Money, says Sonatane Takulua, is always the problem. Tonga’s captain is fed up of modest wages seldom arriving on time, when they are paid at all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Owen looks back at some of the rugby names we learnt in 2021 and predict what 2022 may hold for them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There were few more glorious sights than Jake Polledri with ball in hand. Grabbing a fistful of defenders, he would swat them aside with gleeful disdain; one after the other, they came and went; his giant legs hammering away like pistons, crushing any hopes they had of bringing him down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

If fans thought the life of a professional rugby player was all sponsorship deals, coffee shop get-togethers and Instagramming, they would be disabused of that notion by speaking to Nick Tompkins, the livewire Saracens and Wales midfielder. For all the glamorous trips to Munich, Miami and Verbier in Saracens’ past, when The XV spoke to the 26-year-…

Antoine Dupont celebrated his nomination last week as World Rugby’s player of the year by collecting another accolade last Saturday. This one was more mundane, a man of the match award for his outstanding performance for Toulouse in their Champions Cup victory over Cardiff. So stupendous was the French scrum-half that he left Sam Warburton in the t…

Despite the theoretically simple nature of the No9 position, the evolution of attacking shape requires its half-backs to have an encyclopedic knowledge of how to maintain structure, play at the right tempo and move forward. Ben Youngs arrived before Aaron Smith but has outstayed the retirement of Will Genia. While he doesn’t quite gain the plaudits…

France are back, and isn’t the rugby world a whole lot brighter for it? Saturday’s stunning domination of the All Blacks felt like a seminal victory for a team that has come of age under Fabien Galthie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Graham Simmons takes a fascinating and in-depth look at the behind-the-scenes life and hard grind of a professional rugby coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eligibility is a difficult business for World Rugby to get right. Policy is governed by one overwhelming objective, which is to preserve the integrity of the international game and while that may seem relatively simple to achieve, it is most definitely not. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

Last Christmas marks three years since Robbie Owen – the creator of the YouTube channel Squidge Rugby – wrote the script for his first video; and in so doing, started a rugby revolution. Jack Zorab looks at the influencers and their impact on the sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

Even those of us who have spent years warning that professional rugby faces a ticking time bomb of premature dementia cases found this week’s interviews with Steve Thompson and Alix Popham shocking. Sam Peters takes a sobering look at the issues facing the sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

Rugby in New Zealand is on an irreversible road to somewhere. Gregor Paul looks at the options and what the Silverlake deal may mean for the All Blacks and the sport in New Zealand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if you could stretch your $5,000 budget into a $10,000 vacation? Imagine how much more you could do and enjoy: a nicer hotel, better food, or maybe you would change your plans all together. It can be done. With some research and planning, taking a nicer vacation than you think you can afford is well within your reach. Try these ideas to turn y…

The day is coming when you may be able to say goodbye to hay fever for good. The last couple of years have seen remarkable advances in immunotherapy. Instead of multiple visits to your doctor for shots, you can take tablets and drops at home. The treatments have the potential to permanently change your body’s response to allergens, but may take abo…

Do you have some extra time to kill and need another source of income? There are several ways to generate a secondary source of income without leaving the comfort of your own home. It’s surprising how many home employment opportunities exist. Anyone with a few hours to spare can earn extra money. Check out these ways to stay at home and earn money …

Activity friends may be the answer if you’re looking for ways to have more fun in life and keep making new buddies as you get older. Making new friends who share your interests has many positive benefits. Consider these advantages of activity friends and strategies for getting together with them. Benefits of Activity Friends…

A few years back, Disney released an animated movie called “Meet the Robinsons” that had such a deep impact and meaning. The point of the story is to celebrate each failure you have because it gives you the opportunity to try again. Most people make the mistake in thinking that, just because they failed at something, they should just move on. Or, i…

Regret can suffocate and hurt your relationships. It can make you question your status and make you wish for something else. Rather than allowing regret to grow and cause damage, it’s smart to become aware of it, change it, and eliminate it. You have the power within you to eliminate regret from your relationships. Consider these strategies:…

A lot of us are concerned with the size of our biceps or the girth of our waist. Having a fit body is important. However, keeping your mind in shape is critical to enjoying your life at the highest level. Give your brain the attention it deserves! Keep your mind healthy, active, and in shape with these strategies:…

Do you feel like you have a never-ending battle with the scale? Are you tired of gaining weight that stays with you forever? The cause of your weight gain might be emotional overeating. What is emotional overeating? Emotional overeating is a complex topic, but it has essential elements that are easy to recognize.…

Looking for a great way to improve your life? Summer provides the perfect time to rekindle the flames of the dreams you want to pursue. The longer days and greater sunlight provide a cheerful setting for personal growth. Whether you enjoy the surf and sand of the beach, hiking in nature, or some other physical activity, remember to balance it with …

If you ask a billionaire, he’ll likely respond that no amount is enough. Others might reflexively say, “One million dollars.” Those that are more thoughtful might have a different number. There comes a point that there might be a better way to spend your time than chasing more money. You’ll never know if you’ve reached that point if you don’t defin…

Even though you enjoy the friends you have, you may occasionally think about making some new ones. You probably already know that finding close, loyal confidantes can be difficult.But your life could change in many marvelous ways if you make some fascinating new friends. Actively engage in these strategies to seek new friends:…

At some point in your life, it's common to dream of something bigger and better when it comes to your career. No matter how cushy a job may seem, you may find yourself wishing that you were working somewhere better or doing something different. The good news is that you can go out and make your dream job a reality! Whatever the field, you can find …

If you have an endless list of tasks that need to be done, and most of us do, it can be overwhelming. The list just gets longer and longer each day because you can't get today's list completed, and more tasks just keep coming at you. If you can pare your list of to-dos down the most important tasks, you can keep your planning and time management sy…

Are you making these common gym mistakes? These errors seem to be the most popular mistakes, yet they can negatively affect your health, happiness, and weight-loss goals. Make your gym experience better by avoiding these mistakes:Alex Prado

Are your fears holding you back from living the life you deserve? Do you wish you could show more courage in your day-to-day dealings with others? If you had more courage, maybe you could ask for that raise you've been waiting for, feel more confident in closing that next sale, or even invite the girl of your dreams to go out on a date! The possibi…

You’re familiar with resistance. It reveals itself every time you think about doing something new or something you don’t want to do. It’s that uncomfortable feeling that hits you somewhere in your stomach or your chest. Successfully handling resistance is important if you want to get things done. Those that give in to resistance are the same people…

There is a purpose for your life, whether you believe it or not. You may have to take several paths, but with a little digging, you can find where you're meant to be. The first clue to figuring out your purpose in life is to consider what natural talents, gifts and abilities you're born with.Alex Prado

If your relationship sometimes feels like you’re riding a rollercoaster, there are simple ways to feel more secure as a couple. These are techniques you can use by yourself and with your partner to keep you both on a more even course. Steps You Can Take by YourselfAlex Prado

What do you have to be thankful for? Starting your day off with some gratitude affirmations is a great way to remind yourself of all the wonderful things you have in your life. When you repeat aloud these affirmations of gratitude, you energize yourself and gain the courage to face the day and all of the frictions and adventures it may bring. Affir…

Goal setting is one of the best ways to get ahead in life - but only if you're setting your goals effectively! Are you trying for unattainable goals that you aren't really passionate about? Do you quickly give up on your goals? It can be easy to get discouraged, but you don't have to end up there! With the right strategies, you can set goals that r…

Most new mothers find getting adequate sleep to be a challenge. Getting up constantly is disruptive to quality sleep and you're not alone if you're feeling exhausted and irritable. This survival guide will help you get more quality sleep and offer some coping strategies to make the temporary sleep loss easier to bear. Getting More Quality Sleep:…

The dream of many investors is building enough net worth to be able to invest in hedge funds. However, hedge funds frequently underperform index funds. These mystical funds are able to invest in just about anything, including complex derivatives. Having such great flexibility and sophistication should ensure excellent results, but this is not alway…

Most of us live busy lives. Often, we're so busy juggling tasks and responsibilities that we forget to take the time to do the things that bring us happiness. Unfortunately, a lack of joy in your daily life can lead to unhappiness, and it can even have long term negative consequences on your health. Several well-known studies demonstrate that posit…

When unexpected situations cause your income to dip, it's beneficial to figure out how to live on less money. These strategies will help you learn to conserve, whatever your situation. Simply making two or three of these changes might reduce your expenditures enough to successfully live on the lower amount you’re bringing in right now.…

Would you love to have more focus in life? We all admire some people’s ability to concentrate, whether they’re training for the Olympics or solving a great societal problem. These folks with great focus have discovered something very important: If you're focused on a goal, you have an easier time getting where you’re going. But can you really creat…

Volunteering can be a very rewarding experience for individuals and the communities they serve. By managing your volunteers well, you can make the most of their contributions. Here are some suggestions:Alex Prado

The average 19 year old in the US is as sedentary as a 60 year old, according to a recent study by the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. After checking fitness trackers placed on participants aged 6 to 84, researchers found that physical activity was lower than expected among kids and teenagers.…

Your self-image is the way you view yourself. You might view yourself as a parent, construction worker, friend, blonde, sports fan, intelligent, impatient, and middle-aged. But you’re more than your career, gender, and age. You’re more than your parents’ opinion. You’re a unique person with nuances that are unique to you! When who you are aligns wi…

Buffets can be hazardous to your diet! Whether you’re at a party, wedding reception or all-you-can-eat restaurant, you’re surrounded by temptation. Use these suggestions to make healthier food choices and keep the calories under control while you enjoy your meal. Making Better Food Choices at a Buffet…

To many, success is obvious. It’s a life that includes a nice car, fine home, impressive job, and attractive spouse. Yet, people with all of these things aren’t any happier than those with less impressive lives. It’s because all of those achievements only serve to impress others. They do little to enhance the quality of your life.…

Chronic pain isn’t an easy condition to handle, but you can take control. Simple changes in your lifestyle, diet, and exercise routines can help ease your pain. Try these techniques to experience relief:Alex Prado

Do you feel as though you’re in a rut? Does nothing feel engaging or entertaining? When you want to make sure you’re still in the right direction and you don’t want to settle for a mundane life, you’ll discover that you need to start challenging yourself. When you take on a challenge head first, you’re forcing yourself to grow. When your self-estee…

What’s standing in the way of you reaching the level of success you desire, enjoying a great relationship, or have a healthy body? Is the problem that you don’t know enough? No. Is there too much competition? Not even close. The only obstacle is a lack of mastery over yourself. Don’t believe it?Alex Prado

What Happened to Jake Millison? - The Atlantic - Rachel Monroe by TheAtlanticTheAtlantic

She had her whole future mapped out when she met Ted Cruz, starting with her dream job in Washington. This is the story of what came after.TheAtlantic

He turned politics into a vicious blood sport, broke Congress, and paved the way for Trump's rise. Now he's reveling in his achievements.TheAtlantic