from ScrumQueens:

Clear favourites, the reigning champions go into the competition this year in ominous form. England have played 13 times since the last 6 Nations, and in the process have picked up an array of titles including the Nations Cup and a convincing test series over New Zealand. Perhaps more importantly though England have developed another stream of young players now more than capable of slotting into the first team and that ensures that the side should not be as disrupted by injuries to key players as most of their rivals would. There toughest test as ever will be France away in round four. Two years ago England had to rely on penalty miss from the French in the dying seconds to secure a one-point win and they know only too well that their hopes of a Grand Slam will rest on this game. Despite the ability of the French to consistently get themselves up for England at home – no matter what kind of a season they are having – England are still in my view odds on for another Grand Slam.

Key player: As obvious as it sounds, England’s skipper and fly-half Katie McLean is simply vital to her side. That position is one of the only spots where England don’t have an international specialist deputy who can slot in seamlessly given the injuries to other talented 10s of late and Gary Street will be hoping for an injury free tournament for his captain.
Player to watch: Natasha Hunt emerged as a highly talented scum-half last year who is more than ready to turn her talent to an England shirt. An exciting runner, the former winger, still has plenty to learn on the international stage but starts this weekend giving her a chance to hold onto the shirt.

FRANCE

No 6 Nations win since 2005 must grate on the talented French, who bring with them all the inconsistencies of their male counterparts onto the international stage. Brilliant one week, France can be infuriating the next, but there have been enough strides made in the months since the last 6 Nations to suggest the French could once again be a real force this season. France had their ups and downs in the early part of last year – the European defeat to Spain probably their lowest – but they have bounced back well, and been extremely active in test rugby. The victories over a young England side and Italy in the autumn will have brought confidence and the return of kicker Aurélie Bailon will be a big boost as is the emergence of a number of young stars more than ready to make their mark. The French squad for the first two weekends of games reinforced by experienced names such as Agricole, Bailon, Hebel, Ladagnous, and Rabier and they will be expected to start well against Italy. Having England at home is a key factor to their chances at winning a first title in seven years – if the French can go unbeaten to that point we’ll be in for a cracker that night. But this is France. Anything could happen.

Key player: Marie Charlotte Hebel. The flanker missed most of last season following her excellence at the World Cup and her return is a real boost. An expert in the line-out Hebel leads the pack’s ball carrying duties very well.
Player to watch: Jessy Tremouliere. The young French back three player is a huge talent and if the French feel she’s ready, she has the ability to make a big impact.

IRELAND

Ireland will feature a number of new faces in this year’s 6 Nations with six uncapped players alone in the squad for the opening round against Wales. Hampered as ever by a lack of games outside the 6 Nations test window, Ireland have done a remarkable job the last few years to finish third and that again will be their likely target this year. An issue for Ireland will be the lack of a recognised international fly-half with an injury to Helen Brosnan seeing experienced centre Lynne Cantwell move into the pivotal number 10 position. Ireland do have a reliable kicker outside her though in Niamh Briggs so Cantwell will be well supported in her unfamiliar role. With a strong record on Friday nights at Ashbourne, where the Irish play again this season, an opening win over Wales will be key if they are to repeat last year’s finish.

Key player: Lynne Cantwell is Ireland’s most capped player ever, but the majority of her caps have come at centre or wing so her enforced move to fly-half, if it stays that way beyond game one, is a big test. Regardless though, Cantwell is a key attacking play-maker for her side wherever she plays.
Player to watch: Flanker Claire Molloy has improved out of sight at this level since she made her debut for Ireland and her pace and ability at the breakdown has become a key factor in Ireland’s success in the last few seasons.

WALES

Much like the Irish, Wales’ development is always restricted somewhat by their lack of games. A schedule this year that will see them play at Twickenham and at the Millennium Stadium will be well enough to motivate a passionate Welsh side. The loss of captain Catrin Edwards, who is not playing this season, is tempered somewhat by the return of talented fly-half Naomi Thomas, a player who has the ability to open defences at will and whose presence will be key you feel for a young Welsh backline who may miss the experience of Ceri Redman and Elen Evans in the middle. A real plus for Wales is the fact that their first team has just one new cap, so they travel to Ireland with confidence that they have the exprience to see them through a tough opening away fixture.

Key player: Jamie Kift. The hugely experienced backrow player is a former Wales captain and will be key in providing leadership in this 6 Nations. A tough and uncompromising player, she won’t be found wanting in the backrow.
Player to watch: Megan York. The prop made rapid strides this season with Blaenau Gwent, Cross Keys and the Dragons and is rewarded with a bench spot against Ireland.

ITALY

With 2011 having been their best 6 Nations since joining the tournament, Italy come into this year’s tournament with some confidence. The squad announced last week includes all of the key players from recent championships, such as Schiavon, Tondinelli and Furlan and 19 of the 23 already have at least 10 caps, and every player in the squad has prior international experience. For Italy the first game against France is a challenging start to not only this year’s Six Nations, but also their qualification for 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup. With all games in both the 2012 and 2013 championships instrumental in deciding Europe’s qualifiers every point scored or conceded could be vital.

Key player: Flavia Severin. The Treviso lock has a great eye for a try and is a dogged defender. She is consistently a key pack performer for Italy and with 26 caps has the experience needed.

SCOTLAND

2011 was a tough year for the Scots in the 6 Nations and finishing bottom will have hurt. But improvements have been made. Scotland played twice in the year since, two more times than Wales and Ireland, and won both efforts against Holland and the Army so the squad will be in positive mood that 2012 will see much improvement. A first up game against England, a side who inflicted a massive scoreline on them last year, will be welcome if only if it allows Scotland to focus on the real task at hand – targeting realistic victories against the other four sides.

Coach Karen Findlay has been working the squad particularly hard on their fitness and ball skills so the Scots will be hoping to play a more expansive game this year. They are also likely to call on some new young talent such as Sarah Dixon and

Key Player: Skipper Susie Brown is a top quality performer and though she misses the English clash, her leadership will be key throughout the tournament.
Player to watch: Sarah Dixon. The flying winger is inexperienced at test level but was one of the key 7s players in the UK last year at various tournaments and has pace to burn. If Scotland get her the ball quickly she will score tries.

Keep track of all the rosters, scores and schedule here.

Guest

Guest Ruggers that have something to say, but don't necessarily want to be a regular columnist on YSC. Interested in submitting a guest post? Email wendy@scrumhalfconnection.com.

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from Rugby Network:

Through RFU.com, the match on March 17^th at Esher RFC will be available at www.rfu.com/englandwomenlive ahead of the 2.00pm kick off. Users will be able to watch the match live and then in full for up to three days after the match, while highlights of England’s games against Scotland, Italy and Ireland will also be available on RFU.com.

With England looking to defend their Grand Slam crown and secure a seventh successive Six Nations title this series is set to be a thriller. England kick off their campaign against Scotland on February 5^th before travelling to Italy on February 12^th.

England’s first home game is against Wales on February 25^th at Twickenham Stadium and the match will be live on the BBC Red Button and the BBC Sport website. England are back on the road again for their penultimate match against France on March 11^th before the defending champs take on Ireland.

An impressive five camera feed with match commentary from some of the game’s leading commentators and former England stars, as well as post-match interviews, will provide rugby fans with broadcast quality viewing as England and Ireland go head-to-head.

RFU Digital Editor, Tom Hines, said: “Over 6,000 people watched RFU.com’s live streaming of England Women’s autumn tests against New Zealand. With the women’s game growing all the time and England defending a Grand Slam, there’s a growing appetite for watching England’s Elite Women that we need to satisfy.”

To view all the scores, rosters and more from the Six Nations, go here.

Wendy Young

Editor of Your Scrumhalf Connection. Passionate Rugger since 2001.

Website - More Posts

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2012 Captains - Photo Credit: @tryimages

The annual Six Nations Tournament is here again! Last year, England ripped through the competition and easily defeated Ireland by 31 points in the Grand Slam Final. England has won the title twelve times out of sixteen tournaments, so one would think they would repeat!

Schedule

2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results

Rosters

Ireland “Training” Squad
Christine Arthurs (Tralee)
Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins)
Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians)
Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians)
Helen Brosnan (Highfield)
Lynne Cantwell (Exile)
Nikki Caughey (Belfast Harlequins)
Poppy Cleall (Exile/Bristol)
Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians)
Leigh Dargan (Exile)
Amy Davis (Blackrock)
Grace Davitt (Cooke)
Lauren Day (Cooke)
Eliza Downey (Cooke)
Ailish Egan (Old Belvedere)
Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s)
Orla Fitzsimmons (St. Mary’s)
Laura Guest (Highfield)
Laura Hailey (Old Belvedere)
Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians)
Hat Hewitt (Exile)
Shannon Houston (Blackrock)
Aisling Hutchings (UL Bohemians)
Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians)
Stacey-Lea Kennedy (City of Derry)
Glenda Mallon (City of Derry)
Alison Miller (Portlaoise)
Claire Molloy (Bristol)
Larissa Muldoon (Exile/UWIC)
Joy Neville (UL Bohemians)
Gill Nolan (St. Mary’s)
Deirdre O’Brien (Blackrock)
Heather O’Brien (Highfield)
Laura O’Mahony (Tralee)
Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians)
Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere)
Geraldine Rea (Highfield)
Tania Rosser (Blackrock)
Jackie Shiels (Exile)
Juliet Short (Exile)
Sophie Spencer (Exile)
Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere)
Carol Staunton (Galwegians)
Jade Wong (Exile)

Scotland
1 Tracy Balmer (Worcester)
2 Susie Brown (Richmond)
3 Caroline Collie (OA Saints)
4 Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars)
5 Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers)
6 Sarah Dixon (Stirling County)
7 Tess Forsberg (Richmond)
8 Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead Jordanhill)
9 Katy Green (Murrayfield Wanderers)
10 Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars)
11 Lauren Harris (Melrose)
12 Steph Johnston (RHC Cougars)
13 Mary Lafaiki (Cartha QP)
14 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead Jordanhill)
15 Alison Macdonald (RHC Cougars)
16 Lisa Martin (Murrayfield Wanderers)
17 Suzanne McKerlie-Hex (Murrayfield Wanderers)
18 Bridget Millar-Mills (Waterloo)
19 Kath Muir (Richmond)
20 Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers)
21 Lisa Ritchie (Carlisle)
22 Sarah Sexton (Murrayfield Wanderers)
23 Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers)
24 Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers)
25 Anna Swan (RHC Cougars)
26 Charlie Veale (London Wasps)
27 Lindsay Wheeler (Richmond)

Wales
Forwards
Jenny Davies, Megan Yorke, Nia Jones, Caryl Thomas, Lowri Harries, Rhian Bowden, Shona Powell Hughes, Vicky Owens, Rachel Taylor (capt), Lisa Newton, Nia Davies, Sioned Harries, Jamie Kift, Clare Flowers, Sian Williams

Backs
Amy Day, Laura Prosser, Naomi Thomas, Elen Evans, Rebecca De Filippo, Ceri Redman, Phillipa Tuttiett, Charlie Murray, Caryl James, Rhianydd Morgan, Mared Evans, Aimee Young, Rosie Fletcher

Italy
Melissa BETTONI (Red & Blue Rugby, Debut)
Awa Coulibaly (ASD Rugby Monza 1949, Debut)
Elisa CUCCHIELLA (Red & Blue Rugby, 42 CAPS)
Eleanor VAGUE (ASD Rugby Riviera Del Brenta, 8 CAPS)
Deborah BALLARINI (ASD Mustang Rugby Pesaro, 1 CAPS)
Anita NESPOLI (ASD Rugby Riviera Del Brenta, Debut)
Sarah Zanon (Benetton Treviso, 10 CAPS)
Lucia JHA (ASD Rugby Riviera Del Brenta, 17 CAPS)
Sara Pettinelli (CUS Roma, 33 CAPS)
Valentina Ruzza (ASD Valsugana Rugby Padua, 2 CAPS)
Flavia Severin (Benetton Treviso, 26 CAPS)
Alice Trevisan (ASD Rugby Riviera Del Brenta, 4 CAPS)
Juliana BELL (Red & Blue Rugby, 52 CAPS)
Michela Este (Benetton Treviso, 19 CAPS)
Mariachiara NESPOLI (ASD Rugby Riviera Del Brenta, 5 CAPS)
Cecilia Zublena (Rugby Sassenage Isere, 13 CAPS)
Vanessa Chindamo (ASD Rugby Monza 1949, 1 CAPS)
Veronica Schiavon (ASD Rugby Riviera Del Brenta, 51 CAPS)
Michela Tondinelli (Benetton Treviso, 76 CAPS)
Silvia GAUDINO (ASD Rugby Monza 1949, 42 CAPS) – Vice Captain
Cristina Molica (ASD Rugby Riviera Del Brenta, Debut)
Sara BARATTINI (Rugby House, 37 CAPS)
Castellarin Clare (Rugby Colorno, 7 CAPS)
Maria Grazia CIOFFI (Rugby Benevento, 17 CAPS)
Manuela Furlan (Benetton Treviso, 19 CAPS)
Maria Magatti (ASD Rugby Monza 1949, Debut)
Elisa ROCHAS (ASD Rugby Monza 1949, 11 CAPS)
Sofia, Stefan (ASD Valsugana Rugby Padua, Debut)
Beloved VERONESE (ASD Valsugana Rugby Padua, 18 CAPS)
Paola ZANGIROLAMI (ASD Valsugana Rugby Padua, 42 CAPS) – Captain

France
AGRICOLE Sandrine (Rennes)
AGUERRE Dioni (Bayonne)
ANDRE Manon (St Orens)
BA Aïda (Bobigny)
BAILON Aurélie (USAP)
BOUISSET Cyrielle (USAP)
CANAL Claire (USAP)
CHOBET Christelle (Lons)
DI MUZIO Laura (Lille)
DUPONT Emeline (Lille)
EZANNO Hélène (Rennes)
HEBEL Marie Charlotte (Rennes)
LADAGNOUS Caroline (Lons)
MAYANS Marjorie (St Orens)
MERT Elodie (Bobigny)
MIGNOT Gaëlle (Montpellier)
PELLE Chloé (Lille)
RABIER Sandra (Caen)
SALLES Laetitia (USAP)
TREMOULIERE Jessy (Romagnat)
TRONCY Jennyfer (Montpellier)
YAHE Marie Alice (USAP)

England
England team: Kay Wilson (Bristol), Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Rachael Burford (Richmond), Michaela Staniford (Wasps); Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks – capt), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield); Claire Purdy (Wasps), Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield), Hannah Gallagher (Saracens), Marlie Packer (Bristol), Sarah Hunter (Lichfield).

Replacements: Amy Turner (Richmond), Laura Keates (Worcester), Emily Braund (Lichfield), Isabelle Noel-Smith (Bristol), Georgina Rozario (Lichfield), Ceri Large (Worcester), Georgina Roberts (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks).

Wendy Young

Editor of Your Scrumhalf Connection. Passionate Rugger since 2001.

Website - More Posts

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from Scrumqueens:

The year following the Women’s Rugby World Cup is normally fairly quiet as teams regroup and rebuild, and this year has been no different.

Just 54 test matches were played in 2011, making it the quietest year for women’s test rugby since 2005.

However, fears that the lure of Olympic rugby would mean that countries would start to move away from the long form of the game towards Sevens have so far proven groundless. 32 nations played test rugby during the year, and the game continued to grow and expand into new territories. Three nations making their test match debuts – Switzerland, Laos and the Philippines – and several others, including China, Thailand and Uzbekistan, returned to fifteen-aside rugby after a break of several years.

By far and away the busiest team was England, to the extent that they were involved nearly a quarter of all the tests played in the year – 13 in all, winning 11, drawing one, and losing only to France when a young and largely experimental team spent rain-swept week in Provence as part of England’s preparations for the visit of world champions New Zealand. It was a schedule that rivalled professional men’s national teams and is all the more impressive when the six “unofficial” and “A” team internationals, plus a further seven U20 tests, are added to the equation.

Over the year England played every other team in the world’s top ten (with the exception of Australia) – while the U20 team played (and beat) every other U20 team in the world. They again dominated the Six Nations, winning their 11th Grand Slam and sixth successive title, running in 68 points against Italy and record-breaking 89 against Scotland, before crossing the Atlantic for the third Nations Cup.

Though here England were also unbeaten, the competition proved to be a much more testing affair than the Six Nations. In the pool games only an injury time try saved them from defeat to the USA, after which hosts Canada also pushed England far closer than any European opposition had managed. And while England went on to win the final fairly comfortably, Canada still managed to score 19 points – more points than any full-strength England team had conceded since the 2006 World Cup Final.

England’s A team also had success, winning an incredibly exciting FIRA European Championship, superbly organised in Corunna by Spain, who reached the final and lead England until 12 minutes from time before going down by only 5-3. Spain’s 15-a-side team can often be over-shadowed by the success of their Sevens squad, by it is worth noting that England were the only team to beat Spain in a year where the “The Lions” defeated a full-strength Scotland in January, and then beat a near full-strength French XV in a thrilling and emotional FIRA afternoon in front of a packed crowd at the University of Coruña.

That Spanish defeat was the lowest point of the year for France as they rebuilt after an ultimately disappointing World Cup. After England they were the busiest nation in world rugby, with seven tests and four A internationals, plus one U20 international. At times they could be sublimely brilliant – most especially in their opening Six Nations game against Scotland – and overall they reaffirmed their place as Europe’s number two rugby nation. However they showed some fragility against Ireland and badly missed the boot of Aurélie Bailon throughout most of the year. However, a highly successful Autumn series, with wins over England and Italy, has clearly boosted the confidence of the French team and could be the springboard for a much closer Six Nations in 2012.

Scotland and Italy were the only other “major” European nations to play test rugby outside of the Six Nations. The two teams overall had similar records and again occupied the bottom third of the Six Nations table, but Italy continued to grow and develop as a team and had one of their best years ever, with growing enthusiasm on and off the field – a test match in Italy is now an experience that every team will be looking forward to as Italian host communities took hospitality to new heights in 2011.

Unfortunately the only thing that seems to grow for Scotland is gap between them and the rest of the Six Nations. It may be a rebuilding time, but this was still their worst season ever, with defeats by record margins to Spain, France, Wales, England and Italy. They did finish the year with a win – against a young Dutch team largely lacking their Sevens professionals – but unless dramatic improvements are made Scotland could struggle to qualify for the World Cup in 2014.

However, in their favour the SRU are doing all they can with limited resources. They have formed an A team and a U20 side, and do organise extra games. The same cannot be said for Ireland and Wales who continue to put in excellent Six Nations performances despite the lack of development opportunities. That the Irish in particular could again finish third in the Six Nations despite barely seeing each other outside of the championship is truly remarkable – one if left to wonder what they could achieve if they were given a fraction of the support that their opponents receive.

Or even the levels of support that South Africa are starting to be given. Outside of Europe and North America no Union gives more support to its women’s team than the SARU. And it does not come cheap – as no-one seems to wish to visit them, the South Africans have to travel overseas for all of their international rugby – but their efforts finally bore fruit in August when the world 10th ranked side memorably beat a USA side (5th in the world) that had come within four points of England only a week before. If the SARU continues with this level of support, a far higher position in 2014 can be assured.

Elsewhere in the world test rugby continued in isolated islands of activity. The Caribbean championship was again won by Trinidad, who now have one of the best playing records in the history of the women’s game (11 wins in 13 tests) – mainly because they never have an opportunity to play anyone outside the Caribbean.

Kenya and Uganda also continue to play in a world of their own, though this year it was a world riven with controversy when both sides claimed to have won the annual Elgon Cup tournament after Uganda first cancelled and then (at the last minute) reinstated the second leg of the competition, but not after the Kenyans had been presented with the prize after the first leg because of that cancellation. The result was confusion compounded by an ugly and ill-tempered war of words with no real resolution. Hopefully, despite this, the tournament (funding permitted) should go ahead in 2012 – and most probably with a new sponsor.

Similarly isolated, Asian rugby had a fairly quiet year. There was no senior continental championship and regional super-power Kazakhstan could manage only one test, a relatively easy win over neighbours Uzbekistan, while Japan beat Hong Kong, who in turn defeated Singapore. However, the year did end with the re-emergence of a sleeping giant as a Chinese 15-a-side team who took the field for the first time for four years, winning a continental “Division II” title with some ease. Given a fair wind and continued support China could yet threaten Kazakhstan’s place in the 2014 World Cup.

Nonetheless the climax of the test match year came right at the end, with the reappearance of New Zealand for the first time since the World Cup. Their loss in the series against England shows that the power in world rugby could be shifting – it may no longer be possible for the Black Ferns to rely almost entirely on the strength and competitiveness of their domestic game to remain at the top of world rugby.

That series will be repeated next year and will undoubtedly be the highlight of the 2012. Next year will also see the first qualification games for the 2014 World Cup in Europe, and will certainly be the last opportunity for most of the rest of the world to complete their experimentation and rebuilding. As usual what else the year will bring remains something of a mystery, though history shows that it should be even busier than this year. A major highlight will definitely be the quadrennial European Championship in May, but will we also see an Asian “Division I” tournament, or perhaps the reappearance of Australia? If 2011 was a memorable year, 2012 has the potential to be even better.

See here for a full review of the 7s game this year.

Test playing nations in 2011:

England (13 tests); France (7); Scotland (7); Italy (6); Ireland (5); Wales (5); Canada (4); South Africa (4); United States (4); China (3); Spain (3); Trinidad and Tobago (3); Jamaica (3); Thailand (3); Cayman Islands (3); Netherlands (3); Philippines (3); Sweden (3); New Zealand (3); Caribbean Select XV (3); Finland (3); Laos (3); Russia (2); Hong Kong (2); Kenya (2); Uganda (2); Japan (1); Kazakhstan (1); Switzerland (1); Thailand (1); Belgium (1); Singapore (1); Uzbekistan (1)

Tournament winners:

Six Nations: England
FIRA European Championship: England A
NACRA Caribbean Championship: Trinidad & Tobago
Nations Cup: England
Asian Championship (Div II): China

Wendy Young

Editor of Your Scrumhalf Connection. Passionate Rugger since 2001.

Website - More Posts

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Coaches from the RBS Six Nations participating Unions have thrown their support behind the IRB’s commitment to address scrum issues at the elite level of the Game.

Currently 60% of all scrums collapse in Tier 1 internationals and 40% of scrums are required to be reset while the average time taken to complete a scrum has risen from 41 seconds to 53.

Despite a slight decrease in the number of collapses and resets since the new engagement sequence was introduced last year, the IRB remains determined to tackle the issues and ensure that this critical facet of the Game is a spectacle and a contest.

Coaching representatives from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales pledged to work with the IRB to deliver a stable scrum platform at a highly positive and productive forum in London on Tuesday evening.

In addition to expressing their support for the scrum engagement sequence, the coaches also gave their backing to the IRB’s policy of the strict application of scrum Law, including ensuring straight put-ins. The coaches also support the IRB policy which mandates that referees should crack down on illegal front row binding with a collective emphasis on ensuring that the tight head prop binds on the body of the loose head prop and not the arm and the loose head prop adopts the correct body position and binds on the body of the opposition tight head.

This collaborative approach will be critical in assisting to address the problematic aspects of the scrum. Last year a similar approach agreed by all Tier 1 coaches led to a crackdown in key areas of Law: offside at the breakdown; offside from kicks; illegal maul formation and strict application of the tackle Law. This resulted in a return to attacking Rugby.

“The meeting was extremely constructive and highly productive. All found it beneficial and it was encouraging to see universal agreement from the coaches about the need to continue to penalise the clear and the obvious in the five key areas of Law and in particular the need to address the scrum issues that are currently experienced at elite level,” said IRB Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien.

“We are encouraged that teams recognise there is a collective responsibility to ensure that the high number of collapses and resets is reduced. The coaches expressed their full support for referees to employ a zero tolerance policy towards engagement offences and have given a commitment that their teams will endeavour to be compliant in producing a stable, steady scrum by binding correctly. The scrum is an integral facet of the Game and by working together we can target the issues while ensuring that player welfare continues to be the most important consideration.”

A directive will be issued to all Unions reinforcing the message. The coaches forum has become a regular fixture ahead of the RBS Six Nations, Tri Nations, June and November Tests and underscores the IRB’s commitment to an open and transparent process of collaboration and communication between the IRB and its Member Unions in all areas of refereeing practice.

Notes to editors:

Attendees: Martin Johnson (RFU), Marc Lievremont & Didier Retiere (FFR), Declan Kidney & Gert Smal (IRFU), Alessandro Troncon (FIR), Andy Robinson (SRU), Warren Gatland (WRU), David Pickering (Six Nations Chairman and Chairman of IRB Referee Selection Committee), John Feehan (Six Nations Chief Executive), Bill Beaumount (IRB Vice Chairman), Mike Miller (IRB Chief Executive), Mark Egan (IRB Head of Development and Performance), Paddy O’Brien (IRB Referee Manager), Rhys Jones (IRB Game Analyst).

IRB Scrum statistics at Tier 1 level (Feb 2009 – December 2010)

Average scrums per match = 16, Average collapse per match = 9, Average resets per match = 6 Average Penalties/FKs per match = 5.2

The 2009 Six Nations had the highest reset rate with 47 per 100 scrums, the 2010 Six Nations had the highest collapse rate with 67 per 100 scrums. November 2009 had the lowest number of resets with 29 per 100 scrums and June 2009 had the lowest number of collapses with 47 per 100 scrums.

2009 Tri Nations collapses on engagement 52 per 100 scrums, post engagement 39 per 100 scrums. 2010 Tri Nations (current scrum sequence) collapses on engagement 25 per 100 scrums, post engagement 31 per 100 scrums.

Average time taken per scrum: 2009 Six Nations 43 seconds, 2010 November 53 seconds.

Related Items/Links
International Rugby Board website

Wendy Young

Editor of Your Scrumhalf Connection. Passionate Rugger since 2001.

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If you are in DC this is great news! If not, check out the matches on BBC America.

from my inbox:

Hi Wendy,

Just for any rugby lovers in DC, we have just secured the all Six Nations games and will screen them. We didn’t want to charge a cover but Premium sports has a mandatory $20 cover that we must charge otherwise we will lose our contract. To offset this charge for people we are giving Complimentary Brunch/Breakfast and a drink which would be of equal value.

While it’s not ideal, it’s the best option we could come up with without breaking the rules and lowers the cost for people,
I would appreciate it if you could post it on your webpage that we will be screening the games.

James Hoban’s Restaurant and Bar
1 Dupont Circle
Washington DC NW
DC 20036

Ph: 202 223 8440
Fax: 202 223 8443
www.jameshobansdc.com

With thanks,
Emer Boland
Manager

Wendy Young

Editor of Your Scrumhalf Connection. Passionate Rugger since 2001.

Website - More Posts

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Welcome to another year of women’s International rugby! Our USA women’s 7s team will be playing in the USA Sevens International next weekend and the USA 15s had a camp in Florida last month. But we aren’t the only active nation, the European countris of the rugby world are ramping up for Six Nations during February and March.

NOTE: It appears that a few men’s matches will be available in the US on BBC America, but no Women’s matches yet.

Schedule

Rosters

Ireland
Gillian Bourke (Munster/Bristol), Niamh Briggs (Munster/ UL Bohemians), Lynne Cantwell (Exile/Richmond), Fiona Coghlan (Leinster/ UL Bohemians), Amy Davis (Leinster/Blackrock),Lauren Day (Ulster/Waterloo), Ailis Egan (Leinster/Old Belvedere)*, Siobhan Fleming (Munster/ Tralee RFC)*, Laura Guest (Munster/Highfield RFC), Ashling Hutchings (Munster/ UL Bohemians)*, Niamh Kavanagh (Munster/ UL Bohemians)*, Mairead Kelly (Munster/ UL Bohemians), Stacey Kennedy (Ulster/City of Derry)*, Emer McManamly (Leinster/Blackrock), Claire Molloy (Connacht /Bristol), Larissa Muldoon (Exile/UWIC)*, Joy Neville (Munster/ UL Bohemians), Gill Nolan (Leinster/St Marys)*, Deirdre O’Brien (Leinster/Blackrock)*, Heather O’Brien (Munster/ Highfield RFC)*, Geraldine Rea (Munster/ Highfield RFC)*, Marie Louise Reilly (Leinster/Old Belvedere), Jackie Shiels (Leinster/Richmond), Nora Stapleton (Leinster/Old Belvedere), Carol Staunton (Connacht/Galwegians)

France
AGRICOLE Sandrine (Centre) (Rennes) (49 caps), AGUERRE Dioni (Scrum-half) (Bayonne) (Uncapped), AMAT Sonia (Prop) (Montpellier) (1 cap), ARRICASTRE Lise (Prop ) (Lons) (Uncapped), BA Aïda (Flanker) (Bobigny) (9 caps), BAILON Aurélie (Fly-half) (USA Perpignan) (27 caps), BOUISSET Cyrielle (Lock) (USA Perpignan) (26 caps), CANAL Claire (Flanker) (USA Perpignan) (25 caps), CASENAVE Nadège) (Centre) (Lons) (Uncapped), CHOBET Christelle (Prop) (USA Perpignan) (4 caps), DENADAI Marine (Lock) (Montpellier) (Uncapped), DJOSSOUVI Koumiba (Flanker) (Lons) (Uncapped), EZANNO Hélène (Lock) (Rennes) (Uncapped), FOURCADE Laurelin (Wing) (Bobigny) (Uncapped), HEBEL Marie Charlotte (Flanker) (Rennes) (29 caps), LADAGNOUS Caroline (Wing) (Lons) (24 caps), MIGNOT Gaëlle (Hooker) (Montpellier) (4 caps), PARRA Audrey (Fly-half) (Montpellier) (2 caps), POUBLAN Elodie (Fullback) (Montpellier) (21 caps), RABIER Sandra (Eightman) (Caen) (31 caps), SALLES Laetitia (Hooker) (USA Perpignan) (66 caps), YAHE Marie Alice (Scrum-half) (USA Perpignan) (18 caps)

Scotland
15 Caroline Collie (OA Saints), 14 Victoria Blakebrough (Richmond), 13 Stephanie Johnston (Hillhead / Jordanhill), 12 Lisa Martin (Murrayfield Wanderers), 11 Katy Green (Murrayfield Wanderers), 10 Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars), 9 Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars), 1 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead / Jordanhill), 2 Alison MacDonald (RHC Cougars), 3 Tracey Balmer (Worcester), 4 Katherine Muir (RAF), 5 Rosalind Murphy (Edinburgh University), 6 Lindsay Wheeler (Darlington Mowden Sharks), 7 Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers), 8 Susie Brown (Richmond),

Substitutes
16 Lindsey Smith (Hillhead / Jordanhill), 17 Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers), 18 Anna Swan (Edinburgh University), 19 Charlotte Veale (Wasps), 20 Annabel Sergeant (Dundee University), 21 Lauren Harris (Aberdeenshire Quines), 22 Nicola Halfpenny (Melrose)

Wales
Jenny Davies (Waterloo), Catrin Edwards (Cardiff Quins), Vicky Owens (UWIC), Caryl Thomas (Bath), Rhian Bowden (CrossKey), LowriHarries (Neath), Amy Lawrence (Neath), Shona Powell Hughes (Neath), Ashley Rowlands (Wasps), Rachel Taylor (Cardiff Quins), Sioned Harries (UWIC), Jamie Kift (Cross Keys), Lisa Newton (UWIC), Alex Stokes (Neath), Sian Williams ( Bath), Amy Day (Cross Keys), Laura Prosser (Pontyclun), Yasmin Leung ( UWIC), Elinor Snowsill ( Cardiff Quins), Awen Thomas ( Cross Keys), Elen Evans (Dolgellau), Kay Rees (Harlequins), Adi Taviner (Neath), Caryl James (Cardiff Quins), Charlie Murray (Neath), Mared Evans (UWIC), Kerin Lake (Neath), Aimee Young (Bath)

England
15. Danielle Waterman (Worcester), 14. Katherine Merchant (Worcester) 13. Emily Scarratt (Lichfield) 12. Kimberley Oliver (Bristol) 11. Michaela Staniford (Wasps), 10. Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks (C)), 9. La Toya Mason (Wasps), 1. Rochelle Clark (Worcester), 2. Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3. Sophie Hemming (Bristol), 4. Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps), 5. Rebecca Essex (Richmond), 6. Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), 7. Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), 8. Catherine Spencer (Bristol)

Replacements
16. Emma Croker (Richmond), 17. Claire Purdy (Wasps), 18. Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), 19. Heather Fisher (Worcester)20. Georgina Rozario (Lichfield), 21. Rachael Burford (Richmond), 22. Georgina Roberts (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Italy
Giovanna Bado (Benetton Treviso), Sara Barattin (Rugby Casale), Martina Barbini (Sitam Riviera del Brenta), Giuliana Campanella (Red&Blu Rugby), Chiara Castellarin (Rugby Colorno), Maria Grazia Cioffi (Rugby Benevento), Elisa Cucchiella (Red&Blu Rugby), Michela Este (Benetton Treviso), Manuela Furlan (Benetton Treviso), Lucia Gai Mustang (Rugby Pesaro), Silvia Gaudino (Rugby Monza 1949), Silvia Peron (Sitam Riviera del Brenta), Sara Pettinelli (CUS Roma), Silvia Pizzati Sitam (Riviera del Brenta), Elisa Rochas (Rugby Monza 1949), Veronica Schiavon (Sitam Riviera del Brenta), Flavia Severin (Benetton Treviso), Michela Tondinelli (Benetton Treviso), Eleonora Vaghi (Sitam Riviera del Brenta), Diletta Veronese (Valsugana R. Padova), Paola Zangirolami (Valsugana R. Padova), Sara Zanon (Benetton Treviso), Cecilia Zublena (Rugby Sassenage Isere)

Wendy Young

Editor of Your Scrumhalf Connection. Passionate Rugger since 2001.

Website - More Posts

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