NPR

sturginho wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 5:52 pm 4 mins to play and Spain are leading Ireland by a point!

SPAIN DID IT! 8-7

F#CK YOU 6 NATIONS! ;)

I'm actually over the moon for Spain, they're so good considering that lack of any quality matches year in and out.

Spain to replace either Scotland or Wales in the 6N

ASMO wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 6:01 pm Spain to replace either Scotland or Wales in the 6N

Spain has been European Top-6 for ages and should be in the 6N on merit. Will never happen as that would raise uncomfortable questions about the men's closed shop.

Fantastic result fro them against Ireland. Well deserved.

clydecloggie wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:22 am

ASMO wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 6:01 pm Spain to replace either Scotland or Wales in the 6N

Spain has been European Top-6 for ages and should be in the 6N on merit. Will never happen as that would raise uncomfortable questions about the men's closed shop.

Fantastic result fro them against Ireland. Well deserved.

Although that does raise the other question of why the womens game is following the mens. They need their own competitions based on their own strengths really.

Slick wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:53 am

clydecloggie wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:22 am

ASMO wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 6:01 pm Spain to replace either Scotland or Wales in the 6N

Spain has been European Top-6 for ages and should be in the 6N on merit. Will never happen as that would raise uncomfortable questions about the men's closed shop.

Fantastic result fro them against Ireland. Well deserved.

Although that does raise the other question of why the womens game is following the mens. They need their own competitions based on their own strengths really.

Spain were part of the Women's 6 Nations until 2006 without it causing any questions for the men's game. They were replaced by Italy from 2007 onwards because the unions wanted to mirror the men's tournament with the same games played each weekend.

It would be much better to have a women's tournament based on merit rather than one that tries to mirror the men's game, and Spain are definitely worth a place in such a tournament. They are at least the equals of Ireland and are arguably better than both Wales and Scotland.

Lobby wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:48 am

Slick wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:53 am

clydecloggie wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:22 am

Spain has been European Top-6 for ages and should be in the 6N on merit. Will never happen as that would raise uncomfortable questions about the men's closed shop.

Fantastic result fro them against Ireland. Well deserved.

Although that does raise the other question of why the womens game is following the mens. They need their own competitions based on their own strengths really.

Spain were part of the Women's 6 Nations until 2006 without it causing any questions for the men's game. They were replaced by Italy from 2007 onwards because the unions wanted to mirror the men's tournament with the same games played each weekend.

It would be much better to have a women's tournament based on merit rather than one that tries to mirror the men's game, and Spain are definitely worth a place in such a tournament. They are at least the equals of Ireland and are arguably better than both Wales and Scotland.

Think Scotland beat them last time round but were well beaten by Spain in the qualifiers for the previous RWC.

On yesterday's evidence Spain favourites to beat Scotland in this tournament.

clydecloggie wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:22 am

ASMO wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 6:01 pm Spain to replace either Scotland or Wales in the 6N

Spain has been European Top-6 for ages and should be in the 6N on merit. Will never happen as that would raise uncomfortable questions about the men's closed shop.

Fantastic result fro them against Ireland. Well deserved.

I would hope (and this is wildly optimistic) that with the women's game now starting to stand on it's own feet with TV showings and has a good chance of being moved to a different part of the year for a higher profile. Now the women's calendar isn't as congested as the men's. This could mean why not run a 7 Nations for the women?

clydecloggie wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 9:31 am

Lobby wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:48 am

Slick wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:53 am

Although that does raise the other question of why the womens game is following the mens. They need their own competitions based on their own strengths really.

Spain were part of the Women's 6 Nations until 2006 without it causing any questions for the men's game. They were replaced by Italy from 2007 onwards because the unions wanted to mirror the men's tournament with the same games played each weekend.

It would be much better to have a women's tournament based on merit rather than one that tries to mirror the men's game, and Spain are definitely worth a place in such a tournament. They are at least the equals of Ireland and are arguably better than both Wales and Scotland.

Think Scotland beat them last time round but were well beaten by Spain in the qualifiers for the previous RWC.

On yesterday's evidence Spain favourites to beat Scotland in this tournament.

I have a feeling that when Scotland beat them they didn't have a lot of their players. The promising thing though is this Spanish side is quite young.

Slick wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:53 am

clydecloggie wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:22 am

ASMO wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 6:01 pm Spain to replace either Scotland or Wales in the 6N

Spain has been European Top-6 for ages and should be in the 6N on merit. Will never happen as that would raise uncomfortable questions about the men's closed shop.

Fantastic result fro them against Ireland. Well deserved.

Although that does raise the other question of why the womens game is following the mens. They need their own competitions based on their own strengths really.

Agreed.

Only just saw the results from Parma, terrific effort from Spain and I'll be glad if I'm still wrong in my predictions by the end!

eldanielfire wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 11:18 am

Slick wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:53 am

clydecloggie wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:22 am

Spain has been European Top-6 for ages and should be in the 6N on merit. Will never happen as that would raise uncomfortable questions about the men's closed shop.

Fantastic result fro them against Ireland. Well deserved.

Although that does raise the other question of why the womens game is following the mens. They need their own competitions based on their own strengths really.

Agreed.

Absolutely; but won't happen as long as it is part of the Six Nations brand and making room for Spain means Scotland (or Wales) dropping out.

Actually quite amazing that Wales are automatic qualifiers given where they are now (obviously they qualified on the back of a decent RWC2017).

Pushing for a 7N tournament or a 5-6N with relegation/promotion to a second tier would cause WR (was it them or am I mis-attributing?) to actually 'man up' to the pledges they made to look for unique solutions to improve the women's game that aren't simply copying what the men do!

Italy scoring some nice tries!

Italy are 5-0 down and the Italian commentary is doing my nut in

Result: Italy 7 - 15 Ireland

Scottish women being humped by Spain.....

19 - 12 to Spain atm with Scotland on attack, a few mins to halftime. I have commentary in Gaelic, which is interesting. And try to Scotland so not at all one-sided. Yellow card against Spain and 19 - 17 at the break

And Scotland won 27 - 22. These games proving so far that Spain are worthy of a place in either a 6 or 7 Nations tournament

All four teams are on 5 points.

You'd expect Ireland to beat Scotland in the last round but need a decent winning margin too - and just a win can't be seen as 100% certain. Spain v Italy seems too close to call - will home advantage be key? I can't see more than about 5 points in it so bonus points also could come into play by the end of it.

Good to have a tournament so strongly contested without one team running away with it.

Permutations for Scotland from the one and only @topofthemoongw.

Exciting stuff eh? Hard to call who will win each match. You'd think maybe Italy have it a nodge in front, but not much in it. It's all about performances on the day.

Scotland vs Ireland. Ireland win with a bonus they get automatic qualification to the RWC. If not or Scotland win then they go through to another RWC qualifier.

Come on Scotland!

Just saw that Italy beat Spain 34 - 10 with a bonus point, so Italy handily placed while the other game is in play. Not entirely sure how tie breaking rules work if two teams end with 10 match points though.

Scotland lead 8 - 5 at halftime with one try apiece

tabascoboy wrote: Sat Sep 25, 2021 5:00 pm Just saw that Italy beat Spain 34 - 10 with a bonus point, so Italy handily placed while the other game is in play. Not entirely sure how tie breaking rules work if two teams end with 10 match points though.

Scotland lead 8 - 5 at halftime with one try apiece

Ireland beat Italy so they would qualify on equal points.

Scotland get another.

Ireland now lead 18 - 13, with 2 tries apiece. 10 mins left on the clock, Scotland very much on the defensive - but when I write that the Scots break out...

And a yellow card against Ireland in the last 5 mins, last chance for Scotland? But they blow with a kick that goes dead. Great try for full back Rollie finally, who has been impressive 18 - 18 all down to the conversion!

And it's through! Scotland with 20 - 18 win make it to the repechage but Italy qualify for the finals.

A really good and absorbing game

Try at the death!!!!!

Congratulations Scotland, what a finish!

And of course, Forza Azzurre!

Great try by Scotland at the end!

A bit of howzat!? to the Irish prop who thought the tip tackle a few minutes ago was “bullshit”. I thought the Scots wasted it though by putting the touchfinder dead.

Scots should be favs for the qualifier as well. Columbia, Samoa (usually lots of Kiwis but often unfit and little time together?), and the Asian champ (Japan, HK, Kaz)

Quite a nail biter there at the end for Scotland. Last minute try and conversion to win. Ireland don't make the world cup. Tons of emotions at the end. Scotland's first RWC since 2010.

Niegs wrote: Sat Sep 25, 2021 5:57 pm Great try by Scotland at the end!

A bit of howzat!? to the Irish prop who thought the tip tackle a few minutes ago was “bullshit”. I thought the Scots wasted it though by putting the touchfinder dead.

I was surprised the tip tackle wasn't called straight away. I'm not sure how anyone can complain at the yellow given it was an obvious lift, the Irish 13 very intentionally lifted her up and sideways and even sunk down after the initial contact to grab her leg and lift it. It wasn't debatable. It was also Ireland's 2nd yellow of the game, what was she expecting? Likewise the Irish ladies play a worse version of the men's game, where they just aim to spoil everything on the floor and hope of the ref to call it favourably for them.

It's a big well done to Scotland. IMO they have consistently improved this world cup cycle, almost beating France. I wouldn't say I've seen Scotland impressively supporting their women, but their union seem to do at least a bit more to support the national than Wale's and Ireland's at the moment. Even if their development is still very much "use the English league" they seem to have some sort of support for their women's national set-up. And seem to have a regular cohesive test team like Italy. They deserved it more I think.

Also congratulations to Italy who certainly deserved to qualify.

Niegs wrote: Sat Sep 25, 2021 6:02 pm Scots should be favs for the qualifier as well. Columbia, Samoa (usually lots of Kiwis but often unfit and little time together?), and the Asian champ (Japan, HK, Kaz)

I think it's the runner up from the Asian Championship that goes to the repechage, the winners qualify direct

eldanielfire wrote: Sun Sep 26, 2021 8:14 am

Niegs wrote: Sat Sep 25, 2021 5:57 pm Great try by Scotland at the end!

A bit of howzat!? to the Irish prop who thought the tip tackle a few minutes ago was “bullshit”. I thought the Scots wasted it though by putting the touchfinder dead.

I was surprised the tip tackle wasn't called straight away. I'm not sure how anyone can complain at the yellow given it was an obvious lift, the Irish 13 very intentionally lifted her up and sideways and even sunk down after the initial contact to grab her leg and lift it. It wasn't debatable. It was also Ireland's 2nd yellow of the game, what was she expecting? Likewise the Irish ladies play a worse version of the men's game, where they just aim to spoil everything on the floor and hope of the ref to call it favourably for them.

There was a point where the Irish were pick and going toward goal and it was annoying to see them flopping over the breakdown a la Leinster, but thankfully the ref blew them up for it within inches of goal.

Peat’s try showed the alternative… have forwards come from depth out wide. The tackling isn’t the same as men’s level. Get your big carriers running at backs unsure of who’s going to have a go. Ireland have lots of big and mobile forwards who mostly only did the pod crash thing. Djougang showed her pace for the first try. Do that more!

Niegs wrote: Sun Sep 26, 2021 11:47 am

eldanielfire wrote: Sun Sep 26, 2021 8:14 am

Niegs wrote: Sat Sep 25, 2021 5:57 pm Great try by Scotland at the end!

A bit of howzat!? to the Irish prop who thought the tip tackle a few minutes ago was “bullshit”. I thought the Scots wasted it though by putting the touchfinder dead.

I was surprised the tip tackle wasn't called straight away. I'm not sure how anyone can complain at the yellow given it was an obvious lift, the Irish 13 very intentionally lifted her up and sideways and even sunk down after the initial contact to grab her leg and lift it. It wasn't debatable. It was also Ireland's 2nd yellow of the game, what was she expecting? Likewise the Irish ladies play a worse version of the men's game, where they just aim to spoil everything on the floor and hope of the ref to call it favourably for them.

There was a point where the Irish were pick and going toward goal and it was annoying to see them flopping over the breakdown a la Leinster, but thankfully the ref blew them up for it within inches of goal.

This is one of the issue with the Irish style (men and women). It used to be Ireland always got away with it,

Peat’s try showed the alternative… have forwards come from depth out wide. The tackling isn’t the same as men’s level. Get your big carriers running at backs unsure of who’s going to have a go. Ireland have lots of big and mobile forwards who mostly only did the pod crash thing. Djougang showed her pace for the first try. Do that more!

I agree. It's interesting that prior to this game Ireland had one of the worst point tallies for all their visits to the 22 this tournament. Lot's of ex-Irish players and supporters raging about the Union support. But I'm not sure it's any better or worse than Wales/Ireland/Italy/Spain here. So you have to look at the 2 yellow cards here.

Also I took our team to a little season-starter festival over the weekend. It was fun seeing LeAnn Riley there with hers (and walking fine it looked). She's become a bit of a local legend, not just for her England career, but for her success with building a big and strong girl's program from scratch. Every girl's team down this way seems to know all about her.


Lot's of the England team are involved in the women's game at grassroots but it's certainly her and Rachel Burford wo are seem as the ones having the biggest, best and most widespread effect down south for sure. She did a little piece on how she does it here:

https://www.rugbycoachweekly.net/rugby- ... irls-team/

I should add it's interesting she plays for West country Bristol but is still coaching in the South East. A 2 and a bit hour drive at least one way or another. If she has to balance the two roles.

A good thread illustrating a lot of the "Pandemic damage" done to women's rugby as league's start-up again. Below is some key statistics but click the first tweet for the full and interesting thread:

Some impressive stats gathering! I've no doubt that things are not great coming back from lockdown measures, but I did wonder if there were lopsided scores like that in previous years as well? The most important metric should be registered players, I think.

We see those kind of swings in team quality every few years or even year-to-year with some teams. In most cases, I think, it comes down to how well a team a) recruits (so many just rely on people turning up, don't do much to actively get new players) and b) how enjoyable the experience is (reasons for participation vary, so important to make as many happy as you can - what's done at training, playing time, culture of inclusivity).