Latest news with #2025Women'sSummerSeries
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Ireland end Summer Series on a high with win over Scotland
A try in each half from Player of the Match Neill, alongside O'Connor's brace and scores from Alma Atagamen, Emily Foley, Sophie Barrett, Tara O'Neill, Aoibhe O'Flynn and Saoirse Crowe capped off a brilliant performance from Ireland, who secured their second win of the competition having also beaten Wales in their opening game in Caerphilly. The results from the final day of #U6NSummerSeries action 🤩 — Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) July 17, 2025 Much to their credit, Scotland refused to drop their heads during the encounter, getting themselves within one score of Ireland at 14-7 thanks to Freya MacColl's try, but ultimately ended their campaign with three defeats. Ireland started the game the stronger of the two sides and immediately put their opponents under pressure, pinning Scotland inside their opening 22. The possession high up the field proved to be fruitful for Ireland, as Neill opportunistically dived over to give her side a third-minute lead. That prompted a strong response from those in blue and almost registered their first points of the game, but Poppy Mellanby's attempted pass to Emily Norval just went into touch. Atagamen profited from an Irish lineout taken short after 13 minutes as the second row burst through to score, and Ellen O'Sullivan-Sexton's superb conversion – one of four successful kicks from the tee during the afternoon for the fly-half – stretched the lead to 14-0. Scotland hit back midway through the half as MacColl dotted down in the corner after good work from Mellanby and Clara Dunne. But Foley's try on 25 minutes ensured Ireland went into half time with a two-score lead. Louise Taperell's yellow card five minutes into the second 40 minutes further helped Ireland's cause, who a minute later, through Barrett and the boot of O'Sullivan-Sexton, added another seven points to their tally. O'Connor's darting run down the left wing threatened a fifth Irish try, but it was Neill who got it a few minutes later, crossing the whitewash for her second score of the game. Ireland continued their relentless push for more points, adding their sixth and seventh tries just after the hour mark. O'Neill was able to athletically reach over from close-range before O'Connor got a much deserved try four minutes later, her blistering pace carrying her down the left wing all the way over the try line to make the score 43-7. O'Connor continued to threaten the Scottish defence with her speed, crossing over for her second score with 12 minutes to go and late tries from O'Flynn and Crowe – both converted by Caitriona Finn - rounded off the comprehensive victory. 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.
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
O'Connor delighted Ireland ended Summer Series with win
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.' 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.
South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Morrall gunning to end France's run with final day victory
The young Red Roses have been on the wrong side of recent results with Les Bleuettes, but have a chance to reverse that on Thursday. They take on France at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly, with both sides' unbeaten status on the line. 'It is a really big thing for us this year, we have been on the wrong side of the result a lot in the past few years,' the Loughborough Lightning centre said. 'It would mean a lot to all of us, particularly as a lot of us are second years, so we are not eligible for 20s in the future. 'It is something exciting for us and something we would really really like to finish on a high. It would be awesome for a lot of us to finish that last game and get on the right side of the result and beat the French because it has been a long time coming, so hopefully we can do that. 'France are a very good side, they play some really exciting rugby, and they like to attack a lot, so looking at that, we have some good strategies and plans to hopefully defer that towards us and put us in a positive light. 'It should be a very tough game, but a very exciting game because we are really up for it. Team news 🚨 England U20 Women's head coach LJ Lewis has named her squad to face France on matchday three of the Six Nations Summer Series.#U6NSummerSeries — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) July 16, 2025 'But we can never put the French aside because we know they are always a strong team, they are always going to put in a big fight against us.' England defeated Scotland to get their campaign up and running in South Wales before coming from behind to beat Italy last time out. Meanwhile, France saw off le Azzurre in their opening encounter, before scoring 24 unanswered second-half points against Ireland to set up a barnstorming finish with the Red Roses. Morrall, who was born and raised in Dubai, was named Player of the Match for England in their fightback against Italy. She praised the team's bond for their comeback from 15-0 down at half-time, something which has been a focal point for the squad this year. The 20-year-old added: 'It has been one of our key focuses in camps, since the first camp, it has been one of the key pillars in our culture. 'Throughout this camp and through previous camps, we have been doing a lot of player bonds, so activities outside of rugby, where we just get together and connect. 'That has definitely grown our connections as a team this year. Everyone is so much closer than we have been in the past. 'There are also a lot of girls from the same club, so that helps with that connection. Everyone knows each other really well. 'But as a whole, it is down to the fact that we spend a lot of time outside of rugby, getting to know each other.' 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.
South Wales Guardian
7 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series preview: France v England
The two sides are both undefeated so far so expect them to hold nothing back in a blockbuster battle at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly. England most recently clinched a comeback 36-20 win over Italy while France put Ireland to the sword 41-12. Catch all the action here. Team News England head coach LJ Lewis has opted to stick rather than twist with only a pair of changes to the starting XV. Loughborough Lightning hooker Lucy Calladine captains England in a capped fixture for the second time. Joining her in the pack are clubmate Grace Clifford and Annabel Meta of Trailfinders Women. Amelia MacDougall comes in for Poppy Love at scrum-half, with Lia Green taking up the 15 shirt in place of Eva Wood, who is on the bench. The France line-up will be announced today. Player to watch - Millie David David was at her brilliant best last time out with a pair of tries to get England over the line and past a spirited Italy side. Blessed with pace and power in equal measure, she is a big game player who has been called up to the senior set-up previously. 🏴 Millie David's dazzling double helped England produce a stunning fightback to down a spirited Italy 36-20 and claim their second win of the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series 💪 Match report ⬇️#U6NSummerSeries What they said: England head coach LJ Lewis: "This week, preparations have built our bond as a player and staff group as we near the final stages of reaching our goals this month. "Our players have approached the first two games with the intensity required to achieve two impressive results, and we expect that mindset to continue. "Every matchup with France will demand a high level of performance and the squad is fully focused on the job in front of them. They are full of confidence and belief as a whole squad." Teams: England: 15. Lia Green, 14. Sophie Hopkins, 13. Sarah Parry, 12. Carmela Morrall, 11. Millie David, 10. Ella Cromack, 9. Amelia MacDougall, 1. Chloe Flanagan, 2. Lucy Calladine, 3. Grace Clifford, 4. Jasmine Adonri, 5. Keevy Fitzpatrick, 6. Lucie Sams, 7. Sophie McQueen, 8. Annabel Meta Replacements: 16. Lucy Simpson, 17. Amelia Williams, 18. Zara Green, 19. Tyla Shirley, 20. Haineala Lutui, 21. Daisy Aspinall, 22. Millie Hyett, 23. Eva Wood France: To be announced Replacements: To be announced 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.
Glasgow Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series preview: France v England
The two sides are both undefeated so far so expect them to hold nothing back in a blockbuster battle at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly. England most recently clinched a comeback 36-20 win over Italy while France put Ireland to the sword 41-12. Catch all the action here. Team News England head coach LJ Lewis has opted to stick rather than twist with only a pair of changes to the starting XV. Loughborough Lightning hooker Lucy Calladine captains England in a capped fixture for the second time. Joining her in the pack are clubmate Grace Clifford and Annabel Meta of Trailfinders Women. Amelia MacDougall comes in for Poppy Love at scrum-half, with Lia Green taking up the 15 shirt in place of Eva Wood, who is on the bench. The France line-up will be announced today. Player to watch - Millie David David was at her brilliant best last time out with a pair of tries to get England over the line and past a spirited Italy side. Blessed with pace and power in equal measure, she is a big game player who has been called up to the senior set-up previously. 🏴 Millie David's dazzling double helped England produce a stunning fightback to down a spirited Italy 36-20 and claim their second win of the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series 💪 Match report ⬇️#U6NSummerSeries — Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) July 11, 2025 What they said: England head coach LJ Lewis: "This week, preparations have built our bond as a player and staff group as we near the final stages of reaching our goals this month. "Our players have approached the first two games with the intensity required to achieve two impressive results, and we expect that mindset to continue. "Every matchup with France will demand a high level of performance and the squad is fully focused on the job in front of them. They are full of confidence and belief as a whole squad." Teams: England: 15. Lia Green, 14. Sophie Hopkins, 13. Sarah Parry, 12. Carmela Morrall, 11. Millie David, 10. Ella Cromack, 9. Amelia MacDougall, 1. Chloe Flanagan, 2. Lucy Calladine, 3. Grace Clifford, 4. Jasmine Adonri, 5. Keevy Fitzpatrick, 6. Lucie Sams, 7. Sophie McQueen, 8. Annabel Meta Replacements: 16. Lucy Simpson, 17. Amelia Williams, 18. Zara Green, 19. Tyla Shirley, 20. Haineala Lutui, 21. Daisy Aspinall, 22. Millie Hyett, 23. Eva Wood France: To be announced Replacements: To be announced 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.
