Just a fortnight remains until Ireland host England in the 2019 Women’s Six Nations opener but ahead of that curtain call there is still plenty of rugby to be played.
Adam Griggs’ Ireland are preparing for that opener with a warm-up match against Wales at Donnybrook on Sunday, with the players given chance to impress and new combinations a possibility.
Tickets for Ireland Women’s Six Nations opener against England can be purchased here
There are eight uncapped players in the Ireland squad to take on Wales, including forwards Linda Djougang, Anne Marie O’Hora, Hannah O’Connor and Claire Boles.
Meanwhile, Wales head coach Rowland Phillips is taking a squad of 26 players to Donnybrook, ahead of their opener in France in Montpellier on Saturday 2 February.
Domestically, there is no action in Scotland and France’s Elite 1 now takes a break until after the Women’s Six Nations, with plenty going on in England and Italy.
FIVE-STAR SATURDAY
The England Women’s squad is one of the most competitive in world rugby and ahead of their Six Nations opener at Dublin’s Energia Park the players have two more rounds of Tyrrells Premier 15s in which to impress.
Saturday brings with it a huge helping of rugby as five Tyrrells Premier 15s fixtures are staggered across the day, beginning with Loughborough Lightning vs Firwood Waterloo Ladies at noon and ending with Gloucester-Hartpury hosting Saracens at 4:30pm.
Loughborough have impressed all season long in the division and sit third – they’ll feel confident of downing Waterloo after beating DMP Sharks 53-14 last weekend with England’s Katy Daley-Mclean pulling the strings and No.8 Sarah Hunter on the scoresheet.
Gloucester-Hartpury, meanwhile, become the latest team to attempt to prompt a stumble for Saracens, who’ve only lost once in 14 fixtures but left it late in a comeback win over Harlequins last weekend.
Elsewhere, Wasps FC host the Sharks, Worcester Valkyries travel to the Bristol Bears and Harlequins take on Richmond.
SERIE A HEATS UP
Likewise with the Tyrrells Premier 15s, the Italian Serie A continues with two rounds of action before the Women’s Six Nations begins – the Azzurre travelling to Scotland on February 1.
The return of the Serie A last weekend saw Villorba Rugby make it ten wins from ten as they dealt a 66-5 defeat to Itinera CUS Torino – they travel to Monza on Sunday.
Italian international Jessica Busato grabbed four of Villorba’s ten scores as her side stayed top of Group One ahead of Rugby Colorno, who host Chicken CUS Pavia on Sunday.
In Group 2, Union R Capitolina maintained their perfect start to the season, grabbing their ninth victory in a 71-0 win over Puma Bisenzio Rugby – they get the opportunity for a tenth win against Torre del Greco.
Second-placed CUS Ferrara host Rugby Belve Neroverdi – one place and nine points below them in the division.
