Source: ©INPHO/Craig Watson

Welsh Women’s Rugby near Breaking Point?

Back last April I wrote: ‘WRU’s idea of placing its best players in an optimal position is to advise them to cross the Severn Bridge and join an Allianz Premier 15s club. Back at home the structures at club and regional level are inadequate.’ The situation in Wales now becomes more dire. Ex-international Gemma Hallett

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Italy rejigs its Elite Club Structure

On 16 July the Italian Rugby Union (FIR) announced its new plans for women’s club rugby next season. Daniele Pacini, the Technical Director, laid out the next steps towards building a thriving set of club competitions to raise Italy’s standing in world rugby. Six clubs will form an elite league (Group A) within Serie A,

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Source: ©INPHO/Robbie Stephenson

Welsh Rugby suffers another Major Blow

News of Warren Abrahams’ departure from his post as head coach of Wales women’s rugby is desperately sad. He had been in position since last November, a period that saw the national team finish last in the Six Nations a second time running. His approach was to encourage small advances, to retain optimism as wins

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Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images

The Latest ICC World Rankings

It’s fascinating to see how differently these rankings are assessed. If you place batters, bowlers and all-rounders in a single list, the all-rounders would find themselves in Division three at best. Rather surprisingly ODI bowlers figure highest of all, Jess Jonassen reaching a summit of 808 points, while Mithali Raj manages only 762 points with

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Source: ICC

England v India – The Balance Sheet

India may well look back on the recent series with more pleasure than England. Yes, they lost 10-6 by the reckoning of the points system, but their achievements must be set against a background of daunting challenge. Playing a series abroad is a huge test of character these days. Bubbles, isolation, testing: a string of

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Source: Harlequins

Major Moves – and some Consequences

As of today, 17 July, the big names changing clubs are: Abbie Ward​- from Quins to Bristol Leanne Riley​- from Quins to Bristol Rosie Galligan​- from Sarries to Quins Sarah Bonar​- from Gloucester-Hartpury to Quins Ellie Kildunne​- from Wasps to Quins Add to them Beth Blacklock (DMPDS to Quins), not an international, but exactly the

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Source: Getty Images

If you want tension…

England v India Second T20 Hove England failed to reproduce their best form, allowing India to creep within two points of them in the multi-format series. Where did it all go wrong? Heather Knight did her job, winning the toss and asking the visitors to bat first. One surprise was to see Nat Sciver given

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Source: Julian Thompson

Gunning for Victory

Charlotte Edwards Cup – Round Three Western Storm v Northern Diamonds The one nail-biter over came at Taunton where Jenny Gunn was needed once more to pull the trigger at the end of a fraught game. Storm’s total of 106 looked barely adequate; Linsey Smith put the visitors on top right at the start, pinning

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