Spain had two targets in mind as they stepped out to face the Red Roses in Leicester: to put points on them and to leave the field with their heads held high. They achieved both, enough to renew calls for better treatment from the 6 Nations board. The trouble is, England put fifteen tries on
I don’t enjoy being proved right At least it’s only once, not twice. In my review of the Red Roses World Cup squad I queried the lack of props, five not six. That has not yet proved a major blow. But now that Claudia Moloney-Macdonald has a minor leg niggle, it exposes the lack of options
The Red Roses’ upcoming Test matches will be co-streamed on England Rugby YouTube and BBC iPlayer and website. John Mitchell’s side will prepare for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup with a home fixture against Spain at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Leicester, on Saturday 2nd August (KO 3pm BST) and an away encounter with France on Saturday 9th August
In my previous piece on the subject, I mentioned three attributes: quality, experience and versatility. Here I expand on my thoughts. Quality The Red Roses are now on a run of 25 games undefeated and hope to beat their own record of 30 this summer. Their one black mark has been at the World Cup.
John Mitchell has revealed the name of the 32 players to represent England at the home RWC. We shouldn’t call any of them surprises; all the many called to training sessions were worthy of consideration. But those most likely to have been overjoyed at the good news are Abi Burton, Jade Shekells and Lilli Ives-Campion.
The 32 Red Roses who have the honour of representing their country in the home 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup have been confirmed. Head coach John Mitchell’s squad comprises 18 forwards and 14 backs, averaging an age of 26 and totalling a combined 1,374 international caps. Twenty-four of the group have previously competed at a World
The training season the the World Cup is getting into full swing. All over the world sixteen squads are starting the ritual of getting into the best form possible. The first step for head coaches is to announce a squad considerably larger than the 32 allowed at the main event. Then comes the uncomfortable business
The Red Roses will host Spain in a preparation match ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup. John Mitchell’s side will welcome Las Leonas to Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday 2nd August, 3pm, before heading to Mont-de-Marsan a week later (09.08.2025) to take on France. Last autumn, Spain was crowned WXV 3 champions after
Part Two Armchair pundits (I’m one) have argued that it makes no difference who John Mitchell chooses for the France match; the result is a foregone conclusion, like every encounter since March 2018. This is why it matters: two years ago at HQ England scraped home 38-33. There have been far tighter results than that
Part One Who does John Mitchell choose for Twickenham? France’s win against italy looks complete enough on paper (21-34), but on the field it was very different. Two late scores distorted the final margin of victory. Then consider history weighing down on French shoulders, that long series of defeats at English hands. Their last victory
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