Interview
Thistly and thriving: Scotland’s return to winning ways
‘Winning is a habit’ is something you hear an awful lot in sport, and Scotland’s recent results suggest that’s a truism ba…
Claire Thomas
26 Oct 2023, 4:48
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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.
Analysis
Nominees for ‘Best Team in the World’ continued: A WXV Preview
Welcome back from that brief intermission. We hope you did something fun - like watching a supercut of Alisha Butchers highlights,…
Claire Thomas
19 Oct 2023, 13:10
1
Analysis
Awards Season is upon us: The WXV 1 nominees are in
This Autumn, the WXV1 trophy will be raised for the very first time - and the nominees are blockbuster. It’s time to cast our ey…
Claire Thomas
19 Oct 2023, 1:21
9
Analysis
Let the revolution commence: Your whistle-stop tour of the opening weekend of WXV
WXV is here: 18 teams, three tournaments, and a yearly opportunity for women’s rugby to dazzle on a planetary scale. A truly wor…
Claire Thomas
12 Oct 2023, 6:44
1
Analysis
Before you go: An encore for Saturday’s Premier 15s final, and history at Queensholm
There aren’t many fairytales in sport, but it felt like we’d just witnessed one of them: a side whose captain had poured her W…
Claire Thomas
28 Jun 2023, 1:22
Interview
Cassius Cleaves: England's viral sensation eyes U20 glory
The Harlequins flyer became an online hit with an incredible schoolboy highlights reel. Now he longs to win the U20 World Champion…
Claire Thomas
22 Jun 2023, 0:13
1
Opinion
Prem 15s: 'Kingsholm is about to become the big red shop window for this magnificent product'
From out-and-out league disciples, to those dipping a curious toe into the waters of the best women’s domestic competition in th…
Claire Thomas
19 Jun 2023, 6:10
1
Opinion
Premier 15s semis: 'There’s going to be a new name on the trophy this year'
There’s going to be a new name on the Premier 15s trophy this year. Just let that sink in one more time. It’s barbecue season,…
Claire Thomas
14 Jun 2023, 23:00
Analysis
And then there were four: Everything’s in place for a spectacular Premier 15s sprint finish
The pacemaker of the regular Premier 15s season has stepped off the track and the bell’s sounding: there’s a lead pack of four…
Claire Thomas
08 Jun 2023, 4:37
1
Opinion
Premier 15s: How Exeter find themselves at the centre of an intriguing final round
One more regular round to go. Exeter Chiefs are looking to secure home advantage in the Premier 15s play-offs, after all, it’s h…
Claire Thomas
31 May 2023, 8:38
Opinion
Jeopardy saturated: What's at stake in the final two rounds of the Premier 15s
16 rounds of the Premier 15s played. Two remain. It’s almost closing time. Gloucester-Hartpury, Exeter Chiefs, Saracens, and –…
Claire Thomas
24 May 2023, 6:20
1
Opinion
How Bristol got serious: 'Blown away' by an afternoon in Bear Country
2021 was the year Bristol Bears Women got serious: when they grew fangs and sharpened their claws. I spent an afternoon at the clu…
Claire Thomas
17 May 2023, 2:09
1
Tumbling records, rising stars, and lasting memories: the 2023 Women’s Six Nations
That’s it, then. The 2023 Women’s Six Nations. Done. Fin. End scene. A wrap.
Claire Thomas
04 May 2023, 0:59
Opinion
A lot of tears: The emotional rollercoaster that was Round 4
Round four proved an emotional rollercoaster with all the soars, plummets, and loop-the-loops which usually only come accompanied …
Claire Thomas
25 Apr 2023, 6:46
1
Opinion
Scotland versus Italy: The Blockbuster we didn't know we needed
Last weekend’s Six Nations action managed to showcase some superb athletes and a few highly entertaining flashes, but not a sing…
Claire Thomas
19 Apr 2023, 2:15
1
Opinion
More than meets the eye: How Wales could triumph in defeat against England
Rose thorns tend to make light work of feathers. Since England went professional, they’ve faced Wales four times, with an averag…
Claire Thomas
14 Apr 2023, 0:39
1
Interview
Tongan heart, English soul, Rekeiti Ma'asi-White aims for Test stardom
Son of a Tongan legend and former school mate of Henry Arundell, the Sale Sharks midfielder is on a rapid trajectory to internatio…
Claire Thomas
16 Mar 2023, 10:37
1
A blockbuster in Bear Country: How Bristol edged ahead in play-offs race
For Bristol and Harlequins, this was the biggest game of the season so far. Both coaches admitted it: this could well prove a stra…
Claire Thomas
13 Mar 2023, 11:55
1
Analysis
Bonus Points and the Bittersweet: Wasps' Latest Chapter
As Wasps savoured their moment of magic, a concurrent plot played out. Yes, they had de-bagelled themselves in the standings–but…
Claire Thomas
07 Mar 2023, 6:48
1
Analysis
The All-Stars, the Circus, and the Wolfpack: 'The big three' hurtling towards the play-offs
In Round 12, the claws of sporting jeopardy seized the Premier 15s table, and gave it a thorough rattle. For the first time since …
Claire Thomas
28 Feb 2023, 5:05
1
