Rugby Journal

The Rugby Journal is the home of big rugby reads. A print quarterly that not only should take pride of place on any bookshelf, but one that digs deep into rugby unlike any other publication. Within the refined pages of the Rugby Journal, the greats (from Campese and Carling to Edwards and Isherwood) share their life stories, and a truly global game is explored, be it in Chile or China, Spain or Shetland, India or the Isle of Man. Rugby clubs aren’t just covered, they’re uncovered, revealing their past, present, and future through the many voices that make them what they are. And we’re not just talking about the Cardiffs, Castres, Bristols, and Bordeauxs of this world. It’s also about the Brixhams, Merthyrs, Clontarfs, and Stirlings. Every level of the game has incredible stories to tell, and the Rugby Journal is where you find them, beautifully told by the best storytellers.

RUGBY 33 • National 1 has long been one of my favourite divisions in English rugby, because it has literally everything you could want from the game.

RUGBY JOURNAL

THE GAME • IT MIGHT NOT BE THE PREM OR CHAMP, OR ANY DIVISION THAT’S LOST A FEW LETTERS, BUT HERTS/MIDDLESEX MERIT TABLE 2B MATTERS, ESPECIALLY FOR WATFORD 2ND XV AND THEIR VISITORS SOUTHGATE RFC.

SADIA KABEYA • THE BIRTHPLACE OF COLOUR TELEVISION, SID VICIOUS, AND GARY OLDMAN, THE LONDON BOROUGH OF LEWISHAM ISN’T SHORT OF CLAIMS TO FAME, BUT EVEN IN A CROWDED ARENA, WORLD CUP WINNER SADIA KABEYA STANDS OUT AS ONE OF THEIR VERY BEST.

NATIONAL 1 • CLIFTON LANE HAS SEEN MANY THINGS IN ITS LONG AND VARIED HISTORY. THE GREATS HAVE VISITED, SHOCK VICTORIES HAVE BEEN DISHED OUT, AND IT’S WITNESSED A CLUB ON THE PRECIPICE, ONLY TO BE PULLED BACK BY ITS LOYAL FANS. BUT, FOR DRAMA, THIS YEAR’S NATIONAL 1 TITLE RACE COULD JUST TOP THE LOT.

JAMIE GEORGE • Captaincy, a century of England caps and his daughter Lydia all arrived soon after the passing of his beloved mum, but when Jamie George returns to his hometown club of Hertford, the echoes of her vociferous support still resonate.

HIGHLAND RFC • In the midst of the breathtaking Highlands, in the shadow of the epic Cairngorms, you’ll find Inverness. As beautiful as it is, there are times when it can be a tough place to call home, but community is all, especially at Highland RFC.

SWITZERLAND • WHILE THE SIX NATIONS REMAINS STAUNCHLY RESOLUTE IN ITS REFUSAL TO BREAK THE MOULD, EUROPEAN RUGBY’S SECOND TIER IS A DIFFERENT BEAST, IN RECENT YEARS ALLOWING FOR THE EMERGENCE OF GERMANY, BELGIUM, THE NETHERLANDS AND NOW IT’S THE TIME SWITZERLAND. NO LONGER SITTING ON THE FENCE, THEY’RE GUNNING FOR THE BIG DOGS.

RUGBY PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2026 • Rugby Photographer of the Year is back for 2026 in partnership with the World Rugby Museum at Allianz Stadium.

HAMILTON RUGBY CLUB • HAMILTON, ON THE EDGE OF GLASGOW, CARRIES THE WEIGHT OF A DUKEDOM AND BEING NAMED AFTER ONE OF CALEDONIA’S MOST POWERFUL FAMILIES. IT’S A TOWN THAT’S SEEN A LOT OF HISTORY, AND A FITTING SETTING FOR THE NEXT FRONTIER OF WOMEN’S AMATEUR RUGBY IN SCOTLAND.

VICTOR UBOGU • From a shanty town in a Lagos slum, a young boy who’s lost his mum gets bounced from home to home, eventually landing in freezing snow drifts on the edge of the moors of north Devon. He finds rugby, it sends him away after five minutes. But Victor Ubogu would eventually try again and carve out one of rugby’s most colourful careers.

RUSSIA • WHILE THE WAR CONTINUES IN UKRAINE, CLUB RUGBY HAS CONTINUED IN RUSSIA. CONSIDERING THE CIRCUMSTANCES, YOU COULD ALMOST SAY IT’S THRIVED, WITH A DOMESTIC CUP FINAL THAT BROUGHT IN 13,000. IT MIGHT BE RUGBY BEHIND CLOSED INTERNATIONAL DOORS, BUT THE PASSION FOR THE GAME IS STILL CLEARLY THERE.

INTER SERVICES CHAMPIONSHIP • THE UK’S MILITARY FORCES TURN ON EACH OTHER ONCE AGAIN FOR THE ANNUAL...