Fresh from welcoming a new record crowd for a women’s The Hundred game at Lord’s in Sunday’s final, and England’s bilateral attendance record for a home women’s fixture against Australia last year, MCC is thrilled to be awarded a women’s Test in what will be a landmark moment for the Club and Ground.

England Women have played white-ball matches at the Ground for the past three years, with another scheduled next year, but it will be the first time Lord’s has hosted a Women’s Test match.

Guy Lavender, Chief Executive & Secretary of MCC, said: “We are thrilled that for the first time, Lord’s will stage a women’s Test match. Women’s cricket is one of the fastest growing sports worldwide and the Club is proud to support this growth.

From being one of the first clubs to invest in a Head of Women’s Cricket role in 2017, to honouring the birthplace of the Women’s Ashes in a formal plaque ceremony in the Harris Garden in 2023, championing and supporting the advancement of women’s and girls’ cricket is a priority for MCC.”

Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “I’m delighted we can confirm that India Women will take on England Women in the first ever women’s Test match at Lord’s. It will be a truly special occasion, and one of real significance for the game.”

Claire Taylor, Chair of MCC Cricket committee and England great said: “I played 15 Tests for England during my career but none of those were at Lord’s, so I’m delighted at this news and most importantly for the players who’ll make history playing in this fixture in 2026. Young girls playing up and down the country can now aspire to play Test match cricket at the Home of Cricket. It is a clear demonstration that cricket is a game for all.”

With thanks to the MCC

England Women’s Blind Team Camp (Photo by Barrington Coombs – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

The formation of the England Women’s Blind Team is part of The FA’s Football Your Way plan, which launched in October 2021. This plan committed to develop, improve and raise awareness of Disability Football in England, with the newly formed England Women’s Blind Team a result of the plan.

The team spans a wealth of backgrounds, ages, and experiences in football – with some of the team having only recently taken up the sport. Others in the squad have competed in other England Para teams, whilst two of the team are finishing up at University. All the players will receive world-class coaching and support services.

The team are in the earliest stages of their journey and will travel as a developmental squad to take part in a series of international games next month in Pescara, Italy. The FA’s focus is on the long-term progression of the squad whilst also helping them prepare to perform to the best of their abilities at a home World Championships, which will be held in Birmingham in August 2023.

On the team’s creation, Female Para Development Coach, Lauren Asquith, said: “We are delighted that blind and partially sighted women now have a pathway to representing their country with the England Women’s Blind Team. The first sessions have been incredible and the dedication the players have shown to the tactical disciplines and specifics of the game has been brilliant. The FA’s Football Your Way plan set out to deliver for team’s like this, and we hope it’s the start of something that continues to open up doors to all types of football”.

For further information and for opportunities to participate in blind football and other disability football formats, visit englandfootball.com/footballyourway.

With thanks to the FA via Matchfit

The Blue & Gold were invited to Bisham Abbey to take part in a semi-contact team training forwards and backs session with the England Women’s squad as they prepare for the 2019 Six Nations, which starts with a visit to Ireland on Friday, February 1.

The Red Roses squad, which turned fully professional on January 1, includes Coach Education & Sports Development graduate Natasha Hunt and is captained by Sarah Hunter, who used to train at the University of Bath.

Prop Jake Buckingham, who studies Sports Performance, was part of the Team Bath training squad and said: “It was a real honour to train against a professional outfit as it is something we do not often get the chance to do. The intensity of the session was very high with both teams putting each other under a lot of pressure.

“Hopefully we can arrange something again in the future as I think it was a great learning experience for everyone involved and we wish England all the best in their Six Nations campaign.”

The training session took place a day after rugby players on the University’s Sports Performance course had received an inspirational talk from former Lions, England, Scotland and Bath Rugby coach Andy Robinson.

He shared his experiences of the people that had influenced him during his rugby career, how to back yourself towards being great and key aspects of ‘team-ship’.

Aaron James, Head of Rugby at the University, said: “Andy’s talk was an inspiration to the players in our Sports Performance group. His journey has built up a wealth of experience and his openness and willingness to share those experiences was motivating to both coaches and students.”

The men’s rugby team, who beat the RAF 29-27 in a well-contested friendly fixture last week, resume their BUCS Super Rugby campaign on Wednesday, January 30 when they visit Cardiff University.

Visit rugby.teambath.com to find out more about the rugby programme at the University of Bath.

Courtesy of the Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight 

The schedule for England Women’s upcoming tour of India has been confirmed.

The Paytm series will comprise of three ODIs – to be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai – and three IT20s – to be played at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.

England will also play a warm-up fixture against BP XI on February 18 in Mumbai.

The ODIs will form part of the ICC Women’s Championship, with a victory worth two points.

Hosts of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2021 New Zealand will automatically qualify, along with the three top-placed nations. England currently occupy third place, on 10 points.

SCHEDULE

*February 22: 1st ODI, India Women v England Women, Mumbai, 9am

*February 25: 2nd ODI, India Women v England Women, Mumbai, 9am

*February 28: 3rd ODI, India Women v England Women, Mumbai, 9am

March 4: 1st IT20, India Women v England Women, Guwahati, 10am

March 7: 2nd IT20, India Women v England Women, Guwahati, 10am

March 9: 3rd IT20, India Women v England Women, Guwahati, 10am

*Denotes match counts towards the ICC Women’s Championship

Courtesy of the ECB

Following its meeting on Wednesday, the RFU Board supported the proposal to introduce women’s contracts for the 15-aside game.

There will be 28 full-time contracts available to England Women, which will come into effect on 1 January. The Quilter Internationals will be played under the existing EPS agreement.

The 28 contracts will be supplemented by seven elite player squad (EPS) agreements, meaning a total EPS of 35.

The move will continue to drive standards in the game both at a domestic and international level with all England players eligible to play for their clubs in the Tyrrells Premier 15s competition, returning to the RFU for England duties.

With immediate effect, the squad will be based Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre during core periods, providing a permanent base within a high performance training centre.

RFU Chief Executive Steve Brown said: “We are delighted to be able to offer full-time contracts to our 15s players. This has long been our ambition and demonstrates the RFU’s commitment to growing the women’s game and the belief we have in the future of the sport.

“We are at a tipping point for women’s rugby globally and it is our ambition to be world number one and drive growth at every level. As an organisation, from top to bottom, we are very much behind this and want to see the continued expansion and growth to realise the ambitious targets we have set ourselves.”

Under its women and girls strategy, the RFU plans to double the number of participants by 2021, increase the number of women’s teams by more than 75% to 800, the number of active women’s clubs to more than 400, and get more women involved in the sport as referees, coaches and volunteers.

RFU Director of Professional Rugby Nigel Melville said: “As a union we want to lead the way for driving standards in women’s rugby through everything we do. Full-time contracts are a big step in ensuring we have the access to players to develop them and fulfil their potential.

“Bisham Abbey is a world class training facility and it’s a great opportunity to have a permanent base and use of their facilities.”

O2, principal partner of the England team, Chief Marketing Officer Nina Bibby comments: “England Women’s Rugby is vitally important to O2 and seeing our logo on the England Women’s shirt when they step out to represent their country gives our customers and colleagues a huge amount of pride. We look forward to continuing to showcase and celebrate the national women’s game to the largest possible audience. It’s essential girls and young women growing up have the elite role models to look up to, who encourage them to pick up a rugby ball and get involved in the game we all love.”

Courtesy of the RFU

The Red Roses secured a total of 12 unanswered tries including a first-half hat-trick from Lichfield hooker Amy Cokayne.

Emily Scarratt (Photo: Inpho)

In a day of Women’s Six Nations firsts, Danielle Waterman also scored to land her 25^th try on her 25^th Six Nations appearance, while Wilson took her international career points total over a century, finishing the day with 115, as she shot to the head of the championship points scorers.

England now head to Dublin for a Six Nations grand slam finale, after Ireland secured a 7-12 victory against Wales earlier in the day at Cardiff Arms Park. With another bonus point win to their name, England top the Women’s Six Nations table one point ahead of their closest rivals going into the final week.

Head coach Simon Middleton said: “We’re thrilled with that performance. We had a clear picture about what we wanted to do, to play with intensity and tempo, and we delivered that for the most part.

Captain Sarah Hunter congratulates Amy Cokayne) (Photo: Inpho)

“It’s winner takes all against Ireland next week and that will be a totally different game which we’ve got to be prepared for. We’re under no illusions of how tough it’s going to be but if there’s ever a game you’d want to play as a rugby player it would be next week.”

Wilson began the scoring in the third minute from an Emily Scarratt pass and she had her second four minutes later when she was released by Harriet Millar-Mills.

Scotland No.8 Gemma Forsyth was sent to the sin bin in the 11th minute and soon after Cokayne was on the back of a driving maul to score her first of the afternoon before securing England’s bonus point after 20 minutes when she bundled over.

Waterman was then on the end of a flowing move three-minutes later to continue her fine record in the competition.

Harriet Millar-Mills takes the line-out (Photo: Inpho)

Wilson sealed her hat-trick in the 26th minute after receiving a long pass from Amber Reed and she showed her finishing instincts seven-minutes later. Cokayne scored her third try and her team’s eighth on the stroke of half-time after charging down a kick.

Wilson started the second period in the same vein as she raced away to cross for her fifth try five minutes after the break. On the hour mark the Richmond wing then became the first player to score six tries in a Women’s Six Nations match when she received another pass from Scarratt, her fourth assist to Wilson of the afternoon.

Scarratt crossed five minutes from time following an Alex Matthews offload and Wilson darted over again soon after to complete the scoring.

Of her seven-timer Wilson said: “It’s pretty amazing, I didn’t think I’d ever score three tries in a match let alone seven. It’s a credit to the team, I was out wide and the girls found me out there so I’m really proud of the team.”

England 64 – 0 Scotland
Tries: Wilson (7), Cokayne (3), Waterman, Scarratt
Conversions: Scarratt (2)

England match-day 23 against Scotland

15 Danielle Waterman (Bristol, 67 caps, McKenna (49))
14 Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries, 30 caps)
13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield, 65 caps)
12 Amber Reed (Bristol, 36 caps)
11 Kay Wilson (Richmond, 41 caps)
10 Emily Scott (Saracens, 20 caps, Burford (49))
9 La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 63 caps, Blackburn (54))

1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries, 121 caps, Cornborough (54))
2 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, 24 caps, Fleetwood (54))
3 Justine Lucas (Lichfield, 18 caps, Bern (54))
4 Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield, 42 caps)
5 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 102 caps)
6 Alex Matthews (Richmond, 28 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Bristol, 44 caps, Noel-Smith (54))
8 Sarah Hunter (Bristol, 89 caps, Cleall (60)) (c)

16 Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens, 58 caps)
17 Vickii Cornborough (Aylesford Bulls, 22 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol, 8 caps)
19 Poppy Cleall (Bristol, 11 caps)
20 Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol, 28 caps)
21 Bianca Blackburn (Worcester Valkyries, 17 caps)
22 Rachael Burford (Aylesford Bulls, 64 caps)
23 Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 12 caps)

England Women Six Nations fixtures

England 26 – 13 France
Saturday 4 February, Twickenham Stadium

Wales 0 – 63 England
Saturday 11 February, Cardiff Arms Park

England 29 – 15 Italy
Saturday 25 February, Twickenham Stoop

England 64 – 0 Scotland
Saturday 11 March, Twickenham Stoop

Ireland v England
Friday 17 March, KO 8pm, live on Sky Sports Mix
Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin

Report courtesy of the RFU

England’s points came from a first-half try from No. 8 Zoe Aldcroft, following up her player-of-the-match performance against Army Women last week, which was converted by Zoe Harrison.

France U20 scored tries through captain Fiona Lecat, No. 8 Lucie Vinacua and full back Charlotte Torres Duxan.

They took the lead after 17 minutes when Lecat barged her way over the line and extended their advantage soon after when Vinacua crossed in the left corner.

However, England responded seven minutes before half-time when they turned over a scrum on the opposition’s five-metre line and Aldcroft pounced to score. Harrison added the extras to close the gap to five points at the break.

The match entered a tense period in the second half but the away side moved further ahead on the hour mark. England full back Catriona McNaney made a brave tackle to prevent outside centre Ian Jason from scoring, but the ball was recycled and Torres Duxan dived over out wide to seal victory for France.

England Women U20 head coach Jo Yapp said: “The scoreline probably didn’t reflect the game overall but France took their opportunities and we didn’t. Unfortunately we weren’t clinical enough on the day.

“Part of our programme is to see whether the players can pick themselves up from these sort of defeats so it will be a real test of their character.

“They did fight hard today and we can’t fault their effort but there are certain parts of our game plan that we really need to have a look at. We’ll learn an awful lot from this experience.”

Saturday’s game was the first of two matches against France Women U20s with the second taking place on Friday 17 March at Stade Guy Boniface, Mont-de-Marsan (KO 7pm).

England 7 – 17 France
Try: Aldcroft
Conversion: Harrison

England Women U20s

15. Catriona McNaney (Bristol, University of Exeter)
14. Sophie Tandy (Aylesford Bulls, Clarke (67))
13. Ella Wyrwas (Welwyn, Hartpury College)
12. Lagilagi Tuima (Plymouth Albion, Attwood (52))
11. Emma Uren (Saracens, St Mary’s University, Twickenham)
10. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, Middlesex University)
9. Tazmin Bricknell (Bristol, Hartpury College, Bradley (76))

1. Ellena Perry (Saracens, Coventry University, Roberts (52))
2. Hannah West (Wasps, Brunel University, Gilbert (63))
3. Ellie Mulhearn (Bristol, Filton College, Churm (58))
4. Molly Morrissey (Lichfield, Hartpury College, Moynihan (58))
5. Anna Wolf (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, Northumbria University)
6. Sally Stott (Vale of Lune, Edinburgh University, Wilcock (67))
7. Poppy Leitch (Bristol, University of Exeter) ©
8. Zoe Aldcroft (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, Northumbria University)

16. Ellie Gilbert (Exeter Saracens, Hartpury College)
17. Michaella Roberts (Plymouth Albion)
18. Brogan Churm (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, Northumbria University)
19. Rosanna Moynihan (Welwyn, Hartpury College)
20. Charlie Wilcock (Waterloo)
21. Brooke Bradley (Bristol)
22. Lucy Attwood (Bristol, University of Bristol)
23. Brooke Clarke (Worcester Valkyries)

England Women U20 fixture and results list:

• England Women U20s 38 – 15 Army Women
  Thursday 16 February, Aldershot Army Rugby Stadium
• England 7 – 17 France
  Saturday 25 February, Esher RFC
• France v England: Friday 17 March, KO 7pm, Stade Guy Boniface, Mont-de-Marsan

Report courtesy of England Rugby

England’s driving maul (Photo: Inpho)

A hat-trick of tries from Vicky Fleetwood ensured the Red Roses made it three from three despite going down to 13 players in the second half.

The Red Roses saw off a determined Italian side who were first off the mark with Sofia Stefan scoring after four minutes. Despite a nervous start, England regained controlled with Kay Wilson crossing on the wing with Emily Scarratt converting to put England ahead.

A break from Alex Matthews gave Amy Wilson Hardy her fourth try of the tournament to quickly follow up before a driving maul provided Fleetwood with her first in the 25^th minute.

A second England maul from 10 metres out was again too strong for Italy with Fleetwood’s second try converted by Scarratt to make the scores 24-5 at half time.

Five minutes after the break the Saracens hooker scored her third from another catch and drive with the Italy pack struggling to contain England’s rolling maul. It was the first hat trick for a front row in the history of the Women’s Six Nations.

Italy had their second try after 56 minutes when captain Sara Barattin pounced on Manuela Furlan’s kick through before Aylesford Bulls full back scored her own eight minutes from time.

The Red Roses ended the match with 14 players after replacement Katy Mclean was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle, and they were reduced to 13 players in the 68th minute when Poppy Cleall was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle.

Head coach Simon Middleton said: “It was frustrating at times, but credit to Italy they were outstanding. Full marks to our players at the end, they showed fantastic character when they were down to 13 with eight minutes left on the clock. Italy were in the ascendency but we defended for our lives and with a great deal of discipline and shape.

Paying tribute to Fleetwood’s hat-trick, he added: “Vicky is a great athlete, she’s waited patiently in the wings and showed her versatility today when she went into the back row. She’s a great player and we’re blessed to have her.”

England return  to Twickenham Stoop next, on Saturday 11 March, when they take on Scotland in the fourth round of the 2017 Six Nations (KO 1pm).

England 29 – 15 Italy
Tries: Fleetwood (3), Wilson, Wilson Hardy
Conversions: Scarratt (2)

England match-day 23 against Italy

15 Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 11 caps, Mclean (56))
14 Amy Wilson Hardy (Bristol, 6 caps)
13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield, 64 caps, Reed (65))
12 Rachael Burford (Aylesford Bulls, 63 caps)
11 Kay Wilson (Richmond, 40 caps)
10 Emily Scott (Saracens, 19 caps)
9 La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 62 caps, Blackburn (63))

1 Justine Lucas (Lichfield, 17 caps, Clark (63))
2 Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens, 57 caps)
3 Laura Keates (Worcester Valkyries, 59 caps, Bern (56))
4 Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield, 41 caps)
5 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 101 caps)
6 Alex Matthews (Richmond, 27 caps, Noel-Smith (48))
7 Marlie Packer (Bristol, 43 caps, Cokayne (53))
8 Sarah Hunter (Bristol, 88 caps, Cleall (61)) (c)

16 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, 23 caps)
17 Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries, 120 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol, 7 caps)
19 Poppy Cleall (Bristol, 10 caps)
20 Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol, 27 caps)
21 Bianca Blackburn (Worcester Valkyries, 16 caps)
22 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 83 caps)
23 Amber Reed (Bristol, 35 caps)

 England Women Six Nations fixtures

England 26 – 13 France
Saturday 4 February, Twickenham Stadium

Wales 0 – 63 England
Saturday 11 February, Cardiff Arms Park

England 29 – 15 Italy
Saturday 25 February, Twickenham Stoop

England v Scotland
Saturday 11 March, KO 1pm, coverage delayed until 8pm on Sky Sports 2
Twickenham Stoop
Tickets available here

Ireland v England
Friday 17 March, KO 8pm, live on Sky Sports Mix
Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin

N.B. Channel information subject to change.

Report courtesy of England Rugby

Sarah Taylor (Photo: ECB)

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced that 18 players have been awarded new England women’s central contracts.

Alongside an increase in the value of the contracts, which will come into effect from 1^st February 2017, the next wave of England women’s contracts will also, for the first time, include the introduction of two-year contracts, plus a new level of “rookie” contract.

“The awarding of two-year contracts represents another significant step forward in the professionalisation of the women’s game in this country,” explained ECB’s Director of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor.

“The global women’s game is evolving rapidly, and in order to ensure that professional cricket continues to be an attractive career option for talented female athletes, it’s important that we continue to properly invest in our players.

Alex Hartley (Photo: Don Miles)

“The ECB is fully committed to the goal of supporting the England women’s team to become the world’s number one team.  The pay increase and introduction of two-year contracts will give our players greater financial security and ensure they can be fully focused on the challenges that lie ahead: the ICC Women’s World Cup on home soil next summer, the Women’s Ashes in Australia and the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in the Caribbean in 2018”.

Following an impressive introduction to international cricket in 2017, which saw her return a record 13 wickets in the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series against the West Indies in October, Middlesex and Surrey Stars left-arm spinner, Alex Hartley, is one of two players to be awarded their first ECB contract.  She is joined by Beth Langston (Yorkshire and Loughborough Lightning) who made her ODI debut against Sri Lanka in Colombo last month, and who is the first recipient of a new level of “rookie” contract.

Three players have not had their central contracts renewed: former England women’s captain, Charlotte Edwards, and middle-order batsman Lydia Greenway, after they announced their retirement from international cricket earlier this year, and left-arm spinner, Rebecca Grundy.

England Women’s Head Coach, Mark Robinson, added: “The women’s game is growing at a real pace, but still doesn’t have the financial security that the men’s county game offers a player from the England men’s team in the event that they lose their ECB central contract.  We have a big couple of years coming up with two global events and a Women’s Ashes series in Australia, and it’s important that the players can look forward with some degree of certainty to focus on performing in those competitions.

“That said, we do still have space and freedom to grow – we have to be able to reward players at the right time – so we will continue to assess the central contracts list on an annual basis.  The new level of “rookie” contract also gives us greater flexibility in this respect, allowing us to financially support players who sit just above the England Women’s Senior Academy squad, but who have not quite hit the level required to win a full central contract.

“Congratulations to Alex Hartley and Beth Langston on being awarded ECB contracts for the first time.  Alex has been given a full central contract: her performances against the West Indies in the Caribbean were outstanding and testament to the hard work that she put in over the last 18 months.

“Beth is our first recipient of a new “rookie” contract, and she really showed during the tour to Sri Lanka last month that she has the attitude, commitment and skill to be successful at an international level.  She has been unlucky with injuries in the past, so hopefully she can now stay fit for a period of time and we will get to see how she can develop into a key bowler for us.

“I’m also happy to confirm that we have offered Sarah Taylor a new contract.  Sarah is doing really well with her return to cricket plan after taking some time away from the game for health reasons.  Her aim has always been to be back playing and available for selection for the World Cup next summer, and we’ll continue to offer her the support she needs to achieve that goal.

“Unfortunately professional sport sometimes necessitates tough decisions, and Rebecca Grundy has not had her central contract renewed.  I’m sure she will aspire to play international cricket again.”

Lead photo shows Beth Langston celebrating her first ODI wicket.

Report courtesy of the ECB

England women’s centrally contracted players

England Women first awarded contracts to 20 sevens players in October 2014.

Now there will be 48 player contracts for the 2016/17 season as the squad build towards their bid to retain the Women’s Rugby World Cup next year.

Following the Olympic Games in Rio, 16 players will be awarded full-time contracts with a focus on the 15-a-side game. An additional 16 players will be handed part-time, three-day-a-week contracts with a sevens focus. A further 16 contracts will be awarded on a short-term basis, allowing players to come into residential camps ahead of major tournaments, including the Six Nations and the Women’s Rugby World Cup, to ensure the squad is well prepared.

RFU Chief Executive Ian Ritchie recognised the importance of providing opportunities for England Women to help develop the game across all levels, saying: “The RFU is committed to supporting the growth of women’s rugby. We are immensely proud of England Women’s achievements and we want to provide the best support to continue this success.

“More women and girls in this country are playing rugby than ever before and England Women are important role models to encourage more people to try our sport.”

The England Women elite performance squad of contracted players will be announced in September. The full-time contracts will come into effect from then with training based at Bisham Abbey, the current home of the GB women’s sevens squad.

It is intended that the majority of contracted players focusing on 15s will be released to play club rugby over the season.

RFU Head of Women’s Performance Nicky Ponsford said: “This is a really exciting time for women’s rugby in England. We will have more contracted players than ever before to give us the best possible chance of retaining the World Cup in Ireland next August. We also recognise that the sevens’ programme is important again next year with the World Sevens series and qualification for Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2018.

“The girls have proven that they are among the best in the world, delivering consistent results across both the sevens and 15s games already this year, and we want to focus on building on that.”

Report courtesy of England Rugby