Clive Woodward

English rugby is in a good place at the start of 2026. The men's team are on an 11-match winning run. The women are world champions. Here are my eight big talking points for the year ahead

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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: As the RFU continue to undertake their cloak-and-dagger review into the campaign, they are once again operating in the shadows.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Scrapping relegation was all about the league's balance sheet. In doing so, it probably strengthened the PREM's financial position, but also risked its sporting reputation.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: There is a more-than-enthusiastic welcome as the door opens at Lewis Moody's home. Ziggy the labradoodle, bounds over like a force of nature, just as his owner used to do.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: As a coach, sometimes you see something in a young player which makes you stop and go 'wow!' These are the moments you live for when you're in charge of a team.

Bath's Champions Cup semi-final defeat by Bordeaux on Sunday means there will be no PREM Rugby team in either final of this season's two European competitions.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The release of the RFU's findings following their review into England's poor Six Nations campaign was as predictable as it was disappointing.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: International rugby is more brutal than ever yet more and more is being asked of the game's top talent. It all just feels too much.

It is paramount to make the game safer at schools, colleges and clubs. If rugby doesn't do that, there won't be a next generation of players coming through and the sport will die.