One transfer that slipped under the radar sees Lucy Attwood of Bristol and England move to Lyon for the coming season. This unexpected decision makes one more position available for the string of Welsh caps who have arrived at Shaftesbury Park. Lyon, or ‘Lou’ as they are known, recently climbed up to Elite 1 in
Spain begins preparations for the World Cup José Antonio Barrio, Spain’s Head Coach, has announced an extended squad of 40 players from whom he will select a team to compete in the qualifying matches for the World Cup. For Las Leonas it is a formidable undertaking. They must first make sure of winning the European
Significant steps have been taken since my last update a week ago Outlook The most significant detail for women’s rugby came from cricket circles: the Women’s World Cricket Cup, due to be held New Zealand next February and March, has been postponed to the following year. The RWC organizing committee is holding its cards close
Philip ‘Goose’ Doyle, Scotland’s head coach, has had to step down. As he is sheltering, he cannot make regular trips across the Irish Sea to meet up with his players. His place is taken on an interim basis by Bryan Easson, his deputy. This is thoroughly bad news for Scotland’s women, as Doyle was the
Compare these two statements: ‘The growth and overall health of the women’s game are key and as a strategic priority we remain committed to investing in its future’ (CEO’s Review of the Year, RFU Annual report 2019) and: ‘Women and Sevens hardest hit by RFU cuts’ (headline, The Guardian, 1 August 2020). Even before the
What we do know: The Six Nations Council has confirmed dates for replaying the outstanding six matches in the 2020 Championships England’s Sevens players have reacted with aggrieved determination to the news that their contracts are unlikely to be renewed. They will still be training flat out for the Tokyo Olympics, but that doubt is
Firwood Waterloo and Richmond, two clubs rich in women’s rugby, are having to adjust to the harsh realities of the Championship, one level below the Premier 15s. It is a very deep step. Another club that has voluntarily decided to quit its elite status is L’Ovalie Caennaise in Normandy, a region far from the traditional
Was I too Pessimistic? – I fear not – The Guardian has seen a copy of the RFU review of its financial standing and the consequences. According to Paul Rees (1 August 2020) the news could scarcely be worse for women’s rugby. The proposal is that only 30 contracts will be renewed – as against
Sara Orchard has reported on the BBC website likely developments to the Premier 15s league. There is the possibility that Welsh and Scottish clubs might join in, for example two Welsh ‘super’ clubs. Nicky Ponsford, England’s performance manager, has been in discussions with her counterparts in Cardiff and Edinburgh. She sees the addition of such
It’s eleven weeks since I attempted to read the runes about next season’s pro-contracts for the Red Roses. They are due next month. A window in November has opened for a resumption of hostilities. We may yet see the 2020 Six Nations completed, but in the meantime, what about those contracts? The news about the
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