Source: @AshSportsPhotos

PWR – Round 8 Preview

The big one this week is once more at the StoneX, another chance for Chiefs to prove they are a match for the perennial top-dogs. They have grown angry since it became apparent that the PWR board might actually enforce one of its significant regulations, a limit on non-England qualified players. Whether that will make

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Source: British and Irish Lions

A Lions Tour – A Going Concern?

The Times has reported plans  to stage a British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2027. This news come packed with problems, many of which I have discussed in previous postings. They include: Discussions and more discussions It’s three years since the B&I board set up a panel to discuss possibilities. It’s taking

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Source: @AshSportsPhotos

PWR – Round 7

Saracens’ fans will be relieved to hear that their favourite side won. They had won each of their last 17 matches, and beaten the Sharks by 40+ points at every meeting between the sides (thanks OPTA), so pre-match fans’ teeth must have been chattering with fear and trepidation. They did fail to mount 70 points.

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Source: @AshSportsPhotos

PWR – Round 7 Preview

Compare the fixtures with the table below, and the first weekend of the new year looks like four foregone conclusions. The only doubt is whether Quins can at last get their motor running properly. Never before this season has a trip north been as chancy as now. Sale shocked them in Round Two, but Tigers

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Source: Loughborough Lightning

Wells to make Lightning debut against Gloucester-Hartpury

Catherine Wells will make her Loughborough Lightning debut in this weekend’s Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby clash with Gloucester-Hartpury. Head coach Nathan Smith has selected the England Under-20s prop to start at loosehead for Saturday’s showdown with the reigning Allianz PWR champions at the Alpas Arena (kick-off: 2pm). The 21-year-old joined Lightning in December as she

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Source: FERUGBY

Spain to host a Tier of WXV?

Reports from Madrid (www.elconfidencial.com/deportes/rugby/2024-01-03/espana-world-series-juegos-olimpicos-copa-mundo-seleccion_3802457/) suggest that the federation (RFER) has full confidence in Las Leonas in regaining their place in WXV2 this year. One possibility is that the tournament might take place in the Spanish capital. As with every other rugby nation, they have twin aims in view: the 2024 WXV and the 2025 World

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Source: Harlequins

PWR – The Case for the Prosecution

An Inquiry Here is a digest of evidence provided. In her interview on TNT before Big Match 15 at Twickenham PWR’s CEO, Belinda Moore, painted a rosy picture of the league and women’s rugby in general.  Here is an alternative view. 1. Professionalism Where is the money to come from? There is little or none

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Source: WRU

The Welsh Derby

Gwalia Lightning v Brython Thunder New Year’s Day 2024 Rodney Parade, Newport The third and last match of the Round One of the Celtic Challenge showed each nation was choosing its own path. The Welsh version formed part of a double-header, with the Dragons and Scarlets performing later on the same pitch. Team Selections: Gwalia

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