Here’s an overview of what’s been happening across western Europe and elsewhere.
Italy
The latest Serie A Elite 1 league results
Villorba 36 RU Capitolina 7
Napoli 0 Colorno 55
Milan 17 Torina 19
Valsugana 59 Benetton Treviso 0
Table, top three:
1. Valsugana 54 pts
2. Villorba 49
3. Colorno 40
In my view the vital result is the third above. The Italian league has been dominated by the three clubs still at the top. They are all based in relatively small centres.
It’s vital for the game to strengthen in the big cities. Milan and Turin had a great tussle this weekend.
Spain
Las Leonas are the Cinderellas, locked out from the ball (in two senses!) two decades ago by the ugly sisters comprising the 6 Nations board and television companies.
The latest results in the Liga Iberdrola (8 clubs):
Olympico de Pozuela 23 Ciseros 20 (both Madrid)
Getxo (Bilbao) 34 CRAT (Coruna) 12
El Salvador (Valladolid) 79 Sant Cugat (Barcelona) 0
Sevilla 14 Majadahonda (Madrid) 36
Table top:
1. El Salvador
2. Getxo
3. Majadahonda
The sooner this vibrant nation can return to the top level the better. But there was trouble with the international team.
A new coach, Regis Sonnes, was installed in early February. A Frenchman with many coaching appointments to his credit, he will hope not only to build a unified confident squad but also one that can face worthy opposition. The Rugby Europe competition was too easy for them.
Now they can look forward to the expanded WXV tournament to test their strength.
One well-known figure to voice her disquiet, Laura Delgado, has now retired from international action, but Claudia Pena (Harlequins) is the leader of a new generation.
Ireland
Latest results (10 clubs):
Old Belvedere 52 Tullow 5
Ennis 26 Galwegians 17
Railway Union 82 Ballincollig 7
Cooke 0 UL Bohemian 89
Blackrock 47 Wicklow 7
Top of the table:
1. UL Bohemian 69 pts
2. Blackrock 65
3. Railway Union 55
Hardly a test player in sight here; they have more important matters in hand. The AIL is one of the largest leagues. The wide margins of victory point to the difficulties in maintaining tight competition across the board. Just one close match here.
Beyond Europe
One significant 7s result:
Argentina won gold in the Nairobi leg of the HSBC SVNS 2 tournament.
Argentina has long been a stronghold of the amateur approach. The men’s side has made the big breakthrough, but not the women. We can only hope that this 7s triumph can increase interest in the 15s format. Together, they and Brazil could present a real challenge to European domination.
The North-South Divide
This is a familiar point of disquiet in political circles. It applies well to women’s rugby too.
In England the South is in control, though Red Roses past and present like Gill Burns, Katy Daley-Mclean, Sarah Hunter, Cath O’Donnell, Abbie Ward, Tatyana Heard, Sarah Beckett, Morwenna Talling, Abi Burton, Ellie Kildunne and Holly Aitchison all hail from the North.
France
The South reigns supreme. The city of Toulouse houses both Stade Toulousain and Blagnac. In Elite 1 there is one Paris club, Bobigny, and the sole northern club, Stade Villeneuvois Lille, lies bottom of the table.
Italy
The heart of Italian rugby lies in the north-east, but it lacks major cities. Hence my hope that Milan and Turin, followed by Rome, can make strides.
But the side furthest South, Naples, currently sits bottom of the league.
Spain
This is the welcome exception. The leading clubs stretch from the far North-west (Coruna) to the deep South (Seville), though Madrid clubs (dead centre!) have a big say.
