England Women’s Euro 7s squad announced

Posted on Jun 30, 2010 in Rugby News

The England Women’s squad to defend their European 7s title in Russia next month has been announced. England have named a strong outfit which includes five capped players, even though none of England’s 2010 XV’s world cup players will be taking part in the Moscow tournament on July 10th and 11th. Last season England won the European 7s title by beating Spain 20-12 in the final.

The squad will be led by co-captains Sonia Green and Michaela Staniford. Both are experienced 7s specialists with Wasps wing Staniford involved in last year’s Rugby World Cup 7s campaign in Dubai, which saw England win the Plate.

England will be coached by Barry Maddocks and Susie Appleby. Head Coach Maddocks said: “We have got a nice blend of experience and up and coming players in this squad. Both Sonia and Michaela are proven 7s players and they will lead the team well while the likes of Fran Matthews and Kim Oliver are England regulars. This will also be a great opportunity for the likes of Hannah Field and Rose Fong from the England Under 20s. Although this is our one and only 7s tournament of the season we are determined to retain our title.”

In the pool stages, England will play Sweden, Italy and Germany on Saturday July 10th. They will also play France on Sunday 11th in the final pool match before the knock out stages commence that day.

England 7s

• Sonia Green ~ Saracens
• Gemma Sharples ~ Worcester
• Michaela Staniford ~ Wasps
• Hannah Field ~ Wasps
• Sarah Guest ~ Worcester
• Georgina Roberts Darlington ~ Mowden Park Sharks
• Jennifer Edwards Darlington ~ Mowden Park Sharks
• Francesca Mathews ~ Richmond
• Kimberley Oliver ~ Bristol
• Rose Fong Darlington ~ Mowden Park Sharks

Wales sevens team named BBC Cymru Team of the Year

Posted on Dec 9, 2009 in Rugby News

The Wales Sevens team were last night (Tuesday) names BBC Cymru Wales team of the year, after becoming Rugby World Cup Sevens champions in March.

Lee Beach, who captained the team to glory in Dubai said, “It’s great that our achievement at the Rugby World Cup Sevens put Wales on the map again and it’s also great to receive recognition from inside Wales in terms of this Team of the Year award.

“We produced a spectacle for Wales to be proud of and we’ll never forget the experience.

“Our victory has done a lot for Sevens in Wales – seven of the side currently competing in Dubai and George, plus Darren Daniels who didn’t travel this time are now contracted as core Sevens players which is a step up from where we were last year.”

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Wales Women thrash Sweden

Posted on Dec 1, 2009 in Rugby News

The peerless Non Evans amassed 21 points as Wales sauntered over for nine tries in a 56-7 thrashing of Sweden at St Helens, Swansea.

The full back has been playing international rugby for more than a decade but the Swedes will be glad to see the back of her after she gave a vintage performance – racing over for two tries and constantly being a threat with the ball in hand.

Caryl James crossed for two tries on debut while Awen Thomas completed the rout with a late brace to put Sweden out of their misery.

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Lewis says to Wales women: “Be clinical”

Posted on Nov 26, 2009 in Rugby News

Wales women’s coach Jason Lewis is sending his side out against Sweden on Saturday with a simple message: be clinical.

The international match has been switched from the Vale Resort and will now be played at St Helen’s, Swansea, kicking off at 1pm.

Sweden will pose an early test for Wales as Lewis and his fellow coaches prepare for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship and then the World Cup.

The Swedes have also qualified for the World Cup where they have been grouped with France, Canada and Scotland whereas Wales face the daunting prospect of taking on New Zealand along with Australia and South Africa.

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Women’s RWC hands Scotland a tough draw agains France, Canada and Sweden

Posted on Nov 19, 2009 in Rugby News

Scotland Women will face France, Canada and Sweden in Pool C of the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.

The premier 15-aside tournament in the women’s game, which will be played from next August 20 to September 5, will feature three pools of four teams with defending champions New Zealand, hosts and 2006 runners-up England and 2006 bronze medalists France all ranked top seeds in their pool.

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