Latest news with #2025SixNationsWomen'sSummerSeries
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
O'Connor delighted Ireland ended Summer Series with win
Robyn O'Connor was delighted with how Ireland bounced back to end their 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series in winning fashion. Braces from O'Connor and skipper Jane Neill – who won the Player of the Match award – and further tries from Alma Atagamen, Emily Foley, Sophie Barrett, Tara O'Neill, Aoibhe O'Flynn and Saoirse Crowe secured a comprehensive 62-7 victory over Scotland. The results from the final day of #U6NSummerSeries action 🤩 — Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) July 17, 2025 It marked a return to winning ways after losing 41-12 to France on Matchday 2 having kicked off the competition in Caerphilly with a 27-10 triumph over Wales, and O'Connor expressed her happiness that her team was able to do that. She said: 'The team is very excited and proud of how we performed today. In comparison to the loss last week, we really came on and we tidied up the little bits that we needed to get better. We're all feeling great about that.' With the score 19-7 at half-time, Ireland scored 43 unanswered points in the second half with O'Connor securing 10 of those thanks to her two tries four minutes apart just after the hour mark. But the winger was quick to highlight the importance of her teammates for her individual success against the Scots and praised how the squad had gelled over the past two weeks. 'I was very happy with how I performed, but huge credit to the rest of the girls who were able to create space for me and get the ball to me,' she continued. 'I'm very proud of this team. We only came together at the beginning of this year, and we've become so close over the past two weeks here in Cardiff. We've really grown together as a team and that showed during this performance.' Ireland finished the competition alongside England, who also won two games, and were visibly ecstatic to round off their time in Wales with a win, and O'Connor said the team were going to enjoy the occasion, starting with a first cap presentation. She added: 'First off, we have to give Sally her new cap because she's a first capper, so we're going to celebrate her first appearance. Then we'll go for dinner and carry on enjoying ourselves.'
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bell confident Wales can get over the line against Italy
By Phil Campbell Freya Bell is confident Wales have the players at their disposal to finish the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series off with a win when they take on Italy on Thursday. The competition hosts bounced back from an opening day loss at the hands of Ireland with a standout 52-29 victory over Scotland on Friday evening. Advertisement Savannah Picton-Powell's brilliant brace and tries from Mollie Wilkinson, Seren Singleton, skipper Branwen Metcalfe, Rosie Carr, Dali Hopkins and Evie Hill put the game beyond the reach of a spirited Scotland side. 'I was just really proud of how we went into the game [against Scotland],' she said. 'In the first game, we lacked intent and execution, and we had a lot of set pieces that we couldn't finish off. 'Whereas, in the second game, everyone chilled out, we started off strong and we did what we needed to do. 'In this next game against Italy, we want to put together a strong game for 80 minutes. Advertisement 'If we can start this game how we did the last, then we've got a good chance.' Italy let slip a 15-0 half-time lead against England to lose 36-20, having also tasted a 45-6 defeat to France in the first round. Despite the loss to England, the Azzurine showed signs of their physicality last Friday, with captain Elena Errichiello's try off the back of a maul, a demonstration of how dangerous Italy's forward pack can be. And Bell said everyone in the Wales camp is wary of the threat they can pose. 'They've got some very big ball carriers,' she continued. 'We know that defensively we need to be connected and work well together. Advertisement 'If we have any gaps in our backline, then they'll be looking to break through. 'We need to stay alive and keep our eyes up. In the last game we dipped a bit, and if we do that again, Italy will take that as an advantage and try and get on top.' Bell was also full of praise for teammate Picton-Powell's performance during the Scotland win. The pair were the centre partnership for the Cardiff Metropolitan University side that won the Women's BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championship title in April. 'She's a very good rugby player and she's good at being in the right places,' added Bell. 'It's nice having Sav playing outside of me. We've played together a lot before, like at uni so it's a nice combination we have. Advertisement 'And if Sav has another confident game [against Italy], she'll get us over the line.' Six Nations Women's Summer Series Round 3 fixtures on Thursday 17 July: Scotland v Ireland – 13:00 Wales v Italy – 15:30 France v England – 18:00 Discover the future of international rugby at the 2025 Women's Summer Series – where rising stars shine. Follow the action live at U6N | SIX NATIONS - YouTube and on Instagram @u20sixnations.
Powys County Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Borak: France won't rest on laurels after victory in U20 Summer Series
France's Mailys Borak said her team won't be resting on their laurels after cruising to a 46-5 win over Italy and will be looking to kick-on when they take on Ireland next. An Elina Folituu hattrick propelled Les Bleuettes to a dominant win in their 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series opener at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly. Emy Baudru, Zoe Jean, Tifen Lesieu, co-captain Anna Macipe and Cherrezade Saiki also crossed for France, and while Borak had nothing but admiration for her team's efforts, the prop explained her team has the potential to be even better during their second game on July 11. 'It was a really good game for us,' said the 21-year-old. 'But we will now go away and work on a few things since we have just under a week to work on the game for Ireland. 'We will rewatch the videos again to see what we have to work on, including the small details. 'We are excited for the game coming up next, especially since it's a big game against Ireland and hopefully we'll do better.' 😎 A recap of the results from yesterday's opening games in the #U6NSummerSeries — Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) July 6, 2025 France started the game the stronger of the two sides and spent much of the first half camped inside the Italian 22 as they looked to assert their physical dominance. Despite the best efforts of Italy's defence, France benefitted time and again from their physicality, as well as their skill, with Folituu's treble – all scored off the back of rolling mauls – highlighting that fact. And Borak revealed taking the game to Italy early was always in the minds of her and her teammates and also praised the performances of some of the more junior members of the squad. 'It was always part of the game plan, and we just wanted to get the head start first,' she said. 'We were happy that the girls showed up, especially in the second half as well. 'I'm proud of the girls, especially since it's the first selection for some of them. 'Everything was positive and we're really happy for the win. 'We still have a lot to work on, and I still have a lot to work on personally. 'But it's the first game and we made it pretty good out there, and now we're just waiting for the next game and hopefully we'll do better in that next week.' Ireland head into the clash with France also having won their opening game of the competition, downing Wales 27-10 in a hard-fought encounter.
South Wales Argus
05-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
France eyeing successful defence of U20 Six Nations Women's Series
The two sides, who both finished with 100% records in 2024, face off against one another in the opening round of fixtures at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly, South Wales. It is the second edition of the U20 tournament, which debuted in Italy, and after storming to three wins from three last year, Roboam cannot wait to get going and knows how important good performances could be. 'I'm really excited by this competition,' said the lock, who can also play in the back row. 'It's an unforgettable chance to have an international U20s competition, I was able to play in it last year so I can't wait to see what it's like this year. 'There are lots of opportunities. It will be watched closely by the French team and also by our clubs, so we have to put in a good performance. 'In terms of the preparation for the game against Italy, it's about getting closer as a group, creating a connection and then having the right words to make sure we are all pulling in the same direction.' Roboam plays domestically for Toulouse, having started playing the sport aged 10, and explained it was a privilege for her and her teammates to be able to progress the game they all feel so passionate about. 'We're lucky to be able to help develop women's rugby,' she continued.'We want to be on the same wavelength to encourage young girls and boys to play rugby and to encourage them to watch us play. 'The World Cup and everything that will come with it is going to be really important for women's rugby. It's impressive and really cool to be part of that. "Following on from the 2024 Women's Summer Series, 14 players across the six countries went on to achieve senior honours during the 2025 Guinness Women's Six Nations, including standout France winger Kelly Arbey. And Roboam highlighted the importance of the competition for giving players the opportunity to standout and to use it as a springboard to break into the senior team. 'This tournament is really important because I know the French teams are watching,' she added. 'We all want to catch their eye so that we can get involved in some training camps at least, and then who knows playing some games. If we play well here, it will be a good first step. 'With women's rugby on an upward trajectory, the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series is a big chance for stars of the future to gain vital international experience, graduate along the development pathway, while also inspiring a new generation of rugby fans." Spread across three dates during July, France will also face Ireland on 11 July before rounding off their campaign against England six days later. Discover the future of international rugby at the 2025 Women's Summer Series – where rising stars shine. Follow the action live at and on Instagram @u20sixnations.
Powys County Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Gunderson: Scotland 'ready for battle' against England
There's always an edge when Scotland take on England and one of the Scottish U20 women's captains Merryn Gunderson has said her side is ready for the battle when they take on their Red Rose counterparts on Saturday. The two sides face off against one another in the opening round of fixtures of the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly. It is the second edition of the U20 tournament, which debuted in Italy, and after suffering three defeats out of three 12 months ago, the class of 2025 only have eyes for success in Wales this time around. And Gunderson, who is part of a leadership group of four and will captain her country against England, knows her team is ready for the challenge ahead. 'Every single one of the girls is up for the battle that we're going to be given, which will be really good,' the 21-year-old back rower said. 'We will fight for it, we're ready to go out there and show what we can do and what we're worth.' Gunderson plays domestically for Corstorphine Cougars/Edinburgh Rugby, having started playing the sport aged four due to her father being a coach at Forrester Rugby Club, and explained there's a good feeling around the camp ahead of their opening clash. 'We're really excited, we've had such a big build-up this year which has been really nice,' she continued. 'Going from Italy last year to come to [Wales] this year, it's good vibes. We've had really good vibes in the squad, and it's been really nice to be around.' Following on from the 2024 Women's Summer Series, 14 players across the six countries went on to achieve senior honours during the 2025 Guinness Women's Six Nations, including Scotland's Molly Poolman. And Gunderson highlighted the importance of the competition for giving players the opportunity to standout and to use it as a springboard to break into the senior team. 'It's a massive incentive for the girls,' she added. 'It's a great incentive to kick-off the World Cup too; that we can play before it and show what we can do. 'It's massively important this tournament exists and is shown on the platforms that they've got. We can show that women's rugby is growing and going from strength to strength.' With women's rugby on an upward trajectory, the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series is a big chance for stars of the future to gain vital international experience, graduate along the development pathway, while also inspiring a new generation of rugby fans. Julie Paterson, Chief of Rugby at Six Nations Rugby, said: 'The Women's Summer Series is an essential part of the strategy and commitment of Six Nations Rugby, and the six unions and federations, to proactively support the creation and growth of opportunities in the women's game.' Spread across three dates during July, Scotland will also face Wales on 11 July before rounding off their campaign against Ireland six days later.
