In a novel end-of-season arrangement, all four matches will be played on the evening of Friday 21 February, starting at 19.45. Gloucester-Hartpury v Harlequins (TNT) Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs Loughborough Lightning v Trailfinders Women (Youtube) Saracens v Sale Sharks Bristol Bears watch on. This looks like the Friday equivalent of a Super Saturday. I’m
Now we know where and when the six teams will be playing. The inaugural season will last from 22 March to 14 June, comprising 30 matches, home and away. The venues: Bay Breakers – Grape Bowl Stadium, Lodi Boston Banshees – Veterans Memorial Stadium and Tidewater Landing Stadium Chicago Tempest – Martin Stadium, NW University
Bryan Easson (Scotland) reveals his 34-strong extended training squad. They are: Forwards: Leah Bartlett (Leicester Tigers), Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning), Becky Boyd* (Loughborough Lightning), Sarah Bonar (Harlequins), Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears), Hollie Cunningham* (Bristol Bears), Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears), Adelle Ferrie* (Edinburgh/Corstorphine Cougars), Jade Konkel (Harlequins), Rachel Malcolm (captain, Loughborough Lightning), Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning),
Late on 18 February TC Gemini (Minneapolis-St Paul) became what I thought was the first of the six WER teams to announce their full squad. Little did I know! Forwards: Emerson Allen, Sam Brackett, Brooke Doerscher, Ali Gillberg, Marisa Hall, Abbey Jacobs, Emilee Jalosuo, Emily Juhl, Alivia Leatherman, Lucy Leatherman, Emily Mack, Katrina Nunes, Antonina O’Neill,
After all the tension and doubt we now know the four semi-finalists. Contrary to my expectations, Bristol Bears are through for a second attempt at winning the trophy. The other three, far less of a surprise, are Gloucester-Hartpury, Harlequins and Saracens. The mortified losers are Exeter Chiefs, but we can thank them for helping to
Celtic Challenge – Replay Scotstoun Background This fixture had fallen foul of the bad weather. A reserve weekend was set aside for just such a purpose. But another match to suffer the same fate, Glasgow Warriors v Clovers, will not be replayed, Glasgow using up this one date available. The teams take two points each,
PWR – Round 17 Two matches: Saracens v Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks v Gloucester-Hartpury (in brief) Saracens v Exeter Chiefs Brief Intro: Chiefs’ injury list was getting longer and longer. Missing faces included Alex Tessier, Cliodhna Moloney, Maisy Allen, Edel McMahon, Gabby Cantorna, Flo Long, Mikiela Nelson and Taylor Perry. This is where 6
Trailfinders v Leicester Tigers PWR – Round 17 A quite astonishing game, forget about the final score for a moment. A bounce pass from Amy Relf put Tigers under immediate pressure. They conceded a turnover and a penalty in front. Trailfinders went for the corner, but knocked on. Tigers won scrum ball but were driven
Drama and disappointment in equal measure A match of the highest quality has left both sides feeling they squandered the prize they sought. Bristol Bears achieved a momentous away win, but failed to secure an essential bonus point. Quins suffered an unwelcome home defeat, to leave them with an away tie against Sarries who demolished
These new contracts form part of the long-term plan to ensure a World Cup performance to match or improve the last one, where Italy reached the quarters for the very first time. I’ll leave my concerns till after the list. The Contracted Players: Ilaria Arrighetti (Stade Rennais, 62 caps) Alyssa D’Incà (Villorba Rugby, 26 caps)
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