This is one spectator’s reading of the qualities that went to make up such an exceptional squad of players: Sarah Hunter Astonishing work-rate from a centurion. Her tackle-scores are scarcely credible and she links with her outside support more than ever. She led a highly talented team with obvious pride and pleasure. Zoe Aldcroft Her
Italy v France – Wales v Ireland The two games that were completed on Sunday 17th March both had a significance way beyond the outcome of this year’s championship. But first, the games themselves: Italy v France Italy’s head coach, Andrea Di Giandomenico, was one of very few people who rated the French side the
England v Scotland – Twickenham Saturday 16 March First the two teams: This Scottish side showed three changes: Maxwell in at No 9; Bonar replacing the concussed Rachel Malcolm on the flank, and Howatt into the second row. So now we know: the England management have a settled idea of the pecking order of their 35
The pity is the Championship is all but sewn up in advance. If England could take four bonus-point wins out of four, what chance do Scotland have in the gladiator’s ring known as Twickenham? And what did that 2019 Lord Mayor’s Show put on parade? Either the wonderful display at Doncaster, where both England and
Six Nations – Round 4 – England v Italy, Sandy Park Exeter The moment Simon Middleton announced his side to meet the Italians, we could see the outline of a potential XV to take the World Cup in two year’s time. Little room for sentiment here – the contracted players who have been mere extras
6 Nations 2019 – Round 3 – Wales v England – Arms Park February 24 2019 Part One (if you’re anxious for the action, scroll to Part Two) The fixture-maker-in-the-sky pays no attention to the demands of heightened drama. Otherwise the France-England clash would always be placed last – for the women’s 6 Nations at least. England’s last three
Annick Heyraud, France’s experienced manager, had mixed feelings about the 41-26 defeat to England at Doncaster. ‘In the first half we were non-existent’ was her damning judgement. The second half told a different story but it was too steep a hill to climb. The great French sports newspaper L’Équipe was in no doubt: ‘The French
Six days before England women fly out to the subcontinent to take on India and Sri Lanka, Mark Robinson and Heather Knight (head coach and captain) answered a searching set of questions from the media. Then some of the players made themselves available for chats about how things are going on a more personal front.
Sarah Hunter told her troops: ‘what the French need is momentum; so we’ll not let them get it.’ And they followed her advice gloriously in the first half, as they posted four unanswered tries on the scoreboard; enough to take your breath away. And it might have been five, only an initial majestic move which
England v France – Le Crunch – Castle Park Doncaster 10 February 2019 A Preview Here are the squads for the most eagerly awaited clash of the season: England: 15 McKenna 14 Breach 13 Scarratt 12 Heard 11 Smith 10 Daley-Mclean 9 Riley 1 Cornborough 2 Davies 3 Bern 4 O’Donnell
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