It’s excellent news that Bristol Bears have appointed Dave Ward as their new head coach. He comes with vast experience with Quins, England and lately Ampthill. It’s a plus that he is a Bristol man himself. It’s very much end of the season with only one fixture still to play, so his eyes will be
Italy v Ireland; Scotland v Wales The clash of the two I’s in Dublin is hard to predict. Both sides have match-winners; both have shown flashes of outstanding form. Italy are full of confidence as they reach No 5 in world rankings, three places above the hosts. They may pay the penalty of surrendering home
Oh dear! The French selection looks the way every weak-kneed England fan must have feared, hideously strong. Romane Ménager returns at No 8 to nobody’s surprise. It’s when we spot the names Corson and Trémoulière hiding on the bench that we get an idea of the strength of the squad. Annick Hayraud has kept faith
England Women head coach Simon Middleton has named his team to play France in the Women’s Six Nations final. The match takes place at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday 24 April, kick-off 2pm live on BBC Two. Emily Scarratt captains the side with regular skipper Sarah Hunter among the finishers. Abbie Ward (lock) and Marlie Packer
Match officials Sara Cox (RFU), Hollie Davidson (SRU) and Clara Munarini (FIR) are set to take charge of the Women’s Six Nations ‘Super Saturday’ finals day on 24 April. Cox will officiate the opening match of the day when Ireland host Italy, who have climbed to fifth in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings, at Energia
Squad of 22 match officials from 12 countries selected for the Olympic Games in Tokyo Inclusion of five international players who have swapped the playing shirt for the whistle, including New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup winner Selica Winiata Eight female referees including two making their second appearances at the Olympic Games Rugby sevens competition takes
What a weekend to look forward to! For the first time there will be a proper final to the famous tournament. Despite that added attraction I hope it will be the last. The problem of narrowing standards within the six unions still hasn’t been solved. For all the advances a team like Scotland have made
The group will support the RFU to effectively deliver against its strategic objective: to drive rugby union in England to reflect the diversity in society An independent diversity and inclusion advisory group, chaired by former England, Lions and Harlequins player, Ugo Monye, alongside vice-chair Giselle Mather, ex-England player and current Wasps Ladies director of rugby,
The writing was on the wall from the outset. At the first scrum Italy drove the hosts rearwards. From then on they showed the same attacking verve as in Parma against the English. Only here they retained their composure for most of the game. Scotland had good moments, as their 20 points reveal, but were
Last week Ireland ran seven tries past hapless Wales. Today back home they leaked eight tries to a rampant French side who made them look ordinary again. Such are the gulfs set between the competing nations; twas ever thus. The Irish started well enough: Emeline Gros made two errors, first not catching the kick-off, then
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