Rugby fans, get ready! In this episode of the A&D Podcast, Austin and Dietrich take a deep dive into the qualification process for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. With qualification tournaments happening throughout the year, teams from every continent are fighting for their spot in rugby’s biggest event. The hosts break down the structure of the qualification process, highlight key matchups to watch and share their thoughts on which nations they hope to see make the cut. Will we see an underdog rise to the occasion? Are there flaws in the current qualification format that could be improved?

Then, in a major shake-up for rugby in North America, Major League Rugby has officially signed a media rights deal with ESPN for the 2025 season. This marks a significant step forward for the league, but what does it mean for its long-term growth? Austin and Dietrich analyze the potential impact of this deal, discussing how increased exposure could benefit the league, what ESPN’s involvement might mean for production quality and accessibility, and whether this move will finally help MLR overcome past struggles with viewership and fan engagement.

As always, the hosts offer their unfiltered takes and in-depth analysis, offering insights into what this means for rugby's future at the international and domestic levels. To wrap things up, they invite listeners to join the conversation: What teams do you want to see in the 2027 World Cup? Will ESPN be the game-changer MLR needs?

Don’t miss this packed episode of A&D Podcast! Subscribe now and stay tuned for more rugby discussions, breaking news, and bold opinions in future episodes.

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