby lessons
52:40 🌱 World Rugby U20 scores: Australia 90, South Africa 104
57:20 🏉 Nations Championship fixtures: All Blacks v France, Wallabies v Ireland
01:03:10 🎟️ Newcastle live show plug and Ireland v Japan preview

Call to action:
📌 Which opening Nations Championship match matters most, Wallabies v Ireland, All Blacks v France or South Africa v England?

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