Latest news with #AlexMatthews
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Matthews, Heard and George stay with Glos-Harptury
England duo Alex Matthews and Tatyana Heard and Wales' Lleucu George have agreed new deals to stay at Premiership Women's Rugby champions trio have all been part of the club's three-peat of league titles between 2023 and row Matthews, 31, has 75 caps for the Red Roses and joined the club from Worcester in Heard, 30, is one of Gloucester-Hartpury's longest serving players, moving to the club in 2017 and has 29 international caps since her debut in George, 25, will go into her sixth season with Gloucester-Hartpury in 2025-26 and has 25 international caps to her name, after making her Wales debut aged 17 initially playing in the back club have not disclosed the length of any of the new contracts. Gloucester-Hartpury are undergoing a major change this summer following the departure of head of women's rugby Sean Lynn, who spearheaded the team's transformation into PWR Murphy, who was appointed head of rugby in April, said "Alex is one of those rare players who is so consistent at every level of rugby she plays, she rarely has a poor game at club or international level."When you watch [Heard], you can see the athletic abilities she has and what that can bring to the team, but she's worked incredibly hard to develop other areas of her game over the last couple of seasons to become a more well-rounded player, and she's gone up yet another gear."Lleucu's game management and kicking ability are exceptional and a key part of why we've been so successful."
The Guardian
12-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Ireland v England: Women's Six Nations rugby union
Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature It's a compliment to Ireland that John Mitchell has – after making 13 changes in between England's first two games – named what looks a full-strength side. Back after suspension, Alex Matthews makes her first start in this year's competition, replacing Maddie Feaunati at No 8. Props Maud Muir and Hannah Botterman are the other changes, coming in for Mackenzie Carson (ruled out for the tournament with an ankle injury) and Sarah Bern. Ireland also make three changes: Dorothy Wall, Brittany Hogan and Emily Lane are rewarded for impressing off the bench in the 54-12 win in Italy with spots in the starting XV. The hosts are without Edel McMahon and Enya Breen through injury. Rising star Aoife Wafer going head-to-head with Matthews could be: tasty. Ireland Stacey Flood; Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amee-Leigh Costigan (capt); Dannah O'Brien, Emily Lane; Niamh O'Dowd, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang, Fiona Tuite, Dorothy Wall, Brittany Hogan, Erin King, Aoife Wafer. Replacements: Cliodhna Moloney, Siobhán McCarthy, Christy Haney, Ruth Campbell, Grace Moore, Aoibheann Reilly, Nicole Fowley, Vicky Elmes Kinlan. England Ellie Kildunne; Abby Dow, Megan Jones, Tatyana Heard, Jess Breach; Zoe Harrison, Natasha Hunt; Hannah Botterman, Lark Atkin-Davies, Maud Muir, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward, Zoe Aldcroft (capt), Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews. Replacements: Amy Cockayne, Kelsey Clifford, Sarah Bern, Rosie Galligan, Maddie Feaunati, Lucy Packer, Holly Aitchison, Helena Rowland. Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fr) Share England are on a roll: unbeaten in 31 Women's Six Nations games and with maximum points from their opening two matches in 2025 – but this is not the same Ireland side they walloped at Twickenham last year. In Cork, the Red Roses are facing a young, improving team who've come on leaps and bounds since they picked up the wooden spoon in this competition two years ago. Ireland's standout result since is shocking world champions New Zealand last autumn, though it might be an even more seismic upset if Scott Bemand's team can derail the seemingly unstoppable England train. The Irish missed a few opportunities during an opening W6N defeat by France, but roared back to stick 54 points on Italy in Parma. That means both sides have players coming into the game after hat-tricks: Amy McGann in Italy and Ellie Kildunne, the reigning world player of the year putting a nine-minute treble on Wales. Ouch. England have quality all over the pitch but it's a home World Cup year, so every match is in audition for that. One thing we can expect is a lively atmosphere: earlier in the week over 7,000 tickets were sold for the 8,008-capacity Virgin Media Park (still Musgrave Park to many locals, perhaps). So it'll be a sellout or a near sellout. Can Ireland hold their nerve, not be overwhelmed and give their visitors a test? Or do England power on? We're about to find out with kick-off at 4.45pm BST. Share
BBC News
07-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Injured Carson ruled out of Women's Six Nations
England prop Mackenzie Carson has been ruled out of the rest of their Women's Six Nations campaign with an ankle 26-year-old Gloucester-Hartpury player suffered the injury during the first half of the 67-12 thrashing of Wales on 29 timeframe has been given for Carson's return, but it is understood that she will not require surgery and should still be fit for the World Cup which starts in August. Uncapped Bristol Bears prop Simi Pam retains her place in the squad as the Red Roses prepare to play Ireland in Cork on are top of the Six Nations table after convincing wins over Italy and Wales, while second-placed France are also defending champions will also be without Leicester lock Charlotte Fray, who has also been released from the squad because of a shoulder injury, while Gloucester-Hartpury lock Sarah Beckett has returned to her club for further treatment for a back injury. However, Gloucester-Hartpury's Alex Matthews has completed her ban for a dangerous tackle in the Premiership Women's Rugby final, and is available for selection in the Six Nations for the first time. She will be competing for her place in the squad with Exeter Chiefs' Maddie Feaunati who has impressed in the number eight shirt in Matthews' absence. England squad for Ireland (Saturday 12 April)ForwardsZoe Aldcroft, Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Georgia Brock, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Rosie Galligan, Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Marlie Packer, Simi Pam, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Aitchison, Jess Breach, Abby Dow, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia MacDonald, Lucy Packer, Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt, Jade Shekells, Emma Sing, Mia Venner, Ella Wyrwas.
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Mitchell's selection calls 'very clear' - Feaunati
Women's Six Nations: Wales v EnglandVenue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 29 March Kick-off: 16:45 GMTCoverage: Watch on BBC Two, iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app; listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra Selection under England head coach John Mitchell is "clear" and competition for places "very healthy", says Red Roses back row Maddie Feaunati.A much-changed England started their Six Nations title defence with a bonus-point win over Italy in York, despite Mitchell making seven personnel changes from his side's last outing in October's WXV1 win over to the Six Nations, Mitchell said he wants to develop "two teams" before the home Rugby World Cup begins in August."It is all about opportunity and depth," Feaunati, who started at number eight against Italy, told BBC Sport. "It is exciting to play with new people and try new combinations."They've been going well and we've got to work with people that we haven't in the past. As a player it always keeps us on our feet and excited for more."We are constantly pushing ourselves and I will never take it for granted that I am here or get comfortable."The competition is very healthy and very clear each week where we are standing. It is something to chase and also lean on."The 22-year-old Exeter Chief made her England debut against Italy in last year's championship and has since established herself as a regular under who has 11 caps, shifted from her usual role on the flank to number eight in York, with regular starter Alex Matthews suspended for the opening two rounds."I like the power game that number eight brings and I think that suits me well," she added."I've got great people in the squad like Alex Matthews that I can keep learning off. I really enjoyed being out there at eight."I have to pinch myself that this is what I am doing and I can never take it for granted. I just want to keep pushing for more." England, chasing a fourth successive Grand Slam and seventh championship in a row, next face Wales at Principality Stadium on than 10,000 tickets have been sold for the game, as Sean Lynn's side look to bounce back from their narrow defeat by Scotland in front of what will be a record home scoring 38 points against Italy, Mitchell's side only scored one second-half try through full-back Emma Sing. Wales may take some encouragement from that below-par second-half England performance as they look to improve on their 46-10 loss to the Red Roses last added: "Although we didn't get many points in the second half [against Italy], we built opportunities and just didn't execute."We are used to playing at Allianz Stadium, it is exciting that the Wales women get to play at their stadium."We are focused on ourselves and our role. It is good they had a close game against Scotland right to the end. It is exciting what they have built."
