Spain are European Champions again and a double farewell Last November we had the rare spectacle of a head coach and a captain retiring at the same moment, Ireland’s Adam Griggs and Ciara Griffin. In far more bizarre circumstances José Antonio Barrio and Patricia Garcia Rodriguez made their final contributions to the Spanish cause last
Allianz Premier 15s – Round 15 Bristol Bears v Saracens Probably not, but a game started at 2.30 called a halt at 5.15 It all happened in the first half. Five minutes from kick-off. Georgia Evans sustained a nasty injury to her shoulder; her onfield treatment took a quarter-of-an-hour. Only a few moments after she
Allianz Premier 15s – Round 15 There were very welcome returns for Emily Scarratt and especially Laura Keates, who has been missing from action for far too long. From the younger generation Jodie Ounsley made a timely comeback on the wing for Sale, just as Lisa Neumann switched to Glos-Pury to make best use of
Starters (for your main course, please scroll down) World Rugby didn’t have to seek out trouble. The revised title of the competition ‘World Cup 2021 played in 2022’ told its own story. But few imagined this last qualifier taking place against the background of war. Fortunately the show could go on. Bryan Easson went for
This Friday Scotland face their last challenge for a place in next autumn’s World Cup. Most sane people rate them racing certainties to beat Colombia, but Brian Easson and his squad aren’t letting such vain thoughts enter their heads. ‘Utmost respect’ is the order of the day. Colombia turned the tables on the higher rated
The CEO of South African Rugby, Jurie Roux, has announced details of new structures for the top two women’s leagues. The Women’s Premier Division will consist of last season’s representatives, Border Ladies (the champions), DHL Western Province, EP Queens, Boland Dames, Blue Bulls Women and Cell C Sharks. The Mastercard Golden Lions Women will join
New Zealand Rugby has been forced into alterations for the Aupiki, due to start on 5 March.With Covid restrictions still causing major difficulties, the competition has been condensed and the venues adjusted. All players will move into a 2½ week bubble in Taupō, where there are facilities for all four teams to operate separately, hotels
The French Rugby Union (FFR) has announced a new new high performance pathway system called Génération Bleues. It comprises four groupings They are termed: Générations bleues, France Jeunes (up to 23) Générations bleues, Élite Jeunes (age-range 16-18) Générations bleues, Académie Pôles Espoirs (age-range 16-18) Générations bleues, Centre de suivi (age 15) The aim is to
Allianz Premier 15s – Round 14 The Stoop game was delayed to Sunday, but it didn’t escape the wet windy conditions Storm Eunice brought. Quins were way short of full strength, but that makes little difference to sides at the top end of the table. Quins v Sale Sale started really strongly, developing moves with
Colombia defied considerable odds to defeat Kazakhstan and march on to a duel with Scotland next Friday. Not only did they stand eleven places below their opponents, but their No 8, Maribel Mestra, was shown a red card barely 14 minutes from the start. As her opponent tried to field a high kick, she launched
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