Few people have been in Sean Lynn’s position. There can be no doubting his pride in taking over a national Welsh side, nor his sadness at having to leave such a successful club as Gloucester-Hartpury. As I hunt for parallels, I can suggest Rob Cain. He led Saracens to remarkable heights before assuming the job
The Red Roses’ second training session of pre-season shows subtle differences from John Mitchell’s policy of last year. The total number of players called up is as large as I have known it, 42, but no fewer than 18 will be missing as they prepare for the PWR final. So curiously, coaches will have to
World Rugby has confirmed updated Emirates Match Official appointments for four matches in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations 2025 following an injury suffered by Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand). Ganley had been due to referee Italy v Ireland in Parma on 30 March, but Ella Goldsmith (Australia) will now take charge of this match. Clara Munarini
Bryan Easson (Scotland) reveals his 34-strong extended training squad. They are: Forwards: Leah Bartlett (Leicester Tigers), Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning), Becky Boyd* (Loughborough Lightning), Sarah Bonar (Harlequins), Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears), Hollie Cunningham* (Bristol Bears), Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears), Adelle Ferrie* (Edinburgh/Corstorphine Cougars), Jade Konkel (Harlequins), Rachel Malcolm (captain, Loughborough Lightning), Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning),
World Rugby has confirmed updated Emirates Match Official appointments for two matches in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations 2025 with Amber McLachlan (Australia) unavailable. Clara Munarini (Italy) will now referee England v Scotland in Leicester on 19 April with Maria Heitor (Portugal) replacing her as assistant referee. Sara Cox (England) will take charge of Italy
These new contracts form part of the long-term plan to ensure a World Cup performance to match or improve the last one, where Italy reached the quarters for the very first time. I’ll leave my concerns till after the list. The Contracted Players: Ilaria Arrighetti (Stade Rennais, 62 caps) Alyssa D’Incà (Villorba Rugby, 26 caps)
Scott Bemand has named a 40-strong Ireland squad to train for the coming Six Nations. They are: Forwards (22): Alma Atagamen (Balbriggan)* Aoife Wafer (Blackrock College/Leinster) (11 caps) Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian)* Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere/Ulster) (27) Christy Haney (Blackrock College/Leinster) (19) Claire Boles (Railway Union/Ulster) (3) Cliodhna Moloney (Exeter Chiefs) (38) Deirbhile Nic a
It may be the dawn of the men’s 2025 Six Nations, but let’s turn our minds to more serious matters. In the women’s version all sorts of upsets are possible. We have two new head coaches in charge: Fabio Roselli (Italy) and more recently Sean Lynn (Wales) share the task of improving their squads’ placements.
Women’s rugby will take centre stage in 2025, in what could be a watershed year for the women’s game, with back-to-back international women’s rugby tournaments offering box office entertainment for fans, all kicking off with the Guinness Women’s Six Nations. The Northern Hemisphere will be the stage for the biggest moments in the women’s game
Next year’s fixtures have been published gratifyingly early. The programme lasts from 22 March to 26 April. There’s a single rest week after Round Two. The first four rounds follow the pattern: two Saturday matches, one Sunday As usual the final round finishes on a single day. How about calling it Super Saturday? That would
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