The shadow sports minister has urged the Rugby Football Union to reconsider its decision not to renew the contracts of England’s women’s XV players.
In a letter Dr Rosena Allin-Khan tells chief executive Ian Ritchie of her “deep concern”.
Despite England preparing to defend the World Cup next month, the RFU said its focus will switch to the sevens game after the tournament.
“To make this decision is deeply disappointing,” wrote Allin-Khan.
“Asking players to pause and resume their professions every two years puts their futures at considerable risk.”
The RFU, which announced record revenues last year of more than £400m, said its priorities shift between the XVs and sevens programmes, with the World Cup Sevens and Commonwealth Games taking place next year.
It said the England XV side will continue to take part in competitions, and that it has invested millions of pounds in the women’s game, including £800,000 annually on a new domestic competition aimed at increasing and improving the talent pool available for selection for England.
Scotland Women 7s squad got off to a flying start under new Head Coach Scott Wight. Not only did they win the Rugby Europe Women’s Sevens Trophy, they also gained promotion to the Grand Prix competition next season.
They were unbeaten in both rounds in the Czech Republic and Hungary and cruised past the opposition to score 485 points in 12 games, while conceding just 12 points.
Wight said: “At the first tournament I started the same seven but after Hungary it showed where they are as a squad because I didn’t have the same starting seven once showing the depth of the squad.
“Before the Czech Republic I was probably more nervous than I was at the final at Twickenham. When you’re playing you’re in total control, you can make the calls, you know you’re fit whereas with coaching you’ve done all the work beforehand.”
Wight, who started working with the squad in April as Scotland 7s season came to and end, selected a mix of youth and experience for the first outing and kept the same 12 for the second round.
Nigel Owens
Rugby union referee Nigel Owens reveals his struggle with eating disorder bulimia nervosa is not over and remains an ongoing battle.
There have been a number of ‘firsts’ in my life.
As a referee in world-class rugby, one of the most macho sports on the planet, I was the first in the sport to come out as being gay.
In the hope of reaching out to other young people struggling with mental health, I was also one of the first sportsmen to speak openly about the biggest regret of my life – a suicide attempt.
Early one morning at the age of 26, I left a note for my mum and dad, both of whom had been hugely supportive of me, explaining I couldn’t carry on, that I desperately wanted to bring it all to an end.
I took an overdose, laid down on a Welsh mountainside and waited to die. Doctors later told me I was just 20 minutes from death when I was airlifted to hospital by a police helicopter.
So I got a second chance. I was determined not to waste it and using my experience to help someone else is a pretty good way of ensuring that.
Which brings me onto another ‘first’; I’ve spoken about dealing with bulimia in the past but have never before revealed that to this day I continue to struggle with an eating disorder.
Griquas (20) 45 / 51 (26) Blue Bulls (Final Score)
The Tafel lager Griquas and the Vodacom Blue Bulls did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley, South Africa at 19:30 SA Time (17:30 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Stormers (3) 11 / 17 (9) Chiefs (Final Score)
The DHL Stormers and Chiefs did battle in a Super Rugby 2017 quarter-final at
DHL Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa at 17:00 SA Time (15:00 GMT, Sunday 03:00 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Lions (3) 23 / 21 (14) Sharks (Final Score)
The Emirates Lions and Cell C Sharks did battle in a Super Rugby 2017 quarter-final at
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg, South Africa at 14:30 SA Time (12:30 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Crusaders (17) 17 / 0 (0) Highlanders (Final Score)
The Crusaders and Highlanders did battle in a Super Rugby 2017 quarter-final at
AMI Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand at 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 07:35 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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FS Cheetahs (17) 47 / 12 (7) Sharks (Final Score)
The Toyota Free State Cheetahs and Cell C Sharks did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa at 17:00 SA Time (15:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Brumbies (16) 16 / 35 (15) Hurricanes (Final Score)
The Brumbies and Hurricanes did battle in Super Rugby 2017 Quarter-Finals at
GIO Stadium, Canberra, Australia at 11:35 SA Time (19:35 AEST, 21:35 NZ Time, 09:35 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Southern Kings and Toyota Cheetahs are set for September start up north
It is understood a deal to expand the Pro12 to 14 teams from next season has been agreed.
The South African sides Toyota Cheetahs and Southern Kings will join the league after losing their Super Rugby status.
The 6-year deal is likely to benefit the league to the tune of an extra £6m per season from the South African Rugby Union and additional television income.
All elements of the deal have been agreed and, once legally ratified, could be formally announced next week.
The new Pro14 league will kick-off in the first week of September and will comprise 2 conferences of 7 teams. Each conference will have 1 Scottish side, 1 South African side, 1 Italian side and 2 each from Wales and Ireland.
Sharks (10) 10 / 27 (13) Lions (Final Score)
The Cell C Sharks and Emirates Lions did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban, South Africa at 17:15 SA Time (15:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Bulls (21) 33 / 41 (22) Stormers (Final Score)
The Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa at 15:05 SA Time (13:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Force (26) 40 / 11 (6) Waratahs (Final Score)
The Western Force and Waratahs did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
nib Stadium, Perth, Australia at 11:45 SA Time (17:45 AWST, 19:45 AEST, 09:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Hurricanes (7) 31 / 22 (12) Crusaders (Final Score)
The Hurricanes and Crusaders did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand at 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 07:35 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Chiefs (13) 28 / 10 (10) Brumbies (Final Score)
The Chiefs and Brumbies did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
FMG Stadium (Waikato Stadium), Hamilton, New Zealand at 07:15 SA Time (17:15 NZ Time, 15:15 AEST, 05:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Sunwolves (14) 48 / 21 (21) Blues (Final Score)
The Sunwolves and Blues did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo, Japan at 05:05 SA Time (12:05 Japanese Time, 15:05 NZ Time, 03:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Kings (12) 20 / 21 (3) Cheetahs (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Toyota Cheeaths did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Rebels (19) 29 / 32 (10) Jaguares (Final Score)
The Melbourne Rebels and Los Jaguares did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia at 11:45 SA Time (19:45 AEST, 06:45 Arg Time, 09:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Highlanders (21) 40 / 17 (5) Reds (Final Score)
The Highlanders and Reds did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand at 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 17:35 AEST, 07:35 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Stormers (19) 52 / 15 (10) Sunwolves (Final Score)
DHL Stormers and the Sunwolves did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
DHL Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa at 19:30 SA Time (17:30 GMT, Sunday 02:30 Japan Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Bulls (10) 30 / 31 (22) Kings (Final Score)
The Vodacom Bulls and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa at 17:15 SA Time (15:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Waratahs (10) 27 / 40 (25) Jaguares (Final Score)
The waratahs and Los Jaguares did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia at 11:45 SA Time (19:45 AEST, 09:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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All Blacks (12) 15 / 15 (6) B & I Lions (Final Score)
The New Zealand All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions did battle in the Lions Tour of 2017 at
Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand at 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 08:35 UK Time, 07:35 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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As they prepared to do battle against South Africa in 1997, Jim Telfer told his pack of forwards that very few players get to “reach for the top of Everest” by winning a Lions Test series. The number of Scots to sample that rarefied atmosphere in the two decades since is significantly fewer still.
On the most iconic tour of the professional era, the Lions tamed an almighty Springboks outfit, with Scottish stalwarts Tom Smith, Rob Wainwright, Gregor Townsend and Alan Tait all starting Tests as the world champions were handed a 2-1 series defeat.
Four years later Smith started all three Tests in Australia – as he had in South Africa – but was the only Scot to make the starting XV during the series. If that was bad, worse was to follow.
On the tours to New Zealand in 2005, South Africa in 2009 and Australia in 2013, not a single Scot started a Test. Indeed, only three players appeared off the bench in those series.
The Cheetahs and the Kings will not play Super Rugby in 2018. SA Rugby confirmed the news on Friday, with the Cheetahs having agreed to a settlement.
Both the Kings and the Cheetahs agreed that they would be seeking other international opportunities, with a move to the Pro12 in Europe reportedly an option.
The Cheetahs had an agreement in place to play Super Rugby until 2020, but the board of the franchise decided on an amicable settlement with SA Rugby.
“The board of the Cheetahs has reviewed the team’s future and is extremely positive about the prospect of appearing in alternative international competitions,” Cheetahs CEO Harold Verster said.
“It will be an exciting challenge for our players, supporters and commercial partners and will be the start of a new chapter for rugby both in our region and in South Africa. Also, it will allow the Cheetahs to carve out a new and prominent place on the rugby map in South Africa as well as internationally.”
Brandon Thomson to return to Scotstoun
Stormers fly-half Brandon Thomson will return to Glasgow Warriors on a permanent contract ahead of the 2017/18 season, subject to medical.
The 22-year-old impressed during a short loan spell earlier this year and will return to Scotstoun on a two-year deal within the next couple of months.
Thomson played three times for Glasgow and scored a try on his debut against Ulster.
He can play at fly-half and full-back and has scored 26 points for the Stormers in seven Super Rugby appearances.
Thomson has also represented South Africa U20 at the Junior World Rugby Championship and has played for Western Province in the Provincial Cup and Currie Cup.
His current Stormers teammates Huw Jones and Oli Kebble will also join this summer and other additions to the squad include Adam Hastings from Bath, Callum Gibbins from the Hurricanes, Lelia Masaga from the Chiefs and Samuela Vunisa from Saracens.
Brandon Thomson said: “I’m very excited to be heading back to Scotstoun. I really enjoyed my short stint there earlier in the year and I’m looking forward to many more good times.
Scotland’s Autumn Test match against current World Champions, the All Blacks, has sold out in record time, Scottish Rugby has announced.
The match against New Zealand is part of new Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend’s first home series and the match at BT Murrayfield is only the second ever sell-out for an Autumn Test game, with the previous one also featuring the All Blacks back in 2012.
As they prepare to face the British & Irish Lions in the final decider this weekend, the All Blacks will return to Scotland on Saturday 18 November for the first time since 2014, when they narrowly beat their hosts 24-16.
BT Murrayfield, which has a capacity of 67,144, will also see Scotland play Samoa on 11 November and recent rivals Australia on 25 November in the three match series.
Following the success of the Scotland Season Pass and Autumn Test Packages, sales of which have broken all records over the last few weeks, the remaining individual seats for all three 2017 Autumn Tests went on sale yesterday – Monday 3 July – and the New Zealand game sold out before the close of business, making it the fastest selling game in recent history.
Lions (35) 94 / 7 (0) Sunwolves (Final Score)
The Emirates Lions and Sunwolves did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesbur, South Africa at 17:15 SA Time (15:15 GMT, Sunday 00:15 Japan Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Cheetahs (17) 34 / 40 (26) Stormers (Final Score)
The Toyota Cheetahs and DHL Stormers did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa at 15:05 SA Time (13:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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All Blacks (9) 21 / 24 (9) B & I Lions (Final Score)
The New Zealand All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions did battle in the 2017 Tour at
Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand at 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 08:35 UK Time, 07:35 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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South African teams Cheetahs and Southern Kings are set to join the Pro12 as early as September 2017.
The two sides are expected to be cut by South African rugby union authorities from Super Rugby on Friday, 7 July as the southern hemisphere competition is reduced from 18 to 15 teams.
That will pave the way for them to join teams from Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Italy in a 14-team league.
The new format is set to start for the 2017-18 season.
Celtic Rugby Limited – which governs the Pro12 – Cheetahs, Southern Kings and the South African Rugby Union have all been contacted by BBC Wales Sport but declined to comment.
Teams will play on a home and away basis but what has yet to be agreed is the format of the competition, whether it will be played as one 14-team league or more likely two conferences of seven.
There has been speculation the South African sides could play some of their home matches in the United Kingdom, with Saracens’ Allianz Arena mooted as a potential venue.
Jaguares (20) 30 / 31 (14) Kings (Final Score)
Los Jaguares and the Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Estadio Jose Amalfitani, Buenos Aires, Argentina at 15:05 SA Time (13:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Sharks (10) 17 / 30 (17) Bulls (Final Score)
The Cell C Sharks and Vodacom Bulls did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban, South Africa at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Hurricanes (7) 31 / 31 (23) B & I Lions (Final Score)
The Hurricanes and the British & Irish Lions did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand at 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 08:35 UK Time, 07:35 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Springboks (16) 35 / 12 (9) France (Final Score)
The South African Springboks and France did battle in The June Internationals 2017 at
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg, South Africa at 17:00 SA Time (15:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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