Source: Loughborough Lightning

Rowland and Malcolm start as Scarratt hits milestone

International stars Helena Rowland and Rachel Malcolm return to the Loughborough Lightning starting line-up to face Exeter Chiefs this weekend. The cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens encounter on Sunday 19 January (kick-off: 3pm) sees Rowland return at flyhalf after six weeks out having been one of five Lightning players involved in England’s first training camp

Continue Reading →


Source: PWR

PWR Round 14 – A Preview

Just five rounds of the regular season left. The Fixtures: Saturday 18th January: Bristol Bears v Leicester Tigers Sale Sharks v Harlequins Gloucester-Hartpury v Trailfinders Sunday 19 January Loughborough Lightning v Exeter Chiefs The table divides into three groups: the top five, the two middle-order batters and the two tail-enders. It’s only the play-off battle

Continue Reading →

Women’s Elite Rugby USA – Latest

This highly ambitious enterprise takes its next step forward. The six coaches (see below) have announced their five “foundational players”. They are: Bay Area: Olivia Bernadel-Huey, Elena Edwards, Celine Liulamaga, Jade McGrath and Roxelle Thomas Boston: Cassidy Bargell, Yeja Dunn, Emily Henrich, Akweley Okine and Paige Stathopoulos Chicago: Anabel Diaz, Emma Farnan, Cienna Jordan, Betty

Continue Reading →


Source: PWR

Random Rugby Thoughts

From Shore to Shore The person now in charge of PWR affairs, Genevieve Shore, was engaged in high-flying RFU affairs long before she became Chair of the newly founded PWR in 2023. Once she had charge of certain financial matters at Twickenham Towers. This has come to public attention as the man at the pinnacle

Continue Reading →


Source: Celtic Challenge

Celtic Challenge Round 4

Three matches were completed: Brython Thunder v Wolfhounds (Parc Y Scarlets); Clovers v Edinburgh Rugby (Virgin Media Park, Cork) Gwalia Lightning v Glasgow Warriors (Ystrad Mynach) Brython Thunder v Wolfhounds The difference in quality was evident from the start. The Wolfhounds, representing Leinster and Ulster (but essentially the Dublin conurbation plus reinforcements) are likely to

Continue Reading →


Source: Exeter Chiefs

PWR – Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears

Another clash between top-five clubs, this time the two that were most desperate for wins. Chiefs were no longer running clear at the top of the league; Bears knew they couldn’t afford any more hiccups. It was fourth versus fifth. The Maher-effect touched Sandy Park: “Please ensure you arrive in good time. A larger crowd

Continue Reading →


Source: PWR

Sarries show no mercy

PWR – Round 13 Saturday Matches Saracens v Leicester Tigers Gloucester-Hartpury v Loughborough Lightning Saracens v Leicester Tigers “We knew we had to come out and execute”. So said Poppy Cleall, after she won the Player of the Match award. Her words were only too well chosen. Tigers were executed to the extent of a

Continue Reading →


Source: England Rugby

Red Roses – The next Step

John Mitchell has announced the names of 38 players to start training up for the Six Nations. Shakespeare tended to opt for five acts to complete his dramas. If this list represents a prologue, there will be many more acts to come before we reach the climax. Yesterday we had news of a new captain.

Continue Reading →