Source: Alessandro Sabattini - World Rugby via Getty Images

Ireland’s Agony – The Big Questions

Philip Doyle, by far Ireland’s most successful head coach, has given his verdict on the team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup. It is damning. But he doesn’t aim his arrows at the targets many might have imagined, those at the top of the tree. He claims that funding was not the principal issue.

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Source: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Rugby – A Crowded Week

Claire Molloy Ireland’s dramatic exclusion from the World Cup has taken its toll. Amid a clamour for the heads of the people seen as responsible for this unexpected shock, comes news of the retirement of one of Ireland’s great, Claire Molloy. Tributes have poured in from all sectors of the game. Her 74 caps have

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Source: Andy Nelson Sports Photographer

Women’s Rugby League Results

Women’s Rugby League Results 26 September Super League Play Off Semi Finals St Helens Women 58-0  Castleford Leeds Rhinos 22-18 York City Knights Championship Semi Finals Leigh Miners Rangers Ladies 36 Stanningley 6 Barrow Raiders Ladies 16 Widnes Vikings 6


Source: P Yates / World Rugby

Jaz hands GB back-to-back wins

The women’s Fast Four competition followed the same pattern as Vancouver with Great Britain defeating USA in the final and Canada proving too strong for an improving Mexico in the third place play-off. Jasmine Joyce showed just why she is one of the most talked-about players in world rugby right now with another impressive showing.

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Source: P Yates / World Rugby

Canada to face USA in Sunday ‘semi-finals’

In the women’s fast four tournament hosts Canada will face the USA in Sunday’s semi-finals after the two North American teams played out an entertaining 26-26 draw in the opening match of day one. The hosts went on to produce another spirited performance in a 7-7 draw with Great Britain, who ran out winners in

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Source: Alessandro Sabattini - World Rugby via Getty Images

The Size of the Prize – Italy v Spain

World Cup Qualifier – Round three Spain were right up against it. In the match that mattered most, they were meeting the hot favourites on their home ground, and their national anthem doesn’t allow them to let off steam with a good sing. Quins’ fans were delighted to learn that Giada Franco was playing for

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Source: Alessandro Sabattini - World Rugby via Getty Images

Drama cubed – Scotland v Ireland

World Cup Qualifier – Round Three If the Rugby World Cup committee was hoping for some drama next year, they got it in bucket-loads in Parma today. For Ireland and Scotland it was all or nothing. For much of the game the Irish looked well on top, yet the half-time score read 5-8 against them.

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Source: P Yates : World Rugby

Wales – ‘Mistakes were made‘

In his annual report the chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, Rob Butcher, has addressed the problem of women’s rugby in the Principality. It amounts to an admission of guilt. He resorts to the use of the future tense to an alarming degree, rather like a government promising gold at the end of the rainbow:

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