First, the totally unexpected news of the first award of contracts – and their recipients, Emily Scarratt, Mo Hunt and Jess Breach, no less. All three are major gains for the Red Roses’ prospects, but the most significant is the last named. Here is a young player opting against the prospect of an appearance at
It was great to see Amy Cokayne restored to active rugby service for Wasps in the most auspicious of circumstances. She has just graduated as an RAF officer. Is she their first England international since the great Rory Underwood, still the nation’s record try-scorer? Saracens turn the screw to deny Richmond Sarries proved their strength
Richmond v Worcester – Sunday 9 December If ever the Valkyries had a game for the taking, this was it. After leading 7-15, they leak a try (14-15). Now Vicky Laflin makes a dramatic break from inside her own 10 metre line and is hauled down 5 metres from home. What follows may explain why the
Tyrrells Round 11 – Quins v Lightning – Saturday 8 December In the reverse game (Round 3), Quins came unstuck in the rain. This time round they would be as near full strength as makes little difference. They had seven England caps on the field plus two other internationals, Konkel (Scotland) and Sommer (USA). Against
Wasps game against Lightning at Loughborough represented their fourth loss out of four to a side placed above them in the table. This was a hard-fought battle in the wet, just the sort of day to welcome in the month of December. When Lightning lost their Canadian prop Daleaka Menin early on to injury, it gave the Amber-and-Blacks
England women’s rugby is now entering its most decisive phase for many a long year. We are halfway through the three-year project that is the Tyrrells Premier 15s League. And in precisely five weeks we are promised the names of the 28 players who will be offered full-time professional contracts. The RFU wisely opted to
‘One of the biggest challenges in the women’s game’ – (Adam Griggs, Ireland’s Head Coach) England v Ireland – Twickenham November 24 2018 Teams: England Ireland 15. Sarah McKenna
The Biggest Weekend – Two Major Rugby Internationals – 17-18 November 2018 It’s hard to imagine a bigger weekend for putting women’s rugby on the map. France, ranked 3rd in the world, take on New Zealand, ranked 1st on the Saturday. England, ranked 2nd, host Canada, ranked 4th, the following day. Normally you would expect these match-ups
Where should England Women play their home matches? A geographical conundrum! Grounds England have played on (in chronological order): Waterloo Moseley Northampton Wolverhampton Wasps Sale Leicester Sunbury (= London Irish?) Leeds Blackheath Worcester Richmond Newbury (2000 – 18 years before the Development XV played there again!) Old Deer Park Richmond Twickenham (1st appearance at HQ
The first Quilter International – England v The USA – Allianz Park 9 November 2018 Part One If you’re anxious for the action, move straight to Part Two… The England squad selected: 15. Sarah McKenna (Saracens) 14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries) 13. Carys Williams (Loughborough Lightning)* 12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury)* 11. Kelly Smith (Gloucester-Hartpury) 10. Katy
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