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
Six Nations – Round Three After a week’s break the 6N gets under way on Saturday. Fixtures: Saturday 12 April: France v Wales, Stade Amédée-Domenech, Brive; KO 12.45 BST Ireland v England, Musgrave Park, Cork; KO 16.45 BST Sunday 13 April Scotland v Italy, The Hive, Edinburgh; 15.00 BST France v Wales – Keep your
The French co-coaches have posted the names of 32 players to form the squads for the last three matches of the current Six Nations. They are: Forwards: Zago, Bernadou, Berthoumieu, Bigot, Brosseau, Champon, Domain, Escudero, Fall Raclot, M. Feleu, T. Feleu, Joyeux, Khalfaoui, Lazarko, R. Ménager, Mwayembe, Okemba, Riffonneau, Backs: Amédée, Arbey, Arbez, Bordes, Boulard,
It’s strange how quickly opinions alter. In Game One an established star is an automatic starter; by Game Two she is a back number, replaced by the latest favourite of the public and social media. Here’s what may be close to the strongest starting Fifteen England can put out: 15 KILDUNNE 14 DOW 13 JONES
Italy v Ireland – Round Two – 6 Nations Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma For a team that ‘never wins away’ (2021 the last time!), Ireland rewrote the book. A comprehensive victory left them overjoyed and the hosts stunned. All inside the first minute: a turnover, a Dannah O’Brien kick to touch, a TMO intervention and
Wales v England The Principality Stadium, Cardiff What a change from La Rochelle! A closed roof, every sound echoing, the light-show blazing. It might have been Christmas. For the third time in recent matches, it was all Wales at the start. They won a put-in eight metres out. Sarah Bern and Sadia Kabeya had to
France v Scotland Les Bleues in springtime rugby means entertainment. Things started cruelly for Scotland when Hollie Cunningham was forced off with a leg injury; just one minute played. They responded by dominating play for a short while, showing the fluency they possess, but not consistently enough. All too often they were pinged for holding
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