The RFU’s decision to award contracts is groundbreaking, says the editor of women’s rugby website Scrumqueens.comThere is nothing new about professionalism in women’s rugby. Since the Netherlands became the first country to award contracts to their women’s sevens players in 2011, the rest of the women’s rugby world has been playing catch-up – off the pitch at least – in the game’s rapid acceleration towards the pro ranks. Related: RFU's full-time contracts for England women's team 'hugely significant' Related: Rachael Burford expecting bigger things for Harlequins and Premier 15s Continue reading...
England rivals may enliven play-offs, Bath keep up bizarre trend and a thrilling final raises exciting questions for women’s gameSale will qualify for the European Champions Cup if they defeat Leicester at home and Gloucester fail to beat Saracens. The results in the latest round of France’s Top 14 mean that Gloucester will be in Europe’s elite club tournament next season having reached the Challenge Cup final and, not having to worry about holding on to sixth place, can rest players ahead of the clash against Cardiff Blues in Bilbao. The Sharks’ director of rugby, Steve Diamond, was bullish about his side’s prospects, saying that he hoped he would be given the means to spend the same on wages next...
France must not get carried after beating England, while Ireland will need to bolster their defence at TwickenhamWhen the post-match debate centres on whether England were poorer in Murrayfield or Paris, there is definitely trouble at mill. They never looked remotely likely to score the four tries required to retain a mathematical interest in the Six Nations title race and it would have been distinctly rough justice on France had the visitors sneaked home late on in Saint Denis. One or two England players felt afterwards they might have received a penalty for French defenders going off their feet at the final ruck under the posts; it would still not have erased the horrors of the previous 79 minutes. In...
Scotland’s next task is to improve on the road, Wales show their worth with the ball and France still off the paceIt seems cruel that anyone in Scotland should have to talk about anything other than their victory, but in the hours after the match Gregor Townsend was already thinking about their next Test, away to Ireland. “We’ve got our own issues to deal with,” he said, “we have to show a truer picture of what we’re about when we’re away from home”. Scotland have been a poor side when they’re playing away for a long while now, but those two recent defeats, to England at Twickenham and Wales in Cardiff, were particularly bitter given how much better they’ve become...
Wales have case for moral victory in loss to England, Scotland prepare for ‘Big One’ and Ellie Kildunne’s stock continues to riseOne minute Eddie Jones is using the media to put pressure on opposition captains and fly-halves, the next he is criticising those whom he perceives are giving insufficient credit to himself and some of his players. “You guys tell me Mike Brown can’t play Test rugby … you guys are unbelievable!” he told his BBC 5 Live’s Chris Jones after Saturday’s narrow 12-6 win over Wales. “You’re always criticising him and now he has a good game you’re all on the bandwagon. You guys are better selectors than we are, that’s what you think you are.” Given England have...