You may still be polishing off the Christmas leftovers but we’ve got a bumper late present for you in the shape of our new Future Rugby February 2024 edition.
We take a look at the things changing within the game and what developments we can expect to see in the coming years across several areas including technology, Lions tours, the women’s game and even university rugby.
Read more: Rugby World European special with FREE calendar in January 2024 edition
Not only are we using our rugby crystal ball but there is a FREE Six Nations supplement magazine included with your February package. Subscribers will be receiving it imminently (if not already through your front door) but if, for some bizarre reason you’re not already subscribed, make sure you pop to the shops in the coming days to avoid missing out as we build up to the latest instalment of the men’s championship.
Future Rugby – What’s in the Rugby World February 2024 edition?
- ANTOINE DUPONT
The French icon is changing the face of the game and even swapping disciplines as he switches focus to sevens in an attempt to star at his home Paris 2024 Olympics in the summer. Paul Eddison looks at how the No 9 has shifted the marketing, reach and style of rugby. We also have analysis from Sam Larner ahead of Dupont’s transition to the seven-a-side game.
- THE TECH TAKEOVER: Rugby’s next frontiers
Editor Alan Dymock takes a deep dive into the technological advances taking place in rugby as research and analysis go to the next level. What can AI do for rugby? Is just one of the questions answered in this unmissable long read.
- LIONS REIMAGINED
We asked players past and present, pundits and administrators how they would construct a Lions tour given a blank slate – the answers were interesting to say the least…
- NOLLI WATERMAN ON WOMEN’S RUGBY
Alan Pearey sits down with former England full-back turned co-commentator and trade union activist Danielle ‘Nolli’ Waterman to find out what the future holds for women’s rugby after a couple of seismic years.
- RUGBY NEEDS A COMMISSIONER
Our regular columnist Stephen Jones lays out his plan for a rugby tsar to replace stuffy boards squibbling over minutiae. Don’t miss his take on how the running of the game can be overhauled for good…
- REINVENTION OF OLLIE LAWRENCE
The blockbuster Bath centre has hit new heights at the Rec and will be looking to nail down a starting spot for England in the Six Nations. Editor Alan Dymock catches up with the 24-year-old.
- WHAT NOW FOR SCOTTISH RUGBY?
Tom English looks at the predicaments facing Scottish rugby and the ten-year plan being devised to tackle them. After another disappointing World Cup campaign, what next for Gregor Townsend’s men?
- FIRST-CLASS PROSPECTS
In our latest grass-roots feature, Josh Graham takes a deep dive into the university game and, in particular, how BUCS Super Rugby has changed the face of the sport at this level and is now producing ready-made professional players.
- BUDDING HOLLY
Alan Pearey chats to England fly-half Holly Aitchison about her move to Bristol, battle with anxiety and upcoming fight for the Red Roses No 10 shirt with old Saracens team-mate Zoe Harrison.
- FACE-OFF: Could Web3 and digital fan tokens power rugby?
By this point, you’ve probably heard of NFTs and the like but could it be the future for rugby? We hear from both sides of the debate.
- What it’s like to: Coach England age-grade sides
Josh Graham hears from England men’s U18 coach Jonathan Pendlebury and his U20 counterpart Mark Mapletoft as they reveal how they make teenagers tick.
- PIETER-STEPH DU TOIT
Jon Cardinelli sits down with the World Cup final hero to find out more about that performance in Paris and his return to Japan.
- SPOTLIGHT ON: Connacht’s Cathal Forde
We speak to the young Emerging Ireland centre who is making a name for himself out west after a storming start to the season.
- MANUEL ARDAO
Josh Graham speaks to the Uruguay flanker who performed so well at France 2023 but is now putting down roots in Miami for his new MLR adventure.
What else is in this month’s Rugby World magazine?
- Downtime with Toulon and Samoa back Duncan Paia’aua
- Inside the mind of Northampton Saints scrum-half Archie McParland
- Club hero: Saracens’ Sophie de Goede
- RANT: Ben Nurse laments the use of statistics and data in rugby, arguing they should be embraced
- Columns from Championship Rugby chair Simon Halliday and former Wales captain Ken Owens
- Spotlight on Blues fly-half Zarn Sullivan – can he fill Beauden Barrett’s boots?
- Our Analyst Sean Holley unpicks a Cardiff trick play
- Rising Stars: Bath and England U20 prop Billy Sela and Glasgow Warriors and Scotland U20 nine Ben Afshar
- And even more!
What is in Rugby World’s FREE Six Nations supplement?
- All the chart-topping stats from last year’s men’s Guinness Six Nations
- England: Scrum-half Alex Mitchell
- France: Defence coach Shaun Edwards
- Ireland: Second-row Joe McCarthy
- Italy: New head coach Gonzalo Quesada
- Scotland: Scrum-half George Horne
- Wales: Lock Dafydd Jenkins
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