Episode 17: State of the Nation pod: Portugal

Welcome to the Offside Line State of the Nation pod! The aim of the series is to explore the unique cultures, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped the sport in over a dozen countries, from reigning world champions South Africa to the rising nations of Georgia and Portugal and the potentially dominant USA, and all points in between. Each episode dives deep into a different nation’s rugby scene, uncovering its rich history, standout players, and the grassroots efforts that bring communities together – all with the help of top local journalists and broadcasters. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the game, you’ll discover fresh perspectives and insights into how rugby unites and transforms in ways you’d never expect and what the future holds for each nation. Join us and see how rugby connects us all – one country at a time. In this pilot episode, we talk to Francisco Isaac, a freelance rugby journalist from Portugal who has worked tirelessly to promote tier-two rugby in print and online. You can follow him on Twitter/ X handle @francisaac87, which we highly recommend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.