It’s a strange business for England women’s rugby players, that 49th cap The memorable target of 50 caps has proved elusive for England players in recent years. Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt had a long patient build-up to her half-century. But when it came, against Italy at Bedford last November, it received the trumpet-call it deserved. Other
Simon Middleton has sprung a few surprises in his squad to compete in the 2020 version of the Six Nations: The Squad: Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning, 119 caps, captain) Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 16 caps) Sarah Beckett (Harlequins, 13 caps) Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 31 caps) Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 17 caps) Jess Breach (Harlequins, 10 caps)
It has been suggested, in a recent preview of England’s chances in the coming Six Nations tournament, that full-back and fly-half are positions where the Roses might be short of depth. However, you could point a finger in a different direction. Not for the first time England’s second row is short of numbers. With the
Scotland flew down to Almeria on the Mediterranean coast to take on Spain, one of their three rivals for the only place available for World Cup qualification. Friendly matches can rarely have had more significance. Philip Doyle will be very happy with the way things went. Scotland started into the wind in top gear, rescuing
After this round comes the break for the Six Nations, then it’s six more rounds that could bring a club the blessings of 30 more points. This was a last chance for the selectors to have a look around the country to see if they’d missed the odd 2020 Six Nations Player of the Tournament.
The Wales management, consisting now of Chris Horsman, Geraint Lewis and Gareth Wyatt, have named 34 players to start preparations for the first round of the 2020 Six Nations against Italy at Cardiff Arms Park. There is only one uncapped name on the list, Ruth Lewis (Ospreys), who has been brought in to replace the
Philip Doyle has chosen a new path to the Six Nations. A squad of 25 will fly out to Almeria on the south coast of Spain to take on Las Leonas on 19 January. Two uncapped forwards, Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning) and Molly Wright, originally from New Zealand, find favour. Rachel Law and Mairi MacDonald
Once again fixtures were spread over seven hours or more, some due to double-headers with the men’s team. With your private helicopter handy, you could see three full games in succession. Saracens v Lightning As in Round Nine, today we saw the top four clubs pitted against each other. At Allianz Park Chantelle Miell was
2019 lies slap in between two World Cups, so was everything quiet on the rugby front? No! All around the world women’s rugby is pacing forward. The fifteen tests played out in November helped to boost the number of internationals during the year to the unprecedented total of 75. But the problems of funding and
If we all wanted to see wider competition for the top places in the Tyrrells, hopes were dashed before the first round by the Harlequins’ signings. They were determined to overturn the results of the previous two finals, so they opened the door to five more international stars. Amy Cokayne (RAF and Wasps). Lagi Tuima
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