Pacific Four, Round Two, Christchurch Saturday 17 May It’s not every day you get to see the sides ranked two and three facing off against each other. But with the Pac-4 series, it’s grown easier. Kévin Rouet has called up Courtney O’Donnell, DeLeaka Menin, Claire Gallagher and Emily Tuttosi to start – no surprise there.
One of the most dramatic finishes possible on a day of perfect May weather. It proved an important staging-post for players picked to face the West Indians. Amy Jones produced some magnificent cover drives till she was eventually caught behind by Kira Chathli off a perfect leg-break from Dani Gregory. Good scoring by Dani Wyatt-Hodge
The players chosen to face the West Indies (full lists below) are of huge interest, as they reveal the thinking of their new boss, Charlotte Edwards. Alongside her comes Lydia Greenway as a co-selector, a second distinguished international for Kent and England. Edwards is fortunate to have a relatively easy ride first time out. WI
14th May marks a large stepping-stone towards big events in England. Here are the fixtures awaiting them: England 1. USA 2. Samoa 3. Australia – Pool A Ireland 1. Japan 2. Spain 3. New Zealand – Pool C Scotland 1. Wales 2. Fiji 3. Canada – Pool B Wales 1. Scotland 2. Canada 3. Fiji
No. The two versions are so dissimilar. While the women are looking forward to their first ever tour in 2027, the men had to find room for 137 candles on their latest birthday cake. They have their traditions; the women’s are still in the making. We have experienced the usual reactions to Andy Farrell’s list.
A Sophie de Goede (Canada) is on the road to recovery from her ACL injury. It occurred as she was preparing for the last Olympics (Canada won silver in the 7s). To miss the 2025 RWC as well would be a double misfortune. She is now training harder than ever. The Maple Leafs are hoping
TNT has signed a contract to continue transmitting one PWR match per round for the next four years. Genevieve Shore, CE of the PWR is delighted, describing the new agreement as “a huge step forward”. It certainly is, in the sense that coverage will continue. The company has not got cold feet about its venture
Australia v New Zealand Pacific Four Series, Match Two The current standings stood 27-0 to the visitors. As a counter, the Wallaroos could boast a new record of four consecutive wins. But they couldn’t find a way of overturning history. Their best form came too rarely to match the power and accuracy of the Ferns.
Pacific Four Series The second match takes us to the southern hemisphere, where it will stay till the final round on 23 May. Jo Yapp and Allan Bunting have announced their squads (see below). Wallaroos With the successful Fiji test behind her, Jo Yapp’s first job was to peruse the injury list. Unfortunately it amounts
Opinions differ As public interest in women’s rugby increases, so the business of preparing for it attracts more attention. Every national union has to balance up a number of considerations: Rest and recuperation The expense involved (can we really afford staging more matches?) The wishes of the head coach The most sensible choice of opposition
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