Wales have not won a Test match since the 2023 World Cup.
Los Teros’ captain is an eclectic character, now intent on making history in Paris.
Potential Rugby World Cup host cities in the US have convened in Washington DC for a summit with World Rugby and USA Rugby.
World Rugby and USA Rugby welcomed representatives from various US cities and states to discuss the possibility of becoming official host cities for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2031 and the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2033.
This summit marks significant progress as North America prepares to host these prestigious events for the first time.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell admitted that he was disappointed with his side’s overall performance at Loftus and he is expecting a big reaction from his players in Durban.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell admitted that he was disappointed with his side’s overall performance at Loftus and he is expecting a big reaction from his players in Durban.

Over 100 representatives from more than 30 cities and state entities attended the Rugby World Cup Host City Summit. They heard directly from World Rugby, USA Rugby, and other stakeholders about bidding requirements. Additionally, notable rugby figures shared insights about the tournament’s potential and global impact.
The event also had support from the congressional rugby caucus.
Cities and states expressing interest in hosting included Atlanta GA, Austin TX, Baltimore MD, Birmingham AL, Boston MA, Charlotte NC, Chicago IL, Dallas TX, Denver CO, Houston TX, Kansas City MO, Las Vegas NV, Los Angeles CA, Miami FL, Minneapolis MN, Nashville TN, New Orleans LA, New York NY, Orlando FL, Philadelphia PA, Phoenix AZ, Pittsburgh PA, Salt Lake City UT, San Diego CA, San Francisco CA, Seattle WA, and Washington DC.
The summit featured presentations on the opportunities and scale of the two Rugby World Cup tournaments, discussions on global and US rugby trends, and details on the city bidding process. Representatives from the US Dept. of State discussed logistics such as visas, safety, security, and transport.
Rugby World Cup
Panelists included Abby Gustaitis, USA rugby sevens Olympian, Angela Ruggiero, US ice hockey Olympian and World Rugby Executive Board Member, Nate Ebner, three-time NFL Superbowl winner and USA rugby sevens Olympian, and Blaine Scully, former US Men’s Fifteens Captain. They discussed current trends in rugby and shared their Rugby World Cup experiences. Presentations were also made by James Rothwell, World Rugby Chief Marketing and Content Officer, and Dan Migala, Legends Co-President and Chief Revenue Officer, on the evolution of sport in the USA and its commercialization.
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin expressed his delight at welcoming more than 30 US cities and states interested in hosting the Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033.
“Today we were delighted to welcome more than 30 amazing US cities and States who have expressed an interest in helping us create history with Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033,” said Gilpin. “With an estimated 55 million fans in the US, 800,000 registered players and over 3,100 registered clubs, rugby is already very much alive and kicking in the US. United by rugby, we will be using the two tournaments to shine a spotlight on the men’s and women’s game to show the rest of the world what the US has to offer for rugby and how these two tournaments can help grow the game sustainably for the future.”
World Rugby estimates that the sport could generate $80 billion in economic opportunities in the USA over the next 20 years, which would be reinvested to grow the game nationally and globally.
USA Rugby CEO Bill Goren emphasized the strong demand for rugby in the USA, noting that the country has the third highest number of rugby participants globally.
“To bring the world’s third biggest sporting tournament – the Rugby World Cup – to the world’s most passionate sports market is an opportunity that needs to be grasped with both hands to grow this fantastic game in the US,” said Goren.
“Using this as a catalyst to drive sustainable generational investment and growth for the game, rooted in grassroots participation in women’s and men’s rugby, beginning with colleges and the NCAA, is going to be our focus over the next decade and we’re confident the World Cups in 2031and 2033 will be the best-ever Rugby World Cups. Rugby fans will fall in love with the USA and the USA will fall further in love with rugby.”
Rugby World Cup
Congressional Rugby Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Alex X. Mooney expressed excitement about the potential impact of the Rugby World Cups in the USA: “Congressional Rugby Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Alex X. Mooney (R-WV), said: “As a former rugby player and founding member of the Congressional Rugby Caucus, it’s personally and professionally exciting to welcome World Rugby, Rugby USA and all the prospective host cities to Capitol Hill for this important tournament summit. The Men’s Rugby World Cup 2031 and the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2033 in the USA will be great sporting moments for our country and help with the development of a sport I, and so many other Americans, love. The Rugby Caucus will be supporting tournament organizers and host cities all the way as we look to develop the game and deliver an exceptional tournament for fans when the tournament begins.”
The USA won the hosting rights for the 2031 and 2033 tournaments in May 2022 as part of World Rugby’s 11-year hosting plans. The success of the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan demonstrated the viability of holding the tournament outside traditional rugby strongholds and attracting new commercial sponsorships and revenue streams.
The French qualified for the last four with a 29-11 bonus-point win over Wales last Tuesday in Athlone, a result that was perfect to secure them progress as the tournament’s best runner-up across the three groups.
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Denver (where I am) probably won’t get selected for the same reason Mile High stadium wasn’t selected for the FIFA WC; altitude.
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Los Teros’ captain is an eclectic character, now intent on making history in Paris.
The Northampton Saints full-back has cut a dash from deep and added some much-needed width to England’s attack
Both coaches have issues to resolve as South Africa and Ireland prepare to clash again in Durban.
Will this game be available on live streaming tomorrow?
So Ireland will be trying to win. Sneaky ploy!
Looking forward to the second game. Still world No 1 and 2 in rankings. Ireland have picked a hard tough set of 8 in their scrum. Last week it was like watching two diamonds trying to scratch each other for 80 mins. I have been impressed with the mould and shape of Ireland, their design. They will not look back and I think they will be continue to be a force, yet they need another, BOD, WOOD or SEXTON or two. Both the Boks and Ireland have a design that optimises their functionality. The Boks are evolving their functionality and we are lucky to be watching such a team in our time. Dr Erasmus has introduced so much innovation and rugby smarts. So interesting to see the new playbook the boks are using. Just another tool in the set for them. The world game shape is changing this year, especially no long kick battles, dupont rule. I see the stat of some of the the teams that played last week – Boks, Ireland, ABs (the pacific Lions) and England. the Abs kicked the most.
We are going to beat Ireland by 15 points or more if they allow a gap at the scrum. They can’t handle our scrum. Missing Aki is going to hurt.
The worst captain Schmidt could have chosen for the Wallabies was Liam Wright. A very poor captain of the Reds and about the 4th or 5th best 6 in Australia The next worst choice would be James Slipper, who can’t last a whole game and gives away numerous silly penalties. Who was also an incredibly poor captain for the Reds, while doing drugs, which he got caught for. One can see how cunning these kiwi coaches are.
“Handre Pollard is the only fly-half to win two men’s Rugby World Cups”……I think you may have forgotten that the record points scorer in test rugby also won 2 world cups playing flyhalf/first five.
TMO aside, last week was an even game. Equal penality count and similar possession and territory stats. They’ve always been single score games with the exception of the odd blowout every once in a while. Sense another close one that could go either way. Dickson is a great ref.
Rassie will give some players opportunities in the RC. I expect Roos to feature then as well as Manie, grobbelaar, mgomezulu and a few others. I don’t expect wholesale changes. He will try to win the RC and for that he will need his core team. I think the Springboks will experiment more on the year end tour. They will experiment against Scotland and Wales with their squad depth and go all out against England. The Springboks play 45 to 50 games in the cycle before the world cup. If rassie can put 40 caps into the most promising players like Roos etc and put at least 20 into a host of youngsters while keeping an experienced core and a couple of old timers I reckon it will be a good mix
We get a few TMO calls and cancel the Xmas presents to SA in Pretoria the score could have been 31-13.
Little Irish Lambs to the Slaughter
Nothing is impossible… this is a strong starting Irish team (the forward 8 at least – better so than last week with POM on the bench). But not a great bench… going to be a great test match!!!
Hi Brett, good to read you today. I was able to watch the AUSvWAL at the start of the week. Your appreciation of the ‘rust’ is consistent with the gestures we could observe on the field. Undoubtedly, Wallabies are orchestrating their own dance of reconnaissances and set-ups. With only 5 experienced players (+50 caps), 2 intermediates (-50 and +30 caps) and 31 men with -30 caps, Schmidt’s bet takes on another meaning, another color and is shaping up to be the youngest team in SH (followed by Argentina). The sensation of an even match, for its ‘regular’ nature, accentuated much more the perception of what happened on the field of indiscipline (11 penalties conceded) where any figure containing 2 digits turns on warning lights. It is true that RSA also conceded 11 penalties vs WAL, but then corrected them downwards vs IRE. The breakdown is a kind of “eye of the storm,” and Fisher knows it. That is, for the moment, one of WAL’s Achilles heels. “A win is a win” – that’s right. But it would be a better victory if it succeeds in inaugurating a more sustainable gaming model for Wallabies.
Don’t think saying ‘former international referee Jaco Peyper’ adds much credibility to his opinion. He’s a paid member of the SA backroom team so is 110% biased regardless of his exceptional career. Now if Nigel Owens backed those decisions I would pay attention
England are pretty fortunate to have a player of Steward’s calibre to fall back on. He may not have Furbank’s attacking ability but he doesn’t do much wrong either. Safe pair of hands at the back and a decent kick.
I just can’t believe the size of these young lads, across all countries but particularly England and SA. Monsters and not even 20. Usually people wouldnt get to that until 21 or 22 now they’re like that at 18 and 19! Think the Irish break of 10 days gives them a definite advantage once they don’t become complacent
All things being equal the 10 day turnaround compared to England’s 5 days would give Ireland a significant advantage. This English team are excellent and may be able to overcome that disadvantage. If its dry, Ireland must move England around and if they are clinical that should be enough.
Massive selfless contribution again by O’Mahony putting his team above any selfish concerns. We can read between the lines that one of the clips shown (that they are not proud of) was the ‘tackle’ on Casey and Ireland not responding in the subsequent scrum. People didnt believe me earlier this week: watch what happens when Snyman puts his first questionable hand on an Irish player. I hope SA think they have this won. If they go behind at any stage they wont be getting the lead back again.
The ABs let England into the game with some very poor tactics. All the steam is taken out of rush defence by simply kicking the ball instead of running it. ABs can do that with even more comfort this week without worrying about Furbank running it back. If DMac can show some discipline and only look to go wide when England have too many forwards on the ground they can win comfortably. If they resort to the Super Rugby inspired madness of last week’s first half they will be looking at their first loss at Eden Park for 30 years. You would think a brand new ABs team that has only been together 10 days with a new coach has more potential to improve than England from one week to the next, but if the ABs end up chasing the game against that England D things could go pear shaped.
What a f_ucking disgrace.
Denver (where I am) probably won’t get selected for the same reason Mile High stadium wasn’t selected for the FIFA WC; altitude.
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