Source: Phil Mingo/Pinnacle/RFU

The World Cup – who’d be a referee?

The officials tend to be the people overlooked, until they stand accused of making an ‘obvious’ error. The fact is, they have been training assiduously, mostly at Faro in Portugal. The skills they need vary widely. Take for example what the onfield assessment involves: application of the laws; match control; fitness, agility, positioning and work-rate;

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Source: John Phillips - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images

Impact 25 funding helping to develop next generation

Following on from the publication of the Impact ’25 Year 3 Flash Report last week, and with only 8 days remaining until the Women’s Rugby World Cup kicks off in Sunderland, the RFU is proud to share the progress of the Impact ’25 International Development Strand. These results demonstrate how a significant number of players

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Ioan Cunningham presents his Fijiana squad

First some excellent news: the Fiji Sports Commission has allocated $1.5m to support the national team. We just have to hope these moneys came through early enough to make their presence felt. The squad Forwards: JADE COATES NUNIA DAUNIMOALA MANUOALA KOMAITAI ALFREDA FISHER (captain) KELENI NARAWA VIKA MATARUGU MEREONI NAKESA SELAI NALIVA RUSILA NAGASAU KARLAINI

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Source: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Ireland set their stall out

The world knows – the Irish have come on in leaps and bounds in the past two years. The central question is whether they can overcome a series of injury doubts and setbacks to do themselves justice. (full list below) Their recent record at the RWC is none too promising. Their performance in their own

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Source: FIR

Roselli picks an experienced squad

Here are the 32 Azzurre to represent Italy at the World Cup this month: Forwards: ILLARIA ARRIGHETTI GIORDANA BUSO VALERIA FEDRIGHI ALESSANDRA FRANGIPANI ELISA GIORDANO (captain) LAURA GURIOLI GAIA MARIS ISABELLA LOCATELLI GAIA MARIS ALESSIA PILANI ALISSA RANUCCINI SARA SEYE FRANCESCA SGORBINI DESIREE SPINELLI EMANUELA STECCA SARA TOUNESI SILVIA TURANI VITTORIA VECCHINI BEATRICE VERONESE (18)

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Source: ©France Rugby / Julien Poupart

French fans in despair

You can well imagine the way loyal French fans reacted to the game in Mont-de-Marsan (6-40). Their comments range far and wide. Few are positive. Starting at the top: “Is the staff capable of running a successful Division 2 side?” No! This was evidenced by instructions an assistant offered during a water-break; “Get hold of

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Scotland’s path to the World Cup

There is lovely and ugly news in the selection of the 32 to represent Scotland at the RWC. First the squad: Forwards LEAH BARTLETT, BECKY BOYD, SARAH BONAR, ELLIANN CLARKE, LISA COCKBURN, EVA DONALDSON, ADELLE FERRIE, EVIE GALLAGHER, JADE KONKEL, RACHEL MALCOLM (captain), ELIS MARTIN, RACHEL McLACHLAN, MOLLY POOLMAN, LANA SKELDON, ALEX STEWART, EMMA WASSELL,

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