iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

This week's Substack: Kane James was mentioned as a breakout player for Exeter during pre-season. Has started hot, and here's why. theofffieldreview.substack.com/p/kane-james... Plus notes on Gloucester, Sale, a missed chance for Newcastle, and Rees-Zammit being very much a wing.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

New titles this week, obviously. Saracens discussion here: youtube.com/watch?v=ZB7G... Podcast: pod.link/1837150363/e...

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

That’s a huge win for Australia in Perth for multiple reasons (optics, momentum under Kiss, hype for 2027). But for the Springboks I’m not sure the actual result means anything, besides answering some depth questions and showing that rust is bad. theofffieldreview.substack.com/p/that-austr...

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

This is a shame, keep the line of yellow blocks going

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Much-changed Boks turning in a rusty performance felt quite likely and, well, yeah.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Nice to see the Saffas (not all!) complaining about the officiating again.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Not sure what that noise was

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Necks on the line with @charliemorgan.bsky.social predicting the PREM table ahead of the 2026/27 season starting tonight. We agreed on three. There will be regrets. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNCV...

youtube.com

Predicting the 2026/27 PREM table | The Rugby Bunker

YouTube video by The Rugby Bunker

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

We spoke to Moody ahead of this airing on Friday night. The documentary will hit hard but must be, as Moody described it, "a call to action" to help fund research. This year's bike ride raised £640,000. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

observer.co.uk

Lewis Moody: Rugby isn’t the reason I have MND

The former England rugby player opens up in a new documentary about his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Spoke to agents and heads of recruitment to find out who they think are best signings ahead of the new PREM season. A few obvious names - Lawes, Marchant - did not come up. Some veterans and under-the-radar overseas players did. Read here: theofffieldreview.substack.com/p/the-best-p...

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

As expected, this was excellent. Lewis Moody vs MND premieres on Friday 25 September at 10pm on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Yes, this is a real picture. Shaun Edwards has joined the Red Roses in a short-term coaching consultancy role.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Don't take the draw! Was prepping a glowing tribute to a length-of-the-field Canadian winner there.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

This week's Substack column on New Zealand's approach to comments about referees outside of press conferences, which could quickly start to wear a bit thin. theofffieldreview.substack.com/p/all-blacks...

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Live thought that was coming back, as it looked like most of the All Blacks did.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Dickson threatening to ping Libbok if he doesn't hurry up the restart, then Libbok putting that restart straight into touch, was quite funny.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

31 phases of outstanding defence and then an amazing lock-pick move for Will Jordan to get over. That was magic.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Spoke to Meg Jones (motivator), Amy Cokayne (enforcer) and Alex Matthews (observer) about leading the Red Roses, the people in and out of rugby who influenced them, and how you keep a team that has won 38 games on the spin laser-focused. For @rugbypass.bsky.social. www.rugbypass.com/news/meet-th...

rugbypass.com

Meet the motivator, enforcer and observer who form the Red Roses leadership group

Sitting around a table outside England’s hotel, the trio of captain Meg Jones and vice-captains Amy Cokayne and Alex Matthews are describing their individual leadership styles.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Piece ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 on Mark Bingham, a pioneer for gay rugby and heck of a guy whose legacy continues to grow with the success and expansion of the Bingham Cup. For @theobserveruk.bsky.social. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

observer.co.uk

The 9/11 hero who was a pioneer for gay rugby | The Observer

Mark Bingham died at 31 after storming the cockpit of flight United 93 and preventing Al-Qaeda terrorists from crashing into the US Capitol Building

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Fun to watch the Springbok scrum in full demolition mode, but, still think the big story this series is New Zealand looking impressive only six Tests into the Rennie era. (The real story of course is Ox Nche being elite, but come for the first bit) 📖: theofffieldreview.substack.com/p/springbok-...

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Very kind, Nicks. The more research I did the more impressive he became. Some legacy.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Seen suggestions that the off-field jousting between Dave Rennie and Rassie Erasmus has been an unwelcome sideshow or distraction. But... kind of loved it? They feel like two well-matched adversaries heading into 2027. For @theobserveruk.bsky.social. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

observer.co.uk

South Africa rule scrum after Rassie Erasmus rages at ‘ch...

After Dave Rennie riles up his volatile opposite number with pre-match insinuations, world champions respond with brutal display to lead thrilling series

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

observer.co.uk

South Africa rule scrum after Rassie Erasmus rages at ‘ch...

After Dave Rennie riles up his volatile opposite number with pre-match insinuations, world champions respond with brutal display to lead thrilling series

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

The weather’s always like this in Newcastle, right? Good number of fans in for the Red Bulls’ pre-season game against Glasgow.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

With help from Matt Whiteley of Manchester Village Spartans RUFC, who has played in every Bingham Cup since 2002. Here he is with Bingham in May 2001.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

observer.co.uk

The 9/11 hero who was a pioneer for gay rugby | The Observer

Mark Bingham died at 31 after storming the cockpit of flight United 93 and preventing Al-Qaeda terrorists from crashing into the US Capitol Building

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The Observer @theobserveruk.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

The 9/11 hero who was a pioneer for gay rugby Mark Bingham died at 31 after storming the cockpit of flight United 93 and preventing Al-Qaeda terrorists from crashing into the US Capitol Building ✍️ @bencoles.bsky.social bit.ly/468yQ1y

bit.ly

The 9/11 hero who was a pioneer for gay rugby | The Observer

Mark Bingham died at 31 after storming the cockpit of flight United 93 and preventing Al-Qaeda terrorists from crashing into the US Capitol Building

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

This week's Substack, going through each scrum from SA-NZ II (for my sins). theofffieldreview.substack.com/p/springbok-... (Think winning well without 428 scrum pens is a good thing for the Springboks.) Also, need to highlight Gardner talking to Marx in the same tone I use with my toddler.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

All this Rennie/Rassie press conference chat about the scrums has meant a (late) rewatch and this gold line from Angus Gardner after 13 minutes: "Listen, I can't keep managing the scrum all day, OK? You guys are professionals."

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Cracking finish, cool moment for Esterhuizen. 1-1 going to Soccer City is lovely stuff.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Can't underestimate the impact Rassie wearing a tie is having on this game.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Good to get a vibe check on the Springboks with Dan Gallan after that (fun) first result at Ellis Park. Reckon we’re looking at 1-1 by Sunday morning. www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU2L...

youtube.com

Will the Springboks bounce back in Cape Town? | The Rugby Bunker

YouTube video by The Rugby Bunker

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Just like in Dublin, the Springboks went for another scrum burial on Saturday. This time it backfired. 10/10 reactions in both coaching boxes. This week's Substack column: theofffieldreview.substack.com/p/springboks...

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Did not love all the press conference bickering at the start of the week. Fortunately, Greatest Rivalry I made all that an afterthought. All Blacks striking first (and impressively) is a big W for the organisers. For @theobserveruk.bsky.social. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

observer.co.uk

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

A delayed Substack column this week (away in 🇫🇷) discussing comments by Mike Catt from our interview on rugby in Australia. And two areas in particular where he noticed a difference with other countries he'd worked in. Read here: theofffieldreview.substack.com/p/mike-catt-...

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Could have kept Mike Catt on the phone for hours. Discussed how sad it is seeing his 2003 colleagues struggle, his next adventure with the Fijian Drua, why he left Bath for London Irish and whether he could see his good friend Andy Farrell coaching England. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

observer.co.uk

Despite CTE knowledge, Mike Catt would happily roll the d...

The 2003 World Cup winner discusses staying in touch with his former team-mates, life in Australia and the gamble pro players take with their health

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

England's group of 25 players on enhanced Elite Player Squad contracts this season (worth about £150,000 per year). New: Atkinson, Coles, Opoku-Fordjour, Pepper, Van Poortvliet Out: Ben Curry, Daly, Lawrence, Roebuck, Tom Willis

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Ma'a Nonu (at 44) doing the haka on his own against the All Blacks. It's great stuff.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

From this week's Substack on the criticism of South Africa's attack in their win over Argentina. Full column here: theofffieldreview.substack.com/p/notes-on-t...

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Going back through Argentina-South Africa for tomorrow's Substack column - Sign up here: theofffieldreview.substack.com - and Tomás Lavanini's scrum cap is outstanding.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

I'd often heard about the Cape Crusaders - South Africans who support the All Blacks instead of the Springboks. This week I spoke to one of them, and heard why the Springboks' recent success and transformation won't change their mind. For @theobserveruk.bsky.social. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

observer.co.uk

‘I just like what they stand for’: The ‘Cape Crusaders’ w...

Many fans across the Western Cape back New Zealand – and not all Springboks are happy about it

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Siya Kolisi in his post-match interview says that he hurt his hamstring again and will need to go for a scan "and then see how long I'm out for". Kolisi: "It's really tough, but I can't be sad about it, there's nothing I can do now." Went off after 24 minutes in Buenos Aires. Big doubt now for NZ.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Shame that for Argentina after a good half (and for those searching for the last time South Africa were held to three points at half-time…)

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Always good to have Liam Napier of the NZ Herald on the podcast, who is now out in South Africa for the Greatest Rivalry tour. We discussed how many Tests the All Blacks can win against the Springboks, and who could impress over the coming weeks. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vkU...

youtube.com

How many Tests will the All Blacks win in South Africa? (Plus why there was no episode last week)

YouTube video by The Rugby Bunker

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

This interview with Phil Vickery was part of a new podcast for @observeruk.bsky.social - ‘Hard knocks: the cost of courage’. It looks at influential concussion expert Paul McCrory, who in 2022 was found to have plagiarised multiple articles. Listen here: podfollow.com/the-tortoise...

podfollow.com

The Tortoise Podcast: Hard knocks: the cost of courage

When World Cup Winner Phil Vickery retired in 2010, he thought his toughest physical battles were behind him. Today, like hundreds of former players, he lives with memory loss and the looming th...

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Produced by JonathanLewis, featuring interviews with Phil Vickery, @chrisnowinski.bsky.social, Dominic Malcolm and Nick Brown. A big thank you to @jesshayden.bsky.social for both the idea and letting me write far beyond my word count.

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