Ireland v Japan All Irish fans knew their team had the beating of the Sakura. The worry was, could they be sure they’d maintain recent progress? Sam Monaghan was back, but Scott Bemand didn’t risk Aoife Wafer. The answer was a resounding yes. The Sakura; famed for their fast, disciplined approach, couldn’t withstand the all-round
Contents 1. Australia v Samoa 2. Scotland v Wales 3. Canada v Fiji 4. France v Italy The RWC organisers wisely decided to restrict matches to the weekend, allowing more people to attend, and giving teams a proper break. That means seven per weekend, and with the big launch at Sunderland on Friday eight between
England started their long-awaited pursuit of the World Cup hesitantly. Later the cork popped out and the fizz flowed. Thr forwards failed to take the kick-off on the full and had to scramble. This was repeated twice more, leaving Abbie Ward in uncomfortable gymnastic positions. The Eagles pressed hard, built nice little moves but couldn’t
As we creep ever closer to opening time, English voices grow more concerned. I’ve asked before: what can possibly go wrong? One curt answer is, the opposition proving better on the day. But the Red Roses have all the advantages: the top-ranked side for ages, one loss in the last 59 matches, unparalleled strength across
Last Friday the French squad assembled at the Roissy- Charles de Gaulle Airport outside Paris. The plane flew them to London from where a coach hauled down the long winding road to Exeter. But the accommodation awaiting them there made up for the rigours of the journey. This was Woodbury Park; a few miles outside
“Of course the Black Ferns are going to win, they always do.” Not quite true; they’ve won only six out of nine trophies. They had to wait till 1988 for their first, and in 2014 the Irish beat them in the biggest giant-killing act the tournament has known. But for much of the period 1991-2025
Sione Fukofuka has selected this team to represent the States in the big première: 15 LOTTE SHARP 14 EMILY HENRICH 13 ILONA MAHER 12 ALEV KELTER 11 BULOU MATAITOGA 10 MCKENZIE HAWKINS 9 OLIVIA ORTIZ 1 HOPE ROGERS 2 KATHRYN TREDER 3 KEIA-MAE SAGAPOLU 4 TAHLIA BRODY 5 ERICA JARRELL-SEARCY 6 KATE ZACKARY (captain) 7
This is the squad John Mitchell has selected to play the USA Eagles on Friday evening: 15 KILDUNNE 14 DOW 13 JONES 12 HEARD 11 BREACH 10 HARRISON 9 HUNT 1 BOTTERNAN 2 COKAYNE 3 MUIR 4 TALLING 5 WARD 6 ALDCROFT (captain) 7 KABEYA 8 MATTHEWS 16 ATKIN-DAVIES 17 CLIFFORD 18 BERN 19 GALLIGAN
I’ve waxed lyrical often enough about the Canucks, but they deserve it. They sit a proud second in world rankings, a stonking 24 places above their menfolk. Until money started pouring in, in answer to their funding campaign, most of the bare necessities for success were missing: a massive country which meant resources thinly spread;
France Les Bleues have everything to play for. Theirs is an unlikely story at the World Cup: they have been ever-present, ever a threat, yet in nine attempts they have finished third seven times. Only once, in 1988, have they failed to reach the semis. Their first opponents are old rivals Italy at Sandy Park;
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