This is a fascinating match-up between nations ranked seventh and ninth in the world. But within the structures of WXV2, the Eagles sit top of the pile, and they will be intent on proving their right to be there. Though they haven’t found victory easy in recent times, the aim now must be to prove
Two head coaches make plentiful changes Nanni Raineri has made sweeping changes to the side that faces the Boks in Cape Town on Friday. With the withdrawal from action of the skipper, Sofia Stefan, Beatice Rigoni assumes the captaincy. She may well have held that honour before, but if so, I don’t recall it. In
Wales prepare for Canada showdown It’s a big occasion for the Welsh skipper, Hannah Jones. As she leads her team out for their first ever dip in WXV waters, she celebrates her 50th cap. A first cap at the age of 16 shows how an early talent has developed to this high level. Ioan Cunningham
Jay Tregonning has not been afraid to experiment with the 23 he’s selected to face England on Friday 20 October. The Squad: 1 *Brianna Hoy (NSW Waratahs), 2 Tania Naden (ACT Brumbies, 6 caps), 3 Eva Karpani (NSW Waratahs, 17), 4 Michaela Leonard (captain, Western Force, 18), 5 Annabelle Codey (Queensland Reds, 4), 6 Siokapesi
We should have expected it, but we didn’t. This French squad to face the Black Ferns is far from what most people might have expected. How many French fans got it right? The squad: 15 Morgane Bourgeois (Stade Bordelais), 14 Cyrielle Banet (Montpellier HR), 13 Marine Ménager (Montpellier HR), 12 Gabrielle Vernier (Blagnac), 11 Émilie Boulard
The news from Warriors could hardly be more distressing. They become the first club to withdraw ‘voluntarily’ from the elite league. Four others were unceremoniously ejected by the RFU. That makes five in six years. Belinda Moore, CEO of the PWR, expresses her deep disappointment, but it begs the question whether the newly formed company
The owners of Warriors Women, Cube International, have today notified the RFU and PWR of their intention to withdraw from Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby and the Allianz Cup. Andy Moss, founder at Cube International said: “It has been our privilege to support Warriors Women through the last season. Despite our best efforts we have had
First things first. This is not the 23 we can expect Louis Deacon to send out against France or New Zealand over the following two weekends, (see below). As usual the official announcement avoids any mention of possible niggles or longer term injuries, so we have to assume it is an open selection based on
The world’s leading women’s rugby players were officially welcomed to Aotearoa New Zealand today for the inaugural WXV 1 tournament, set to kick off in Wellington this weekend. Players from England, France, Wales, Canada, Australia and host country New Zealand were among the guests welcomed by local iwi Te Atiawa with a traditional pōwhiri at
The biggest drama still awaits. The three best rugby sides in the world will compete over the next three weekends. It’s only a year since they met up at the World Cup. A reminder: after thrashing Wales 55-3 in their quarter-final New Zealand scraped home by a combined four points against France then England. England
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