Women’s Six Nations boom and world rugby’s bigger vision

About this episode

David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie discuss the rise of women's rugby and the future of the sport.

David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie unpack a huge week for the global game, starting with the remarkable rise of women’s rugby after England drew more than 77,000 fans at Twickenham in the opening round of the Women’s Six Nations. From there, the conversation widens into a bigger question: what does rugby need to do now to secure its long-term future? They look at the value of proper tournament structures, the momentum building around the Pacific Four and Women’s Six Nations, and why the women’s calendar may actually be closer to a true global season than the men’s game. There is also a close look at the new World Rugby Nations Cup, why it matters for emerging nations, and how regular international competition can drive both performance and commercial growth. The episode also explores the return of long-form touring, the appeal of rugby’s travelling culture, the growing credibility of second-tier nations, and what it all says about the shape of the game in the lead-up to the 2027 and 2029 World Cups. Add in European quarter-final drama, Super Rugby refereeing flashpoints, and debate around All Blacks selection, and this becomes a broad conversation about where rugby is heading and…

People in this episode

Hosts: David Pembroke, Ewen McKenzie

Topics covered

• women's rugby
• tournament structure
• international competition
• rugby growth
• World Rugby Nations Cup
• long-term future of rugby

Keywords

• women's Six Nations
• rugby
• tournament structure
• World Rugby Nations Cup
• international competition
• rugby growth
• 2027 World Cup
• 2029 World Cup

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: World Rugby, England

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