Philip ‘Goose’ Doyle, Scotland’s head coach, has had to step down. As he is sheltering, he cannot make regular trips across the Irish Sea to meet up with his players. His place is taken on an interim basis by Bryan Easson, his deputy. This is thoroughly bad news for Scotland’s women, as Doyle was the
Capped by England and Scotland respectively, Harlequins Women’s second rows Saynor and McCormack have announced their retirement from all forms of rugby. Saynor, 32, retires from the sport having joined the Club ahead of the 2016/17 season, making an instant impression as a consistently outstanding performer through her dogged determination and work rate on the
Compare these two statements: ‘The growth and overall health of the women’s game are key and as a strategic priority we remain committed to investing in its future’ (CEO’s Review of the Year, RFU Annual report 2019) and: ‘Women and Sevens hardest hit by RFU cuts’ (headline, The Guardian, 1 August 2020). Even before the
It is excellent news that the Six Nations committee has confirmed dates for replaying the outstanding six matches in the 2020 Championships. They are: Round 4: weekend of 24 October Scotland v France Ireland v Italy Round 5: weekend of 31 October Wales v Scotland Italy v England France v Ireland Round 3: weekend of
Ahead of the team’s return to Stage 1 training, the Women’s team have made a temporary move to the Lensbury Hotel, located near Twickenham in SW London. Harlequins Women have made the temporary switch from Surrey Sports Park in Guildford to the world-class training facility at the Lensbury Hotel. This move ensures an exclusive base
Firwood Waterloo and Richmond, two clubs rich in women’s rugby, are having to adjust to the harsh realities of the Championship, one level below the Premier 15s. It is a very deep step. Another club that has voluntarily decided to quit its elite status is L’Ovalie Caennaise in Normandy, a region far from the traditional
Italian back row Franco will rejoin her former side Rugby Colorno after a season-long spell with Harlequins Women, relocating to her native country to focus on her university studies and national team commitments. Commenting on her departure, Franco said: “I want to say thank you to Harlequins for this amazing year. I’m sad we haven’t
Sale Sharks is pleased to announce a further addition to their rapidly expanding women’s squad, as Wales International Gwenllian Pyrs puts pen to paper on a deal to join the Sharks high performance set up ahead of the upcoming Premier 15s season. Pyrs will join the Sharks Women as they embark on their first season
England 7’s player Jodie Ounsley is the proud recipient of the first Vodafone sponsored Gain Line Award after signing her first professional contract in August 2019 and becoming the first female deaf rugby player to make an International 7’s squad. The 18-year-old started her professional journey off with a bang in Glendale, Arizona and scored
Sara Orchard has reported on the BBC website likely developments to the Premier 15s league. There is the possibility that Welsh and Scottish clubs might join in, for example two Welsh ‘super’ clubs. Nicky Ponsford, England’s performance manager, has been in discussions with her counterparts in Cardiff and Edinburgh. She sees the addition of such
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