Interview
premiership-womens-rugby
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Contributors
Claire Thomas
@Claire_GThomas
Claire Thomas has lived and breathed sport all her life - besotted from an early age, before competing internationally - and is lucky enough to, these days, talk and write about it for a living. When not mainlining tea in various commentary gantries, wishing she handled the cold better - she’s generally found running, or watching Squidge Rugby videos for a second time, painstakingly pausing them to cackle at all the tiny in-jokes.
79 Articles
Latest
premiership-womens-rugby
Why the PWR this February is going to be box-office
12
6 days ago
Internationals Womens
Peña: Harlequins' pocket-sized hurricane keen to keep making magic
45 days ago
Internationals Womens
Meet Jack Hanratty: The man from Skerries charged with leading Eagles
46 days ago
premiership-womens-rugby
It’s time to learn exactly how grizzly Scott Lawson’s Bears might be
67 days ago
Interview
Georgia Evans on the power of a pink bow: ‘I’d take all the bad days for that one show of humanity’
"I clocked the first comment then realised there were two, three, four telling me I looked like a man in drag."
Claire Thomas
31 Oct 2025, 4:05
Opinion
Analysis: France must locate very best form to spoil the show for England
La Crunch is back - but not as you know it. This version is bigger, shinier and veritably humming with all that’s at stake in th…
Claire Thomas
19 Sep 2025, 4:25
2
Opinion
'We’ve earned that pressure, so come at us': Alex Matthews on Red Roses’ weight of expectation
I’m not as convinced as I was two months ago that they’ll win the Rugby World Cup, and I know I’m not alone. And, as counter…
Claire Thomas
18 Sep 2025, 23:22
9
Analysis
What to know about Ireland's opposition this week: Mignot and Ortiz's France
Head Coach David Ortiz was ‘ecstatic’ on Sunday, as Les Bleues confirmed top spot in Pool D, and a date with Ireland in the 20…
Claire Thomas
12 Sep 2025, 6:21
4
Interview
Alex Codling: The man behind Ireland's lineouts and the infamous ‘jukebox’
It’s well-documented that Alex Codling is ‘obsessed’ with line outs. In fact - it’s almost as well-documented as the 3,500…
Claire Thomas
11 Sep 2025, 4:15
1
Opinion
Ireland v Black Ferns: What and who do Ireland have to fear?
Who are Ireland facing on Sunday? There's an athlete who defies physics, convention, and speed limits on such a regular basis we r…
Claire Thomas
06 Sep 2025, 1:44
8
Opinion
Wallaroos ‘worlds apart’ from 2022 as they chase playoff berth
The short version: Australia just need a competition point against England to qualify for the playoffs; their forwards’ shoulder…
Claire Thomas
04 Sep 2025, 4:08
1
Analysis
What to know about England's opposition this week: Samoa's Manusina
With the second pool weekend upon us, England play Samoa. Claire Thomas writes about how Manusina are formidable just for being pr…
Claire Thomas
28 Aug 2025, 6:10
Opinion
Opposition analysis: Ireland prepare to take on 'ferocious' Las Leonas
In case you - somehow - missed the memo: in England, the summer of 2025 was the summer of the Lioness.
Claire Thomas
28 Aug 2025, 2:30
1
Analysis
Opposition analysis: Who are Ireland coming up against this weekend?
Appropriately, given head coach Scott Bemand’s side open up at Franklin’s Gardens - there’s a floral force awaiting them: Ja…
Claire Thomas
22 Aug 2025, 4:21
Opinion
How much do you know about England's first opponents- the US Eagles?
In terms of Red Roses knowledge ahead of their home World Cup, you think you know your Lucy from your Marlie Packers, but what abo…
Claire Thomas
20 Aug 2025, 8:34
6
Interview
How Gareth Steenson is evolving Ireland’s kicking game ahead of the World Cup
Gareth Steenson ‘Steeno’ is back on the side of the Irish Sea where it all started, in the green he last wore as skipper of th…
Claire Thomas
15 Aug 2025, 6:18
1
Exclusive
For the girls: The 2025 Premiership Women's Rugby final preview
Let’s start with the obvious, then. Sunday isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s not for the half-committed. But it’s definite…
Claire Thomas
13 Mar 2025, 2:00
1
Opinion
'Mitchell’s cup overfloweth': An alternative uncapped Red Roses starting line up
The impending Six Nations will be without a hoard of England-qualified battering rams and laser beams, who’d stroll into other c…
Claire Thomas
04 Mar 2025, 3:46
3
Analysis
Who is the Queen of Nuisance Land or Top of the Props? A statistical end-of-season PWR feast
Statistics only tell a sliver of the story: they’re just one lens through which to view sport, and, come the business end of thi…
Claire Thomas
25 Feb 2025, 3:10
Opinion
A few learnings from this opening block of PWR fixtures
This opening block has been glorious, and - bonus - educational. For those interested, here’s a little of what I’ve learned.
Claire Thomas
13 Nov 2024, 1:48
2
Exclusive
Amelia MacDougall: The perfect ten and playing for her childhood club
The origins of Amelia MacDougall, Saracens’ all-action teenage fly-half, have already been fairly well documented.
Claire Thomas
17 Oct 2024, 2:27
1
Exclusive
Trust, talent, and Tigers: How Gloucester's tyros are at the heart of their quest for the three-peat
Ahead of Sunday, when Gloucester-Hartpury get their title defence underway against Leicester Tigers - live on TNT Sports - I aquap…
Claire Thomas
05 Oct 2024, 1:00
1
Opinion
Demure is dead: Long live this season’s bold and beautiful aesthetic
Where to begin? Let’s start domestically - and with the best league in the world. Premiership Women’s Rugby is just weeks away…
Claire Thomas
18 Sep 2024, 2:08
4
Interview
Peaking to perfection: how Canada plan to conquer Paris
Canada stars Charity Williams and Olivia Apps lay down the markers for what they hope will be a medal-winning Olympic Games
Claire Thomas
20 Jul 2024, 23:37
1
