Nic Benn Gets 1st Cap in NZ NPC with Hawke’s Bay

Nic Benn came on at the 66′ mark in Round 1 of the NPC for the Hawke’s Bay Magpies to gain his 1st NPC cap. He’s only 1 of 14 Canadian internationals who have played in the NPC. He has 13 caps for Canada but was unavailable for Canada’s 2026 summer internationals. Playing at NPC level puts him top of the selection list for outside backs for Canada. The NZ NPC competition is higher than MLR and is more on par with France Pro D2 or the UK Championship.

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NPC Starts This Weekend – A List of Canadian Players Who Have Competed in the NPC

I noticed the NZ NPC started this weekend, there’s only one game result at time of writing, Waikato 38–26 Bay of Plenty. That started me on a research thread, how many Canadian internationals have played in the NPC? I’ve come up with 13 names to date, here’s the process, I asked Bob my Ai assistant and came up with 7 names after some to and fro questioning. I then went to a human expert, Bryan Ray, he added 4 more names. I then used social media feedback, and I got 2 more names there. Here are the 13 names, below that are the prediction odds for the current season if you’re interested, then below that is a reflection on how Ai should be used in research, a subject that applies beyond rugby.

Update: Nic Benn is in the reserves, #23 for Hawkes Bay vs Wellington this weekend, he’ll be #14.

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Updates on the European Champions and Challenge Cup with One Pool Round Remaining

There’s one more pool round in the European Champions and Challenge Cup before the Round of 16 starts in April. We’ll be especially watching Castres (Tyler Ardron) and Montpellier (Tyler Duguid). Castres are in the Champions Cup but sit at the bottom of their pool, they’ll need a win in Munster next weekend to have a chance of a top 4 finish and advancement to the Round of 16. If they finish 5th they drop to the Challenge Cup and if 6th, they’re out. Montpellier are in the Challenge Cup and top their pool, they play tomorrow (Sunday) and have a good chance of remaining #1 seed in their pool.

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Jamie Cudmore Announced as a Forwards Coach at Nissa Rugby in Nice, France – Completes DESJEPS Postgraduate Coaching Diploma; Josh Thiel Signs with Monaco Rugby

Congratulations to Jamie Cudmore and Josh Thiel on new appointments in French rugby. Jamie has been announced as a Forwards Coach at Nissa Rugby, formerly called Stade Niçois Rugby. They were relegated last season from Pro D2, and will be playing in Nationale for 2025/26. They’ll no doubt be looking for promotion back to Pro D2 next season. Josh Thiel picked up a contract in French rugby playing for AS Monaco, they play in Fédérale 2 and just missed out on promotion to Fédérale 1, no doubt a goal for the upcoming season.

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