Fixtures: Saturday 19 April Italy v France, Parma; KO 13.00 England v Scotland, Leicester; KO 16.45 Sunday 20 April Wales v Ireland, Newport; KO 15.00 (all times BST) The Saturday matches Italy v France Les Bleues know they must get the better of the Azzurre to retain a chance of the title. The Red Roses,
John Mitchell has announced his team to face Scotland unusually early. This helps to confirm that he had his selection plans worked out well in advance, delayed only by reports from the medical staff. This is his squad: 15 Ellie Kildunne 14 Abby Dow 13 Meg Jones 12 Jade Shekells 11 Claudia Macdonald 10 Hollie
Some Thoughts after three Rounds A If you had to guess which team turned up so late that they couldn’t have a Captain’s Run, which would you suggest? Correct, Wales. Sean Lynn was very diplomatic, saying they will have another look at the matter. More to the point, why did the logistics officials book a
Scotland v Italy The Hive, Edinburgh Scotland had high hopes of a home win after their defeat of Wales and decent showing in France. It was not to be, a grave disappointment to players, staff and crowd. Both sets of backs had been written up pre-match. As things turned out, it was the Azzurre who
And they were 6 Nations – Round 3 – Saturday Games Ireland v England Virgin Media Park, Cork English players and staff have been heard saying they want to face competition, to be tested to the full. Ireland provided just that, but for the first 55 minutes only. Across the first half they gave England
Six Nations – Round Three After a week’s break the 6N gets under way on Saturday. Fixtures: Saturday 12 April: France v Wales, Stade Amédée-Domenech, Brive; KO 12.45 BST Ireland v England, Musgrave Park, Cork; KO 16.45 BST Sunday 13 April Scotland v Italy, The Hive, Edinburgh; 15.00 BST France v Wales – Keep your
Appointments In a surprise move Dave Ward, head coach of Bristol Bears, leaves his post. Depending on the nature of his ‘new opportunity’, it may well mean the departure of his wife, Abbie, from the Bears’ squad too. What are the odds on Bears picking a woman to replace him? About 100-1 against? I’ll be
The REC got under way at the end of last month, Spain beating Portugal away from home 19-7. On 6 April Las Leonas beat Sweden 69-0. There we see all too clearly the hard job Rugby Europe has finding the best way to organise its member teams. It wants to provide chances for everyone, but
The French co-coaches have posted the names of 32 players to form the squads for the last three matches of the current Six Nations. They are: Forwards: Zago, Bernadou, Berthoumieu, Bigot, Brosseau, Champon, Domain, Escudero, Fall Raclot, M. Feleu, T. Feleu, Joyeux, Khalfaoui, Lazarko, R. Ménager, Mwayembe, Okemba, Riffonneau, Backs: Amédée, Arbey, Arbez, Bordes, Boulard,
It’s strange how quickly opinions alter. In Game One an established star is an automatic starter; by Game Two she is a back number, replaced by the latest favourite of the public and social media. Here’s what may be close to the strongest starting Fifteen England can put out: 15 KILDUNNE 14 DOW 13 JONES
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