NPR

eldanielfire wrote: Tue Nov 23, 2021 1:40 pm Piece form the Telegraph on what the Red Rose's strongest team will be for the RWC by different pundit.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... 022-world/

Can't link pics form the Telegraph but absically most fo them go:

Cornborough-Cokayne-Bern
Ward-Aldcroft
Hunter-Cleal-Packer
Infante

Harrison-Rowland-Scarrett
Dow-Killdunne-Thompson.

The universal picks are Bern, Ward, Aldcroft, Packer, Cleall, Harrison, Scarrett, Dow and Killdunne. Though Cleall and Hunter were swapped between 6 and 8 in some picks.

I'm stunned that some (2 of the 4 pundits here) would ever pick an 9 over infante who criminally was left off the world player of the year list IMO. I wonder what exactly people see in Natasha Hunt, her dithering and slower delivery is clear to me these past 2 seasons. She isn't as quick as Infante nor as fast a passer and McDonald is far more rapid than her. It sounds a little about when people rave about Owen Farrell, just non descript, vague and unconvincing plaudits despite him not really showing a great skillset or even managing difficult games.

I can see Davis brings a little different to Cokayne. Though I'd go with Amy for France and their big, powerful scrum and forwards. On the right wing I think I can see why you'd swap Thompson and Breech though for the Black Ferns Thompsons superior defense is a must. A similar issue at 12, Amber Reed is a better game manager and has the fastest pass and is excellent in defense and organizing the defense but Rowland has an X-Factor where she can open up defenses. It's a case for whose bets for which opponent IMO.

I agree with Killdunne at 15, but I'm not sure her last ditch defense is the very best (but not worse than McKenna, maybe I'm spoilt as Waterman had the bets cover defense in the history of the game) and I'd deffo use every game in 2022 to play her there to ensure she's 100% on the detail. My alternative could be Abby Dow there whose often played there for Wasps and we can see her game breaking ability.

Niegs wrote: Tue Nov 23, 2021 2:08 pm Hunter over Matthews? Nah ...

Millar-Mills, Fleetwood, Aldcroft (giving Kath O'Donnell a lock spot - she injured?) are also better options, imo. Kabeya looked really active as a tackler and carrier, looking like she'll have a future in the 7 shirt. Packer to 6 when she's on. I don't know how old Wasps' Christiana Balogun is, or if she has aspirations to play internationally (some people probably have great careers already), but she's impressed me every time I've watched Wasps.

ASMO wrote: Tue Nov 23, 2021 2:56 pm

eldanielfire wrote: Tue Nov 23, 2021 1:40 pm Piece form the Telegraph on what the Red Rose's strongest team will be for the RWC by different pundit.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... 022-world/

Can't link pics form the Telegraph but absically most fo them go:

Cornborough-Cokayne-Bern
Ward-Aldcroft
Hunter-Cleal-Packer
Infante

Harrison-Rowland-Scarrett
Dow-Killdunne-Thompson.

The universal picks are Bern, Ward, Aldcroft, Packer, Cleall, Harrison, Scarrett, Dow and Killdunne. Though Cleall and Hunter were swapped between 6 and 8 in some picks.

I'm stunned that some (2 of the 4 pundits here) would ever pick an 9 over infante who criminally was left off the world player of the year list IMO. I wonder what exactly people see in Natasha Hunt, her dithering and slower delivery is clear to me these past 2 seasons. She isn't as quick as Infante nor as fast a passer and McDonald is far more rapid than her. It sounds a little about when people rave about Owen Farrell, just non descript, vague and unconvincing plaudits despite him not really showing a great skillset or even managing difficult games.

I can see Davis brings a little different to Cokayne. Though I'd go with Amy for France and their big, powerful scrum and forwards. On the right wing I think I can see why you'd swap Thompson and Breech though for the Black Ferns Thompsons superior defense is a must. A similar issue at 12, Amber Reed is a better game manager and has the fastest pass and is excellent in defense and organizing the defense but Rowland has an X-Factor where she can open up defenses. It's a case for whose bets for which opponent IMO.

I agree with Killdunne at 15, but I'm not sure her last ditch defense is the very best (but not worse than McKenna, maybe I'm spoilt as Waterman had the bets cover defense in the history of the game) and I'd deffo use every game in 2022 to play her there to ensure she's 100% on the detail. My alternative could be Abby Dow there whose often played there for Wasps and we can see her game breaking ability.

Breach over Thompson

eldanielfire wrote: Sat Nov 27, 2021 8:55 am Fiona Tomas
@fi_tomas_
NEW - starting from this Sunday with Bristol Bears' game v Wasps, the BBC will show one
@Premier15s
game per round for the rest of the 2021-22 season. Games will be shown on the BBC Sport app, website and iPlayer, including the semi-final and final. Progress

Niegs wrote: Sat Nov 27, 2021 9:00 pm This is NOT a fat-shaming, being a large lad myself, but Rachael Burford has gotten bigger during the injury layoff!

eldanielfire wrote: Mon Nov 29, 2021 3:35 pm

Niegs wrote: Sat Nov 27, 2021 9:00 pm This is NOT a fat-shaming, being a large lad myself, but Rachael Burford has gotten bigger during the injury layoff!

Is it a bad picture perhaps?

I thought Burford has always wasn't skinny, it's why she can be used as a crack ball option on top of her distribution skill-set.

Niegs wrote: Mon Nov 29, 2021 4:20 pm

eldanielfire wrote: Mon Nov 29, 2021 3:35 pm

Niegs wrote: Sat Nov 27, 2021 9:00 pm This is NOT a fat-shaming, being a large lad myself, but Rachael Burford has gotten bigger during the injury layoff!

Is it a bad picture perhaps?

I thought Burford has always wasn't skinny, it's why she can be used as a crack ball option on top of her distribution skill-set.

Niegs wrote: Mon Nov 29, 2021 4:20 pm

eldanielfire wrote: Mon Nov 29, 2021 3:35 pm

Niegs wrote: Sat Nov 27, 2021 9:00 pm This is NOT a fat-shaming, being a large lad myself, but Rachael Burford has gotten bigger during the injury layoff!

Is it a bad picture perhaps?

I thought Burford has always wasn't skinny, it's why she can be used as a crack ball option on top of her distribution skill-set.

Siobhan Cattigan: Scotland international dies at age of 26

Scotland international and Stirling County back row Siobhan Cattigan has died at the age of 26. Cattigan won 19 caps between 2018 and 2021, having made her debut against Wales during the 2018 Six Nations.

She started all three matches in the 2021 competition, with her most recent appearance coming in the World Cup qualifier against Spain in September.

Scottish Rugby said their thoughts "go out to Siobhan's family and team-mates at this incredibly difficult time".

They added that specialist employees would provide support to those most closely affected.

The honour follows an impressive Autumn Series for the 25-year-old, in which she captained the Red Roses for the first time.
Aldcroft is the fourth England player to win the award following Michaela Staniford (2012), Sarah Hunter (2016) and Emily Scarratt (2019).
"I'm so proud," she said. "I'm very honoured to accept the award."
She added her advice for the next generation of female players was: "Be yourself, work hard and keep your feet on the ground."

Niegs wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 5:55 pm As someone who doesn't like 'over-dressing' when unnecessary, I'm down the Bryony's look compared to the pro media person on the left.

Niegs wrote: Sun Dec 12, 2021 5:10 pm I love this... see props in front of you, hammer down and go! (She had another amazing break that, iirc, led to the try below, also spotting a weak link in the defensive line).



Big carry from Konkel (and lazy tackling from three internationals)

Niegs wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 4:44 pm Not having an ambulance on site seems an extreme reason to call off a game, no? https://warriors.co.uk/2022/01/16/state ... sps-women/

You don't take safety lightly, of course, but if you have a team doctor to treat extreme emergencies until one called could arrive, then it's not so bad? There will be countless games going each weekend without an ambulance on site.

Niegs wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 4:43 pm Quins were pretty crap, so should only have themselves to blame, but it was a bit of a shambles of a refereeing job in the last few minutes.

Conversion kick to tie, Ex player's feet are set but she goes up on her toes while breathing. Quins players rush and ref allows it. She's like "Wha?" but kicks anyway and just misses. Argues the point that she hadn't moved forward so should get a re-do, ref's having none of it.

However, Ex given a soft penalty and kick for the lineout. In the ensuing phase or two, Ex get another pen for a really soft 'not rolling away' pen. Kick the three pointer to win the game.

Wales Women: First nine semi-professional players announced by WRU
Last updated on1 minute ago1 minute ago.
From the sectionWelsh Rugby
Semi-pro players
The first group of Wales women's semi-professional players (Kat Evans is absent)
The latest group of female players to accept paid Welsh Rugby Union contracts has been announced.

The retainer deals have been signed by nine different players, making them semi-professional, with up to six more to be added in the coming weeks.

They include Gwen Crabb, Georgia Evans, Kat Evans, Cerys Hale, Abbie Fleming, Bethan Lewis, Kerin Lake, Caitlin Lewis and Niamh Terry.

It follows the 12 fully professional deals announced earlier this month.

They semi-professional players will train alongside with the full-time players at the National Centre of Excellence at the Vale Resort, near Cardiff between one and three days a week.

Gloucester-Hartpury duo Hale and Lake are the most experienced players in the group with 35 and 33 caps respectively, while Saracens hooker Evans only made her debut against Japan in the autumn.

Wales women head coach Ioan Cunningham said the retained players are a "vital addition" to the women's performance programme.

"Some of them were very close to being offered full-time contracts, and all made a huge contribution to our autumn campaign, both on the pitch and in the training environment so are all deserving of this chance," he said.

"Ultimately, the retainer contracts provide an opportunity to have more contact time with more players which will be a huge positive.

"It gives the players the ability to learn more about the game, to complete more training sessions, improve their strength and fitness along with other areas that will contribute towards the team's performance."

Wales women have two training camps in the next few weeks and Cunningham says there is an opportunity for players to impress and earn the remaining contracts.

Niegs wrote: Fri Jan 14, 2022 3:25 pm With an article in the Telegraph about DMP's woes, I wondered' about Exeter after seeing rosters posted.



Forwards: Spain, Can, Can, Wales, Ned , Eng, USA, USA
Backs: Eng, USA, Ire, Spain, South Africa, USA, Eng


Part of me is swinging around to thinking "it's not so bad for the comp, making teams stronger than the likes of DMP, and the locals will benefit from playing alongside experienced internationals" ... but when most of your squad are hired guns and these other teams are struggling or clubs are excluded when they don't have a sugar daddy fronting the money (plus 'Chiefs'), it just doesn't sit quite right with me.

eldanielfire wrote: Wed Jan 19, 2022 2:34 pm

Niegs wrote: Fri Jan 14, 2022 3:25 pm With an article in the Telegraph about DMP's woes, I wondered' about Exeter after seeing rosters posted.



Forwards: Spain, Can, Can, Wales, Ned , Eng, USA, USA
Backs: Eng, USA, Ire, Spain, South Africa, USA, Eng


Part of me is swinging around to thinking "it's not so bad for the comp, making teams stronger than the likes of DMP, and the locals will benefit from playing alongside experienced internationals" ... but when most of your squad are hired guns and these other teams are struggling or clubs are excluded when they don't have a sugar daddy fronting the money (plus 'Chiefs'), it just doesn't sit quite right with me.

Yeah Exeter Women is just taking the piss now. Why expand the league to 10 team from 8 if all you do is increase the foreign players by 2 full teams?

I'm dubious on the whole "playing with better players improves the England players, justification. Of course even less so when barely any English players actually play. We see in New Zealand that they can produce top quality players with basically little to no foreign players along them.

Women's Rugby World Cup 2021: Scotland in play-off final after Hong Kong and Samoa withdraw

Scotland will now face a one-off play-off against Kazakhstan or Colombia to reach the delayed 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup finals after Hong Kong and Samoa withdrew from qualifying.

Both nations pulled out because of Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Hong Kong were due to face Kazakhstan to determine Asia's representative in a four-team round-robin play-off, while Samoa were representing Oceania.

The top-seeded Scots will now go straight into the 25 February final.

Niegs wrote: Wed Jan 19, 2022 3:16 pm

eldanielfire wrote: Wed Jan 19, 2022 2:34 pm

Niegs wrote: Fri Jan 14, 2022 3:25 pm With an article in the Telegraph about DMP's woes, I wondered' about Exeter after seeing rosters posted.



Forwards: Spain, Can, Can, Wales, Ned , Eng, USA, USA
Backs: Eng, USA, Ire, Spain, South Africa, USA, Eng


Part of me is swinging around to thinking "it's not so bad for the comp, making teams stronger than the likes of DMP, and the locals will benefit from playing alongside experienced internationals" ... but when most of your squad are hired guns and these other teams are struggling or clubs are excluded when they don't have a sugar daddy fronting the money (plus 'Chiefs'), it just doesn't sit quite right with me.

Yeah Exeter Women is just taking the piss now. Why expand the league to 10 team from 8 if all you do is increase the foreign players by 2 full teams?

I'm dubious on the whole "playing with better players improves the England players, justification. Of course even less so when barely any English players actually play. We see in New Zealand that they can produce top quality players with basically little to no foreign players along them.

Yeah, I guess I'm thinking of internationals with a ton of experience who can teach an individual nuances of their position... but great coaching can also do that as shown by the crop of England 'youngsters' who are / nearly are the best in the world at their positions.

Canadian forwards seem to just crash into the closest defender (well, tbf) so not sure what that adds if you can find and train to a good standard a big English woman.

The RFU's Warrior Weekend initiative (and others?) seems to be encouraging more and more women to give rugby a shot. It'd be nice to see us do ... anything ... to attract more women to the game.