The red card for Sarah Beckett “Let the punishment fit the crime” is a witty take by W. S. Gilbert in the Mikado on how not to process justice. World Rugby is now caught up in far more serious matters. In all probability it will be facing court cases brought on behalf of ex-players who
Selection We knew one feature of John Mitchell’s selection policy for the opening round: to start with the returning stars, absent far too long with injury. That meant Emily Scarratt retaining the 12 shirt she uses for Lightning; Zoe Harrison at 10, which meant deciding what to do with Holly Aitchison; and Abbie Ward, which
Scotland Pride of place must go to Scotland who pulled off their first ever victory in Cardiff, just. In the process they posted their seventh consecutive victory. For anyone with a longish memory, this is scarcely credible, so congratulations to them. Almost inevitably, all depended on a final shot at goal. If Lleucu George’s kick
University of Bath sporting scholar Jenny Hesketh became the latest student to make her senior international debut this season when she started for Wales in their Guinness Women’s Six Nations opener against Scotland. The Sports Management and Coaching student, who is supported by a Trendell Sports Scholarship, played the full 80 minutes at full-back as
Six Nations – Italy v England Not for the first time the final score hides a mass of detail. In less than twelve minutes of play Sarah Beckett’s involvement in this season’s Six Nations may have come to an end. She was found guilty of the so-called ‘croc-roll’, was shown a yellow card, then became
Six Nations – Round One This was the game that would tell us so much about the way the 6N was heading. The Scots hadn’t beaten the Welsh on Welsh soil for 20 years, and a large crowd turned out hoping to see them fail again. They cheered when Keira Bevan struck an early penalty
France v Ireland Stade Marie-Marvingt, Le Mans France gained their expected victory in front of a packed crowd, but the Irish have every reason to congratulate themselves. Putting in a formidable defensive effort, they equalled their largest ever score against les Bleues. It looked very different at the start. Inside three minutes Pauline Bourdon Sansus
It was almost inevitable that one national squad would be announced long after the five others. With a Sunday afternoon start, Nanni Raineri had no need to rush things. Team: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi 14 Aura Muzzo 13 Michela Sillari 12 Beatrice Rigoni 11 Alyssa D’Inca 10 Veronica Madia 9 Sofia Stefan (captain) 1 Gaia
Ireland’s first outing under the new regime in the 6 Nations could hardly be more testing. But at least the opposition is missing one or two key players. France seem to be permanently short of first-choice wingers. The one uncapped player in the starting XV this time is Kelly Arbey, a 19-year-old from Stade Toulousain
Six Nations – Italy v England Here is the new coach’s first team selection: 15 Ellie Kildunne 14 Abby Dow 13 Helena Rowland 12 Emily Scarratt 11 Jess Breach 10 Zoe Harrison 9 Lucy Packer 1 Hannah Botterman 2 Lark Atkin-Davies 3 Kelsey Clifford 4 Zoe Aldcroft 5 Abbie Ward 6 Sadia Kabeya 7 Marlie
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