The NSW Waratahs Women’s team will head to New Zealand for a five-day pre-season tour ahead of their 2023 Buildcorp Super W campaign.The Waratahs Women will play a 30-minute match against reigning Super Rugby Aupiki Champions Chiefs Manawa and the Blues, ahead of their respective men’s teams’ trial at Navigation Homes Stadium Pukekohe on Friday 17 February.The matches against the Super Rugby Aupiki teams provide the Waratahs with a high-quality hit-out and the opportunity to build valuable connections ahead of their quest to reclaim their Buildcorp Super W crown.NSW Waratahs Women’s Head Coach Campbell Aitken was delighted for his team to test themselves against their New Zealand counterparts.“This tour is massively beneficial for our program as it’s the first time we’ve had the opportunity to get away as a team during the pre-season,” Campbell said.“It’s a huge year for us as we’re desperately trying to get our trophy back, and this tour provides us with the chance for our team to test themselves against players they’ve never played before.“This tour is something that the Waratahs tried to get across the line last year – we reached out to the NZL franchises last year to try and get some matches in, but unfortunately COVID travel restrictions put paid to that.“We can’t wait to get over there, bring the two competitions closer together, and challenge ourselves in a different environment.”Fixture Details – Friday 17 February Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe:Gates Open: 2.15pm (NZT)Women's Kick Off: 2.40pm (NZT)Blues vs WaratahsChiefs Manawa vs BluesChiefs Manawa vs WaratahsMen's Kick Off: 6pm (NZT)Chiefs vs BluesClick Here: soccer jerseys

Lille eased to a simple win at Montpellier, dominating the the first half before Valère Germain’s harsh red card just before the break effectively ended any intrigue remaining in what was a pacey, exciting encounter up to that point. Montpellier took the lead through a bizarre error from Lille goalkeeper Leo Jardim, in one of few sorties from MHSC, but Lille were level via a snap finish from Jonathan David before half time. Germain was then dismissed after his studs caught Adam Ounas’ calf and heel area from behind. VAR was not visibly used to review the incident despite it’s apparent innocuousness. The influential Angel Gomes’ precise skipping finish from the edge of the area before the hour was, by that point, inevitable and deservedly secured the points before David tucked home a third on the final whistle.

MONTPELLIER – 1 (Wahi 20)

Matis Carvalho, 6

Falaye Sacko, 5

Mamadou Sakho, 4

Maxime Estève, 5

Nicolas Cozza, 5

Jordan Ferri, 5

Léo Leroy, 4

Joris Chotard, 4

Arnaud Nordin, 6 – Withdrawn early with his team down to ten men but was repeatedly a threat on the counter with is pace and skill in the first half and was unlucky not to create a goal for his side.

Valère Germain, 3

Elye Wahi, 6 – In tandem with Nordin, his pace and tenacity on the counter was often a threat for LOSC in the first half an hour and he directly created the opener which he confidently side-footed home after forcing an error from Jardim. Overall, however, opportunities were limited as the game wore on.

Others: Tchato 5, Maouassa 5, Fayad 5, Souquet 5, Makouana 5.

LILLE – 3 (David 41, 95, Angel Gomes 57)

Léo Jardim, 3 – Embarrassed for the opener as a long bouncing ball encouraged him out of his goal where he was flustered by the onrushing Wahi, opting for a bizarre star jump that did seemed to have no purpose at all, allowing Wahi to side foot into an empty net. Little to do otherwise but did make one good save from a tight angle at 0-0.

Bafodé Diakité, 5

Tiago Djaló, 6

José Fonte, 5

Ismaily, 7

Benjamin André, 7

Angel Gomes, 7 – Gomes, still just 22, could become a Ligue 1 22/23 breakout star as he again impressed in a withdrawn central midfield role here. His passing and movement was snappy and smart while a progressive attitude pushed Lille forward and created openings. It was his precise finish that put Lille 2-1 up.

Adam Ounas, 5 – Played an hour after coming on for Zhegrova who was subbed due to injury. Having forced his way out of Bordeaux in 2017, after a spectacular start, and seeing his developed slowed to a halt on the fringes in Naples, realising his major potential now seems unlikely. He has a lot to prove at LOSC and, despite flashes of quality here, he affected the game only minimally.

Rémy Cabella, 7 – Withdrawn with an issue on the hour but provided two neat assists beforehand and his return after injury was crucial to Lille dominating the midfield, especially in the first half before Germain’s sending off. This was another sign that Lille are getting the best of Cabella, which could be crucial for their season if he can stay fit.

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Jonathan Bamba, 4

Jonathan David, 7 – Looked focused and sharp in leading the attack, adding some typically punchy close interplay as Lille dominated the first half. A smart snap finish on the turn, lunging to beat Cozza to Cabella’s neat through ball, equalised just before the break and rounded off the win late on.

Others – Zhegrova 6, Gomes 5

Ligue 1 22/23, Round 6 – 4/9/22

Former England head coach Eddie Jones insists stopping Scotland fly-half Finn Russell is key to his former side in their Six Nations opener on Saturday.

The Scots have had a solid grip on the Calcutta Cup over the past couple of years, with Jones finding the Auld Enemy to be his kryptonite on the Test scene.

Now the coach of the Wallabies, Jones has been discussing this weekend’s fixture at Twickenham on his new podcast ‘EDDIE’, and his focus was on Russell.

Jones backs narrow England win

Jones has predicted a three-point winning margin for England but also talked about the hot and cold relationship between Russell and boss Gregor Townsend.

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“Gregor Townsend was an older version of Finn Russell, and that’s probably why him and Finn Russell don’t get on,” Australia coach Jones told the podcast.

“He sees Finn Russell in the mirror – doesn’t want to listen to the coach, wants to do it his own way, ‘what does he know, just let me play because I want to play’. They butt heads.

“If Finn Russell plays, he gives Scotland an outstanding chance to win. It also means that if England get on top, Scotland will probably get hammered because he will keep taking risks under pressure and will give England more opportunities to score.”

Scotland‘s fine form in the Calcutta Cup is amplified by the fact they haven’t lost at Twickenham since 2017 when Vern Cotter was in charge, as Jones recalled.

“Vern Cotter, who was the previous Scotland coach, did a great job. He did some work with Owen Eastwood, who wrote the book ‘Belonging’,” the Australian said.

“If you haven’t read it, it’s a great read about the influence of the history of a country on the way that you play your sport. Also, about the importance of belonging to any sort of community.

“I remember Vern used Owen, and they together did this fantastic video of Scotland the Brave, fighting everyone, fighting the English.

“Because they’re a smaller country, they’ve always thrived on creating chaos, and so that’s reflected in their rugby. They want to break the game up. The English want to be organised.

Scotland want chaotic rugby

“And so you’ve got this contrast between the structure and organisation and power of England and the unstructured, chaotic nature of Scottish rugby.

“Can England keep the structure? England will get opportunities to attack, and then they’ve got to be good enough to take them. Or can Scotland break the game up?

“You’ve got this beautiful contrast in philosophy in how you do things. They are two very good coaches – Steve is methodical, Gregor more wants to do different things, wants to play the game differently.

“The referee will have a major bearing, how he referees the breakdown. Scotland will go hard at the breakdown and will have identified that as a weakness of England’s, in particular with Tom Curry out. That may present an opportunity.”

There have been several players who have switched clubs ahead of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season. In a new series, Rugby.com.au sits down with some of the key transfers, starting with Western Force flyhalf Hamish Stewart.Whilst Stewart has made his name as a defensive general in the centres with the Queensland Reds, the 24-year-old makes the switch looking to make the position his own coming off strong showings for Australia A“I want to lock down that number ten jersey,” he said emphatically.“Obviously, trying to lock that down is a bit tough at the moment because we have good competition around here.“Early days, I was playing ten (at the Reds) in the start of the 2019 season, I sat down with Thorny, Jim (Mckay) and Matt Todd and spoke about my potential position for the Reds and they opted for me to go to inside centre to broaden my horizon as a footy player and see what a ten needs.“I took a lot of good things out of playing 12 and what I want out of my 12 to give to me. It’s just broadened my horizons out of what I want.”The move west didn't come without drama, with Stewart originally slated to move to the Melbourne Rebels, revealed by former teammate Alex Mafi via PACThe Rebels were keen to secure the playmaker following the departure of Matt Toomua, however, their pursuit was brought to a halt after the Reds lodged a complaint to Rugby Australia, claiming they had a 'binding agreement' for 2023.“I was looking for something different,” Stewart explained. “I was at the Reds for seven seasons and I was looking for something a bit fresher and broaden the horizons a bit so I ended up in the west.“It was a bit of a sticky part there for six weeks with interactions with Melbourne and the Reds. There were a few things that were stopping the movement to go to Melbourne.“I had the meeting with (Brad) Thorny and Sam (Cordingley) and then got the release and was off to Perth.”He admits it was initially a tough transition, but not for the reasons you might think.Outside of Rugby, Stewart is heavily involved in the family thoroughbred breeding business, Oaklands Stud, one of the top Studs in Queensland.Hamish serves as Stud co-principal alongside brother Alistair, with father Neville founding the company that has produced a host of Group One winners, including Power and 2015 Golden Rose winner Exosphere.“It was a tough transition when I first got over here,” he admits “I’m starting to link up with the Magic Millions team over here and try and venture into a few horses here. I think the boys are pretty keen to get into a horse over here so might have to bring one over here and clean up at Ascot.“Dad’s stepped back now and my oldest brother has taken the reigns fully now with his finance. I’m just doing the best I can from Perth to try and help out. When I go home, I get stuck back into work, I’m right back to the bottom when I’m back home.“Even just watching the races on a Saturday, it brings you back down to Earth, takes you away from the pressures of the world. Even seeing a horse in a paddock driving past, you feel like you’re at home.” Stewart won't have to wait long to face his old side, with the Force and Reds facing off in Saturday's opening trial of the season.“It’ll just be another game,” he stated.“Obviously, there’s a bit of emotion but they’re just another team you want to knock off. As a group, we’re looking forward to that.”Whilst it's only early days with the Force, the Brothers product likes what he sees.“It’s a do-or-die training here at the moment,” Stewart added.“Pre-season is bloody tough, no matter whether you are playing ping pong or doing everything, even something little you want to be winning.“That’s the mentality we’re taking into 2023 and at the moment, it’s pretty promising.“Coming back in after being segregated out, they’ve had a slow start but I think if there’s any year to turn it, it’s this year.“‘Cronny’ has come in with a good bunch of staff behind him that all want the same outcome. All the players have bought into what he’s brought and that’s all anyone can ask at the moment.“We’re pushing ourselves to get to that top level that we need to be to knock off the top teams in the competition.”Click Here: Riyad Mahrez Jersey Sale

As quoted by So Foot, Marseille coach Igor Tudor explained Dimitri Payet’s place in his squad this season after the 2-1 win over Lille. The Croatian coach has used the 35-year-old sparingly so far this campaign, despite a superb season last year. Tudor said:

“I see him in good form, he feels good. There are a lot of matches and everyone is important. I talked with Dimitri and I explained my plan to him. We’re playing every three days at the moment, and he will start on Tuesday. He’s a player who always responds when called upon, he feels better after his little [fitness] problem.”

Tudor also explained why he withdrew defender Leonardo Balerdi after just 28 minutes, saying:

“I don’t appreciate subbing a player it that way. It wasn’t because he was playing badly, I just got the impression that the referee was willing to give out cards and Leo risked getting a second booking. I didn’t like the fact that he was whistled, it’s not nice to whistle your own players. Especially since he’s a good guy, he always gives the maximum.”

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The Wallaroos are excited about what the future holds after Rugby Australia confirmed their increased investment into the 15-a-side game of over $2 million.A host of players were in attendance as the announcement was made on Saturday morning, hosted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Kirribilli House.The relationship was formed between the Prime Minister and Chairman Hamish McLennan last month, welcoming players, officials and government members for the morning tea.The major talking point from the deal brocked as part of the new CBA is the introduction of central part-time contracts for the Wallaroos with Rugby Australia for the first ever time.Players will earn up to $52,000 as part of the tiered system, along with bringing in a minimum payment for Super W as well as parenting and pregnancy guidelines.It's the first step towards the eventual professionalism of the program, slated for 2025, with players currently balancing working or studying with their Rugby careers.Prop Emily Robinson is a standout example of this, a carpenter by trade.

Robinson gets up for work at 6 am, on the tools until 3:30 pm before making the journey to and from training that usually ends close to 15 hours after she leaves her house. She explained to reporters the significance of the deal as their dreams turn into a reality.“It’s a massive deal,” Robinson said. I’ve played for a long time now, debuting eight years ago and to see the growth in that time and even before me, so many women that have flown the flag and done their bit, this is the golden ticket.“We probably don’t realise it yet but when we leave here today, we’ll start to get how big it is so it’s really exciting.“…It’s a crazy life that we live but we love it, we love Rugby and we’ve all done this before being paid because we love it and the enjoyment we get out of it.“This is the start of what is fair and how it should be."It continues the build towards the 2029 Rugby World Cup, set to be hosted in Australia.With opportunities continuing to grow, Robinson and fellow Waratah young gun Piper Duck are excited about what the future holds.“When I started, I looked up to Phil Waugh and Matt Giteau and didn’t even know Australia had a women’s team," Robinson admits“I’ve never thought about getting paid, I didn’t know it was an option. To be able to create that path, I’ve got two young nieces and when they’re of age to play for Australia, it could be their full-time job so it’s super exciting.”“It’s huge. I’m similar to ‘Horse’ (Emily Robinson) when I started playing in 2017 when I was 16, I didn't know Rugby was a sport, let alone women could play it,” Duck added.“I was told by my family women don’t play Rugby or contact sport. At that point I’m not thinking ‘Oh, I want to play this sport to get paid’, I did it because I love it.“Now we can get the reward for all the hard work and effort we put in and the fact money is being invested into us and we’re being invited to Kirribilli House, it adds some much excitement and acknowledgement for what we do and shows that people are respecting what we doing.“The more time, money, resources and acknowledgement put into Women’s Rugby, the more girls will want to stay and know it’s an option for them because you can’t be what you can’t see.”RUGBY AUSTRALIA'S INCREASED INVESTMENT IN WOMEN'S RUGBY: WHAT IT MEANSWallaroosFor the first time, Australia’s Women’s XVs Rugby team, the Wallaroos, will receive central part-time contracts with Rugby Australia.A list of up to 35 players will be contracted across three tiers, with the potential to earn between $30,000 and $52,000 in RA payments for Wallaroos and Super W participation combined in 2023.A parenting and pregnancy guideline has been agreed in principle – contracted Wallaroos players will still receive their full contract amount for the year while on maternity leave.Super WAll Buildcorp Super W players will receive an RA-funded minimum payment of $4,000 in addition to club payments for the five-rounds-plus-Finals Super W season.RA’s minimum payment is intended to be additional to club payments – Super W clubs may contribute payments over and above the minimum RA payments.The additional funding from RA will also cover new investment into the High-Performance programs at Super W clubs to enhance the coaching, strength and conditioning, medical and performance environments.There will be additional provisions for meals at training sessions and a contribution toward childcare for players with children up to age 12. Click Here: custom injection moulding

Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll believes that Dan Sheehan’s top form of late elevates him above Springbok duo Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi as the best hooker in the world right now.

Sheehan has been sublime for Leinster for an extended period and has taken that form onto the Test arena with Ireland.

Best there is

Speaking on ‘Off the Ball’, the Six Nations great claimed his compatriot had to be the best in the world and underlined the value he brings in an Ireland jersey.

“For me, I think he’s got to be, maybe, the best hooker in the world at the moment. Malcolm Marx will have something to say about that, I’m sure. And Mbonambi, a few South Africans might challenge that,” O’Driscoll said.

“But [Sheehan’s] jump step that he has is un-defendable! Teams strategy of having their six in one flank and their two in the other only works when you’ve got real athletes like the likes of Sheehan playing a hooker in the trams.

“We used to have Sean Cronin years ago, who was as fast as any back. You were totally comfortable with him being in the line with you rather than being the support player. Sheehan is a dream to watch in the open field,” said O’Driscoll.

“If you watch on the quick taps, when they set them up, it looks as though he potentially could score from a quick tap himself.”

“Because of the acceleration from the quick tap and the power he has to back it up. Maybe a lot of teams are watching Leinster as well, because Leinster have had a couple of those quick tap free kicks where they’ve had a bit of intricacy; you’ve got to respect wide and tight as well.”

Massive Test in Dublin

Ireland face their toughest challenge yet in the Six Nations this weekend as they welcome France to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin for what is a potential title decider for this year’s edition.

Head coach Andy Farrell and his men will be confident going into the game on the back of an impressive win over Wales in round one.

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According to L’Équipe, three men suspected of having taken part in last November’s attack on Paris Saint-Germain Feminin’s Kheira Hamraoui were arrested and taken into custody this Wednesday morning by Police and investigators.

Last November, the player – who was returning from a team dinner – was attacked in the street with an iron bar. She received two stitches on her right shin and two more on the palm of her right hand. 

On the men that were taken into custody, the prosecutors office said “At least one of them has a criminal record. The police are continuing to explore the links between this attack and the entourage of PSG players in order to determine a motive.”

Yesterday we reported that Hamraoui sent a court bailiff to the club’s training session to observe how she has been excluded from training with the group.

The club’s assistant sporting director Sabrina Delannoy has indicated that the midfielder was not a part of the club’s plans for the upcoming season, with Hamraoui not appearing in any of the pre-season games nor the opening match of the campaign, a 2-0 win over Soyaux.

Hamraoui, whose contract expires at the end of the season, was assaulted in November of last year, having been dragged out of a car and beaten with an iron rod. Her teammate Aminata Diallo, who was driving the car, was then placed under police custody and released with no charges. Diallo has since left the club.

Her entourage has said that she has the right to the same training facilities as the rest of the squad, and should be training with players on the same type of contract as her. Given the top league of women’s football in France is not professional, the players are under federal contracts, which do not mention this type of eventuality.

 

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Captain Owen Farrell will start at fly-half for England against Italy on Sunday with Henry Slade coming into the team at outside centre.

It means that the exciting Marcus Smith drops to the bench in a XV which shows three changes to the one which went down to Scotland last weekend.

Previous head coach Eddie Jones had looked to build his team around the Smith-Farrell axis, but it has lasted just one game under the new regime.

Ollie Lawrence gets his chance

Slade takes his place at 13 and is joined in the midfield by powerhouse Ollie Lawrence.

Lawrence usually plays at outside centre but, while he may get an opportunity to roam in the wider channels, England will look for him to punch holes closer to the ruck and set-piece at Twickenham.

He is preferred to Joe Marchant and Manu Tuilagi, who is once again left out of the squad after missing their Six Nations opener.

The scrum-half remains the same, with Jack van Poortvliet partnering Farrell at half-back, while the back three is also unchanged as Ollie Hassell-Collins, Max Malins and Freddie Steward combine.

Up front, Ben Curry was dropped from the wider squad earlier in the week, which means Jack Willis gets a shot at openside flanker.

Willis joins Lewis Ludlam and Alex Dombrandt in a physical loose trio unit.

Steve Borthwick has decided against altering the front five, resisting the temptation to start the better scrummaging exponent, Dan Cole, ahead of Kyle Sinckler in the front-row.

On the bench, Alex Mitchell is the replacement scrum-half after Ben Youngs was axed, while Henry Arundell is in the 23 shirt after recovering from injury.

Borthwick pleading for patience

Head coach Borthwick said: “We welcome an exciting and in form Italy team to Twickenham on Sunday. We recognise and respect the very real threat they pose in this Six Nations Championship and we are preparing accordingly.

“Notwithstanding the disappointment of last weekend’s Calcutta Cup result, we know that in a very short space of time positive steps have been taken towards the manner and style in which we want to play our rugby.

“We are at the start of what is a completely new cycle of England Rugby. The implementation of new systems does take time and the squad is showing themselves to be hungry to deliver the sort of performance that we know they are capable of.

“From the squad, I have selected a team for Sunday’s fixture that I believe is best placed to meet the specific challenges that Italy will bring.

“It is a selection of players whose form, individual strengths and combined qualities suit the way we want to play against Italy, in what we anticipate will be another hard-fought and entertaining spectacle.”

England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Max Malins, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Alex Dombrandt, 7 Jack Willis, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Henry Arundell

Date: Sunday, February 12
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Venue: Twickenham, London
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Tual Trainini (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

There have been several players who have switched clubs ahead of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season. In a new series, Rugby.com.au sits down with some of the key transfers, looking at Melbourne Rebels hooker Alex Mafi.Mafi had his 2022 season drastically cut short after suffering a neck injury during their round two clash with the NSW Waratahs.It forced the 26-year-old to work on himself outside of simply being 'Alex Mafi the Rugby player'“I was consciously aware that I could control my own thoughts," he said. “Despite the surroundings and realty of my situation, I knew I had a choice to embrace the channelling and take the challenge that was handed to me with two hands and add to my character “It was a tough challenge but being consciously aware that I’m in control of my own thoughts and putting myself in that space of positivity. Also, having my mind on stuff other than rugby and having that approach from a gratitude perspective of being grateful for a lot of other things in my life.”“Once that identity was taken away from me in terms of not being able to play Rugby, I started to invest myself my identity as a partner, as a brother, as a son and really invest myself into those areas of life.“I feel like that approach helped me control my thoughts in a positive way. I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason and I was given this opportunity through this injury to invest myself in who I am as a person, not just Alex Mafi the Rugby player who people might recognise as.“…This outlook that have come to know and taken upon, it allows me to pour myself 100% into all these areas with this real sense of balance that I have at the moment.”Mafi made his name coming through the Queensland Reds system, however, got to the stage of his career where he wanted to test himself in a new environment.Mafi had been going to Ballymore for close to a decade straight and when the opportunity for a change of scenery opened up, he took it.He leaned heavily on former Reds teammate and returning prop Sam Talakai as he signed a two-year deal to join the Stockade.“I hit a point in my career where a little bit of change was probably needed,” he believes. "I spent eight years at the Reds and before that, coming through the system, I’d been going to Ballymore since grade nine.“It’s been quite easy to fit right in with how tight this group is. It’s been quite an easy transition. It’s been great to come down here and learn under ‘Footy’ (Rebels head coach Kevin Foote) and get the experience of a different approach to Rugby. “I’m a massive student of the game so to get that opportunity to learn a different approach to how Rugby is played has been really good.“I feel like I’m in career-best nick at the moment and I think that’s a product of change and this program that we’ve got here.”

After everything he has gone through, Mafi is putting any talk of a potential Wallabies call-up out of his mind after multiple training squad call-ups under Dave Rennie.He knows positive performances with the Rebels will do all the talking, hoping to impress in a dominant front row that includes the likes of Talakai, Pone Fa'amausili, Matt Gibbon and Cabous Eloff.“It’s quite well documented that position is wide open but I’ve got this outlook of trying not to look too far ahead,” he admits.“I’m not really focused on an end destination on where I want to be, more on the journey of every day being better. In turn, if I can stack up all those days of being a better athlete and person, in the end the boxes will tick themselves."  Click Here: Jadon Sancho jersey sale