Women's Rugby Thread

[Slick]

Some decent noises coming out of the SRU about supporting the women as they build towards the repechage for the WC.

I liked it because it was quite balanced, basically:

We want to support them but we have to be realistic that we can't afford everyone to be full time as some of the team who are Dr's or vets won't be able to take the cut in wages.

We want to create the best environment we can within our constraints

Grass roots is still our new focus but we will work towards a couple of pro teams coming out of the Glasgow and Edinburgh pro teams and maybe joining English leagues.

[Niegs]

Some decent noises coming out of the SRU about supporting the women as they build towards the repechage for the WC.

I liked it because it was quite balanced, basically:

We want to support them but we have to be realistic that we can't afford everyone to be full time as some of the team who are Dr's or vets won't be able to take the cut in wages.

We want to create the best environment we can within our constraints

Grass roots is still our new focus but we will work towards a couple of pro teams coming out of the Glasgow and Edinburgh pro teams and maybe joining English leagues.

Sounds very sensible.

As I've griped about before, I don't like the idea of fully professionalising a national team when form, injuries, newly discovered gems can change the makeup of your squad. Pay for all expenses, any treatments / compensation of some sort if injured while on duty, give bonuses to those who participate, sure. Giving someone a livable salary to only be a rugby player when there's very little money coming in from their own support base and sponsors is a huge stretch (unless the union is that rich and/or sponsors want to step up and fund it).

Any time I hear about people asking for a better 'pathway' that includes taking a few 'elite' players and training them harder/more, I think you do a huge disservice to the wider community if funds for that are diverted from what you could do at grassroots. Kiwi schools produce a lot of great rugby players for their size and most of that comes from the schools, with the development programs sorting out the best and giving them a little bit extra. My focus, if in charge of a national body, would be to make the absolute best structures for youth, clubs and their coaches so they're continually drawing in more and more players and making all areas so good that their increased ability drives others to catch-up / over-take.

[eldanielfire]

Oh look, Exeter women in signing foreign player shocker:

[Niegs]

This wasn't at all surprising as I see it all the time in comments (even in threads on PR). Man scoring overlap try: brilliant vision, manipulation. Women scoring overlap try: shit defence.



There's a time to be specifically critical about mistakes - though I'm sure player and coaches already know and don't need to be reminded by anyone on social media - but there's also acknowledging that an actual or perceived threat leads to moments like that. Many phases of pressure stacking defenders up in one area... and, honestly, there are MANY times in men's matches where this is possible getting close to goal, with backs stood freezing out wide with a clear overlap, yet the common practice is to crawl over the line with pick and goes (thankfully no more three-player latches!)

Personally, one of the things I love about much of the women's game and Championship and NPC, schoolboy, etc... is the defence isn't so rock solid, the attack not so predictable. As mentioned in this thread before, it pains me to see women's teams going down that same route of conservative boshing attack with kicks and defenders not having to do more than take a step or two back/sideways on the next phase.

[eldanielfire]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58752059



Emily Scarratt could be back by the 6 Nations and Leanne Riley should be back by the Autumn Internationals (most optimistic prediction of course).

As I said I saw Riley last week and she appears to be walking well. Which is good, as I thinks he is irreplaceable for England. Scarratt is a massive loss but I think she can be covered. With out her I'd be tempted to play Killdunne at 13, Thompson and breech on wings and Dow at Fullback.

[Niegs]

She’s a weapon and has the boot, but I think can be ably replaced in attack. Kicking… Harrison does a job doesn’t she? Jones has nailed some form touch. Rowland no slouch.

[eldanielfire]

She’s a weapon and has the boot, but I think can be ably replaced in attack. Kicking… Harrison does a job doesn’t she? Jones has nailed some form touch. Rowland no slouch.

Scarrett still hits the best lines out of any England women's player in the centres. Only Dow compares

Arguably Tuima has become one of the best place kickers in the league now.

[Niegs]

Nice try in the wet from Wasps!

[Niegs]

So what does this mean? Tigers getting a free spot in the upper tiers of rugby the same way Quins did?

https://sportinstaffs.co.uk/2021/08/25/ ... year-deal/

I missed this from August, but now see that Lichfield is looking for a new coach. Seems an odd time to be on the hunt for one? But with Tigers already having coaches, is this going to end up being “see us through until the takeover and then you’ll be stuck here as Lichfield proper when Tigers are gifted a spot in the Premier 15s with your best players”?

I might just apply for the job and see what’s what (if I get an interview that is).

[eldanielfire]

So what does this mean? Tigers getting a free spot in the upper tiers of rugby the same way Quins did?

https://sportinstaffs.co.uk/2021/08/25/ ... year-deal/

I missed this from August, but now see that Lichfield is looking for a new coach. Seems an odd time to be on the hunt for one? But with Tigers already having coaches, is this going to end up being “see us through until the takeover and then you’ll be stuck here as Lichfield proper when Tigers are gifted a spot in the Premier 15s with your best players”?

I might just apply for the job and see what’s what (if I get an interview that is).

At least with the Quins situation Aylesford were looking to get rid of their women's team, while Quins wanted to establish an elite one. So it was a mutually beneficial development for all involved.

When I posted this a while back I thought it was a good thing for Litchfield as they will be involved in the elite game again with some power backing. Of course I'll wait for final judgement on how it actually goes. I assume they will split into a professional and amateur side (which they have 2 sides anyway).

[eldanielfire]

I might just apply for the job and see what’s what (if I get an interview that is).

Good luck

[Niegs]

Notable omissions? I can't think of any...

England squad

Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury), Sarah Beckett (Harlequins), Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), Hannah Botterman (Saracens), Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins), Bryony Cleall (Wasps), Poppy Cleall (Saracens), Amy Cokayne (Harlequins), Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins), Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning), Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens), Detysha Harper (Loughborough Lightning), Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning), Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), Alex Matthews (Worcester Warriors), Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps), Maud Muir (Wasps), Cath O'Donnell (Loughborough Lightning), Marlie Packer (Saracens), Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury), Emily Robinson (Harlequins), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears)

Backs: Holly Aitchison (Saracens), Jess Breach (Harlequins), Heather Cowell (Harlequins), Merryn Doidge (Exeter Chiefs), Abby Dow (Wasps), Zoe Harrison (Saracens), Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins), Claudia MacDonald (Wasps), Sarah McKenna (Saracens), Lucy Packer (Harlequins), Amber Reed (Bristol Bears), Leanne Riley (Bristol Bears), Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs), Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lydia Thompson (Worcester Warriors), Lagi Tuima (Harlequins), Ella Wyrwas (Saracens).

[eldanielfire]

Superb News. It's a bit of a disgrace why it hasn't already happened:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... announced/

[eldanielfire]

Notable omissions? I can't think of any...

England squad

Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury), Sarah Beckett (Harlequins), Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), Hannah Botterman (Saracens), Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins), Bryony Cleall (Wasps), Poppy Cleall (Saracens), Amy Cokayne (Harlequins), Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins), Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning), Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens), Detysha Harper (Loughborough Lightning), Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning), Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), Alex Matthews (Worcester Warriors), Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps), Maud Muir (Wasps), Cath O'Donnell (Loughborough Lightning), Marlie Packer (Saracens), Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury), Emily Robinson (Harlequins), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears)

Backs: Holly Aitchison (Saracens), Jess Breach (Harlequins), Heather Cowell (Harlequins), Merryn Doidge (Exeter Chiefs), Abby Dow (Wasps), Zoe Harrison (Saracens), Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins), Claudia MacDonald (Wasps), Sarah McKenna (Saracens), Lucy Packer (Harlequins), Amber Reed (Bristol Bears), Leanne Riley (Bristol Bears), Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs), Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lydia Thompson (Worcester Warriors), Lagi Tuima (Harlequins), Ella Wyrwas (Saracens).

None off the top of my head, though the final squad will be interesting. Glad Heather Cowell gets a chance, she's lethal for Quins. Connie Powell has been a powerhouse hooker since U20 level, deffo one to watch out for. Maud Muir is also been very good youngster as is Sadia Kabeya.

[Niegs]

So Leicester have a trial match…


From Lichfield’s last squad announcement, I’m guessing it’s a mix of firsts (all there) and seconds, maybe some other locals?

They haven’t even acknowledged my CV yet but I’m really interested how the future plays out. Sounds like Lich-Leics is what they’ll be next year, but recruiting a coaching staff now perplexes me. I seem to think it was new Tigers coach Vicky Macqueen, so what are she, Heather Fisher, etc doing if not coaching Lichfield? Does this new coach get let go next year when they take over?

Edit: I’m wrong, the coach they hired last year is Maria Crowfoot, not Macqueen.

[Niegs]

Some really great tries in this!








… and another from Joyce! Quins outside backs not getting any ball. I forgot Breach was even on the pitch!

[Niegs]

Watching some of these players seemingly nowhere near the England XV, like Simi Pam, I’d love to see a probables vs possibles match. Some England regulars should consider themselves lucky to get picked.

[eldanielfire]

Watching some of these players seemingly nowhere near the England XV, like Simi Pam, I’d love to see a probables vs possibles match. Some England regulars should consider themselves lucky to get picked.

I think, and have said for a white, England need to be more bold in selection and I've said for years Bristol ahve a lot of talented players who could be usedand as a team they under performed. Sami Pam is interesting, she ahs been spoken of as an England possibility, but I'd be interested to see how her power game and physicality shows against a French pack as she's a tad small in those terms. But other than Cornborough, I'm not sure many looseheads are really putting their hands up behind her in the usual selections.

Tighthead looks certain to be Bern, Brown and Cleall. It was always a bit disappointing to me when England, who want a power game, never tried Bryony or Shaunagh at 6 and/or 8. Interesting that all three, well 3's, are converted blindsides and all converted by the England coaching set-up. While all 3 are fine and Bern is genuinely brilliant, in terms of scrummaging, I'm not sure it's been a huge success when you see them against the French Scrum.

[eldanielfire]

A good Scrum V this week which features a lot of Jasmin Joyce and interviews Meg Jones as to why she played for England over Wales. Love the bit where she turns up in Wales shorts to England training

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m ... 2-03102021

[Enzedder]

Waikato won the Women's NPC title this year (after losing it in the last seconds last year),

Not bad for a province that didn't have a club comp around 10 years ago

[eldanielfire]

Waikato won the Women's NPC title this year (after losing it in the last seconds last year),

Not bad for a province that didn't have a club comp around 10 years ago

That's good. I'm actually interested in how rugby has growth in NZ, as a comparison to how it is in the UK and France.

[Niegs]

Waikato won the Women's NPC title this year (after losing it in the last seconds last year),

Not bad for a province that didn't have a club comp around 10 years ago

That's good. I'm actually interested in how rugby has growth in NZ, as a comparison to how it is in the UK and France.

I can confirm Enz' statement as I was potentially going to coach women's club there in 2007. There was one club in Waikato and two in Bay of Plenty. First training session at Uni of Waikato (a club, not a varsity uni program) I think four people showed up, one brand new. I was short of cash and not finding work in my field so kept traveling. I'd stayed in touch with one and she said they did get some games together eventually, and so I've tried to pay attention since then to see how things are. I heard that not a lot were interested in training, but teams could get sides together to play Union on Saturday and League on Sunday.

I'm assuming things are much better now given how strong Waikato is (and wonder if places like Taranaki are like they were, as it seems most players come from two or three clubs and the 'Naki are VERY weak ... despite all the talk of their U9 girls over the years! ). And speaking of, I've seen the odd schoolgirls game appear on the ABs channel or the First XV fb page and girls rugby in mid-North Island seems strong! Hamilton Girls ... maybe one called Forest something in the south or King Country? I watch the FPC highlights and they're always going on about some starlet who's still in school playing provincial women (you don't EVER get that here!). One school I hadn't heard of toured Canada a few years ago and utterly dominated one of the stronger girls high schools (private, too) in British Columbia.

[Niegs]

Looks like fullback suits Dow just fine!

[eldanielfire]

Looks like fullback suits Dow just fine!

I'd said it for yonks. She's superb at 15 for Wasps, England really need to try her there.

[eldanielfire]

England to bid for the 2025 RWC:

https://www.scrumqueens.com/news/englan ... ld-cup-bid

SCRUM QUEENSSaturday October 2021
England launch World Cup bid
The RFU have announced details of their bid to host the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, 15 years after a successful event in London in 2010.


The bid includes a vision is to stage a nationwide festival of rugby, with pool matches held in multiple cities around the country and the final played at Twickenham in front of a sold out 82,000 people, which would far surpass any crowd ever at a women's game.

The RFU will submit the bid to World Rugby in January “subject to securing sufficient private and public-sector funding” with France understood to also be planning a bid.

The plan includes targets to attract 500 new female coaches, 1,000 new match officials and 60,000 new registered female players between 2022 and 2025, plus generate funds to improve facilities.

Renewed effort will be put on marketing and encouraging fan attendance at Allianz Premier 15s matches and club houses will be opened up to hosting events to encourage women who have never played or watched rugby to see rugby clubs as a place they would like to visit.

Bill Sweeney, the RFU chief executive, said hosting the 2025 tournament would reinforce the UK’s reputation as “a global leader in promoting women’s sport”.

“Playing in a home World Cup in 2010 was special and it would be incredible to host another here in England,” Sarah Hunter, the England captain, said.

“The plans to deliver a multi-city and multi-region approach to the tournament are really exciting. We’ve seen first-hand the impact taking the Red Roses around the country has had on growing our support and it would be great to give people across the country the opportunity to watch elite women’s rugby on the biggest stage.

“Last but certainly not least, the impact the legacy programme would have for rugby at all levels both from a participation and fan perspective is an exciting prospect.”

The union stressed heavily that a final bid submission depended on securing £30m either via government support or private investment.

The RFU have also confirmed several new appointments in the women's game.

Alex Teasdale has been appointed Head of Women’s and Girls’ Game and will be responsible for leading the women’s game in participation, performance, commerciality and visibility to deliver the action plan.

Matt Farnes becomes the RFU's first women's and girls' marketing manager, having previously worked across numerous game-wide campaigns including 'Pitch Up For Rugby' and 'Show Your Shirt' in his role as marketing manager.

New roles have also been introduced to support key areas, previously looked after by Nicky Ponsford, who joined World Rugby as Women’s High-Performance Manager on a two-year secondment. Amy Kimber-Roberts moves to become Allianz Premier 15s Strategic Operations Manager and will be supported by an Allianz Premier 15s Operations Executive.

A Women’s Performance Manager will be appointed in the coming weeks, to work across the organisation and game to deliver the key performance outcomes outlined in the action plan.

[tabascoboy]

The Asian Championship which was also the RWC qualifier as was planned fell victim to COVID

World Rugby has confirmed a revision to the RWC 2021 Asia qualification pathway that delivers certainty for teams Japan, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan in light of ongoing travel and quarantine challenges as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

As the highest ranked team in the region, Japan will automatically qualify for Rugby World Cup 2021 and will now join USA, Canada and recently qualified team Italy in Pool B. Kazakhstan and Hong Kong will compete in a play-off match to determine which team progresses to the Final Qualification Tournament.

The decision, which provides important certainty to the teams, is supported by all unions and enables teams to plan and optimise their high-performance programmes ahead of the pinnacle event in New Zealand next year.

World Rugby will continue to work closely with Hong Kong and Kazakhstan and details of the play-off will be announced at a later date.

[Niegs]

Ferns with a couple of wins in their warmup games...

[eldanielfire]

Ferns with a couple of wins in their warmup games...

That's bloody worrying from an England developmental point of view.

[eldanielfire]

Someone also found England's old world cup trophy.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59011657

[Niegs]

“Women’s rugby lacks skill!”

[eldanielfire]

Jessica Hayden
@_JessHayden
Great news: Fans can watch Wales Women on free to air TV!

Here is the fixture list with times and channels:

Wales v Japan, Sunday 7 November, 5pm, S4C

Wales v South Africa, Saturday 13 November, 12.15pm, BBC Two Wales

Wales v Canada, Sunday 21 November, 5pm, BBC Two Wales

[eldanielfire]

“Women’s rugby lacks skill!”

It's awesome....and I couldn't come close to doing that.

[eldanielfire]

Sweden vs Czechia:

https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/competitions ... v-czechia/

[Ymx]

So big game on today.
Eng v NZ
Exeter 2.30pm

[Ymx]

Being put to the sword by England here

29-7

With 15 to go.

Bbc 2

[Ymx]

Black ferns got tonked 43-12

[Hugo]

Just watched the England - NZ highlights.

The England fullback with an incredible piece of footwork for Englands third try. Some exciting back play for most of the tries tbh.

[eldanielfire]

Black ferns got tonked 43-12

Tough game, looked undercooked. Which is strange because they had a training game against Wales.

[SaintK]

Black ferns got tonked 43-12

Tough game, looked undercooked. Which is strange because they had a training game against Wales.

Thought I read that they had 9 newcomers in their team and actually hadn't played for nearly 2 years

[Raggs]

Black ferns got tonked 43-12

Tough game, looked undercooked. Which is strange because they had a training game against Wales.

Thought I read that they had 9 newcomers in their team and actually hadn't played for nearly 2 years

They'd played the week before, both Wales and Eng u20s. I guess two teams?