Canada were made to work hard for their victory, in worthy contrast to other games played today.

The result was a tribute to the Scots, who are unlikely ever to build a squad with a similar depth to their opponents’.

Florence Symonds made an early break to which the pack added with pick and drives; try McKenzie Hunt. (7-0)

Symonds v Emma Orr in the centre is a sight worth watching.

Scotland had chances too, but a delayed pass from Chloe Rollie to Rhona Lloyd, then a lack of weight and cohesion up front, prevented a quick reply.

On 20 minutes two penalties set them up. They combined well to send Lloyd over on the right edge. (7-5)

The game lurched as Evie Gallagher was shown yellow for a line-out offence. A penalty try to Canada was the inevitable result (14-5). But up to the break they could add only one more score, the result of excellent links and off-loads; try Emily Tuttosi.

Half-time 14-5

Though the match favourites remained the likely winners all through, it was Francesca McGhie who made the first of two dangerous runs. Then Gallagher, once more their star turn, suddenly broke free and was over for a solo try. It reduced the margin to a single score. (19-12)

The big crowd was getting its moneys worth. By the way, when was Sandy Park last full in all four stands for an England international?

Canada reacted. Alex Tessier kicked a fine penalty to five metres out, Tuttosi forced a gap and was over. (26-12)

Everyone thought Helen Nelson had scored a wonderful solo try. She ran on to a deliberate line-out overthrow to snake her way to the line. But no, we have TMOs: she had advanced too early.

Canada resorted to their superiority up front. Brittany Kassil, on her 50th appearance, was credited with their next score.

The Scots came back with a final blast, mounting a multi-phase move that was completed by their star winger McGhie. (33-19)

But the second favourites for the title had the last word: try to Olivia DeMerchant.

Result: Canada 40 Scotland 19
Player of the Match: Emily Tuttosi
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Attendance: 14,003

Both sides pass through to the quarters; Canada play Australia; Scotland take on England.

Wales v Fiji

Fiji score – photo: World Rugby

A game of high emotions. The two head coaches, Sean Lynn and Ioan Cunningham, had occupied the same post. For the players, so much was at stake, pride in performance above all.

Wales were desperate for a redeeming win, Fijiana for only a second victory at an RWC. Neutrals in the big crowd could support only the supposed underdogs.

Cymru scored five tries to Fiji’s four – yet they lost; not one conversion hit the target. In stark contrast Litiana Vueti was faultless. We must leave explanations for another day.

Both sides scored fine tries, both had others disallowed.

Wales’ inability to finish the game off spoke volumes. At different times, Belinda Moore and Lynn sought to put a gloss on Welsh failings. I doubt many of their fans can agree.

Carys Cox had a fine game; others had good moments.

For Fijiana, today sporting fetching light-blue jerseys, this was a day of triumph.

Result: Wales 25 Fiji 28

USA v Samoa

Sadly, the fourth game of the day could not provide a similar upset.

The USA Eagles flew off to a big victory, leaving Manusina Samoa empty-handed, despite all their hard work.

USA v Samoa – Photo World Rugby

Both have longer targets, to establish themselves more firmly on the world stage. For the USA passage through to the quarters remained very unlikely; Australia held all the right cards.

So not even an overwhelming victory could sweeten the taste of disappointment.

Two things count in American sport: star-dust and victory. Ilona Maher provided the first; she had one of her best games. Freda Tafuna was once more the outstanding performer, with four tries.

The second came too late: only one win in three attempts.

USA v Samoa Photo v World Rugby

Defenders of Sione Fukofuka’s position can rightly point to a task barely begun, but impatient fans may become more vociferous if concrete progress doesn’t come soon. To my mind the quickest routes is the WER league. But it still has to prove itself a more permanent answer than its predecessors.

Manusina Samoa weren’t allowed the delights of success that came to Fiji the same day, not even a single point to soften the blow.

World Rugby must now seek further means of assisting them out of their current plight – gross underfunding, huge sacrifices made by all the players and staff and a lack of quality matches to bolster their chances. The Oceania Cup is a start, yet not enough.

They love the game, but the hurdles they have to clear remain too high.

Result: USA 60 Samoa 0

Who could imagine both their newly-minted co-captains, Alex Callender and Kate Williams, succumbing to injury? Beth Lewis took charge.

As so often, they started well; they reached to two metres from the line; but Canadian confidence shone through as Alex Tessier launched a cross-kick while still in deep defence.

Old Welsh faults showed again. They pounded at the line through a dozen phases, but couldn’t score; Molly Reardon, replacing Kelsey Jones at No 2, repeated her feat of three faulty line-out throws. Who is the coach responsible? Or was it the wet ball?

McKinley Hunt scored the first Canadian try by orthodox means. The second, by Alisha Corrigan, showed their teamwork at its best.

Hunt had her second, this time on the end of a wonderful attack, the ball always made available for a player in support.

The bonus-point came to Asia Rochester-Hogan with a run from two miles out down the left wing.

Half-time: 28-0

The two consolations for Cymru were a much improved performance over last week and the limit they kept on Canada’s scoring potential. In these dark days of Welsh rugby a total of ‘only’ 42 points against may be seen as a minor triumph.

Sean Lynn was as good as his word: he gave new young players their chance, exemplified by Seren Lockwood at scrum-half. Keira Bevan, for so long a mainstay of the side, can only improve when threatened by competition for her place.

Tries by Gabrielle Senft, Taylor Perry and Brittany Kassil made the game safe for the world’s number twos, and any contest that Sophie de Goede competes in reduces the opposition’s chances drastically. She dominated the line-out, carried the ball for miles and struck six conversions from six.

This second setback ends Wales’ chances. Lynn, his staff and the WRU can now start planning for the 2029 RWC.

Result: Canada 42 Wales 0
Player of the Match: Sophie de Goede

1. Australia v Samoa
2. Scotland v Wales
3. Canada v Fiji
4. France v Italy

The RWC organisers wisely decided to restrict matches to the weekend, allowing more people to attend, and giving teams a proper break.

That means seven per weekend, and with the big launch at Sunderland on Friday eight between the 22nd and 24th.

The line-up promised two one-sided games and two tight corkers. It didn’t quite work out like that.

Australia v Samoa

I’m afraid this soon descended into one-way traffic. It took Katalina Amosa less than a minute to open the scoring. Desiree Miller’s second try came from simple passes down the back line to the unmarked winger.

The Wallaroos had the bonus-point sewn up inside a quarter-hour.

At least there was a big crowd at Salford to cheer the underdogs, as the English always do. As the Manusina won their first penalty, it was greeted with delight. That was repeated with each success, big and small.

Their front-row was responsible for building their first attack; like the many that followed, it foundered all too quickly, and inexperience led to multiple penalties. These all come from the lack of quality competition. The Oceania Cup has brought a great boost, but not yet enough.

The Wallaroos couldn’t afford to let up; they had their personal futures at stake. They had to ensure they remained in contention for the coming games. The USA await them in a key match.

The scoreboard was kept working hard to the end. Australia achieved a record score, and some, especially the younger team-members, impressed.

Result: 73-0
Player of the Match: Cecilia Smith
Referee: Lauren Jenner (FIR)

Scotland v Wales

The Celtic battles are famed for their tightness. Few could have predicted this result.

All three nations, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, have suffered neglect; all seemed to have recovered in time for the World Cup.

The Scottish captain, Rachel Malcolm, signalled two distractions that worried her team. First Bryan Easson’s announcement of his intended retirement; second, far more important, contracts were not settled.

How much would these factors affect the game?

Answer: Fran McGhie scored a try after 57 seconds. When Lana Skeldon dropped the ball, the Welsh seemed to hesitate. The ball fell backwards, and quick hands transferred it to the winger who flew over.

It already looked like a poor day for the Welsh when Kelsey Jones’ first line-out throw was wonky. She repeated the feat more than once.

But her side had Alex Callender back on duty. They won a penalty; from the line-out they drove for Al Cal to get the last touch. That was better!

The Scots were far more controlled and accurate in their movements. A series of drives to the line and the ball swung left for McGhie to notch her second.

Keira Bevan responded with a penalty, and a score of 10-8 looked like bringing a typically close finish.

A decisive break through midfield by Lisa Thomson – she and Emma Orr were a constant threat in midfield – put her pack close to the line, and Leia Brebner-Holden scored her first international try. That action helped to decide the match.

Half-time 17-8

Whatever Sean Lynn suggested at the break failed to have its effect. The longer the game continued, the more dominant the Scots grew.

In the second 40 they added 21 points without reply. Almost at once lovely handling brought McGhie her hat-trick try.

In the process the Welsh returned to their pre-Lynn habits: wrong options, inaccuracies, attacks that failed to gain metres and the inevitable penalties. Gwen Crabb was shown a yellow.

It’s very early days, but in this cut-throat competition teams have to start off right. This was a rare runaway victory in this series.

Result: Scotland 38 Wales 8
Player of the Match: Francesca McGhie
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
Venue: Salford

Canada v Fiji

This was the second likely mismatch of the day, another where the dominant side had to keep its foot on the pedal to ensure the onlooking management was impressed.

The first scrum rocked the Fijians backwards. At the attacking line-out that followed Sophie de Goede peeled round to score an effortless looking try.

The Canadians didn’t run away with the first half; the white-shirted Fijians kept defending solidly and trying to put their favoured playing style into effect: fast and loose. Unfortunately it was too loose, and the Canadians, impressively quick and accurate in all sectors, had their reward.

One reason the half-time score was ‘only’ 24-0 was a yellow for Taylor Perry. It was not upgraded. Still, it was all Canada, and Brittany Kassil, Caroline Crossley and Alysha Corrigan added tries – the last thanks to a great link by de Goede.

The Break

I won’t admit who my favourite Canadian player has been for the past two years, but remarkable events took place after the restart.

Inside three (3) minutes Julia Schell scored three tries. Yes, hat-tricks have already become common currency in this tournament, but three minutes? And my story has barely begun. Three further Canadian raids all finished with the ball in Schell’s hands. She was wide-eyed; the expressions on the benchers’ faces turned from delight to sheer disbelief.

My records indicate that the six tries were completed between the 49th and 72nd minutes. Who needs Portia Woodman? The last saw a cross-kick bounce obediently into her hands.

The one worry for the Maple Leafs was seeing Fancy Bermudez limping off. They have plenty of reserves, but would far prefer to enjoy her presence.

The Fijian spectators continued their colourful support. Choruses of ‘Fiji, Fiji!’ grew louder.

We must hope they have better results to enjoy in future weeks. Their players never gave up trying.

Result: Canada 73 Fiji 0
Player of the Match: Julia Schell
Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (FFR)
Venue: York

Afterthought

With backs including Schell, Caity Mattinson, Claire Gallagher, Emma Uren, Ellie Boatman, Carys Cox and Celia Quansah on their books, who’s going to stop Trailfinders next season?

France v Italy

This, the second big 6 Nations match-up of the day, proved a huge disappointment.

So much hung on the result; everyone knows it’s vital to get off to a flying start. Instead, one of Fabio Roselli’s newer faces, Alissa Ranuccini, dropped the kick- off under little pressure.

That set the tone. Nerves again?

This was merely the first of many slips that marked the game; it lacked fluency and scores.

France have a far superior CV at the World Cup, yet by the break they had contrived a single try. At least it was a beauty. As the ball moved left down the line, Joanna Grisez came racing across in support. She spotted the gap and raced through. Proper French play.

Then they reverted to the new style: every time they could, they would offer Morgane Bourgeois the chance to pot at goal. She had one.

Just before the lemons we had a most curious incident. Neither Sara Cox nor the TMO could decide whether Bourgeois or Alyssa D’Inca had got the final touch beyond the line. After the closest examination the verdict was “Simultaneous, no try!”

I rack my fading brain for a parallel.

Half-time 10-0

The coaches’ exhortations did little good. In the succeeding 40 minutes Les Bleues added 14 more points, but not enough to gain a potentially vital bonus. The Italian cupboard remained bare.

Italy were putting up a determined defence, but that’s only half the game. Sofia Stefan insisted on sending up a hundred box-kicks – the reverse of No 9 tactics in other matches. Few if any produced results.

She and D’Inca did contrive a dangerous move, but it foundered close to the line.

Assia Khalfaoui widened the margin early on with a powerful drive, but France’s only other contribution was a try to Charlotte Escudero on the end of a rolling maul – very English.

It meant that they failed to secure a bonus point that many yet prove crucial.

Result: France 24 Italy 0
Player of the Match: Joanna Grisez
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)

Afterthoughts

There was precious little atmosphere, even on a ground as famed for tense matches as Sandy Park.

I’m sure that four games in one day is one too many – even for the most ardent fan.

The contrast with the one other match played under lights; at Sunderland, could hardly have been greater.

All good things come in threes.

The weather at the North Sydney Oval was reminiscent of a South Wales valley; pools of water everywhere. But the Wallaroos adapted far better.

Welsh analysts will pick up on the many failings of Sean Lynn’ s side, but I noticed several of the old favourites:

1. Fallibility at the line-out; Carys Phillips missed her targets time and again.
2. Slow recycling, feet not well placed to ensure an easy clear-out.
3. First receivers taking the ball from a standing start, then running straight at defenders, rather than seeking a weak shoulder.
4. Ball lost on contact.
5. Backs, largely starved of ball, unable to create space.

And so on.

They had several chances early on, but the closest they got was a “held up” over the line – not the first this year.

Their best moment came when the backs built a nice move going right. Jasmine Joyce-Butchers saw open country and was over; a nice reward for her 50th cap.

Keira Bevan’s kick came back off a post.

Sadly that try was to prove their only success of the game.

The Wallaroos had already made their mark, and the half-time score 21-5 didn’t bode well.

Lynn will be concerned by Wales’ second-half showing. No points scored, and the few good positions they gained were butchered by carelessness or a poor option.

Sicilia Tuipulotu was a classic case. After a sudden turnover, instead of feeding her starving backs outside her, she drove ahead blinkered, and Wales lost another prize possession.

The last ten minutes saw almost 100% Aussie possession. Ashley Marsters, coming off the bench today, added two late tries to turn the screw even tighter.

Result: Australia 36 Wales 5

Teams:

AUSTRALIA

15 HALSE 14 STEWART 13 FRIEDRICHS 12 POMARE 11 MILLER 10 MOLEKA 9 WOOD 1 POHIVA 2 AMOSA 3 O’GORMAN 4 LEANEY 5 LEONARD 6 DUCK 7 CHANCELLOR (captain) 8 TUINAKAUVADRA

16 NADEN 17 KAVOA 18 NGAUAMO 19 FERNANDEZ 20 MARSTERS 21 MORGAN 22 HINDS 23 ELLIS

WALES

15 METCALFE 14 JOYCE- BUTCHERS 13 COX 12 KEIGHT 11 NEUMANN 10 POWELL 9 BEVAN 1 G. PYRS 2 PHILLIPS 3 TUIPULOTU 4 CRABB 5 FLEMING 6 K.  WILLIAMS (co-captain) 7 LEWIS 8 CALLENDER (co-captain)

16 REARDON 17 MAISIE DAVIES 18 SCOBLE 19 A. PYRS 20 EVANS 21 MEG DAVIES 22 DALLAVALLE 23 RICHARDS

Afterthoughts

Wales had a worrying moment early on. Alex Callender suffered a leg injury and hobbled off. She is a key player, and we all wish her a speedy recovery.

This was the most ambitious tour of all the 16 qualifiers for thr RWC. The Welsh management would have far preferred a ‘learning loss’ in Brisbane, then a heartening win in Sydney, to send them home full of hope.

By contrast Jo Yapp will be delighted with her team’s showing. Like Lynn, she made plentiful changes.

Her next job is to sort out the ideal partnerships and combinations available across the squad.

For fans in the British Isles two were of special interest: Australia v Wales and Italy v Scotland.

First to Brisbane

This was the first of two tests for Cymru. It could hardly hold more meaning for them after a long string of setbacks.

They started slowly, allowing Codey to accept a low pass close in and burrow over. Typical Oz weather intervened – lightning and rain – causing a 15-minute retreat to safety.

Now Cymru showed their true worth. Two delightful pull-back passes allowed Metcalfe to force her way over and renew confidence.

Metcalfe scored a second try too; on the end of long passes well controlled with a wet ball.

The Wallaroos came back, Tuinakauvadra crossing behind a drive. Could the Welsh keep ahead to the end? That had been one of many past failings.

Yes! George slid a wicked soaking wet grubber to the line and Dallavalle (better known as Hannah Jones), dropped on it. Keira Bevan kicked her third conversion out of three, and the tears, both male and female, started flowing. They may still be.

Now for Sydney.

Result: Australia 12 Wales 21

Teams:

Australia

Lydia Kavoa, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O’Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Anabelle Codey, Emily Chancellor (c), Ash Marsters, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, Desiree Miller, Trilleen Pomare, Georgina Friedrichs, Waiaria Ellis, Caitlyn Halse

Replacements

Tania Naden, Bree-Anna Browne, Eva Karpani, Ash Fernandez, Piper Duck, Sam Wood, Cecilia Smith, Lori Cramer

Wales

15 Nel Metcalfe 14 Jasmine Joyce 13 Hannah Dallavalle 12 Courtney Keight 11 Lisa Neumann 10 Lleucu George 9 Keira Bevan 1 Maisie Davies 2 Kelsey Jones
3 Donna Rose 4 Alaw Pyrs 5 Gwen Crabb 6 Georgia Evans 7 Bethan Lewis 8 Alex Callender (captain)

Replacements

16 Molly Reardon 17 Katherine Baverstock 18 Sisilia Tuipulotu 19 Tilly Vucaj 20 Bryonie King
21 Seren Lockwood 22 Kayleigh Powell 23 Carys Cox

Afterthoughts

This was Kelsey Jones’ 50th cap.

A win, a win, and away from home!

This was an unwelcome setback for Jo Yapp and her team. We must wait till next weekend to discover how the two coaches had worked out their team-choices for the two games.

Italy v Scotland

This was a rare meeting of two Six Nations sides beyond the tournament itself. It took place in Viadana.

Most of the first half played out in a manner familiar to Scottish fans. Their favourites succumbed to all the usual failings: the struggle to gain and retain possession; support arriving a fraction too late, resulting in a string of penalties; the simplest of handling errors made – both passes and catches faulty under no pressure. All too often tackles were only half achieved. Apart from anything else it led to self-inflicted injuries.

The captain, Rachel Malcolm, never spares herself, but she suffered for her pains.

In the early stages they found it next to impossible to manufacture more than a simple one-out pass. When a second was attempted, it was dropped.

It left you wondering what the coaching team had been doing over the summer.

Thank goodness this fragility didn’t last.

It needed yet another Lana Skeldon try from a rolling maul to restore confidence after conceding early points.

The Azzurre back-three enjoyed themselves again, Alyssa D’Inca helping herself to tries.

Before Skeldon’s try D’Inca was given room for her second. Later she was denied a hat-trick only by a call of ‘held up’. That Italian back-three does look mischievous!

Scotland were showing better form before the break; but their response afterwards gave Bryan Easson cause for some satisfaction. More on him later.

Helen Nelson scored a rare try, though her tee-kicking remained fallible. Elis Martin thumped her way over; and Evie Gallagher, always prominent, added two more.

If Scottish defences had proved sounder, that might have been enough to take the day. But a fine try by Beatrice Rigoni, slicing her way between two tackles, helped the Azzurre squeeze home by a single score.

Result: Italy 34 Scotland 29

Teams:

Italy

15. Francesca Granzotto 14. Aura Muzzo 13. Michela Sillari 12. Sara Mannini 11. Alyssa D’Inca 10. Emma Stevanin 9. Sofia Stefan 1. Gaia Maris 2. Vittoria Vecchini 3. Sara Seye 4. Valeria Fedrighi 5. Giordana Duca 6. Francesca Sgorbini 7. Beatrice Veronese 8. Elisa Giordano (Captain)

Replacements

16. Desiree Spinelli 17. Silvia Turani 18. Alessia Pilani 19. Sara Tounesi 20. Ilaria Arrighetti 21. Alia Bitonci 22. Veronica Madia 23. Beatrice Rigoni

Scotland

15. Lucia Scott 14. Rhona Lloyd 13. Evie Wills 12. Lisa Thomson 11. Coreen Grant 10. Helen Nelson 9. Leia Brebner-Holden 1. Leah Bartlett 2. Lana Skeldon 3. Elliann Clarke 4. Emma Wassell 5. Adelle Ferrie 6. Rachel Malcolm – Captain 7. Rachel McLachlan 8. Evie Gallagher

Replacements

16. Elis Martin 17. Molly Wright 18. Lisa Cockburn 19. Eva Donaldson 20. Alex Stewart 21. Caity Mattinson 22. Hannah Ramsay (Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh) 23. Chloe Rollie

Afterthoughts

There had been grave disquiet in Scottish ranks on two counts:

1. Malcolm admitted the news of Easson’s intention to retire had surprised them. They felt the timing was ill-considered.

2. The SRU had failed to confirm the contracts of more than half the players, leaving them disquieted about the future. That is par for the course for that union.

Far happier: the match marked the return of Emma Wassell to full working order after serious worries about her health. Hard to recall now that she had set a record for unbroken appearances in blue.

They have the usual initial training sessions, but in July thirty of them will set off for a two-match tour of Australia. That number 30 is interesting in itself, two short of the total permitted for the World Cup. So once they have returned, Welsh fans will be waiting anxiously to hear the final choice of 32. There are three broad possibilities: a. Two more players added, broad smiles on their gfaces; or b. Players injured beyond recovery on tour and needing replacement or c. Touring players deemed surplus to needs.

That brings us to the underlying problem facing Lynn, the dearth of quality players.

Other nations are undertaking overseas tours, the Black Ferns for example. But their first ever visit to South Africa comes under the heading ‘A Black Ferns XV’, not a full-strength side; and whatever the outcome of their two matches, there will always be queues of talented players for Allan Bunting to turn to.

Lynn will have been well aware of Welsh shortcomings before he took on his new role. A 0-5 record at this year’s Six Nations rubbed them in unpleasantly. He has taken first steps in showing the standards he expects: Carys Williams-Morris, Ffion Lewis, Meg Webb and Niamh Terry have not had their contracts renewed and are absent from the published list.

This is where we look anxiously down the list to spot certain names. Ah! Sisilia Tuipulotu’s is there; she has recovered from her damaged hamstring. Good. But it has to be admitted that in recent times she has found it harder making her decisive strikes than when she first appeared in scarlet.

Then a second glance at the less familiar names. Lynn introduces no fewer than nine uncapped players, a sign of his determination to give youth its chance and spread the choices wider. Since the WRU is still setting its pathway sides in place, the likeliest place to find new talent was in the two Celtic Challenge teams, Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning.

In the three years of the CC’s existence, no Welsh side has finished top or runner-up, and on 24 April WRU proposed two completely new teams. Bids were requested from the four professional regions (even their future is in the gravest doubt) plus universities (which means essentially Cardiff Met, one of the few highly successful rugby enterprises in Cymru).

A further black mark against the WRU comes with the trumpeted headlines from at least two English PWR clubs. Gloucester-Hartpury’s reaction is to shout: ’thirteen G-H players in the Welsh squad!’ While Quins can lay claim to only five. And, blow me down, G-H have just added Alaw Pyrs to their number! It’s enough to remind you of the old joke: Would the last person to leave the building kindly remember to turn the lights off!’.

Plans for Australia

Then comes the tricky business of selection. At present Lynn has just those two test matches in Australia, hardly enough to give a fair run-out for all the team regulars as well as the nine newcomers.

It seems highly likely to me that the WRU will request extra matches at a lower level, to give everyone the chance to flex their muscles. RA might be only too willing to accept.

When the two sides met at the last RWC, the Wallaroos won 13-7. I expect a wider win next
time.

The full Squad:

Forwards: Abbey Constable, Abbie Fleming, Alaw Pyrs, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis, Bryonie King, *Chiara Pearce, Carys Phillips, Donna Rose, Georgia Evans, Gwen Crabb, Gwenllian Pyrs, Gwennan Hopkins, Jenni Scoble, *Jorja Aiono, *Katherine Baverstock, Kate Williams, Kelsey Jones, *Lucy Isaac, Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Natalia John, Rosie Carr, Sisilia Tuipulotu, *Stella Orrin, *Tilly Vucaj (26)

Backs: Carys Cox, Catherine Richards, Courtney Keight, Hannah Bluck, Hannah Jones, *Isla McMullen, Jasmine Joyce, Jenny Hesketh, Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan, Kerin Lake, Lisa Neumann, Lleucu George, Meg Davies, Nel Metcalfe, Robyn Wilkins, *Savannah Picton-Powell, *Seren Lockwood, Sian Jones (19)
*uncapped

Here are the fixtures awaiting them:

England 1. USA 2. Samoa 3. Australia – Pool A
Ireland 1. Japan 2. Spain 3. New Zealand – Pool C
Scotland 1. Wales 2. Fiji 3. Canada – Pool B
Wales 1. Scotland 2. Canada 3. Fiji – Pool B

The four managements have known these fixtures for a long while, helping them to work out the most sensible selections as they pass towards the knock-out stages. They can even have a decent guess at who is most likely to be facing whom when the quarter-finals start on 13 September.

England

You could amuse yourself by working out all the possible ways in which the Red Roses will not win a third RWC. I can offer: “Jolly bad luck”, cards yellow or red in profusion; a misjudgement by a TMO; conversions hitting the wrong side of posts; English “arrogance”; the management consistently omitting your favourite player(s), and so on. I’ve even forgotten to mention opposing sides. We know that the Black Ferns win every RWC on offer. The next will be their seventh out of ten.

The two recently added warm-up matches compose one unlikely and one obvious opponent, Spain and France. It will be fascinating to see how John Mitchell approaches the pair. He will have  long since decided his final squad selections, but is left with the job of apportioning them to one (relatively) straightforward match and another which could cause grief.

There we have the delight of these preparatory games: how much harm could a defeat do?  Might it be be just what a team needs to sharpen its wits?

Ireland

The way Pool C has worked out, the Irish know they need to get two solid wins behind them before they take on the Black Ferns (and beat them for a third time.)

Despite recent successes, nervous fans will be hoping that all the injured players are restored to full health. The presence of players like Beibhinn Parsons, Erin King and Sam Monaghan is important to make victory more certain. The loss of Dorothy Wall to injury was a setback they didn’t need.

(This may be the moment to introduce the unwelcome topic of injury. With all the many warm-rp games arranged around the world, the number of disappointed absentees is likely to grow.)

Scott Bemand has more depth of choice than most of his precessors in office, but Ireland won only two of their five 6 Nations matches. Contrary to expectations, they came up short in Edinburgh. Bemand really needs quality back-up in the 10 shirt for Dannah O’Brien. The more games his 7s players can get under their belt the better. Training starts in Dublin in early June.

Two warm-up matches have been arranged:

2 August v Scotland, Virgin Media Park, Cork
9 August v Canada, Kingspan, Belfast

The second will offer them the sort of contest they need to be at full throttle for even bigger events later that month.

Scotland

A last-minute try by Francesca McGhie against Wales brought a face-saving second win of the 6N. But they finished fifth, with only Wales below them.

Historically wooden spoons had been the tradition, but here was a new generation promising far better. By the purest chance Scotland and Wales meet again in England. In the second round the Scots face an intriguing unknown, Fijiana, before coming up against the impressive Canadians to complete the job.

They are the one home nation not to give notice of extra matches across the 100 days, though the IRFU has told us of the game in Cork. Perhaps silence is golden.

If the Scots are indeed left with that single match, it provides Bryan Easson with an impossible choice: who does her pick? Unless special arrangements are permitted, he will be confined to 23 of the 32 players he has selected.

It’s hard to see them achieving a best-ever set of results in this tenth RWC. At the very least they will have to gain a second consecutive win over Cymru.

A timely boost for them comes with the news that Hollie Davidson will become the first female referee to take an EPCR Final, the Challenge Cup Final between Bath Rugby v Lyon OU.

Wales

Their plight is well-known. They finished winless in the 6 Nations, despite Sean Lynn’s arrival to attempt an overhaul. We can confidently predict serious changes when new contracts are announced; he knows last season’s squad doesn’t meet expectations. His hands are tied by the limit of new talent coming in. He is confined to the most promising of the younger generation in the age-group sides. His view of the squad he inherited has become pretty damning, so apart from anything else, he will need to restore a degree of confidence.

Training starts in early June. The big event pre-England is a two-match tour of Australia starting in late July. It will show how far Lynn has been able to introduce the style of play he wants.

That trip down under will be daunting. They can expect few favours from the Wallaroos who will be dead set on establishing a launch-pad for greater deeds to come. Then there will be the need to recover from two doses of jet-lag.

Of their opponents: Wales came close to beating Scotland in Edinburgh. They can’t expect much change out of Canada, then will have the unusual experience of meeting a Fijiana side led by their own previous head coach, Ioan Cunningham.

Concluding notes

Over 300,000 tickets already sold. The next batch became available this morning, 14 May.

World Rugby has unveiled a new trophy with the words: “Made of sterling silver and plated with 24-carat gold, the Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy is an emblem of modernity, achievement and passion, worthy of the future icons who will lift it high. It is a bold reflection of the unstoppable energy driving every woman and girl in the sport.”

While this match couldn’t equal the tensions of yesterday’s pair, it will help bring more supporters in to fill Parma’s stadium. It was worthy of bringing down the curtain on a dramatic 6N tournament.

Both sides started in top gear. How long could that last? As soon as Italy conceded possession, the Welsh played like souls possessed, with quick-fire passes and recycles; Jasmine Joyce very prominent. Only Carys Cox managed to buffet her way Dow-like past tackles on the left edge, but defences held.
For eight minutes it was all Wales, and two Italians needed treatment. A penalty to touch led to a drive and a try for Kate Williams. 0-5

Italy reacted with thrilling counters. A choice chip by Sofia Stefan was collected by Veronica Madia. She grubbed to the right corner, but Aura Muzzo couldn’t quite haul it in. An abiding Welsh weakness, line-out accuracy, reared its head again. Only a tiny nudge forward short of the line prevented a first Italian score. But the pressure told. A Lleucu George kick out of defence gave Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi her chance. Nimble hands moved the ball on, till Stefan ran it in under the posts. Ah, that line-out! 7-5

The pendulum had swung violently. The more Italy pressed, the more vulnerable Wales became to infringements. Michela Sillari kicked an easy penalty. 10-5

Wales couldn’t find a way through, hard as Joyce and Carys Cox tried. By contrast, Stefan was quick to take taps, and sharp off-loads posed real danger.

The game remained a 5-pointer till the clock turned red. Then Wales found themselves close to the Italian line. They thundered at it till finally Gwen Pyrs forced her way over. Keira Bevan’s kick was accurate.

Half-time: 10-12

There is a long tradition of tight results in this fixture. Joyce won’t forget a 3-3 ding-dong in a hurry.

The first thrust came from Francesca Sgorbini, taking a short pass and striding towards the line; but the follow-up brought another knock-on. As Cox tried to run the ball back, it looked as though both coaches had ordered: ‘Attack, and more attack!’

A no-look reverse pass by Stefan led to a break by Muzzo, who was stopped just in time. Thrilling stuff.

Eight minutes of top-gear play ended with an Italian penalty in front. Sillari obliged. 13-12

The hosts engaged an even higher gear: flicks, scoops off the ground, through-the-legs, chips over the top; no-look passes were now a commonplace, another rolling kick by Ostuni Minuzzi exerted real pressure.

It led to another high-speed attack. A long miss pass found Francesca Granzotto, just on on the right wing, who did a Kildunne by touching down legally, as a few dozen Welsh bodies tried to force her out. She, along with Sara Mannini, represent the new generation of Italian threes to threaten the places of the regulars; Rigoni was yet to appear. Sillari’s kick was perfect. 20-12

The Azzurre thundered at the Welsh line again. Sara Cox held an arm out in their favour as Veronica Madia launched a cross-kick to Granzotto that didn’t produce. But the Welsh defence came at a cost: Georgia Evans, their most prominent forward, had to leave the field after receiving more punishment than she deserved. Twelve minutes left, and a penalty to the hosts close in.

They knew how important tries would be to gain fourth place in the table, so Stefan tapped and Silvia Turani was over. 27-12

As the replacements multiplied Ostuni Minuzzi produced a great 50:22 to deflate the Welsh again. A subtly chosen pass from Stefan to VOM was another knife in the Welsh wound. She ran an unstoppable angle to the line. 32-12, but Sillari’s first miss.

The longer the game went on (16 minutes to go), the harder Lynn’s job looked to resurrect Wales’ position. Italian passes grew even silkier. They’ll hate the comparison, but the ball-play was French.

For the Welsh the touch-line came zooming in to stop another riposte by Cox. This has happened all too often for them this season. A raid started from midfield must know how to avoid running into the stand.

The moment Cox got the Welsh into the enemy 22, an illegal entry to the breakdown handed possession back.

Things improved after a promising break by Catherine Richards. George spun round to deliver a 50:22 against the grain. They won the line-out, but – what? – another side entry to end their advance. Their fourteenth penalty. The fifteenth followed at once. Natalia John, just on, hit Desiree Spinelli, just on, head on head. The yellow was already shading into a red. But no, I was wrong. The decision was ‘yellow only’. Granzotto looked even more like Kildunne as she touched down a second time, both feet off the ground. A brilliant completion. 37-12

In the ninety seconds up to the 80-minute mark Wales conceded three more penalties. Italian pressure was relentless.

The final move, from a 5-metre line-out, was perfection. Madia ran right, then offered a no-look reverse pass to Muzzo who came storming through from inside to race over the line. This was the first time either side had topped 40 points in these encounters, and what a way to achieve it. Sillari’s kick sliced the posts in two.

Result: Italy 44 Wales 12
Player of the Match: Giordana Duca
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)

Teams:

Italy
15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi 14 Aura Muzzo 13 Michela Sillari 12 Sara Mannini 11 Alyssa D’Incà 10 Veronica Madia 9 Sofia Stefan 8 Elisa Giordano (captain) 7 Francesca Sgorbini 6 Beatrice Veronese 5 Giordana Duca 4 Sara Tounesi 3 Sara Seye 2 Vittoria Vecchini 1 Silvia Turani
16 Desiree Spinelli 17 Emanuela Stecca 18 Gaia Maris 19 Isabella Locatelli 20 Alissa Ranuccini 21 Alia Bitonci 22 Beatrice Rigoni 23 Francesca Granzotto

Wales
15 Jasmine Joyce 14 Lisa Neumann 13 Hannah Jones (captain) 12 Courtney Keight 11 Carys Cox 10 Lleucu George 9 Keira Bevan 1 Gwenllian Pyrs 2 Kelsey Jones 3 Donna Rose 4 Abbie Fleming 5 Gwen Crabb 6 Kate Williams 7 Bethan Lewis 8 Georgia Evans
16 Carys Phillips 17 Maisie Davies 18 Jenni Scoble 19 Natalia John 20 Alex Callender 21 Sian Jones 22 Hannah Bluck 23 Catherine Richards

Afterthoughts

Sean Lynn made his feelings known pre-match. The smiles and the comforting words were gone. “We must do better,” he said. They didn’t do better, once a promising opening salvo had been quelled. 34 points conceded without reply made a miserable second-half return.

Lynn has two more games (at least) in which to decide a final RWC squad. The tour Cymru will make to Australia will test them to the limit.

Every year one team has to finish last. That is the nature of the beast. What we all wish to avoid is seeing the same team appearing there repeatedly. The WRU has just announced the name of a new (overall) Director of Rugby, Dave Reddin. Presumably he will help guide Belinda Moore in redirecting the women’s sector. There are promising players coming through the pathways that have been established so belatedly. A quality telescope can spot better things on the horizon.

For the moment it’s sackcloth and ashes.

Final Table

                          W    L     Pts
England           5      0       28
France              4      1        21
Ireland             2      3       11
Italy                  2      3       10
Scotland          2       3       9
Wales               0       5        1

As such, the Round Five Guinness Women’s Six Nations fixture between Italy and Wales, originally scheduled for Saturday 26th April 2025, will be rescheduled for Sunday 27th April 2025, and take place at 12:30 PM local time, and be played at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma, Italy, as planned.

As a mark of respect, one minute of silence will be observed ahead of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations fixture between Italy and Wales.

Tickets purchased for the Italy v Wales fixture will remain valid for the new and rescheduled date (27th April), but for any enquiries or refund requests, fans are invited to contact the Italian Rugby Federation: HERE

International broadcast coverage of the fixture will remain available to fans. For information on how to tune in, please visit the Where to Watch section of the Six Nations Rugby website.

With thanks to World Rugby

Rodney Parade, Newport

Sunshine greeted the teams as Wales sought redemption. Could they possibly hold the soaring Irish in check?

Not at the start. Lisa Neumann lost possession on contact, and the Irish backs were happy to spread the ball to Amee-Leigh Costigan on the wide left. She won a penalty.

Ireland looked really composed, slick passes, good lines of running, and Dannah O’Brien’s kicks put Cymru on the back foot.

Then the magic of rugby. Lleucu George slid a cunning grubber through to the line, the very devil to regather. It slipped from Costigan’s grasp under pressure and Carys Cox fell on this Easter present. 7-0

It was good to see the backs looking creative and expansive. And the forwards too were thwarting the efforts of their opponents to release their dangerous wide backs.

DOB tried another deliberate diagonal to find Costigan; she caught it but couldn’t link with her support runner inside. Ireland soon put that to rights, with one of the most unusual runs you’ll see this season. Stacey Flood collected a deep kick, then set off in second gear, looking for space. On she went, a shift to third gear? Suddenly she accelerated and Wales were in trouble. For the first time in the game Ireland completed a raid, thanks once more to the indefatigable Linda Djougang. 7-7

Three kicks in succession showed DOB’s quality; the first two both descended about a metre from touch; then Lisa Neumann allowed the third to bounce three times on her 22 before she claimed it.
Another Irish attack ended abruptly as Bethan Lewis snaffled the ball. Cox beat three defenders in a square metre and Jenner awarded the hosts a penalty.

On the half-hour Ireland put a move together that avoided the errors they had been making. Costigan went on another dangerous run and Aoife Wafer made the final dive over the line.7-14

We had to wait 36 minutes for Ian Tempest, the TMO, to make his first intervention. DOB was guilty of a high tackle on Alex Callender. She didn’t bend. Decision: yellow plus crossed arms.

Wales reacted with a sharp move; Cox made good ground and off-loaded, but – as so often – the support arrived too late at the breakdown.

As the tea was brewing, Ireland were sniffing at the Welsh line. At a penalty they used a successful deception: Molly Scuffil-McCabe stood over the ball, then left it for the forwards to deal with. Lauren Jenner spotted Dorothy Wall grounding under a pile of bodies. That was a vital moment for Ireland, reduced to 14 as they were. Enya Breen kicked a fine conversion.

Half-time: Wales 7 ireland 21

All the stats were in Ireland’s favour, bar handling errors. But that was because they’d had so much more of the ball.

A sigh of relief: the card remained yellow. DOB had appeared to be tilting backwards on contact.
Still with 14, Ireland reinforced their position with more clinical play. An accurate catch and drive brought a fourth and bonus-winning try for Wall, her second. 7-26

A brief flurry by Wales, started by Jasmine Joyce, was soon snuffed out. It was curious how, every time a Welsh player had the ball on the front foot, the pitch seemed to halve in width. There was little ability to create space for the back three. Twice Cox had to double back infield.

From here Ireland looked the way they did in those golden moments against the Black Ferns (you have two choices!); everything at high pace, the pieces slotting together effortlessly.

Another attack was as close to the English method as is possible. If finished with Djougang dancing around a last tackle to score under the posts. Aoife Dalton once more showed her value at 13, creating space and doubt. 7-33

Wales’ best (wide) back, Cox, made another dangerous break, but once more the touchline zoomed in to catch her out. A nice move, but imperfectly carried out.

Amidst all the changes Wales suddenly came alive again. They moved the ball swiftly for Hannah Bluck to touch down amidst squeals of delight from the crowd. 14-33

The visitors responded promptly by the simplest method they know: Wafer picked at the base of the scrum and waltzed over. Quite easy to do – for a chosen few. 14-40

A flowing movement saw Wall galloping through midfield, then, as Dalton drew the last defender, Flood dropped the pass. But that couldn’t tarnish their overall performance. They are a force to be reckoned with.

Result: Wales 14 Ireland 40
Player of the Match: Aoife Wafer
Referee: Lauren Jenner (FIR)

Teams:

Wales
15. Jasmine Joyce-Butchers 14. Lisa Neumann 13. Hannah Jones (captain), 12. Courtney Keight 11. Carys Cox 10. *Lleucu George 9. Keira Bevan 1. Gwenllian Pyrs 2. Kelsey Jones 3. Jenni Scoble 4. Abbie Fleming 5. Georgia Evans 6. Kate Williams 7. Bethan Lewis 8. Alex Callender 16. Carys Phillips 17. Maisie Davies 18. Donna Rose 19. Natalia John 20. Alaw Pyrs 21. Sian Jones 22. Hannah Bluck 23. Catherine Richards
* Kayleigh Powell a last-minute withdrawal; Bluck at 22

Ireland
15. Stacey Flood 14. Anna McGann 13. Aoife Dalton 12. Enya Breen 11. Amee-Leigh Costigan 10. Dannah O’Brien 9. Molly Scuffil-McCabe 1. Siobhán McCarthy 2. Neve Jones 3. Linda Djougang 4. Ruth Campbell 5. Dorothy Wall 6. Brittany Hogan 7. Edel McMahon (captain) 8. Aoife Wafer
16. Cliodhna Moloney 17. Sadhbh McGrath 18. Christy Haney 19. Fiona Tuite 20. Claire Boles 21. Emily Lane 22. Eve Higgins 23. Vicky Elmes Kinlan

Simplified Table (with one round to play)

                          W    L     Pts
England           4      0       20
France              4      0       19
Ireland             2      2       10
Italy                  1       3         5
Scotland          1        3        4
Wales               0       4         1

Afterthoughts

The match underlined the almost impossible job Sean Lynn has taken on. He and his staff can work on skills and fitness, but he is more or less stuck with the small band of players currently available. He has introduced the few who made a mark in the Celtic Challenge; beyond them, where are quality reinforcements to come?

Alex Callender’s return was a welcome boost, but placing her at No 8 meant shifting Georgia Evans back to lock. Neither position suits the two players ideally.

It was a relief too seeing Lleucu George’s name reappearing. In the event she had to step in for the injured Kayleigh Powell. She did some good things, but could hardly claim to have outplayed the impressive youngster, Dannah O’Brien.

Another feather in Scott Bemand’s cap is the youth of the side he is developing. The long-term knee injury to Erin King was a huge blow to her and the team, but her absence allowed the club captain, Edel McMahon, to regain a starting position.

Their second Celtic clash against Scotland next week will be fascinating. Hopes for a best-ever World Cup adventure will be put to the test.

The term “The best of the rest” is unpleasantly dismissive, but it does matter to the teams concerned. For now, it’s odds on the Girls in Green. The proof of their advance comes with their fifth place in world rankings. They achieved a second away win after a blank since 2021.