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Nick Bishop

Nick Bishop was rugby analyst/advisor to Graham Henry (1999-2003) and Mike Ruddock (2004-2006) with Wales. He has worked with Stuart Lancaster for England (2012-2015), Leinster (2016-2022) and currently for Racing 92 in France’s Top 14. Three of his four rugby books have shortlisted for, or won national sports book awards.

256 Articles
LONG READ
Analysis

'Razor's conservatism is in danger of halting New Zealand's progress'

Scott Robertson, highly untypical of New Zealand's approach, has taken a risk-averse view of selection.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
10 Dec 2024, 16:57
LONG READ
Analysis

Will overseas selection make the difference for British and Irish Lions?

Owen Farrell, Jack Willis and Courtney Lawes would add handsomely to the 2025 tourists - but will they get the opportunity?

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
09 Dec 2024, 9:54
LONG READ
Analysis

South Africa's 'universal soldier' typifies the Boks' rise to the summit of world rugby

Franco Mostert is Rassie Erasmus' all-conquering Bokke in microcosm - from despair to domination.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
05 Dec 2024, 10:07
LONG READ
Analysis

Will Joe Schmidt provide the Christmas gift Australian fans crave?

The Wallaby supremo is only signed up through to 2025, but how the Aussie rugby community would love him to stay for the home Worl…

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
02 Dec 2024, 17:20
LONG READ
Analysis

All Blacks report card: Are Razor's troops heading in the right direction?

'Big nine' Cam Roigard may redefine the New Zealand backline but Scott Robertson has political and tactical quandaries to ponder.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
30 Nov 2024, 3:34
LONG READ
Analysis

Why the Wallabies' Murrayfield munching offered a worrying glimpse of the Lions showdown

Australian defence is not improving at the same rate as its attack, and Scotland's lethal midfield axis exposed the flaws.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
27 Nov 2024, 9:40
LONG READ
Analysis

'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

The ballad of Archie Griffin and the sorry state of the four regions underscore the need for a revamp across the Welsh game.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
26 Nov 2024, 4:10
LONG READ
Analysis

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

The Irishman's abrupt departure left his players reeling and confused about their new rearguard action.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
21 Nov 2024, 6:05
LONG READ
Analysis

How leviathan Will Skelton and the Wallabies reversed the World Cup fiasco

The La Rochelle juggernaut made his tour debut in Cardiff, and laid waste to the home pack en route to a victory laden with reveng…

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
18 Nov 2024, 16:12
LONG READ
Analysis

'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Saturday's blockbuster under the Parisian lights rekindled the love affair between two great - and very different - rugby nations.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
18 Nov 2024, 5:34
LONG READ
Analysis

Why Australia won't see the best of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at centre

The Wallabies debutant has proven himself a star in the making, but Joe Schmidt needs to change his position.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
13 Nov 2024, 4:58
LONG READ
Analysis

Did the best of Ireland leave with Johnny Sexton and Stuart Lancaster?

New Zealand exerted the 'Aviva squeeze' on an Irish team which looks to have lost its innovative lustre.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
11 Nov 2024, 7:32
LONG READ
Analysis

How can Scott Robertson revive the All Blacks’ playmaking ‘triple threat’?

The halcyon days of Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith are long gone and the new pieces of the puzzle don't mesh together.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
07 Nov 2024, 13:44
LONG READ
Analysis

Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

Having been spoiled by the giants of the past, New Zealand have been caught up by the rest of the world.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
05 Nov 2024, 2:27
LONG READ
Analysis

'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

Omitted from the November squads, the Leicester Tiger underscores why the Wallabies must broaden their selection horizons.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
29 Oct 2024, 4:58
LONG READ
Analysis

What must England relearn to conquer the All Blacks?

An attack-minded Premiership and the travails of July highlight lessons Steve Borthwick's troops must heed on Saturday.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
28 Oct 2024, 6:30
LONG READ
Analysis

Why Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i must not become Folau 2.0

Joe Schmidt needs time - and patience - to mould and tutor his shiny new rugby league recruit.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
21 Oct 2024, 16:50
LONG READ
Analysis

Bad blood swirls as the All Blacks head north

New Zealand will be underdogs in at least two of their November Tests - and that has probably never happened before.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
21 Oct 2024, 4:22
LONG READ
Analysis

The stats show the club v country wounds may never heal

How many minutes do top players actually play? And why can't France take their front-liners to New Zealand?

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
15 Oct 2024, 5:40
LONG READ
Analysis

How Quins' Jason Gilmore is making the Wallabies' case for the defence

The Queenslander has brought defensive excellence to a team whose DNA is all-out attack.

Nick Bishop
Nick Bishop
14 Oct 2024, 17:07
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