Latest news with #JadeKonkel
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Harlequins sign Ireland forward Wafer from Leinster
Harlequins have signed Ireland forward Aoife Wafer for the 2025-26 Premiership Women's Rugby who was recently named the 2025 Women's Six Nations Player of the Championship, will join the club from Leinster after this year's World Cup, which will be held in England between 22 August and 27 September. "I think there comes a stage where you have to test yourself week in and week out against the best in the world," the 22-year-old told BBC Sport. "I can't wait to get involved into because they're just brave, physical and entertaining."Wafer, considered one of the best back-rowers in the world, will be joining an already stacked Harlequins roster which includes Scotland number eight Jade Konkel and Wales flanker Alex Wafer says the calibre of her new team-mates was one of most attractive aspects of the move. "This team is absolutely star-studded, especially in the back row," she added."I just can't wait to get in and learn from them and kind of try tease a few things out of their brain and make my game better as well. Hopefully I'll be able to help them too." Conversations with the Harlequins head coach Ross Chisolm have centred around her playing six and eight."You look at the modern-day rugby player and people can play across a number of positions," said Chisolm. "Aoife is a high-quality player; she could probably play predominantly more six and eight but it could give us a nice balance to go 'I think today we need this and tomorrow we need that' it's going to be competitive."She is in my opinion right up there on the world stage of quality of player, the exciting thing is I still think there is room for growth. "Aoife is 22 years-old, it's crazy to think that she's able to output that ability at that age." Ireland's back row crisis Wafer announced her new club in a protective brace as a precaution following a minor leg injury at the end of the Six fitness has become increasingly significant for Ireland following injuries to back rowers Dorothy Wall and Erin King, who will both miss the World Cup. Wafer joked "it feels like the back row jerseys is cursed"."We'll really miss the girls," she said. "The physicality and the energy they bring on the field is something you just you can't get, they're key players for us. But I think it gives an opportunity to other people to really stand up and try kind of fight for a spot."We've plenty of other players who haven't quite got the chance to get to step up into that back row, so I think it'd be interesting come to the World Cup. But yeah, we'll definitely miss the girls."Ireland face Japan in their World Cup Pool C opener on 24 August before games against Spain on 31 August and holders New Zealand on 7 September.
BBC News
11-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Boyd to make first Scotland start against Italy
Women's Six Nations: Scotland v ItalyWhere: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh When: Sunday 13 April Kick-off: 15:00 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app Second-row Becky Boyd gets her first start as Scotland make two changes for Sunday's home game against Italy in the women's Six Lightning's Boyd replaces Hollie Cunningham, who has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a hamstring Gallagher returns from suspension to take over at number eight from Jade Konkel, who reverts to the versatile Lucia Scott is also among the replacements, stepping in for Evie Wills as backs opened with a 24-21 win over Wales in Edinburgh and were beaten 38-15 in suffered a heavy home defeat to Ireland last time, having lost to defending champions won both meetings with Italy in 2024, enjoying a first success in Italy since 1999 in the Six Nations and prevailing 19-0 at the XV2 competition in South Africa. Scotland v Italy line-ups Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Anne Young, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Sarah Bonar, Becky Boyd, Rachel Malcolm (capt), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Elis Martin, Leah Bartlett, Molly Poolman, Adelle Ferrie, Jade Konkel, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson, Lucia Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi; Aura Muzzo, Michela Sillari, Beatrice Rigoni, Alyssa D'Inca; Emma Stevanin, Sofia Stefan; Silvia Turani, Vittoria Vecchini, Sara Seye, Sara Tounesi, Giordana Duca, Francesca Sgorbini, Beatrice Veronese, Elisa Giordano (capt). Replacements: Desiree Spinelli, Emanuela Stecca, Gaia Maris, Valeria Fedrighi, Alissa Ranuccini, Alia Bitonci, Veronica Madia, Sara Mannini.
BBC News
27-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Easson on 'smooth transition', French test & Scotland confidence
Scotland head coach Bryan Easson has been talking to the media before the Women's Six Nations match away to France this are the key points:Jade Konkel replaces Evie Gallagher - who serves a one-match ban after her red card last weekend - in a "smooth transition in the back row" for Scotland's only change from the opening win over pointed to a longer-term emphasis on basing everything on performance as being key to a run of 13 wins from their past 17 fixtures as they head into a tough environment in front of 17,000 fans in La Rochelle."I believe it's sold out," he said. "The whole town will come out and be out early. They'll be there for warm-up and we have made it very clear to the group of players who have not been in France before what to expect because it's important they understand. France is a good side. So it will be tough. We've been very, very clear on that, but we're going there with confidence."The head coach said the opportunity to play in that setting against one of the top sides is "why we play rugby" and Scotland are looking forward to "putting in another strong performance."For his side to compete, Easson says they have to "put it together for 80 minutes", adding they've been working hard on that and it is essential to put France under pressure."
BBC News
28-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Physicality will make or break Quins hopes
Premiership Women's Rugby semi-final: Saracens v HarlequinsDate: Saturday 1 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMT Venue: StoneX StadiumCoverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio London and the BBC Sport website Harlequins captain Jade Konkel says she is relishing the latest chapter in their cross-town rivalry with Saracens as the London sides meet in Saturday's PWR two teams contested the first three finals after the women's top flight was relaunched in 2017, but this is the first play-offs meeting since Saracens won their 2022 semi-final."It has been a great rivalry, ever since I joined the Premiership back in 2018," said Scotland number eight Konkel."It makes it that little bit more special because you know it is going to be two teams properly going after it."The two teams have shared the spoils from the regular season, both taking away wins from visits to opposition 33-10 success at the Stoop was part of a five-match winning streak that propelled them to a second-place finish and a home semi-final."I was watching that game because unfortunately I had picked up a knock, but we know Sarries are a physical side," added Konkel."We know they will look to bring that physicality to life at the weekend, so it is how we match that. That physicality element is going to be make or break."With the 16 March final also being played at the StoneX Stadium, Saracens have home advantage all the way to a potential Alex Austerberry says that could be crucial for the three-time champions and rejected the theory that last season's semi-final defeat by Bristol on home turf could affect his side had led 14-0 against the Bears, but were overhauled as the underdog visitors fought back to win 29-21, becoming the first team to progress from an away PWR semi-final."If you get hung up on incidents and one experience that is quite dangerous," Austerberry said."The big thing is the learning that we took from that game, how we approached things, how we didn't deal with certain situations well."Am I am not worried about what happened last time? Absolutely not. We revisited when appropriate and now we are very much looking forward to the game against Quins."
BBC News
13-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Quins captain Konkel returns to face Bristol
Premiership Women's Rugby: Harlequins v Bristol BearsDate: Friday, 14 February Kick-off: 19:45 GMT Venue: Twickenham StoopCoverage: Watch live on the BBC Sport website Harlequins have been boosted by the return of captain Jade Konkel for the visit of Bristol Bears to The Scotland international back-row forward, who recently signed a new contract with the club, has missed their last two matches with a minor shoulder will strengthen their claim for a home semi-final in the Premiership Women's Rugby with victory on Friday Chisholm's side go into the final two games of the league season second in the table, trailing reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury by three holders travel to Sale Sharks while third-placed Saracens host Exeter City on who has scored 10 tries in 66 international caps, is one of five changes, external to the side that beat Exeter by one point at the beginning of the Wilcock returns to the starting XV on the wing, meaning Spain international Claudia Pena moves to outside centre, and Kayleigh Powell comes in at pack is strengthened by the return of Danelle Lochner at lock, Sarah Bonar at blindside flanker and skipper Konkel at number eight.
