France Les Bleues have everything to play for. Theirs is an unlikely story at the World Cup: they have been ever-present, ever a threat, yet in nine attempts they have finished third seven times. Only once, in 1988, have they failed to reach the semis. Their first opponents are old rivals Italy at Sandy Park;
From the start the organizing committee conceived this tenth RWC on a different scale from its predecessors. Size First, the increase from 12 to 16 participating nations. This isn’t the only time – the 1998 and 2002 versions were that size. But people soon realised the problems this larger number brought. The bigger the tournament,
Here are the answers to our quiz – please let us know how you got on. Answers in bold. Here a five taglines. Which nations use them? 1. Strength in bloom – Wales 2. Get into rugby – USA 3. All in for Gold – Australia 4. Rugby for all – Japan 5. We’re doing
Here a five taglines. Which nations use them? 1. Strength in bloom 2. Get into rugby 3. All in for Gold 4. Rugby for all 5. We’re doing it for the girls 6. Which nation has been training at Loughbrough? 7. Which nation has been training at Tignes? 8. Which team received a $1.5m grant
The officials tend to be the people overlooked, until they stand accused of making an ‘obvious’ error. The fact is, they have been training assiduously, mostly at Faro in Portugal. The skills they need vary widely. Take for example what the onfield assessment involves: application of the laws; match control; fitness, agility, positioning and work-rate;
As we wait for the curtain to rise, we can make sure our nibbles are in place, and look back at rugbypass’ attempt to order the top fifty players to look out for. What a ridiculous enterprise! For one thing, the list is out of date from the moment it is published. Erin King, who
It’s best not to think of certainties when predicting the 2025 RWC. But there are a few nobody can deny. This tenth version will be the best attended and the most widely followed ever. Coverage by all known media will be exhaustive. Let’s take a look at one or two features. Three of the leading
First some excellent news: the Fiji Sports Commission has allocated $1.5m to support the national team. We just have to hope these moneys came through early enough to make their presence felt. The squad Forwards: JADE COATES NUNIA DAUNIMOALA MANUOALA KOMAITAI ALFREDA FISHER (captain) KELENI NARAWA VIKA MATARUGU MEREONI NAKESA SELAI NALIVA RUSILA NAGASAU KARLAINI
The world knows – the Irish have come on in leaps and bounds in the past two years. The central question is whether they can overcome a series of injury doubts and setbacks to do themselves justice. (full list below) Their recent record at the RWC is none too promising. Their performance in their own
Here are the 32 Azzurre to represent Italy at the World Cup this month: Forwards: ILLARIA ARRIGHETTI GIORDANA BUSO VALERIA FEDRIGHI ALESSANDRA FRANGIPANI ELISA GIORDANO (captain) LAURA GURIOLI GAIA MARIS ISABELLA LOCATELLI GAIA MARIS ALESSIA PILANI ALISSA RANUCCINI SARA SEYE FRANCESCA SGORBINI DESIREE SPINELLI EMANUELA STECCA SARA TOUNESI SILVIA TURANI VITTORIA VECCHINI BEATRICE VERONESE (18)
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