World Rugby has confirmed the Emirates Match Official appointments for the final rounds of WXV 2 in South Africa and WXV 3 in Dubai. The new elite women’s 15s competition has been taking place over the past two weekends with Italy top of WXV 2 on points difference from Scotland with Ireland sitting on top
England’s side to face the Maple Leafs Louis Deacon was careful to avoid saying ‘this is the strongest side we can put out against the Canadians’. That is not to disparage them for one moment, but it indicates the intricacies of picking three teams for three successive matches. Each one is there to be won,
First the last round fixtures (all at the Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town) Friday 27 October, Scotland v Japan; KO 14.00 (local time, 13.00 UK time) Friday 27 October, Samoa v South Africa; KO 16.30 (local time, 15.30 UK time) Saturday 28 October, USA v Italy; KO 17.00 (local time, 16.00 UK time) An immense
A Look Forward First the fixtures, all in Dunedin: Friday 27 October, England v Canada; KO 19.00 (local time), 07.00 (UK time) Saturday 28 October, New Zealand v Wales KO 16.00 (local time), 04.00 (UK time) Saturday 28 October, France v Australia KO 19.00 (local time), 07.00 (UK time) They present a clear-cut division between
France v New Zealand A quite outstanding, gripping match. France survived endless onslaughts by the white-shirted Ferns to repeat a final score that will stir memories of that French win over England at Grenoble six years ago. With all due deference to the other sixteen nations competing in the global fiesta that is WXV, another
Italy v South Africa – Round 2 Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town This was a rare and fascinating meeting between two very different types of team: the Italians spreading the ball wherever possible, the Springboks happy to let the pack do a lot of work. After a few shaky moments in deep defence, the Azzurre
Scotland v USA Result: Scotland 24 USA 14 Player of the Match: Evie Gallagher After relatively easy opening matches last week both sides knew this clash could be a clincher. You could well view this game as the moment Scotland turned a corner. They are now enjoying a 4-match winning streak, untold riches after decades
Australia v England The two teams had the honour of launching the top tier of the new WXV venture. Result: Australia 7 England 42 Player of the match Holly Aitchison England gained their expected win at the Sky Stadium, Wellington, but they couldn’t keep a clean sheet. They were nearly picture-perfect at the start. After
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
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