Wales, meanwhile, produced a fantastic comeback in Dublin to beat Ireland 27-19 – their first win in the championship since 2019. We take a look at the key ...
Yet England’s Galligan(and Ireland’s Sam Monaghan) get the nod. Epitomised the visitors’ power up front in their maul and scrum. When she did arrive in the 52nd minute, she made up for lost time, immediately adding more tempo to the French game with her sniping breaks. Was tested at scrum time by Christine Belisle but demonstrated why she is so highly rated in the loose. A physical presence throughout. As well as making 24 tackles, she won turnovers at crucial times to halt Scottish attacks. A regular go-to in the lineout, where the visitors gained such an advantage, she was also Wales’ top carrier (17) and tackler (13). Plus, she provided the final flourish when crossing for France’s fifth try. She was Italy’s top metre maker as France’s defenders struggled to stop her. 6. Alisha Butchers (Wales) 5. Sam Monaghan (Ireland) 3. Donna Rose (Wales)
This left them in a strong position to push on for an opening round victory under new head coach Greg McWilliams, but their stubborn opponents had other ideas.
Another miscued Snowsill effort left the gap between the teams at four points, but Ireland gave themselves some much-needed breathing space with a third try on 57 minutes. Cronin effortlessly supplied the extras to give Ireland a commanding 14-5 cushion at the interval. Although she was stationed on the left-wing for this encounter, Jasmine Joyce is capable of popping up anywhere in attack. This left them in a strong position to push on for an opening round victory under new head coach Greg McWilliams, but their stubborn opponents had other ideas. The clock was against Ireland in their bid to avoid a first reversal to Wales since 2019 and despite their best efforts, a breakaway try from Hannah Jones sealed the deal for the visitors in the dying moments. In front of a record attendance of 6,113 for a standalone women’s international on these shores, tries from Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe and Linda Djougang - either side of a similar effort by Carys Phillips for the visitors - helped Ireland to establish a 14-5 buffer at the midway stage.
Italy Women's Six Nations Squad 2022: Andrea di Giandomenico's side lose 39-6 to the French in Grenoble in their opening game.
We have worked well to prepare for the many challenges of this season: the field, as always, will give us the answers.” That achievement came in 2019 when they finished second. There is a mixture of experience and fresh blood in the team, with Manuela Furlan continuing as captain. And the challenges don’t get any easier, with England coming to Parma in round two. Instead, it was France who scored the tries. The hosts did make a nice break just before half-time but it came to nothing and they had few other opportunities.
The French did the hard work in the opening period, moving into a 17-6 lead thanks to tries from Madoussou Fall and Emeline Gros. Italy did respond via Michela ...
Registering is free, faster than Jonny May, and also gets you access to commenting, personalisation, and competitions. You have 1 article left before you need to join up to read more. Italy did respond via Michela Sillari, who kicked two penalties in the first half, but they were outclassed throughout and failed to trouble the scoreboard after the interval.
The men's Six Nation may have ended last week but don't worry the TikTok women's Six Nations is starting this weekend to scratch that itch for international ...
Tuipolotu is only 18-years old and is the cousin of Wales international Taulupe Faletau so it's fair to say there's a bit of excitement around her right now. This year also marks the start of a new era for Welsh women's rugby as its the first year since the WRU announced they'll offer players 12-months contracts and make them professional. Three players are in line to make their debut as Christy Haney and Anna McGann are on the bench meanwhile Aoibhean Reilly starts at scrum-half.
Look back at the key moments as Ireland fell to a heartbreaking late loss against Wales at the RDS.
Control and composure from Danny Toala as this memorable try hands Moana Pasifika their first ever Super Rugby Pacific win. Historic moment! A moment that will ...
Registering is free, faster than Jonny May, and also gets you access to commenting, personalisation, and competitions. There will never be another Nick Cummins. The ‘Honey Badger’ mastered the art of interviewing with some pearlers. — Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby)March 23, 2022 Fijian Drua captain Nemani Nagusa absolutely cuts Matt To’omua in half. — Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby)March 24, 2022 There won’t be much air left in his lungs. — Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby)March 26, 2022 — SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag)March 26, 2022 — Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby)March 26, 2022 Very easy on the eye. Out comes the chicken wing! — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby)March 26, 2022
Tries from Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe and Linda Djougang to a score from Carys Phillips had the hosts 14-5 ahead after a hugely competitive first half.
It took nine minutes for the defending champions to go over for the first time through Packer and Emily Scarratt kicked the conversion on her Test return after ...
Holly Aitchison and Connie Powell added further tries after the restart before prop Packer secured a personal treble after some assistance from the TMO. Scarratt would play 58 minutes and finish with a 10-point haul after England went over six times in the opening half. It took nine minutes for the defending champions to go over for the first time through Packer and Emily Scarratt kicked the conversion on her Test return after a broken leg last year.
Telegraph Sport provides a team-by-team guide to what is set to be the most competitive tournament yet.
A player who dabbled in netball, swimming and jiu-jitsu growing up, the hooker will have big boots to fill in Moloney’s absence. “We’re taking every positive we can out of this situation, there’s no point dwelling on it any more,” said Fryday, adding her team have had enjoyed a series of team-bonding days which included Gaelic classes to “get the craic going again.” Such player activism was widely praised by the rugby community and the IRFU recently announced an additional €1million for the women over the next year. Scotland have thought outside the box when it comes to additional prop power after calling up Wilson, a former judoka. The Scottish Rugby Union have remained tightlipped around investment in its women’s set-up, confirming that its 35-strong squad is benefiting from bespoke support packages. That said, they are a team renowned for punching above their weight. Teen sensation Tuipulotu is Wales’ most exciting female player in a generation, having impressed with her immense ball-carrying ability for Gloucester-Hartpury in the Premier 15s. The young prop unofficially delivered the ‘tackle of the tournament’ on Poppy Cleall, who paid tribute to Bernadou’s knack for flattening defenders after England ran out 10-6 winners last year at Twickenham Stoop. Nippy scrum-half Laure Sansus was one of France’s star players last year and can make the No 9 shirt her own with veteran player Pauline Bourdon missing out. France are on a quest to win their first Grand Slam since 2018. The inclusion of experienced scrum-half Natasha Hunt is a big one - not least because most thought her international career was over after taking time away from the England set-up last year. Can dominant England breeze to a third straight Grand Slam? If Simon Middleton’s side fall short of that target, it would surely constitute a failure given their imperious form.