1. More tests than ever
The most significant feature of the new year is the vast increase in the number of test matches, caused mainly, but not entirely, by the innovative WXV Global Series.
2. Here is a selection of fixtures (many have yet to be finalised).
27 March: Australia v Fijiana (Canberra)
April: Canada v Wallaroos and USA v Wallaroos (their first tour of North America)
11 April: Round One of 6 Nations (series completed on 17 May)
22 August: the Wallaroos’ game against the Black Ferns will be their 100th test
September: Scotland tour Australia for the first time
5 September: a first ever tour of South Africa by the Black Ferns. (A tour last year involved a ‘Black Ferns XV’)
October: France tour New Zealand with three tests planned
3. Rugby Europe Championship
The four teams competing are Spain (the eternal champions), Netherlands, Portugal and Belgium, who replace Sweden. Here we see that rarity, promotion & relegation.
But with only four teams competing at elite level, it’s a long hard road for ambitious nations.
4. Another step forward
England Rugby has now established a separate women’s board under the umbrella of the Rugby Players Association.
Four years ago Vickii Cornborough set a precedent by becoming the first woman to occupy a senior position (vice-chair) of the then combined RPA.
Now PWR players can set their own agenda.
Many congratulations to Abi Burton on her election as Chair. This is another indication of the esteem she is held in by her fellows.
The choice of the nine representatives is fascinating in its own right.
Eight of them are test players, representing five nations.
Congratulations to Grace Deane of Leicester Tigers for her nomination. She has been a leading figure everywhere she has played, starting out at Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk. East Anglia is not the only English region to miss out badly when it comes to elite representation.
The RPA’s graphic that heads their announcement has its stark side: the absence of a tenth smiling face is made all too evident by the layout.
5. Ireland
The IRFU has now announced that Galway will host its first ever 6 Nations match, against Italy.
This comes after contrasting news that the women’s team will appear for the first time at the national Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
There we have in a nutshell the dilemma facing every national board: spread the game wide or take a chance and book the national stadium?
Ireland have decided on both, and the best of luck to them. Galway is a bustling town of some 80,000 people, but the province of Connacht is much the least populated of the four.
Ireland are the squad backed to advance strongly in the coming 6N, so we can hope for strong public support.
With Scotland scheduling a match at Murrayfield, it leaves only France and Italy yet to follow suit.
