Nikola Matawalu on Building Sevens in Greece: Aegean Sevens Rugby Festival, Coaching Confidence & Fiji Pathways

In this Rugby Through the League podcast episode, the host is joined by Nikola Matawalu to discuss the Aegean Sevens Rugby Festival in Greece and its role in rebuilding Greek rugby after past stop-start challenges. Nikola explains how he got involved through George while at university, what the festival atmosphere is like, and why developing standards will take time through coaching and school pathways. They also cover Nikola’s pre-festival masterclass week, focused on fundamentals, confidence, safe learning environments, and enjoyment. The conversation compares rugby development in Greece with Fiji’s grassroots upbringing and the impact of high-performance structures and the Drua on Fiji’s future. Nikola reflects on his playing career at Glasgow, Bath and France, his current coaching in Spain, and highlights coaches Dave Rennie and Townsend plus player Finn Russell.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:36 How Nikola Joined Aegean Sevens

01:40 Greece Rugby Revival

02:55 Festival Vibe and Growth

04:26 Crete Connection and Timing

05:13 Masterclass Week Breakdown

06:21 Coaching Confidence and Fun

09:03 Learning Through Mistakes

10:30 Rugby Roots in Fiji

11:58 Village Life Builds Skills

15:43 Community and Youth in Greece

17:08 Tier Two Nations Rising

18:14 Retirement and Drua Dreams

19:20 Why the Drua Matters

20:09 HPU Pathways Rising

21:51 From Camps to Pros

23:01 Greece Sevens Growth

27:01 Fiji Hosting Tier One

28:53 Best Clubs Played

31:41 Coaching and Masters

33:08 Top Coaches Learned

34:43 Finn Russell Genius

38:46 Festival Farewell

Six Nations Review: Ireland 2nd, Wales Bounce Back, France Edge England & Why Rugby Must Market Itself Better

Rugby TTL review an exceptionally competitive, high-scoring Six Nations, praising the new format with only one mid-tournament break while debating the Thursday opener versus a preferred Friday night start. They recap Ireland’s win over Scotland, arguing the scoreline was flattering as Scotland started strongly but ran out of steam, and highlight Ireland’s improved cohesion, squad depth, and new faces such as Jamie Osborne, Tommy O’Brien, and Stuart McCloskey amid injuries and selection changes. Wales’ victory over Italy is discussed as a needed response after Italy’s prior week high, with praise for Wales’ young talent and work rate. The France–England finale is called a classic, with England improved but undone by missed kicks and a late Thomas Ramos winner, alongside strong criticism of the referee and discipline issues. They also cover their fantasy leagues, rule-breaking controversy, and pick standout players including Rhys Carre, Ferrari, and McCloskey, before closing with ideas to better commercialize and promote rugby through creators, access, and smarter advertising.

00:00 Six Nations Recap
01:09 Format And Scheduling
02:37 Weekend Fixtures Setup
02:58 Ireland Scotland Breakdown
07:56 Ireland Depth And Injuries
15:28 Wales Italy Reaction
18:30 Rugby Marketing Debate
25:23 Social Media And Stars
27:58 Women Sevens And Access
35:43 France England Thriller
38:25 Kicking Discipline And Stats
44:42 Referee Controversy Rant
45:19 Referee Controversy
46:21 Captain Welfare Debate
47:26 Fantasy League Setup
50:40 Unchanged League Drama
53:19 Public League Winners
55:46 High Scoring Tournament
56:32 Growing Fan Engagement
01:00:39 Going Live Next Year
01:02:13 Draft Ideas For Fantasy
01:03:39 Player Of Tournament Picks
01:15:49 Lions Squad Talk
01:18:05 England Tactics And Kicking
01:21:44 Fixing Advantage Rule
01:25:16 Season Wrap And Thanks

Greek Rugby’s Comeback: Eleni on National Teams, Rugby Europe Membership & Building Youth Pathways

In this Rugby through the Leagues podcast episode, Eleni from Greek Rugby discusses helping relaunch Greece on the rugby map, including coaching the first-ever Greek women’s fifteens match vs Bulgaria and leading a men’s match vs Albania with minimal preparation using a mostly domestic Greek league squad. She explains Greece’s new status as Rugby Europe’s 48th member and the next steps, including another match vs Albania and plans to keep selection focused on Greeks and Greeks abroad rather than importing international players. Eleni outlines challenges after the federation president’s death in 2015, the bureaucracy required for accreditation, and progress such as Greece’s first national rugby coaching school (6–8 months) tied to verified match records. She also covers Rugby Europe’s seminars, match protocols, grassroots school outreach, club growth, facilities constraints, and the importance of promotion and social media.

00:00 Meet Eleni of Greek Rugby
00:25 First Women’s XV Debut
01:01 Men’s Match vs Albania
02:14 Joining Rugby Europe
03:46 Rebuilding After 2015
04:45 Romania Coaching Seminar
07:57 Veterans Keep Playing
11:06 First Greek Coaching School
14:41 Rugby Europe Support Network
20:30 Women’s Teams and Rivalries
22:12 New National Kit Plans
23:18 Kit Plans Update
23:42 Long Term Rugby Europe Vision
25:02 Schools Pathway Challenges
25:56 Building Youth Age Grades
27:14 Growing The Domestic Championship
28:11 Facilities And Grass Field Struggles
30:08 Social Media Promotion Reality
34:23 Rugby Europe Upsets Breakdown
37:25 Matchday Culture And Rome Trips
39:35 Fixing Rugby Calendar And Grassroots
41:06 Greek Rugby Future And Wrap Up