WXV1 – USA v England BC Place, Vancouver Hors d’Oeuvre (for your main course, please scroll down the menu) USA rugby is in a mess. It faces two RWCs (men’s and women’s) in the early 2030s and suffers from underfunding and lack of focus. The one bright spot is the success of the women’s 7s
Sensible choices made I’m absolutely delighted to see who John Mitchell has chosen to face USA in the first match of the campaign in Vancouver. The squad: 15 Ellie Kildunne 14 Bo Westcombe-Evans, 13 Emily Scarratt, 12 Phoebe Murray, 11 Jess Breach; 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Lucy Packer, 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Lark Atkin-Davies, 3
Two uncapped additions These are the 30 Red Roses who will fly to Vancouver for the 2024 WXV1 tournament: Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Lark Atkin-Davies, Connie Powell, Maud Muir, Zoe Aldcroft, Rosie Galligan, Lilli Ives Campion, Abbie Ward, Georgia Brock, Maddie Feaunati, Alex Matthews, Marlie Packer, Morwenna Talling, Natasha
Nervy England come out on top “The biggest challenge in women’s rugby” (NZR) Both sides looked nervous in the opening phases, the Black Ferns justifiably, the Red Roses less so. The game rarely developed into well-structured spells of possession, but England had the sharper edge, winning the try battle 4-2. The first dangerous attack came
Can a Royal Hug make the Difference? The Black Ferns were invited to Buckingham Palace. The Red Roses became so many Cinderellas not invited to the ball. The decisive factor? Here are the teams the two Kiwi head coaches have conjured up: England 15 Ellie Kildunne 14 Abby Dow 13 Emily Scarratt 12 Tatyana Heard
Ireland v England – Third ODI Let’s put a few building-blocks in place first. Ireland were reappearing after a disastrous performance two days earlier, 45 all out. England were 2-0 up. A few changes: Davis and Wong out for England; Macdonald-Gay and Baker in. For Ireland Alana Dalzell replaced Arlene Kelly. The weather was a
John Mitchell has his own way of producing a match-day squad. I hope his players approve of it. Once again he lists a large group from whom a final selection will be made (see below). This time it’s 35-strong, so a round dozen are going to be disappointed on the big occasion. If I’m anything
Stormont, Belfast First a scene-setter: This was a sort of Second XI that the selectors sent across the Irish Sea, though far from it, according to those who disagreed vehemently with the choices. Bess Heath and Freya Kemp were the two players invited to take part before moving on to the T20 World Cup in
Lucky Fourteen Kingsholm, Gloucester As expected, England gained their fourteenth win over France in fourteen attempts, but you can be sure John Mitchell and his staff will have plenty of criticisms to make to the team in the post-match analysis. First, the nineteen points against. The Red Roses pride themselves on their defence and their
Kate Cross’ career-best figures saw England Women secure a four-wicket victory over Ireland in Stormont. Captaining her country for the first time, Cross took a six-wicket haul and 38 not out in her side’s opening ODI match. A youthful England team was made up of five debutants. Hannah Baker and Ryana MacDonald-Gay, who made their
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