At last we reach the climax of the most dramatic and distorted Six Nations series. First, our huge gratitude to everybody concerned in staging these delayed games; Their numbers are far larger than usual, as they involve all the medical experts needed to ensure the safety of the players off the pitch as well as
A year ago I was rash enough to suggest Italy were the coming force, most likely to emulate the achievements of England and France in the Six Nations. That hope remains unfulfilled. For the first twenty minutes of the game in Dublin the Azzurre took the fight to the Irish, pinning them in defence as
You need to look twice at the final score to believe your eyes: Scotland 13 – France 13. It marks a sea-change in Scottish fortunes unimaginable before the events at Scotstoun. When their kick-off ran dead, you feared the worst. When they were driven off the second scrum, it looked even bleaker. But no, they
Intense pressure to provide greater coverage of games, led by Dr Mark McCall, has had its effect. Every match will have highlights shown. But as expected, the sheer cost of offering every game on livestream was a piggy-bank too far for the RFU. It was inevitable that the pile-up of international fixtures would affect Prem
It’s been very noticeable the extra lift the England Sevens players have given the tournament. Helena Rowland was named Player of Round One by the Women’s Rugby Show. She had to step into the demanding role of No 10 for Lightning, who were hoping the departure of Katy Daley-Mclean wouldn’t harm them excessively. Then Ellie
With any luck we are about to see a continuation of the 2020 Six Nations. The French squad is training flat out at Marcoussis before taking the plane to Glasgow for a kick-off against Scotland on 24 October. Annick Hayraud has picked a group of 32 to cover the remaining two fixtures. By contrast Brian
There was top-class entertainment for the non-existent crowds up and down the country. Even with absence of several Scottish and Irish players away on international training calls, so many players showed skills of the highest order. Wasps v Quins Scott Bemand. England’s backs coach was on hand to watch a game out of the top
France announce a Squad France have picked a large squad of 32 to complete their four autumn campaign. They have two Six Nations matches left over, plus the eagerly awaited double header with England. Annick Hayraud has announced these names: ABADIE Audrey (Blagnac) AIT LAHBIB Rkya (Montpellier RC) ARRICASTRE Lise (Lons Rugby Féminin Béarn Pyrénées)
Andrea de Giandomenico has made his choice of 23 players to face Ireland in Dublin on 24 October: Sara BARATTIN (Arredissima Villorba, 93 caps) Melissa BETTONI (Stade Rennais, France, 56 caps) Beatrice CAPOMAGGI (Unione Rugby Capitolina, 3 caps) Giulia CERATO (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 3 caps) Giordana DUCA (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 16 caps) Valeria FEDRIGHI (Stade
The closer we get to the international season, the more the excitement rises but the uncertainties pile up. The opening bout takes place on 24 October when Ireland host Italy in the Six Nations. From there a thicket of tests are squeezed in before Christmas, finishing on 20 December with two RWC qualifiers which involve
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