The French have outlined their programme for the run-in to the World Cup. They mean business. It isn’t so much the two warm-up games announced (see below), it is the intensive sequence of training sessions that precede it. Annick Hayraud often mentioned the lack of time the staff had in assembling the full group for
England v South Africa, 1st ODI, Northampton Emma Lamb’s international fortunes turned sharply for the better. Her hundred at the top of the order was just what England needed and she deserved. Her previous history was limited to a duck and 0 not out as she came to the middle with one ball left –
England took far more from their A-squad game against the Proteas than their guests. It’s always likely to turn out like this when the two sides are not aligned, so while South Africa had nominally their strongest XI on the field; the English combined seasoned internationals (Elwiss, Winfield-Hill, Glenn, Villiers, Davies) with players anxious to
The WRU has announced more contracts and new terms for the head coach, Ioan Cunningham. This is just the sort of news that boosts confidence as the Welsh squad prepares for the World Cup. There are five new full contracts, for Alex Callender, Cara Hope, Caryl Thomas, Liliana Podpadec and Megan Webb. Robyn Wilkins has
The Future of the Premier 15s The working party looking into the future of the Premier 15s has been thinking big, thinking long. Gone is the pattern of 3-year cycles used twice since 2017, to be replaced by a 10-year plan. And the sums involved are far larger than anything contemplated before. The RFU’s commitiment
The new-look England A squad had a thoroughly encouraging win over South Africa at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. They won a T20 game comfortably by 15 runs, having posted 155 against a Proteas attack missing Marizanne Kapp. It was officially described as a warm-up, but that applied mainly to the Proteas; the English could only hope
Lisa Keightley, England’s head coach, offered wise words: ‘The players need as much cricket as possible.’ The addition of A-squad fixtures against South Africa is one of the best ways to ensure this happens. The latest selection shows a numbers of changes since the game at Arundel. Two wise old heads, Danni Wyatt and Lauren
A crowded diary has significant final entries 1 June Fi Fletcher of Harlequins becomes the first Prem 15s player to announce her retirement this season 1 June Thomas Darracq appointed to take charge of the French team. Annick Hayraud remains as manager 1 June Debbie Carty becomes the first female president of Leinster 3 June
The training squad of 37 that Simon Middleton has announced contains several pieces of heartening news. Claudia Macdonald takes pride of place as she is restored to health after a career-threatening neck injury. Second, the inclusion of Abby Dow after her broken leg in the Wales match. While we can’t assume she will be fully
Alison Donnelly has written an immensely important book outlining the birth and growth of women’s rugby around the world. Of all those who might have written this urgently needed chronicle, she is the ideal choice, since the website she created, scrumqueens.com, is the fountain head of information. She played the game, helped administer it and
Social Networks