Your new World 15s Player of the Year is Ellie Kildunne.

The previous three XV’s winners were: Marlie Packer (2023), Ruahei Demant (2022) and Zoe Aldcroft (2021), so that’s three England winners in four years. Add with Emily Scarratt (2019) and Sarah Hunter (2016), it truly has been a golden decade for English women’s rugby.

A few year’s ago a proud parent posted a clip of a 6-year-old Ellie playing rugby. She got knocked about a bit, but, after a few words of comfort, she was on her feet again, enjoying the game. The message then was ‘what a brave little girl.’

But to me the striking moment came at the end of the clip. Right over on the far side of the field there was Ellie, ball in hand, running at an opponent. Quite instinctively she produced her stop-and-go movement which flummoxes in exactly the same way today.

At a later stage of her career she played in an age-group European tournament in Vichy. She was surrounded by names that are familiar today, such as Helena Rowland. But Kildunne’s performances stood out as quite remarkable. England won the trophy at a canter, and no prizes for guessing who the Player of the Tournament was.

The only disturbing feature of that list of five English winners above concerns the presence of three northerners, Hunter (Tyne and Wear), Aldcroft and Kildunne (both Yorkshire). The list of Under 18s that James Cooper announced last week contains a single name that comes unmistakably from a northern county. A worrying change of course.

Other female players to win the big prizes were: the new World 7s Player of the Year, Maddison Levi (Australia), and the World Rugby Women’s Breakthrough Player of the Year, Erin King (Ireland). Her story, centred on Ireland’s defeat of the world champions, New Zealand, at the 2024 WXV1 in Vancouver has a fairytale ring to it.

The choice of a Dream Team was bound to cause a few raised eyebrows, though perhaps fewer than in the past. A reminder:

1 Hope Rogers (USA), 2 Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealand) 3 Maud Muir (England) 4 Zoe Aldcroft (England) 5 Laetitia Royer (Canada) 6 Aoife Wafer (Ireland) 7 Sophie de Goede (Canada) 8 Alex Matthews (England) 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France) 10 Holly Aitchison (England) 11 Katelyn Vahaakolo (New Zealand) 12 Alex Tessier (Canada) 13 Sylvia Brunt (New Zealand) 14 Abby Dow (England) 15 Ellie Kildunne (England).

It’s good to see six nations represented, though the presence of six Red Roses can hardly surprise. As we take a second glance through, we can see one or two oddities. The deserving Sophie de Goede is slotted in on the open-side, rather than her prime position of No 8. But Kévin Rouet himself kept shifting her position, so we shouldn’t query that choice. On the other hand, injury can make a big difference. SDG was out for much of the year but retains her place. Did Maud Muir win the No 3 shirt because Sarah Bern was out of action for so long? Ditto Holly Aitchison, not Zoe Harrison? But I don’t want to jump into that hot-water tank.

Choosing a Try of the Year is always tough. I’m delighted the choice fell upon a piece of quick thinking that involved two players on the same wavelength: Lina Queyroi hoofed a long kick through that ran into touch. As the Canadian defender failed to take possession of it, Queyroi, following up at pace, seized hold and offered a quick line-out throw to Marine Ménager who crossed the line in splendid isolation.

The International Rugby Players Special Merit Award has gone to Vickii Cornborough. On the pitch she, like Matthews, did not wear her heart on her sleeve; so much of her contribution to the game went unnoticed by the general public. But she was tireless in several areas, ensuring the best playing conditions possible for women and girls.

Another unmentioned feature of her career: like Abbie Ward, she started a family, but unlike Abbie chose not to make it public. It was her negotiations that brought proper support for players who wanted to follow Abbie’s example.

The Problem of Choice

It’s so much easier deciding which box of chocolates to buy when the shop can offer you only one. Not so with the WR awards; they offer an array.

Many ardent Red Roses fans will feel that Alex Matthews deserves the top honour every bit as much as Ellie, and she has been performing at the highest level for far longer. We have to hope that Ellie’s cowboy celebration of her tries didn’t help her gain her reward; it’s hard to imagine Alex indulging in the same way. It’s vital that rugby quality alone should count.

Then we might cast a regretful look at Pauline Bourdon-Sansus. This is the third time she has found her name among the nominees, a remarkable achievement, but not once has luck tipped her way.

How far do social media play a leading role in choices these days? Those four nominees again: Kildunne, Matthews, PBS and Tessier. The first one has much the biggest worldwide presence there. Did the adjudicating panel pay attention to it? It’s far more likely that the global public did.

Fair Shares

I suggested in my preview to the awards, that it would be fairer if nobody were allowed to win the same award a second time. But once more it has happened. Standing alongside Kildunne under the spotlight was Pieter-Steph du Toit, the 2019 winner. He joins the illustrious Kiwis Beauden Barrett, Dan Carter and Richie McCaw in becoming a multiple winner.

A heavyweight boxing champion may retire undefeated after any number of title defences, and the world can only gawp with admiration. But honours such as those in Monte Carlo are of a different order, decreed, not by the players themselves, but by others, whether a panel of judges or the public at large.

These are just a few thoughts as rugby allows itself a rare public presence away from the field of play. If you recognised all the ladies in their evening finery, well done!

A great occasion, and many congratulations to all the deserving winners.

Loughborough Lightning v Leicester Tigers

I wonder if Leicestershire’s Tigers saw the irony of calling this game their ‘Derby’ day – wrong by one county!

Scoring was more plentiful here than in the other game at Bristol. Tess Feury got the Tigers off to a promising start with a penalty, but the pendulum soon swung the other way: Krissy Scurfield got Lightning off the mark.

Meg Jones proved her value to her side by Intercepting a pass and running the length to score Tigers’ first try. Kendall Waudby regained the lead for the hosts and Helena Rowland added two.

There was a scorcher from Emily Scarratt as usual roles were reversed: winger Scurfield fed her for a long run in.

It was an indication of Lightnings’ current shortcomings that they let Tahlia Brody escape for a third try. Kathryn Treder ensured the bonus-point. 26-17

It was almost inevitable that Alev Kelter would score on debut – she’s that sort of player. She latched on to an off-load and was over. It remains to be seen whether she will be the key to a renewal of Lightning’s fortunes. It’s still a team game.

It was huge credit to Tigers that Catha Jacobs got over the line for a valuable bonus-point just before the close. Lightning’s response was to invite Rowland to add three points. She obliged.

While Nathan Smith will be relieved to get a five-pointer secured, he and his defence coach must wonder whether their sea-wall is in good working order.

Teams:

Lightning
1 YOUNG 2 TREDER 3 KEATES 4 DUGUID 5 IVES CAMPION 6 TAUFOOU 7 WAUDBY 8 HIBBERT-JONES (co-captain) 9 DAVEY 10 ROWLAND 11 SCURFIELD 12 KELTER 13 SCARRATT 14 GOLDTHORP 15 NELSON (co-captain)
16 MARTIN 17 WILLIAMS 18 CURPHEY 19 WINTER 20 BOYD 21 BREBNER-HOLDEN 22 MORRALL 23 MATAITOGA

Tigers
1 BARTLETT 2 COKAYNE 3 CONSTABLE 4 OMOKHUALE 5 FRAY 6 DONALDSON 7 McBRIEN (captain) 8 BRADY 9 RELF 10 GALLAGHER 11 McGHIE 12 WILLS 13 M. JONES 14 HENRICH 15 FEURY
16 SIMPSON 17 E. SMITH 18 VINCENT 19 JACOBS 20 HEATH 21 MAXWELL 22 N. JONES 23 CHILDS

Bristol Bears v Trailfinders

Only one result was permissible for Bears; they were still looking for their first home win. That is how a schedule can work out for a club.

The weather competed strongly with Northampton’s, to prove it could be even beastlier. The meteorological result: a score draw.

The final result was further proof of the difficulty some clubs have in matching the strength of their most powerful opponents. Though there is plenty of talent available at Vallis Way, here at Shaftesbury Park it was only enough to provide a single score, a first-half try to Tyson Beukeboom, created by a telling kick through from Abby Dow.

For the rest the Bears held all the aces. Emma Orr opened proceedings with a well-placed fend and a dash to the line. A try from Ro Marston-Mulhearn just before the break ensured a valuable lead. 12-7
From there Amber Reed got the hosts off to another positive start. She sent a magnificent pass to Sarah Bern who did the necessary, (19-7) Next it was Reed doing it on her own; she spotted a gap and was through.

Dave Ward will be pleased and relieved to see his side pulling away decisively by the end. The battle at the top of the table allows for few false steps. Before the two Sunday games Bears rose to third place.

Teams

Bears
15 HESKETH 14 J. JOYCE-BUTCHERS 13 ORR 12 MURRAY 11 DAVID 10 REED (captain) 9 BURGESS 1 BOTTERMAN 2 SKELDON 3 BERN 4 CUNNINGHAM 5 BURNS 6 A. JOYCE- BUTCHERS 7 GALLAGHER 8 R. MARSTON-MULHEARN
16 ATKIN-DAVIES 17 PAM 18 DINAPOLI 19 BALOGUN 20 HERRING 21 RYALL 22 DE VERA 23 KEIGHT

Trailfinders
15 ROLLIE 14 DOW 13 SCHELL 12 THOMSON 11 WHITE 10 AMORY 9 MATTINSON 1 LEATHERMAN 2 GWALA 3 TUFFNAIL 4 BEUKEBOOM 5 PINNOCK 6 E. TAYLOR 7 META 8 ZACKARY (captain)
16 K. EVANS 17 CRAKE 19 MOORE 20 McGINLAY 21 SEYE 22 COOKSEY 23 INMAN

Result: 26-7

Afterthought

If we use a high-quality microscope, we can spot the effects of the limitation on overseas players; a number of new faces are beiing slipped into matchday line-ups. That’s excellent news.

Results

Loughborough Lightning 36 Leicester Tigers 24
Bristol Bears 26 Trailfinders 7

The Sunday matches

Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs

This was bottom versus top, and Chiefs chalked up their seventh win on the trot, but not by the margin their supporters must have expected. Instead, Sharks gave them a good testing; a margin of only ten points does them great credit.

The trouble is, narrow margins don’t mean points, and Sharks’ larder remains completely bare. It’s all so reminiscent of Worcester Valkyries’ hardships in the early days of the Premier 15s, and we know what happened to them.

In view of the widespread Kiwi mockery of the English preference for the big boot, it’s ironic to see Liv Mcgoverne, PWR’s own real-life Kiwi, leading the league’s kicking stakes. Will it all be drummed out of her when she returns home?

Result: 19-29

Saracens v Quins

Conditions were wild and woolly again at the StoneX. Quins had first use of the gale, and profited when Beth Wilcock crossed on the far left. Just before half-time Lizzie Hanlon doubled the visitors’ advantage. But before everyone could seek shelter, the TMO pointed out a high tackle by Wilcock, who was sent on her way. Sadly the victim, Rosie Galligan, had to leave the field too.

Half-time 0-10

Sarries have been in this sort of position umpteen times before, and sure enough, Zoe Harrison at once gave Quins a dose of their earlier treatment, thumping the ball far downfield to cause mischief. But the scores weren’t coming. We’re quite used to last-minute retrievals by Sarries, but at the three-quarter mark, they still hadn’t got the scoreboard to budge. Instead it was the returning Wilcock who pushed Quins further ahead with a third try. (0-15)

Then it happened. May Campbell, who’d been invited to watch proceedings at the start, proved her vslue by completing Sarries’ first successful drive. (7-15)

Taking a leaf out of England’s book, Sarries won a massive turnover on their own line, and Harrison lobbed the ball down to the other end of the pitch. Just like that!

Then, to add more sauce to the dish, she got the TMO’s verdict for a vital try and converted it. (14-15)

Nine minutes left, one point in it, Who’s your money on?

You were wise to keep your pockets sealed up. For once, Sarries failed to find the decisive thrust. Quins deserve huge credit for holding out.

This was one more game to prove how tight the competition is this season.

Footnote: Quins didn’t bother with their famous quarters this time. Instead their garb was a medley of white, pale green and a paler blue, red, black, plus touches of other hues, so that they wouldn’t feel unwanted.

Teams:

Saracens
1 HUNT 2 FIELD 3 CLIFFORD 4 GALLIGAN 5 EVANS 6 KASOLO 7 PACKER 8 P. CLEALL 9 WYRWAS 10 HARRISON 11 SHARP 12 McKENNA 13 GREGSON 14 CORRIGAN 15 SIMKINS 16 CAMPBELL 17 GONDWE 18 TREMELLING 19 B. CLEALL 20 McMILLAN 21 SENFT 22 McDOUGALL 23 BERMUDEZ

Quins
1 TURANI 2 POWELL 3 HANLON 4 FLEMING 5 LEANEY 6 WYTHE 7 CALLENDER 8 KONKEL 9 L. PACKER 10 POWELL 11NEUMANN 12 TUIMA 13 PARRY 14 WILCOCK 15 PENA
16 PHILLIPS17 DELGADO 18 LATSHA 19 BONAR 20 LOCHNER 21 AUCKEN 22 CROMACK 23 MILLAR-MILLS

Results

Sale Sharks 19 Exeter Chiefs 29
Saracens 14 Quins 15

Afterthoughts

May I claim a new theory? The stronger clubs’ 23s become, the earlier head coaches are prepared to ring the changes. Within ten minutes of the restart at the StoneX Bryony Field, Silvia Turani, Connie Powell, Hanlon, Abbie Fleming and Kaitlan Leaney had all left the field.

Once more I wonder about the fairness of the league as it is structured at present. The only time a TMO is on hand is when the TV cameras are there too. This leads to precise judgements which are not available to all the other games.

Here were the teams for the opening T20 at Buffalo Park, East London:

South Africa

Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Suné Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Nondumiso Shangase, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayanda Hlubi

England

Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Maia Bouchier, Sophia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight (captain), Amy Jones (wk), Freya Kemp, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell

Heather Knight elected to bowl first, but it was Nat Sciver-Brunt who took the new white cherry, not Lauren Bell or Freya Kemp. If accuracy was the watchword, it didn’t work; she went for eight runs.

The strategy was to give the bowlers six balls at a time; nothing very novel about that. After Knight had taken a look at both Ecclestone and Dean, she allowed NSB a second go. She went for 5 singles, but the scoring-rate was hitting 7. It was Charlie Dean’s return that did the trick. She deceived Laura Wolvaardt, who had been in such fine form in Oz, and beat her all ends up. (35-1) The off-spinner proved her worth by having Sune Luus caught six runs later.

In the seventh over we saw a typical Ecclestone double-bluff. Tazmin Brits swept her for four, but Amy Jones removed the bails next ball to leave her stranded. (43-2)

It was the old conundrum for the batters: how many risks to take to keep the scoring-rate high?

Sarah Glenn was held back till after the powerplay. When Anneke Bosch hit her first two deliveries for 10, you could see why. But NSB put a catch down on the edge in the same over, and questions about England’s catching prowess re-emerged. Why had it suddenly become so fragile?

For the England skipper it was the same old problem: to weigh the chance of a wicket against the likelihood of leaking big runs. Lauren Bell had gone for 10 runs off her solitary over; now Freya Kemp had her chance. She proved expensive too, two fours in her first over, but crucially she got past Anneke Bosch’s attempted drive and splattered the woodwork.

Annerie Dercksen and Nondumiso Shangase steadied the ship for the Proteas, taking the score from 64-4 to exactly 100 before Glenn had her first reward, Shangase hitting straight into Ecclestone’s hands in the outer suburbs.

The Proteas’ scoring-rate lagged in the latter stages. Knight gave Ecclestone the nineteenth over. Her figures, 4-0-18-1, again showed her immense value. Even when she’s not reaping a harvest of wickets, batters find it hard taking liberties.

Sadly for Bell, her final over, the 20th, proved more expensive than her previous three. She went for a disastrous 18 runs, including 5 wides down the leg side. Could they cost her side victory?

Our immediate reaction must be: England are still searching for one, preferably two quick bowlers who can be trusted to bowl a line. Far too many deliveries force Jones to sprawl wide on the ground.
A modest total of, say, 124, had leapt to 142.

The Reply

Jon Lewis kept faith with Sophia Dunkley. He even placed her at No 3, which meant giving Nat Sciver-Brunt less time at the crease, however long or short that might be; Heather Knight to follow at No 5. Whatever her detractors say – and they are plenty – she continues to show how to accumulate runs at pace. She averaged 45 for Sydney Thunder, way ahead of her team-mates. By contrast, Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones managed 17 and 12.

The innings couldn’t have started better. Maia Bouchier hoisted Nonkululeko Mlaba’s first ball for four. She went for 11 in all. Laura Wolvaardt caused a minor surprise by giving Luus the second over. It cost ten runs; Bouchier had helped herself to 12.

Eliz-Mari Marx, a new name to most English ears, took the third over, and proved more economical – only seven conceded.

Now Wolvaardt turned to a more familiar name, Nadine de Klerk, and she saw DWH on her way. With her 11 she failed to maintain that WBBL average by five. No point in imagining Beaumont on her way to a century. Cricket doesn’t work like that.

Dunkley had a big point to prove; no wonder she played three dot-balls to start. In the next over the doubts about England’s top order bubbled up again. Why did Bouchier decide on a reverse shot? She was undone by Marx.

At the end of the powerplay the score was 42-2; England not capable of hitting big runs without taking dangerous options that fail.

Now it was NSB’s turn to try a back-to-front shot. She missed, but so did the ball.

As the eighth over started, England were falling behind the required rate. Matters grew rapidly worse as Dunkley mishit a ramp to the keeper; her case for retention not made. 4 off 9 balls wasn’t going convince many people, and, in direct consequence, only 3 runs off the over. (55-3)

NSB struck two fine fours in the tenth, but at 65-3, the visitors were well short of halfway to the target.

Things immediately turned a lot worse, a ball from Marx kept a bit low and Knight was gone.

Once more so much depended on NSB. Jones kept her productive company as 59 were hit off 5.5 overs, then Jones swung and missed. NSB had to suffer the torments of a DRS, but got away with it.

Now it was the youngster, Kemp, to prove her worth in testing circumstances.

At the start of the eighteenth NSB struck a splendid four to bring up her 50. Hypocaust was able to inform us at once that her fifteen 50 scores were the most made by any non-opening batter in women’s T20Is. A statistician to match an outstanding batter.

With two left, England were 12 short. The optimist says: “You can get them in two balls!” Runs came off every ball of Mlaba’s 19th, and crucially four byes down the leg-side of the sixth.

Then one of those ironies that make cricket the game it is: a single needed off the last over, and NSB hit the ball straight to square-leg! She had made 59/54 with seven fours.

Ecclestone was deprived of her favourite six to win a match; the deciding ball brought a tame leg- bye, but England had won.

Scores:
South Africa 142-5 (De Klerk 29, Dercksen 26 not out)
England 143-6 (Nat Sciver-Brunt 59, Jones 31, Marx 3-19)
England won by four wickets with four balls left

4. Breanne Nicholas (Kent Havoc RFC)
8. Carmen Izyk (RC Toulon Provence Méditerranée)
11. Piper Logan (Calgary Hornets and UCB)
17. Camille Arvin-Bérod (Montreal Irish and Lons Section Paloise)
19. Carissa Norsten (Kirin RFC and University of Victoria)
20. Maya Addai (Westshore RFC and University of Victoria)
21. Adia Pye (Castaway Wanderers)
23. Shalaya Valenzuela (Abbotsford RFC)
24. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto Nomads and Westshore RFC)
25. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (Counties Manukau)
26. Savannah Bauder (UCB)
29. Mahalia Robinson (Town of Mount Royal RFC)
55. Monique Coffey (Scion Sirens)
99. Pamphinette Buisa (Ottawa Irish)

Their first-day opponents will be Japan, Brazil and New Zealand.

Only four of the squad were in the Olympic silver-medal winning squad: Piper Logan, Carissa Norsten, Asia Hogan-Rochester and Shalaya Valenzuela. But Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Pamphinette Buisa and Hogan-Rochester all played for the XV’s team that came second in the latest WXV tournament in Vancouver.

Savannah Bauder, Adia Pye and Valenzuela all play for the UCB’s Thunderbirds, who won the gold medal at the University Sports. Maya Adda won a silver medal at the same championships for the Vikes of the University of Victoria.

Barrieau became the assistant coach last May, then took on full responsibilities after the Olympics. Her challenge now is to maintain the high standards the team achieved in Paris. Jack Hanratty, her predecessor, is to take on a new role in 2025 as Head Coach of the University of Ottawa’s women’s rugby team.

The second round of the World Series takes the squad to Cape Town; dates 7-8 December.

YAs usual, they operate out of Langford, British Columbia, which is becoming an increasingly important HQ for Canada Rugby, focusing Sevens and Fifteens’ talent in one place for as long as possible.

Fixtures

Saturday 23 November
Loughborough Lightning v Leicester Tigers, 14.00
Bristol Bears v Trailfinders, 14.00

Sunday 24 November
Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs, 12.00
Saracens v Quins, 15.00

It’s Gloucester-Hartpury’s turn to be deprived of a fixture.

The first contest offers another all-Leicestershire derby, or would, if Loughborough still played at Epinal Way, but they don’t. This will be their chance to get some much needed points in their bag; a single win in five is not what the doctor recommended.

With a midfield reading Rowland-Scarratt-Kelter, their line-up looks formidable. They should certainly have too much talent for Tigers, but will the same starting XV have the ability to take the next step, beat the top clubs? My doubts remain.

At least Tigers can welcome back Roisin McBrien, who captains, Abbey Constable and Tahlia Brody. With Meg Jones installed at inside-centre, Tom Hudson is close to parading the strongest line-up avalable.

Bears are likely to record another victory, though they may not find Trailfinders such easy meat as Tigers did a fortnight ago. Dave Ward must be anxious for his team to prove they can take on allcomers in all conditions at home or away. In other words, to become much more consistent. At their best they look like trophy winners, but a current 3-2 record is a disappointment. Maybe Hannah Botterman’s appointment as vice-cqptain will provide the necessary extra something.

TF have yet to put together a pack capable of dominating the opposition through the 80 minutes. They have skill aplenty, but without the certainty of first-phase ball, they are too vulnerable to leaking points.

Sunday

In the first Sunday game it’s Chiefs’ turn to see if Sharks can gain a first victory. For all the undoubted advance in standards throughout the league, the gap in attainment remains worryingly wide.

If their present position is a worry for the Sharks’ management, it must be an even bigger one for the PWR committee. They don’t want to see this disparity remain a moment longer; the question is how to narrow it? I for one have no answer beyond the unspeakably revolutionary – and it may be illegal too. I offer a further related thought below.

Taylor Perry’s return to Sandy Park reminds me of the bygone saying about Cornish crowds flocking to Twickenham to see their county team win the County Championship again: ‘Would the last person to leave Cornwall (Canada) please remember to turn the lights out?’ Only my version isn’t so cheerful. PThe drain on Canada’s local resources becomes even greater; no wonder large crowds didn’t turn out in Vancouver when their biggest stars had been operating over 2,000 miles from home.

The last match brings two old rivals together yet again. Quins have run into some tasty form, four wins on the bounce. But it’s doubtful they can advance that to a straight royal flush at the StoneX. If they can, that will give the league table just the jolt it needs. They are missing Ellie Kildunne at the back again.

But Sarries’ line-up looks as formidable as ever. The experience they possess alone – in characters like Marlie Packer, Poppy Cleall, Sarah McKenna and Lotte Sharp – should hardly need the extra boost they’ll get from their fervent supporters.

Afterthought

James Cooper has announced his selection of Under 18 players for the coming campaign. You can see it @ http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2024/11/20/james-cooper-names-england-u18-training- squad/

What I find worrying about this list of 35 players is the geographical distortion it offers. They come from seven of the nine new Player Development Group (PDG) centres. We aren’t told which two are missing, but a glance at the home regions reveals another disturbing lack of northern representation.

Of all the locations listed, regions, counties, towns, colleges, I can spot only one that can be fairly deemed to be in the north of England, Lancashire.

This reflects all too closely the imbalance seen at elite level.

It makes you wonder how many sportspeople have sat waiting for the boss to read out next weekend’s team. Am I in or out this time?

But this is much more serious stuff. World Rugby appoints starry panels to decide a range of nominations. The sheer number of awards, eight, plus six other categories, shows that WR has thrown its lot in firmly with the idea of prize-giving. How often do we see the word “award-winning” attached to a performer, without knowing what the award was – or were there several? Generous sponsors offer them up in ever greater numbers. At least we know that here, in Monaco, the competition will be severe and the winner most deserving.

Criteria

Of the eight awards listed, not all are immediately clear to the outsider. For example, the ‘Breakthrough Player of the Year’? Breaking through what and how? No age-range is indicated.

We can be sure the panels receive a set of guide-lines to help distinguish one deserving candidate from another. These days a presence off the field may be added to obvious onfield credentials. Women’s rugby in particular is intent on bringing audiences young and old closer to the players. With social media platforms in full swing, one name will become more widely known than another.

And not forgetting

There are still six more categories to cover. The most touching of all is likely to be the International Rugby Players Special Merit Award. There have been eminently deserving recipients in the past.

Others can cause more debate than the rest. How do you decide the ‘Coach of the Year’? – the person whose team won the most matches, or the World Cup; or a rival who rebuilt a side that had been falling apart, and re-established its confidence?

We are offered no fewer than four “dream teams”, two each for 7s and 15s. These are likely to cause more controversy than all the others put together. “What, no mention of X? – the best player I’ve seen since I started watching 90 years ago!” Or “why are four of this XV asked to play out of position?” So the arguments go on.

At least in the Sevens categories the choices are more predictable; stars from a handful of nations shine consistently brighter.

More points for discussion

Is it best to allow an individual a trophy once only?

My view is, most certainly yes. But Pieter-Steph du Toit’s name comes up again. He won in 2019. He may well be the outstanding individual on display this time too, but fair shares for all?

Then an even trickier issue: should the same apply to nominations? By my reckoning this is the third time Pauline Bourdon Sansus’ name has appeared among Women’s 15s Player of the Year nominees. Does she win the prize on the sympathy vote alone?

Might the jury look at the youngest of the contenders and say: ‘She’s got time on her side; leave her till next year’? Should they stick strictly to the year in question? – if Player A had a particularly memorable match the day before the designated year started, will the jury be able to erase it from their minds?

How on earth do you decide the Try of the Year? Many would prefer it to be a team effort rather than a solo. But that’s how many people recall Magali Harvey’s end-to-end run in the 2014 World Cup. Of course other Canadian players had to get the ball into her hands first. Even so, deciding the merits of one try over another can lead to bitter argument.

If we go by Emily Scarratt’s reminiscences, there may come an urgent call from a faraway place, asking one contender to make herself available for an assignation, “to represent your country”. That’s a cunning wheeze.

Location, location

WR likes at least one day of the year devoted to glamour, so It all takes place in Monaco, that glitzy pocket-state that is not part of France. Do all the FI racing drivers who live there leave town for the day? It’s a cramped place, Monte Carlo.

Voting

The closing date for your vote is 20 November; the revelations come four days later. So the message is “Vote Early”, (but not often!).

You can see the nominations in full @ http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2024/11/18/nominees- revealed-for-world-rugby-awards-2024/

It just seems a pity that they can’t be called by their proper name (B&I). Instead they have to carry the name of a main sponsor, so it’s the Howden Lions Women who will tour New Zealand in 2027. And, to be fair, it was the @RoyalLondon Lions Women Engagement Day.

It will be fascinating to see whether this new brand will capture the imagination of Kiwi crowds the way the men’s tours have always done. It has proved a hard slog attracting rugby lovers to women’s matches there. It’s all the more important since New Zealand is the only one of the three traditional opponents of the men’s team to be able to offer the strength and breadth of opposition needed.

Australia and South Africa don’t have anything like the same sort of national clout in the women’s sector as the men’s. So, as thing stand at present, instead of a 12-year rotation (Oz-SA-NZ) it would have to be NZ only. The tradition has always been for the touring side to alternate test matches with provincial or other representative sides; perfectly possible in NZ, the four Aupiki franchises come readily to mind. But not so in the other southern hemisphere nations.

Then the question comes: how frequently? When news first broke of a possible Lions’ tour five years ago, the global calendar was a mite simpler than it is now. WXV is an annual affair; it would be a crying shame if it had to take a back seat while the Lions and Black Ferns were given preferential treatment.

Take your pick

You have plenty of chances to adjust the selection of your elite squad; you started jotting down names in 2019, remember? The tour still lies far ahead. So after the Six Nations of 2025 and 2026 (even 2027 if the calendar fits), you have a chance to change your mind. Emily Scarratt, for example, would be 37 by the time the scarlet jersey came her way again. You might well find a player demanding inclusion who has not yet been capped by her home nation.

A final sensitive issue: who will be given the honour of leading the squad as manager and head coach? Women are being squeezed out of these positions of authority on a regular basis. One 6N national head coach has already thrown his hat into the ring, and they are all male, unless the WRU eventually decides otherwise.

Here’s the current table:

Table                          ​       P​      ​ W     B    Pts

Exeter Chiefs                  6        6      4     28
Glos-Pury         ​​               6        4      6     22
Quins                                6         4     5    21
Saracens                          5        4      4     20
Bristol Bears                   6        3      4     16
Trailfinders                     5         2      3     11
Lightning                         5         1      4      7
Tigers                               5          0     1      1
Sharks                              5          0     0      0

The General Position

Appearances remain deceptive, since each week sees one club put its feet up. In effect we have five clubs fighting for four places. Bristol got off to the stickiest start, so need to avoid too many more unwanted reverses. They beat Lightning and Sharks comfortably enough, but a home loss to Quins was a shock.

Since the fixture-list has to be crammed into a much smaller time-scale this year, details like availability, especially injuries, play a bigger role than usual. That’s why the two Leicestershire clubs were glad to welcome back leading players: Helena Rowland to Lightning and especially Meg Jones to Tigers; last season she was named the first ever Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby Player of the Year. But that didn’t save Tigers from finishing eighth out of nine. And more on their fate below.

Chiefs

Exeter are sitting pretty at the top; they had a vital away win over the champions, Glos-Pury, but neither there nor in the Quins match could they post a heap of points (21 and 8). Their latest contest against Lightning proved far more decisive. Susie Appleby admits that the key to success is their dominance up front.

That is a wonderfully old-fashioned view, based on fundamental truths. We can hunt for trophy- winning sides that trust in the open game, no matter the cost in risk-taking. They have existed, but are rare. The club is still fighting to introduce more local talent to its first-choice side. It’s the NEQPs in the pack who keep producing the goods.

Glos-Pury

They can look a thoroughly streamlined team when they want to. In unpleasant conditions this weekend they didn’t steamroller Trailfinders, but had no trouble staying in charge. Let’s call it a long-term approach. Sean Lynn has such a wealth of talent available that if the PWR did do the unthinkable, he could easily forfeit half a dozen players to other clubs and still thrive.
Visions of a thin cherry-and-white line, fully armed, come to mind as I write that.

Quins

The Quarters are on an unfamilar run of success. Some fans might say: ‘About time too’, but two changes of head coach in short order hindered progress. They lost the first two rounds to the two current leaders; since then they are unbeaten. They look capable of making a real impact again, but may need luck to hold that third place.

Sarries

They had the rare experience of a loss, but it was to Chiefs away. They are perfectly capable of waltzing off with a fourth trophy, but have come to resemble Chiefs more in their dependence on NEQPs. That seems a pity to me.

They are constantly refreshing their line-up; as Leanne Infante retires, Jemma-Jo Linkins appears and May Campbell finds a new life as a flanker.

Bears

They remain the great unreliables. They have put away the lesser lights with relish, but beating the other top dogs remains far less certain. They lost at home to Sarries – that can happen to anyone – but a home loss to Quins by 15 points? Their next round against Trailfinders will be an interesting test. They should win, but how many points will they concede in the process?

Trailfinders

They provided the shock of the season with the sacking of Giselle Mather. At the time I thought: if they don’t do well this season, it serves the club authorities right. They have continued to play their bright open style; it brings them plenty of tries, but few victories. Somehow they have to blend the hard grind up front and defensive accuracy with their vibrant attack. The pack doesn’t yet dominate proceedings.

Lightning

One telling stat: a single win out of five. You can understand them leaking nearly 60 points to Glos-Pury, but over 60 to Trailfinders? Nathan Smith was forced into selecting a thoroughly inexperienced side.

I’ve long felt that the standard below the top players is not high enough. Emily Scarratt and Helena Rowland have returned after lengthy absences, but Cath O’Donnell, Sadia Kabeya and Emma Wassell are still missing.

They too had a change of coach last year. Now Smith has to prove he can get things back on track.

Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks

I group the two clubs together without apologies.

The news from both fails to improve. Neither has scored a victory in ten combined attempts. I see this as an ongoing structural weakness that the PWR committee will do well to correct. Short of the most stringent reactions (forcing players to move clubs!?!), I don’t see a solution.

It means in effect that there are only seven clubs confidently expecting wins. That’s too few for a major league.

Their cases aren’t identical. Sale have been in the league for longer; Tigers represent one of the most distinguished clubs in the land. Both have found it difficult attracting talent of the necessary quality. The absence of their few Red Roses, Morwenna Talling, Amy Cokayne and Meg Jones, has revealed the need for more quality signngs. But where are they to be found? I glance higher up my paragraphs and spot the answers. A likely story!

A cramped season

A tricky problem this season is fitting everything in. In the build-up to the World Cup next August the PWR had to concentrate the schedule – finishing in March before the Six Nations.

Recent sad news concerns Bo Westcombe-Evans. No sooner had she made her mark on English rugby than she suffered a knee injury that puts her out of contention for the rest of this season.

Almost inevitably, up popped another player receiving maximum media publicity, who could possibly replace her in the selectors’ eyeline, Francesca Goldthorp (Loughborough Lightning too), Her try-scoring exploits in the Australian Women’s National Rugby League and in Union have marked her out.
But when Smith hails her as the leading rival for Ellie Kildunne in the 15 shirt, we have to wonder if he really has his finger on the pulse of every full-back in the PWR. Is Goldthorp a two-footed kicker or the best place-kicker in the land; is her positional sense acute, how lethal is her defence? I hope no Glos-Pury reader has reached this far; the name Emma Sing will be resounding around the 4ED Hartpury Stadium in protest.

It’s a curious and unfortunate accident that the two surviving female head coaches, Appleby and Rachel Taylor, see their teams at the top and bottom of the table. Since last season both Mather and Vicky Macqueen have (been) moved on.

After all the arguing, the issue will be decided in the play-offs, not the regular season. The league now takes a fortnight’s break.

Trailfinders v Gloucester-Hartpury

Winter was clearly on the way at Vallis Way as players, spectators and commentators had to peer through the gloom to spot the ball. The players proved best at that challenge.

Here we had a contrast between one talented team and another close to international standard. Glos-Pury did enough to ensure the vital five points. TF, with their preference for open rugby at all costs, found themselves taking risks that caused their downfall. The first came early, Emma Sing intercepting a hopeful pass to run in.

G-H went back on the attack, and the game stayed at that end of the field for most of the half. Now Alex Matthews produced one of her specials; a break from the back of a line-out and a scoring pass to Ellie Rugman.

It’s to TF’s credit that they kept Glos-Pury at bay for most of the half, though they rarely threatened their try-line. Before the break Rugman was in for her second, making her delayed return from injury all the more welcome.

Half-time: 0-15

Matthews didn’t bother feeding the backs for the next, bonus-point try. She just picked up at the scrum and went over. Easy.

The home crowd, mostly young and supportive, shouted loudly every time a green attack prospered, but they had to wait patiently till the 55th minute for Grace White, a more than useful stand-in for the absent Abby Dow, to go over. 7-22

G-H’s response was to show the pack at its best; Beth Stefford completed a dominant move.
All too late, TF added two tries to redress the balance, through Tyson Beukeboom and Liz Crake. With the hosts closing to within ten points of the champions, Sing was invited to slot a final three from a penalty.

For a second time Trailfinders had come close, but not nearly close enough. Life is tough at the top.

Result: Trailfinders 19 Gloucester-Hartpury 32

Player of the Match: Kate Williams

Teams

Trailfinders

15 ROLLIE 14 INMAN 13 SCHELL 12 THOMSON 11 WHITE 10 AMORY 9 MATTINSON 1 CRAKE 2 BLANCO 3 SEYE 4 BEUKEBOOM 5 PINNOCK 6 TAYLOR 7 MOORE 8 ZACKARY
16 GWALA 17 LEATHERMAN 18 TUFFNAIL 19 EVANS 20 META 21 COOKSEY 22 COUSINEAU 23 GALLAGHER

Gloucester-Hartpury

1 CARSON 2 N. JONES 3 TUIPULOTU 4 K. WILLIAMS 5 ALDCROFT 6 CASTELLUCCI 7 LEWIS 8 MATTHEWS 9 HUNT 10 HYETT 11 RUGMAN 12 HEARD 13 H. JONES 14 WOODMAN 15 SING
16 SIMPSON 17 COCKBURN 18 AMUDA 19 STAFFORD 20 BOAG 21 S. JONES 22 HENDY 23 METCALFE

Quins v Sale

Sale won a penalty, but lost the following line-out. The immediate result of that error was Quins’ possession for the next four minutes, including an accurate line-out. Sharks’ attempt to clear their 22 proved laboured, play-options and ball-control questionable.

On eight minutes Alex Callender was over the line, but a tiny forward pass in the build-up spoiled the effect. Quins drove the Sale pack off an attacking scrum; Lucy Packer fed Lisa Neumann on the burst, but Sophie Hopkins thumped her down. Sale defended bravely, finally forcing a knock- on on the line.
Claudia Pena slipped two tackles to regain momentum, but Silvia Turani lost posserssion as she drove over the line. Sale countered in goal, but, rather significantly, an anxious pair of hands dropped an accurate pass.

It took Quins fifteen minutes to post their first score, Connie Powell doing the job, helped by a gentle nudge from Jade Konkel.

At this stage the neutral had to question the number of Quins’ errors. All that the Sharks had to offer by now was determined defence. 7-0

Briefly they entered the Quins’ half, via a scrum free-kick, but they were immediately penalised for not releasing as Ellie Kildunne countered.

There now followed a period of constant Quins’ pressure, led by the two flankers, Alex Callender and Nicole Wythe. Even a relieving kick from Beatrice Rigoni failed tor find touch, a vital need for the defenders. In the 22nd minute that Turani made up for her earlier miss. Already the game was painful to watch; it looked so unequal. 14-0

Now Sharks built their longest passage yet, still inside their own half. But a Callender challenge stopped them.

On the half-hour Sale at last crossed the Quins’ 10-metre line in possession. Holly Thorpe made a good run, then another. But two penalties against undid the good work; Callender once more the cause of disruption.

Quins added one more try before the break. Powell’s third line-out throw in succession was the straight one, and Wythe had her second.

Half-time 19-0

Sale restarted promisingly, but as the ball came down the line, the backs were lying very flat, and the ball was dropped. Sharks won a line-out, but the half-back link inexplicably failed to function.

Kildunne’s first really scintillating run left one defender to beat, but there was Powell to take a scoring pass and finish under the posts. 26-0 plus the bonus. A moment later they were over 30, thanks to Wythe’s second offering.

Personnel changes brought new life to the visitors. Harry Walbaum was in the right place to deny Lucy Sams a first try as she drove over the line. ‘Held up’, once again.

Now Quins made proper use of the ball, carrying from deep defence to beyond Sale’s 10-metre line in a single move.

It was symptomatic of Sale’s plight that, when they had the option of line-out or scrum close to their line, it took earnest discussion to reach a decision.

Laura Delgado added a sixth try as the clock wound down. Strange how the forwards were dominating the score-sheet: Powell 2, Turani, Wythe 2 and Delgado.

I’m pleased to report that Sofia Stefan did manage to post a score for the Sharks; she sniped round the side and was over.

Result: Quins 38 Sale 7

Player of the Match: Alex Callender

Afterthoughts

For the second time Quins opted for a 6/2 split. Though Ross Chisholm revealed his thinking, he failed to explain what happens when a back is injured. Few sides have forwards able to operate out behind with complete confidence. He underlined the tightness of the competition, how the loss of the odd point here or there could make a telling difference. None of what he said validated that selection.

Quins have manged to uncover yet another stentorian male to trumpet their every success over the PA.
For Sale, tiny features like the first and second latch by supporting forwards need attention; all too often they lost possession. An attacking line-out failed because the ensuing maul wasn’t built tightly enough; another 5 or 7 points lost.

Exeter Chiefs v Loughborough Lightning

It’s worrying times for Lightning again. They can’t really blame injuries and absences for their position; every club knows them. Perhaps we shouldn’t expect them to beat the only unbeaten side away from home, but even Trailfinders’ result against the double champions shows an 8- point advantage.

I’ll be happy to praise Chiefs’ achievements when a majority of their starting XV consists of EQPs.

Leicester Tigers v Bristol Bears

Tigers were trampled underfoot by a side desperate to put earlier failures behind them. England’s men were distraught at leaking 40 points at home; and Tigers’ 62 at Welford Road?

Half-time 7-36

Results:

Saturday 9 November:
Leicester Tigers 7 Bristol Bears 62
Trailfinders 19 Gloucester-Hartpury 32

Sunday 10 November:
Harlequins 38 Sale Sharks 7
Exeter Chiefs 40 Loughborough Lightning 19

Table                          ​       P​      ​ W     B    Pts

Exeter Chiefs                  6        6      4     28
Glos-Pury         ​​               6        4      6     22
Quins                                6         4     5    21
Saracens                          5        4      4     20
Bristol Bears                   6        3      4     16
Trailfinders                     5         2      3     11
Lightning                         5         1      4      7
Tigers                               5          0     1      1
Sharks                              5          0     0      0

Note: once more the table doesn’t tell the whole truth. Sarries sat this cold weekend out.

Ioan Cunningham was caught in the crosswires between the players and the governing body, the WRU. It would be wisest to assess the two elements separately.

Welsh rugby is in turmoil. Quite apart from the women’s toils, the men’s team and their head coach, Warren Gatland, have come in for hefty criticism. Players have been leaving the country in droves to earn a better living. Funding the four regions has proved an ongoing dilemma.

The ultimate blame is foisted of the WRU itself. Senior board members have come and gone across recent years, but even the current appointments, Richard Collier-Keywood, the Chairman, and Abi Tierney, the CE, seemed unable to control events sensibly, despite their undoubted professional abilities in other fields.

The players’ disquiet about their contracts and the general support they were receiving at first fell on deaf ears, but in the last few days the adminstrators have uttered words of regret and a determination to put matters right.

The Man in the Middle

In all this hullabaloo Cunningham was the fall-guy. He took charge after a sequence oif unhappy events. Rowland Phillips had been in charge since 2016, but he suddenly disappeared from view in 2020. His daughter Carys was the then captain and has recently regained her place in the side.

Into Phillips’ place came Warren Abrahams, a South African with expert knowledge of 7s with England and USA. He lasted in post for nine months, November 2020-July 2021. Wales finished last in the 6N in both those years.

Cunningham took over and initially brought the squad success. They twice finished third in the Six Nations, reached WXV1 and the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Since then it has been a downward trajectory, Wales again finishing sixth in the 6N last spring.

Inevitably questions were then asked about Cunningham’s competence as a coach. Some say a coach is only as good as the latest result. In his case his initial victories were overlooked as the team struggled to perform. Was he making the most sensible selections? Were he and his fellow coaches identifying obvious weaknesses and correcting them?

But it was his alleged complicity in some of the actions taken by the WRU that may have proved the breaking-point. It remains to be seen whether he did mislead players over the terms of their contracts and other details. For the present we must assume his innocence.

The effect of this breakdown of trust on the players can only be imagined. It is easy to assume that their under-par performances in the last two seasons were a direct effect of the authorities’ mismanagement. We need only look at the disparity in achievement between club performance in the PWR and in the red shirt to sense where the faults lay.

So that means a fourth head coach will take over inside five years. And it’s perfectly possible that other heads may fall before the whole episode is complete.

Wales and Ireland

Sadly, these tempests are all too reminiscent of Ireland’s position; the cases are uncannily similar. Both squads found it necesary to take joint action to seek redress, the Irish directing their first requests to politicians. Both unions eventually conducted independent reviews; which questioned the working practices and attitudes of the people in power.

The Irish have had one advantage: their issues came to light and were dealt with earlier – though not rapidly. In 2023 they finished sixth and last in the 6N. This year they qualified for WXV1 and finished second, an astonishing recovery from their previous position in WXV3.

So there is hope for the Welsh. Much will depend on the choice of person to take charge. Restoring confidence requires different skills from mere coaching competence. Scott Bemand seems to have found the golden key with the Irish.

Within most competitions, certainly WXV and the 6N, one team must finish first, another last. What all rugby followers need to see is players enjoying the game, knowing they have the full backing of their union.