Source: ECB

England v West Indies – First ODI

Derby This is England, so a black cloud hovered over the ground and the umbrellas went up, but not for long. Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and decided to bat. The game worked out just as we should have expected. Off the first two overs Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones each hit a four, to

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Source: 6 Nations

Some good news on the World Cup front

Two training squads announced Within 24 hours both Bryan Easson and Scott Bemand have named their training squads for the coming 2025 RWC. The good news includes the names of much missed players returning to duty from injury. In particular, Emma Wassell for Scotland and Sam Monaghan and Beibhinn Parsons for Ireland. For Ireland Sarah

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Source: Getty Images

Heather Knight’s Injury – England’s Choices

News of a season-ending hamstring injury to ex-captain, Heather Knight cuts two ways. She has proved England’s most reliable batter in the T20 series against the West Indies. In her absence the top order looks potentially vulnerable again. Apart from her only the new captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, can be relied on to provide runs in

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Source: ECB

England v West Indies – T20s 2 & 3

All change for the better? – No! England, already one-up after the match at Canterbury, made the short-form series safe with a second win at Hove by 9 wickets. Scores: West Indies 81-9 England 82-1 The ECB website claims England won by 8 wickets. Ah! 9-1 = 8. The game served to underline the sad

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Source: Lancashire Cricket

The Vitality Women’s County Cup – T20 Finals

Taunton The Semis Surrey v Warwickshire Kent won this game for Surrey. There were six of them in the team, and both innings turned on their performances. Alexa Stonehouse took 4-29 and Ryana Macdonald-Gay 2-25 to put the skids under the Midlanders’ innings. They scored fast, but after reaching 65-6 in under nine overs, then

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Source: Women’s 6 Nations

An Awards Evening to look forward to

An important addition to the English rugby calendar has been announced, The Rugby Awards, presented by Gallagher. It takes place at the The Brewery, London, hard by the Barbican Centre, on 3 June. It brings together the RPA, Premiership Rugby, the PWR and, last but not least, the RFU. Its arrival can only make us

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Source: Rugby Australia

Joanne Yapp’s Decision

Some Implications Jo Yapp, head coach of the Wallaroos, has announced that she will end her term in charge at the end of the 2025 RWC. In no way should this surprise us. The closest parallel I can think of in recent times is Lynne Cantwell’s decision to return to ireland after a spell as

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Source: Brett Phibbs / action press

One-way traffic for Black Ferns

New Zealand v USA Pacific Four, Round Three The Eagles made a promising start, winning penalties and territory, to cause the big crowd to delay their celebrations. By the end the scales had tipped wildly the other way, sending the Black Ferns and their fans into raptures. Mackenzie Hawkins’ early touch kicks lacked accuracy, but

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GB7s bites the dust

Should we be surprised? No. It’s been an uphill struggle since Great Britain first sttempted to pull a squad together for the Rio Olympic Sevens. Players will still come together to compete in SVNS tournaments, but without financial backing their results are bound to take a nose-dive. Where else have we seen three unions merging

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Source: Rugby Canada

Who will beat Canada in the World Cup final?

Australia v Canada That might be a tiny bit of a hopeful punt, but Canada’s all-round play takes a lot of stopping. The Wallaroos found them too hot to handle. The game could hardly have started worse for the hosts. They let Alex Tessier’s kick-off bounce back into Krissy Scurfield’s hands. Canada were caught holding

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