The weekend of 12th-14th April was unusually busy with matches of every sort taking place all around the world.
Here’s an attempt to gather up some of the goings-on. To avoid a sense of favouritism, I place them in alphabetical order.
Joy Neville
Neville has refereed her last game, the France-Italy in Paris. The esteem she is held in was demonstrated by the warmth of congratulations by a line of players post-match. Among the many fine female referees in action these days, she is one of the few to have operated at a high level as a player. When she announced her intention in January, the first job she accepted was the new Referee Development Manager in Connacht; but soon enough she was picked by World Rugby to be Elite Women’s 15s Match Officials Head Coach.
Melrose Sevens
This is where it all began. The 141st edition saw the final of the Mike Bleasdale Cup.
Result: Shogun 38 Hammerhead 7s 7.
Pacific Four
Still some way to go before it starts (27 April), but Canada and USA have unveiled their squads for their game in Los Angeles. Kate Zackary, the Eagles’ captain, will be missing with a foot injury sustained against South Africa.
Rugby Europe Championship
Final match: Sweden 0 Spain 53, Trelleborg
Spain’s win means they retain their trophy.
Final table W L Pts
Spain 3 0 14
NL 2 1 10
Portugal 1 2 5
Sweden 0 3 0
Six Nations, Round Three
Results:
France 38 Italy 15
Ireland 36 Wales 5
Scotland 0 England 46
Table W L Pts
England 3 0 15
France 3 0 14
Ireland 1 2 6
Italy 1 2 5
Scotland 1 2 4
Wales 0 3 1
Super Rugby Aupiki
Final: Blues 24 Chiefs Manawa 18 (Eden Park)
Blues came back from 5-18 down with 15 minutes left and rain coming down in torrents to win their first trophy.
Super W
Round Five
Waratahs 34 Reds 19
Brumbies 36 Western Force 38
Melbourne Rebels 34 Fijiana Drua 21
Waratahs lie way ahead with 5/5 on 24 points
Fijiana Drua second, 3/5 on 13 points
Trailfinders Women 24 Belgium 0
This interesting match-up in London saw the Belgians continue their attempt to rejoin the European Championship. Their latest test brought a 36-17 loss to Germany in Aachen on 1 March. Their problems are hinted at in the stats offered above from Sweden. The gaps at this level remain as wide as everywhere else.
