The Red Roses completed one of their most impressive Six Nations series to ensure John Mitchell got away to a perfect start. One record that has been little remarked: they became the first team to record full points (28) in a campaign involving three away matches. Their previous Grand Slam wins (with bonus points) all
The gap between England and the five other nations has widened, but the competition for places intensifies. First, the three Celtic nations. They share much in common: a past neglect by their unions that amounted almost to contempt, a belated reaction, the introduction of the Celtic Challenge, and, in Ireland’s case, a change of management.
Attendances Let’s take that easy topic first. But even it is riddled with tricky questions. Do gates matter? – Notice how clubs and nations only publish attendances when they reflect well on them. Bill Sweeney, the RFU’s COE, has given a hopeful response: “Long term we believe it (the Red Roses’ programme) is going to
France v England Result: France 21 England 42 Player of the Match: Alex Matthews England won in Bordeaux far more decisively than in Bayonne two years ago. That helped the John Mitchell disciples, led vigorously by Maggie Alphonsi, to underline the improvements that have taken place since the change in head-coachship. But a salient fact
Ireland v Scotland Kingspan Stadium, Belfast The tightness of the score tells us much of what was at stake in Belfast. World Cup qualification and WXV standings mean a lot to people. Dannah O’Brien made clear from the start how Ireland were planning domination: through her boot. She sent a kick very high and the
Cymru v Italy This was the start of a thrilling three-act play. For once the soupy title “Super Saturday” lived up to its billing. Lucia Gai appeared first, to celebrate a well-deserved 100 caps. Two early box-kicks didn’t bode well, and as we look back with hindsight, we can see that the game was more
Wales v Italy, Principality Stadium, Cardiff; KO 12.15 Ireland v Scotland, Kingspan Stadium, Belfast; KO 14.30 France v England, Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux; KO 16.45 All times BST The six teams are listed below. On a momentous weekend of women’s rugby pride of place must go to Lucia Gai, who is looking forward to her 100th
It’s a cockeyed world we live in. Les Bleues continue hunting for a first victory over the Red Roses since 2018. At the same time their junior teams trounce their English counterparts in a way that recalls derisive comments about professionals playing amateurs; 74-0 the latest offering. And so many of both current elite squads
In stark contrast to John Mitchell’s approach, Nanni Raineri has already announced just 24 players to play Wales in the last round of the Six Nations. They are: Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Aura Muzzo, Alyssa D’Incа, Beatrice Rigoni, Francesca Granzotto, Veronica Madia, Sofia Stefan, Silvia Turani, Vittoria Vecchini, Sara Seye, Sara Tounesi, Giordana Duca, Ilaria Arrighetti.
What are we to make of John Mitchell’s selections across the current Six Nations? His Round Five squad is: Zoe Aldcroft, Sarah Beckett, Hannah Botterman, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Poppy Cleall, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Lizzie Hanlon, Sadia Kabeya, Maud Muir, Cath O’Donnell, Marlie Packer. Connie Powell, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward, Holly Aitchison,
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