Back in the days when ScrumQueens was our bible, the admirable John Birch pointed out severe shortcomings in World Rugby’s rankings table. Without his ongoing assistance, I have to take it at face value. Fortunately very little has changed over the past weeks, since the sixteen qualified nations have devoted themselves largely to training. South
Surrey confirmed their place in the final at the Oval on 27 July with a convincing win over bottom-placed Somerset. Pre-match Bryony Smith recognised the value of the South-East Stars remaining together under the one-county heading. Stars had meant an amalgamation of Kent and Surrey, and fortunately for the Brown Caps the Kent contingent all
Some rugby websites are quick to register players’ birthdays, often with a clip of a great deed by the candle-blower. What could be more pleasant? It’s Maud Muir’s birthday. Congratulations! By a strange quirk it is also Portia Woodman-Wickliffe’s birthday, her 34th, and she was able to celebrate with a hat-trick of tries against the
A look back at the Black Ferns v Black Ferns XV – lessons and deductions Background And there’s a lot of it! The management had three aims in mind: the coming test against Australia, a first ever tour of South Africa for a “Black Ferns XV” (aka a second squad); and, most important, the RWC
A. France There are 38 names in the latest French squad: Forwards: BERNADOU, BERTHOUMIEU, BIGOT, BROSSEAU, CHAMPON, CISSOKHO, DESHAYE, ESCUDERO, FALL RACLOT, M. FELEU, T. FELEU, GROS, IKAHEHEGI, JOYEUX, KHALFAOUI, MAKA, MORLAND, MWAYEMBE, OKEMBA, RIFFONNEAU, SOCHAT, TOUYE (22) Backs: ARBEY, ARBEZ, BORDES, BOULARD, BOURDON SANSUS, BOURGEOIS, CHAMBON, DEZOU, GRISEZ, KONDE, LLORENS, M. MÉNAGER, NEISEN, QUEYROI,
This was an intriguing choice of tour for Canada in their preparations for the World Cup – a first ever visit to South Africa. There could be little doubt about outcomes, the Books sitting a whole ten places below them in the world rankings. But Kévin Rouet felt it would be entirely beneficial for his
As usual, the summer break has seen many players switching clubs. There is nothing unusual about that, but this year brings its own quota of interesting issues. Today, 30 June sees the two latest signings for Trailfinders, Isla Duncan-Bell and Celia Quansah. Duncan-Bell becomes the second GB 7s regular to move to the 15s game,
Allan Bunting has announced the names of 33 players to form the squads to play their last two home matches before the RWC. The squad: (I offer them as originally shown, though the rest of the world isn’t as bright at arithmetic. For us two halves are needed to make a whole, and two five-eighths
Training and more training 1 June Cornwall beat Devon 31-27 in the first-ever Tamar Cup (part of Gill Burns Cup); Cornwalians call this the most important result of the year; (“you need read no further”); I hope you disagree 2 June More than 1,100 former players have joined a lawsuit concerning concussion; 784 from rugby
Left-handers to the forefront Chelmsford It was left-handers day at Chelmsford, as every Ferns’ wicket to fall involved a left-arm bowler or catcher. Pride of place in the first innings went to Mahika Gaur, restored to the home side. She made a decisive strike, pinning Georgia Plimmer in front with her third ball. She went
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