Part Two Armchair pundits (I’m one) have argued that it makes no difference who John Mitchell chooses for the France match; the result is a foregone conclusion, like every encounter since March 2018. This is why it matters: two years ago at HQ England scraped home 38-33. There have been far tighter results than that
Part One Who does John Mitchell choose for Twickenham? France’s win against italy looks complete enough on paper (21-34), but on the field it was very different. Two late scores distorted the final margin of victory. Then consider history weighing down on French shoulders, that long series of defeats at English hands. Their last victory
Wales v Ireland – Six Nations, Round Four Rodney Parade, Newport Sunshine greeted the teams as Wales sought redemption. Could they possibly hold the soaring Irish in check? Not at the start. Lisa Neumann lost possession on contact, and the Irish backs were happy to spread the ball to Amee-Leigh Costigan on the wide left.
Leicester By half time England had put the game to bed. The second 40 was far less decisive. It was teeming with rain at the start, but the sun did come out. It was all England from the first whistle. Holly Aitchison sent up a perfect kick-off an inch from the side-line. Scotland knocked on.
Six Nations, Round 4 – Italy v France Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma A tight and dramatic game till the final stages. Italy coughed the ball up inside 15 seconds. Another wrap-around move by Pauline Bourdon Sansus and perfectly timed passes gave Joanna Grisez an easy run-in on the right. Was this going to be a
Fixtures: Saturday 19 April Italy v France, Parma; KO 13.00 England v Scotland, Leicester; KO 16.45 Sunday 20 April Wales v Ireland, Newport; KO 15.00 (all times BST) The Saturday matches Italy v France Les Bleues know they must get the better of the Azzurre to retain a chance of the title. The Red Roses,
John Mitchell has announced his team to face Scotland unusually early. This helps to confirm that he had his selection plans worked out well in advance, delayed only by reports from the medical staff. This is his squad: 15 Ellie Kildunne 14 Abby Dow 13 Meg Jones 12 Jade Shekells 11 Claudia Macdonald 10 Hollie
Some Thoughts after three Rounds A If you had to guess which team turned up so late that they couldn’t have a Captain’s Run, which would you suggest? Correct, Wales. Sean Lynn was very diplomatic, saying they will have another look at the matter. More to the point, why did the logistics officials book a
Scotland v Italy The Hive, Edinburgh Scotland had high hopes of a home win after their defeat of Wales and decent showing in France. It was not to be, a grave disappointment to players, staff and crowd. Both sets of backs had been written up pre-match. As things turned out, it was the Azzurre who
And they were 6 Nations – Round 3 – Saturday Games Ireland v England Virgin Media Park, Cork English players and staff have been heard saying they want to face competition, to be tested to the full. Ireland provided just that, but for the first 55 minutes only. Across the first half they gave England
Social Networks