Storm Ciara swept across the British Isles, forcing the abandonment of the Scotland-England fixture. But Ireland’s captain Ciara Griffin wasn’t giving way to her namesake. Her side took on Wales at Donnybrook and brought off an important win. The weather worsened before the end to leave the players suffering a blend of rain, sleet and
This may be the most important book on sporting captaincy since Mike Brearley’s magisterial ‘On the Art of Captaincy’ published in 1985. He had certain advantages: a first-class brain – a double first at Cambridge and a first place in the Civil Service exams – and immense charm. Like the rest of us, Catherine Spencer
Six Nations Round 2 Preview: The Fixtures: France v Italy at Limoges 8 February 20.00 GMT Ireland v Wales at Energia Park, Donnybrook 9 February 13.00 GMT Scotland v England at Scotstoun, Glasgow 9 February 12.10 GMT A lot has been happening in the short gap between rounds. Not least the appearance of Cath Spencer’s
The French management, Annick Hayraud and Samuel Cherouk, had to hold an intense debrief with the players to find out what happened in the opening minutes of the England game, when they left their aggression and spirit in the changing rooms; then what when wrong in the second half. It was vital to broach these
Now the RFU has announced the results of its audit, we can begin to see how next year’s Tyrrells might shape up. The four clubs most likely to come under the cosh of a re-tendering process have indeed been singled out: Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, Firwood Waterloo, Richmond and Worcester Warriors. None of them is
World Rugby has announced the venues and schedule for the Rugby World Cup next year. Now we have the details, we can see the adjustments WR has made since the Irish World Cup three years ago. Despite its overall success it was sharply criticised on certain counts. First, the gaps between pool matches: these have
France v England – Straight Royal Flush Not a picture-perfect start to proceedings. Three key matches all starting within half-an-hour of each other on a Sunday is not my idea of good planning. At least the choice of the day, 02022020, was sublimely rare. Another totally gripping drama between the two best sides in the
Simon Middleton has announced his squad to face France in the first round of the 2020 Six Nations. Big prizes for anyone who guessed this choice correctly! 15 McKenna 28 caps 14 Dow 9 caps 13 Scarratt 85 caps 12 Harrison 20 caps 11 Breach 10 caps 10 Daley-Mclean 110 caps 9 Hunt 50 caps
France v England Pau, Sunday 2 February The French have announced their starting XV early, which shows a certain confidence: 15 Trémoulière 14 Boujard 13 Boudaud 12 Vernier 11 Banet 10 Bourdon 9 Sansus 1 Arricastre 2 Sochat 3 Deshayes 4 Forlani 5 Fall 6 Ferer 7 Hermet 8 Ménager R 16 Thomas 17 Traore
A Final Session on English Soil before the Crunch The England rugby squad used The Lensbury by the Thames at Teddington for their final session before they fly out to take on France in Pau on Sunday. There was no holding back. Backs and forwards exerted themselves to the full on a fine January afternoon.
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