Big Up to Beanie

Big up to Charlotte Barras for her recent captaincy of the England team in Canada. The hard running line breaking fullback/wing led her country to victory recently against France in the Nations Cup in Canada. Hats of to Beanie!!!!!! And I definitely said light legs not white legs!!!!!!!

England Women clinch Nations Cup by Julia Hutton

England 25 South Africa 0

England Women were crowned Nations Cup champions last night (Wednesday) after a bonus point victory against South Africa in the third round on the round-robin tournament in Toronto.

The Red Roses, who are also the reigning RBS 6 Nations champions, clinched the title for the second year on the bounce despite a slightly mediocre performance against the Springboks. And with Canada losing 15-10 to the USA last night also, England now have an unassailable lead going into the final round on Saturday against hosts Canada.

England had to work hard for the win and failed to put a point on the board until the 30th minute of the game. It was South Africa that started the game brightly, putting pressure on England and pinning them into their own half. The Springboks were the first to create opportunities but with England defending well they prevented them from scoring also. And with South Africa missing an early penalty England slowly clawed their way back into the game.

Worcester wing Kat Merchant, who scored a hat-trick of tries in England’s victory over France, broke England’s duck on 34 minutes when some good clean ball from a line-out saw the ball moved out to the mid-field. A good drive then saw the ball recycled out to the backs and with Saracens’ Charlotte Barras executing a good pass she put Merchant into space for an easy finish. Richmond’s Alice Richardson successfully struck the conversion and then a penalty moments later to hand England a 10-0 lead at half-time.

The second-half was, however, a different story for England and they dominated rarely letting South Africa out of their half. With 45 minutes gone on the clock, vice-captain Barras added England’s second try. It was Saracens’ Claire Allan who made the break, followed by some excellent work by the pack. The ball was then popped out to the backs who moved the ball down the line quickly to create space for Barras to dive over in the corner.

A lightning break down the right wing by Merchant and then a clever chip up field then saw Saracens’ Rachael Burford collect and score her first try of the tournament handing England a 20-0 lead.

The Springboks continued to cause England problems, and although they couldn’t cross the line, England continued to make some basic errors leaving them having to wait until the 80th minute of the game to wrap up the victory and the tournament win with full back Barras pouncing on the ball and sprinting past the Boks’ last line of defence to score.

England Head Coach Gary Street: “I'm disappointed with the number of unforced errors we made during the game. This made it difficult for us but full credit must go to South Africa who took the game to us especially in the first half.

“We are delighted that we have won the tournament for the second year, and to do it away from home too against some very competitive competition. It has given us a very useful insight into where we are ahead of a World Cup year, but there is still one game to go and we must improve on this performance against Canada on Saturday and come back stronger.”

England Captain Catherine Spencer added: “South Africa were very tough physical opponents and we had to dig deep for our 25 points. We didn’t play our best game and made too many basic errors. Having said that we have played some very good rugby over our last three games and we have won the Nations Cup.”

England

15 Charlotte Barras (VC) (Saracens), 14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester), 13 Claire Allan (Saracens), 12 Rachael Burford (Saracens), 11 Fiona Pocock (Richmond), 10 Alice Richardson (Richmond), 9 Georgina Rozario (Plymouth Albion) 1 Claire Purdy (Wasps), 2 Olivia Poore (Lichfield), 3 Katy Storie (Team Northumbria), 4 Becky Essex (Richmond) 5 Jo McGilchrist (Wasps), 6 Karen Jones(Richmond), 7 Heather Fisher (Wasps), 8 Catherine Spencer C (Bristol). Replacements:16 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 17 Sophie Hemming (Bristol), 18 Rochelle Clark (Team Northumbria)), 19 Gemma Sharples (Worcester), 20 Amy Turner (Richmond), 21 Danielle Waterman (Team Northumbria), 22 Kim Oliver (Bristol)

Tries: Merchant, Barras (2) Burford
Conversions: Richardson
Penalties: Richardson
Substitutions: Turner for Rozario, Waterman for Pocock (44), Garnett for Poore, Sharples for Fisher (49), Hemming for Storie, Clark for Purdy (59), Oliver for Allan (68).

Nations Cup tournament table

England P3 15pts
USA P3 9pts
Canada P3 7pts
France P3 6pts
South Africa P4 2pts

Win: 4pts, Draw: 2pts, Bonus point for scoring four tries or losing by seven points

All games to be played at Appleby College in Toronto. KO’s all BST

England v USA August 10th KO 1130pm WON 36-7
England v France August 13th KO 630pm WON 43-8
England v South Africa August 19th KO 930pm WON 25-0
England v Canada August 22nd KO 10pm

England Women’s team announced for penultimate Nations Cup clash by Julia Hutton

England Women’s Head Coach Gary Street has named his starting line-up for Wednesday’s penultimate Nations Cup clash against South Africa in Toronto, kick-off 930pm (BST).

Having already beaten the USA and France England go into the game on course to clinch the round robin tournament for a second year on the bounce, and at the same time add to the RBS 6 Nations title they have already won this year.

England captain Catherine Spencer returns to the starting line-up after being rested against France while Saracens’ Charlotte Barras is named as vice-captain and switches to full back. Lichfield’s Olivia Poore, Plymouth Albion’s Georgina Rozario and Saracens’ Rachael Burford also get their first Nations Cup starts of the tournament.

England’s Street said: “We are very looking forward to the next game. It’s going to be great to play against new opposition. South Africa have improved tremendously since the last World Cup and England versus South Africa is always a huge game in world rugby.”

England Captain Spencer added: “We have not played against South Africa since 2006 so we are very much looking forward to running out against them on Wednesday. They are an ever improving side who have some very talented individuals so we need to be clinical in everything that we do. We are playing in increasingly hot conditions here in Canada but I am confident that our fitness and conditioning will help us to overcome this additional challenge.”

England Nations Cup playing schedule:

15 Charlotte Barras (VC) Saracens
14 Katherine Merchant Worcester
13 Claire Allan Saracens
12 Rachael Burford Saracens
11 Fiona Pocock Richmond
10 Alice Richardson Richmond
9 Georgina Rozario Plymouth Albion
1 Claire Purdy Wasps
2 Olivia Poore Lichfield
3 Katy Storie Team Northumbria
4 Sarah Beale Lichfield
5 Rebecca Essex Richmond
6 Karen Jones Richmond
7 Heather Fisher Wasps
8 Catherine Spencer C Bristol
Replacements:
16 Amy Garnett Saracens
17 Sophie Hemming Bristol
18 Jo McGilchrist Wasps
19 Gemma Sharples Worcester
20 Amy Turner Richmond
21 Kim Oliver Bristol
22 Danielle Waterman Team Northumbria

Nations Cup tournament table

England P2 10pts
France P3 6pts
Canada P2 6pts
USA P2 5pts
SA P3 2 pts

Win: 4pts, Draw: 2pts, Bonus point for scoring four tries or losing by seven points

All games to be played at Appleby College in Toronto. KO’s all BST

England v USA August 10th KO 1130pm WON 36-7
England v France August 13th KO 630pm WON 43-8
England v South Africa August 19th KO 930pm
England v Canada August 22nd KO 10pm

England Women open Nations Cup campaign with six try win by Julia Hutton

England 36 USA 7



England Women began their defence of the Nations Cup last night (Monday) in fine style with a 36-7 victory over the USA in Toronto.

The reigning Nations Cup and RBS 6 Nations champions ran in six tries to clinch the victory, with a powerful second-half outing proving crucial.

Leading just 10-7 at the break, second-half tries from Lichfield’s Sarah Beale and braces from Richmond’s Fiona Pocock and Lichfield’s Emily Scarratt secured the comfortable win. New cap Heather Fisher was also at the heart of England’s attacking platform, helping to set up one of the tries.

England Head Coach Gary Street said: “Just as expected, it was a physical challenge from the outset and the USA started brightly. We knew, however, that our conditioning would take over and eventually our superior skill set showed and we dominated the second half in territory and possession. It was a good start overall, and we’re really looking forward to playing France on Thursday when we can test ourselves again.”

England Captain Catherine Spencer added: “We have made a fantastic start to this tournament but it’s important for us to build on this momentum for our next test against France. Heather Fisher played extremely well in her first cap, putting pressure on the Americans at every opportunity. She made a fantastic impact on the game and it was a pleasure to play alongside her in the back row.”

The USA made an impressive start to the clash, opening the score-sheet after just eight minutes when they intercepted England’s ball. Saracens’ Charlotte Barras showed good speed to try and stop the USA but the Americans held firm and wing Amy Daniels went over. With Stephanie Bruce adding the conversion the USA led 7-0 after eight minutes.

The tourists immediately hit back and stole a line-out ball to gain the advantage. The ball was then passed out-wide through Scarratt and Saracens’ Amy Garnett. Garnett showed great footwork and skill to draw her defender in before offloading to a full stretched Jo McGilchrist, who used her height to stretch over and score.

Katy McLean couldn’t kick the conversion, but England crucially took a morale boosting 10-7 into the break when Scarratt broke a tackle before off-loading to Richardson. Richardson then set-up Pocock with a great pass for the young wing to score in the corner.

England upped the momentum after the restart when prop Rochelle Clark cut a good line from a McLean pass. Clark was pulled up just short of the line, but Beale was following in support and she showed superb strength to score just left of the posts. McLean converted on 47 minutes to hand England a 17-7 lead.

In open play Richardson got the ball out to Fisher, who cut a good line, to get round her defender and set-up Scarratt, who showed great strength to score under the posts for England’s fourth try. McLean again converted.

With just minutes to go before the final whistle England were as determined as ever to put more points on the board and they did just that with Pocock and Scarratt adding another two tries in four minutes.

After a good scrum, England’s pack drove forward with tremendous strength. The ball was then recycled out to the backline. Scarratt was tackled just short of the line but Pocock was in support and scored, handing her a personal tally of ten tries in ten games.

Scarratt then added her second try when a well executed move opened up a gap in the defence for the Lichfield youngster to run in with ease. For Scarratt this was her 11th try in ten games. With McLean adding her third conversion England took the 36-7 victory.

England

15 Charlotte Barras (Saracens), 14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester), 13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), 12 Alice Richardson (Richmond), 11 Fiona Pocock (Richmond), 10 Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) VC, 9 Amy Turner (Richmond), 1 Rochelle Clark (Team Northumbria), 2 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3 Sophie Hemming (Bristol Rugby), 4 Sarah Beale (Lichfield), 5 Jo McGilchrist (Wasps), 6 Karen Jones (Richmond), 7 Heather Fisher (Wasps), 8 Catherine Spencer (Bristol Rugby) Captain. Replacements: 16 Claire Purdy (Wasps), 17 Katy Storie (Team Northumbria), 18 Becky Essex (Richmond), 19 Gemma Sharples (Worcester), 20 Georgina Rozario (Plymouth Albion), 21 Danielle Waterman (Team Northumbria), 22 Kim Oliver (Bristol Rugby)

Tries: McGilchrist, Pocock (2), Beale, Scarratt (2),
Conversions: McLean (3)
Substitutions: Waterman for Barras (53), Essex for McGilchrist (53), Storie for Hemming (62), Purdy for Garnett (62), Oliver for Richardson (62)

England Nations Cup playing schedule:

All games to be played at Appleby College in Toronto. KO’s all BST

England v USA August 10th KO 1130pm WON 36-7
England v France August 13th KO 630pm
England v South Africa August 19th KO 930pm
England v Canada August 22nd KO 10pm

England Women’s team announced for France clash by Julia Hutton

England Women’s Head Coach Gary Street has made ten changes to his starting line-up for Thursday’s Nations Cup clash against France, kick-off 930pm BST in Toronto.

Saracens’ Charlotte Barras has been handed the captaincy armband with Bristol’s Catherine Spencer being rested. Barras also moves from fullback to the wing in place of Richmond’s Fiona Pocock. Team Northumbria’s Danielle Waterman comes in at fullback.

England head into the match with confidence after a comfortable 36-7 victory over the USA on Monday. France, meanwhile, managed to secure a 17-17 draw against South Africa in the opening round of the tournament.

Street said: “This is a four match tournament played over a short period of time so it’s important to keep the squad fresh and to give all the players their chance.

“As we know from the RBS 6 Nations France are always tough opposition. They have announced a much stronger team for this match compared to the team that drew against South Africa so we are definitely expecting another physical clash. However, we have confidence in our preparations and know that if we are on top of our game we’ll be a match for anyone.”

You can watch all the Nations Cup games on http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-rugby

England

15 Danielle Waterman Team Northumbria
14 Katherine Merchant Worcester
13 Claire Allan Saracens
12 Kim Oliver Bristol Rugby
11 Charlotte Barras Saracens Captain
10 Katy Mclean Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
9 Amy Turner Richmond
1 Claire Purdy Wasps
2 Amy Garnett Saracens
3 Katy Storie Team Northumbria
4 Rebecca Essex Richmond
5 Jo McGilchrist Wasps
6 Sarah Hunter Lichfield
7 Gemma Sharples Worcester
8 Karen Jones Richmond
Replacements:
16 Sophie Hemming Bristol
17 Rochelle Clark Team Northumbria
18 Sarah Beale Lichfield
19 Heather Fisher Wasps
20 Georgina Rozario Plymouth Albion
21 Alice Richardson Richmond
22 Emily Scarratt Lichfield

Nations Cup Table

England 5
France 2
South Africa 2
USA 0
Canada 0 (still to play a game)

England Nations Cup playing schedule:

All games to be played at Appleby College in Toronto. KO’s all BST

England v USA August 10th KO 1130pm WON 36-7
England v France August 13th KO 630pm
England v South Africa August 19th KO 930pm
England v Canada August 22nd KO 10pm

England Women power to comfortable Nations Cup victory by Julia Hutton

England 43 France 8



Home Nations rivals France proved little competition for England as they powered to a 43-8 victory in the second round of the Nations Cup last night (Thursday) in Toronto.

Worcester wing Katherine Merchant was a major player putting a hat-trick of tries on the scoreboard while Team Northumbria’s Danielle Waterman also added a brace. There were also tries for replacements Emily Scarratt and Alice Richardson.

France, however, like the USA were the first to break the opposition’s line and through turning over a scrum close to England’s line, they made a break through the backs and scored in the corner through Emile Moreaux.

But England soon bounced back and after 16 minutes fullback Waterman opened England’s account after a great clearing pass from Saracens hooker Amy Garnett. Some clever lines from the English backs then saw Waterman power through to score under the posts to draw the score level at 5-5.

England went 8-5 behind on 21 minutes when Christelle Leduff converted a penalty but that was where France’s charge ended.

Just before half-time Merchant ran in for the first of her three tries with a great booming hand off and storming 40 metre run which fly-half Katy McLean converted.

France were slow to react to a quick England lineout and then some excellent interplay between the forwards and backs saw Merchant finish off the move. With McLean converting, England led 19-8 at half-time.

After the restart England’s dominance continued. Following a well executed lineout, a scintillating backs move ended with Merchant coming off her wing to claim her hat-trick.

A quick tap penalty from Richmond No. 8 Karen Jones and a great clearing pass from Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter then saw Waterman scorching through the midfield and finding Richardson in great support for try number five.

The 65th minute saw a powerful England scrum and a blindside attack once again finished off by Waterman and converted by McLean, before Scarratt and Waterman finished off proceedings for England.

Graham Smith, England’s Forwards Coach, said, “We're still making too many basic errors but we are only two games into our season. It was a fantastic result and we know we can continue to improve throughout the tournament.”

Hat trick hero Merchant added: “Although it's nice to score a hat trick, I was in the right place at the right time. It was a great team performance and I am really looking forward to our next test against South Africa on August 19th.”

You can watch all the Nations Cup games on http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-rugby

England

15 Danielle Waterman (Team Northumbria), 14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester), 13 Claire Allan (Saracens), 12 Kim Oliver(Bristol Rugby), 11 Charlotte Barras (Saracens) Captain, 10 Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 9 Amy Turner (Richmond), 1 Claire Purdy (Wasps), 2 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3 Katy Storie (Team Northumbria), 4 Rebecca Essex (Richmond), 5 Jo McGilchrist (Wasps), 6 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), 7 Gemma Sharples (Worcester), 8 Karen Jones (Richmond). Replacements: 16 Sophie Hemming (Bristol), 17 Rochelle Clark (Team Northumbria), 18
Sarah Beale (Lichfield), 19 Heather Fisher (Wasps), 20 Georgina Rozario (Plymouth Albion), 21 Alice Richardson ( Richmond), 22 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield)

Tries: Merchant (3), Waterman (2), Richardson, Scarratt.
Conversions: McLean (8)
Replacements: Beale for McGilchrist (52), Richardson for Oliver (56), Scarratt for Allan (56), Hemming for Garnett (62), Fisher for Sharples (62), Roazrio for Turner (62), Clark for Storie (62)

England Nations Cup playing schedule:

All games to be played at Appleby College in Toronto. KO’s all BST

England v USA August 10th KO 1130pm WON 36-7
England v France August 13th KO 630pm WON 43-8
England v South Africa August 19th KO 930pm
England v Canada August 22nd KO 10pm

England Women U20s crowned Nations Cup champions by Julia Hutton

England 110 USA 0

England Women Under 20s ran in a cricket score victory against the USA today (Saturday), scoring 18 tries to lift the Nations Cup crown at Brunel University.

Worcester’s Sam Bree showed her speed and skill to run in an impressive six tries, handing her a total of 11 tries throughout the tournament while Nicola Hoole, Sarah McKenna and Rose Fong also grabbed a brace of tries each. Leeds fly half Claire Garner also had a great afternoon with the boot stroking over ten conversions.

England Head Coach Giselle Mather said: “I am so proud of the girls and the way they have played throughout this tournament. They have trained hard and they set themselves a target of not being complacent against the USA having already beaten them last week in the pool games. They certainly weren’t complacent.

“The players moved the ball around extremely well today, they kept the ball alive and delivered everything that was asked of them. Sam Bree scored six tries, outstripping the defence, but it was the pace of the whole team throughout this tournament that kept us moving forward all the time.

“It’s wonderful to have won the Nations Cup, and to do it for a second successive year is very special for every member of this Under 20s squad.”

Bree set the tone of the game with England’s opening try after just four minutes. An excellent line-out ball and some quick hands through the mid-field saw Bath centre Natasha Hunt make a good break. Bree then took the ball on and showed her pace to outstrip America’s defence and score under the posts. Garner converted.

Bath’s Hoole touched down for the first of her two tries after 13 minutes, closely followed by McKenna’s 15th minute effort which saw her take an intercept ball and run in from ten metres out. Again Garner converted to hand England a 21-0 lead.

Bree’s second and third tries came in quick succession on 18 and 21 minutes before Hoole claimed her brace when skipper Marlie Packer took some good line-out ball and then Hoole drove over the line. With Harriet Mills adding a 37th minute try England led 43-0 at the break.

The one way traffic continued after the restart with the USA unable to find a response to England’s dominance. This time Lizell Heather crossed after just one minute, before Fong added the first of her two tries with Mills providing the crucial pass.

McKenna added a good individual try on 47 minutes to take England into a comfortable 60-0 lead, with Hunt then immediately scoring after the restart from the back of a ruck.

Richmond prop Vicky Cornborough scored after a good break by England in the mid-field when she was in support, before Bree then found herself back in the thick of the scoring action with a 65th minute try.

With just ten minutes remaining England’s pressure remained relentless and they were again rewarded for their efforts with Charlotte Wild, Bree (2), Fong and Garnet Mackinder all touching down, leaving England to celebrate their impressive 110-0 victory.

In the third and fourth place play-offs Canada were victorious over Wales with a hard fought 12-10 victory.

England:

15 LIZELL HEATHER (KETTERING), 14 NATASHA HUNT (BATH), 13 ROSE FONG (DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK SHARKS), 12 SARAH MCKENNA (OLD ALBANIAN SAINTS), 11 SAM BREE (WORCESTER), 10 CLAIRE GARNER (LEEDS LEOS), 9 JESSIE FLOWERS (WEST PARK), 1 VICTORIA CORNBOROUGH (RICHMOND), 2 DAVINIA MONTEIRO (BATH), 3 CHARLOTTE MALE (BRISTOL), 4 JULIET SHORT (DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK SHARKS), 5 HARRIET MILLS (MANCHESTER), 6 MARLIE PACKER © (BATH), 7 HANNAH FIELD (READING), 8 NICOLA HOOLE (BATH). REPLACEMENTS: 16 ELIZABETH PEAK (OAKMEDIANS), 17 VICTORIA FLEETWOOD (LICHFIELD), 18 CHARLOTTE WILD (LEEDS MET UNI), 19 AMY MILLAR (READING), 20 HANNAH WALKER-SMART (PAVIORS), 21 GEMMA ROWLAND (EXETER UNIVERSITY), 22 GARNET MACKINDER (EXETER SARACENS)


Tries: Bree (6), Hoole (2), McKenna (2), Mills, Heather, Fong (2), Hunt, Cornborough, Wild, Mackinder
Conversions: Garner (10)
Penalties:
Substitutions: Wild for Field (blood, 11), Field for Wild (blood reverse 16), Peak for Male (blood, 27), Male for Peak (blood reverse, 27), Peak for Male (44), Wild for Short (44), Fleetwood for Monterio (44), McKinder for Heather (52), Millar for Mills (52), Walker-Smart for Flowers (58), Rowland for McKenna (58).

Half time score: England 43 USA 0

Referee: Sarah Corrigan (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Rebecca Patrick & Hannah Everitt


Under 20s Nations Cup playing schedule:

July 9th
Wales 3 USA 7
Canada 0 England 47

July 12th

Canada 11 Wales 16
England 42. USA 7

July 15th
Canada 20 USA 38
England 29 Wales 3

July 18th

Consolation Finals, Wales 10 Canada 12
Final: England 110 USA 0