Source: Ash Goodchild @sporting_ash2

Allianz Premier 15s – Round 15 – Much to look forward to

We’re back to a full programme, the first since the announcement of the WXV. Every player now has a newexciting horizon opening up. And she knows that national head coaches will be peering closely at performances as they weigh up their choices for Six Nations squads. Fixtures: Bristol Bears v Harlequins Gloucester-Hartpury v Worcester Warriors

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Source: David Rogers - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images

What is happening with the Women’s 6 Nations?

‘Rugby’s Greatest Championship’ ‘Bringing you Everything’ These two statements stand at the head of the twitter account of the Women’s Six Nations Championship. The first still holds true, even in its reduced format this year. The second is untrue. A mere fortnight before kick-off basic details remain unpublished. We have to assume that ‘Everything’ means

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Source: INPHO

WXV, a Major Investment in the Future

World Rugby’s project for a new global competition for women’s rugby, the WXV, marks a huge step forward. The financial investment alone, £6.4 million, is enough to confirm the good intentions. Full details here.  It is a first step in the introduction of a global calendar; a time-slot in September and October has been set

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Source: INPHO

World Rugby launches new global 15s competition

Sixteen-team, three-tier WXV global competition set to begin in 2023 World Rugby to invest £6.4 million in its first two years Unified international 15s calendar to comprise of two playing windows on an annual basis, optimising player welfare and performance Ground-breaking global international 15s calendar set to accelerate development of women’s game ahead of expanded

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Source: Ash Goodchild @sporting_ash21

More Catching Up and Italy Decides

Allianz Premier 15s Two more catch-up games played over the weekend brought the league nearly up-to-date. Only Wasps’ visit to Durham waits till 3 April. Both games reached their expected conclusions, Gloucester-Hartpury trouncing DMP Durham Sharks, and Sarries seeing off a spirited Sale side that posted one of the larger totals against the champions, 18

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Disappointment, Shock, but not Surprise

A View on the World Cup Committee’s Decision It was strange to find Annick Hayraud, France’s general manager, expressing surprise at World Rugby’s decision to recommend a delay to the World Cup (https://www.ffr.fr/actualites/xv-de-france-feminin/annick-hayraud-etre-creatif-avec-des-objectifs-differents). Disappointment yes; frustration yes; but not surprise. By nature an optimist, she always thought the RWC would go ahead. Had she really

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Source: INPHO

Rugby News from Auckland to Swansea

World Rugby’s decision to delay the World Cup for a year is now formally accepted World Rugby has announced a package of over £2 million which ‘will focus on providing teams with international competition’ to help nations prepare for next year’s World Cup. We must hope that these monies will aim more widely. What the

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Source: RFU

A Women’s Lions Tour comes a Step closer

Royal London, the mutual life, pensions and investment company, is in conversation with the British and Irish Lions Board about the feasibility of mounting a first women’s tour. I presented my views on the subject when it first reared its head back in 2019. Then, as no further news was forthcoming, I took matters into

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