Italy focused on keeping confident as they eye a quarter final spot
Inconsistency cost Italy the chance to take home any points against Canada, but with one group stage game still to be played they …
Matt Merritt
16 Oct 2022, 6:02
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Contributors
Matt Merritt
@MattMerritt Matt is a passionate advocate for women's rugby. While he sees himself as a rugby fan first and foremost, he is also a regular contributor to The Rugby Paper and has written for Rugby World as well as regularly interviewing players and writing about the women's game on his own site. He is also proud to be part of the Girls Rugby Club advisory board.
Springbok Women out of World Cup after Fijian defeat
Fiji against South Africa might be viewed by some as an anti-climactic end to a weekend of international rugby, but both teams put…
Matt Merritt
16 Oct 2022, 3:22
1
'We came here wanting to win the Rugby World Cup and the first step is to get wins and bonus points'
A 22-12 victory over Italy sees Canada sitting atop their group and second in the seedings, with the prospect of a game against th…
Matt Merritt
16 Oct 2022, 2:17
Time for England to reveal plan B?
England win again, their 27th consecutive victory, but the cracks are beginning to show. Against a dogged and determined France th…
Matt Merritt
16 Oct 2022, 1:25
'All points are important because we know that it is a tough competition'
While the England-France game will be remembered for the Red Roses extending their winning streak, for the French there are lots o…
Matt Merritt
15 Oct 2022, 6:34
'I'm really gutted... it's a really horrible way to come unstitched'
It was a case of ruing what might have been for Japan as their slim half-time lead slipped away to become a decisive 30-17 USA vic…
Matt Merritt
15 Oct 2022, 3:24
1
Opinion
Scorelines don't tell the full story on a record breaking RWC weekend
After a year’s wait Rugby World Cup 2021 has finally arrived, and if week one is anything to go by, it will be a tournament wort…
Matt Merritt
11 Oct 2022, 14:50
Analysis
Let the Allianz Cup begin!
The Allianz Cup is back! Starting this weekend, Premier 15s teams will go head-to-head once again giving them plenty of match time…
Matt Merritt
15 Sep 2022, 9:31
Interview
Bringing the Craic to the Allianz Premier 15s
London Irish announced their intent to join the Premier 15s a little over a year ago, with Graham Smith part of the exciting coach…
Matt Merritt
06 Sep 2022, 7:45
Opinion
Seeing both sides: Understanding the RFU's decision on trans participation
The RFU has announced that trans women will no longer be able to take part in full contact women’s community rugby, a decision t…
Matt Merritt
04 Aug 2022, 7:15
3
Opinion
Prioritising professionalism: Why Premier 15s and unions are leading the way
The growth of women's rugby has led to repeated calls to professionalise the game and over the past month we’ve seen the RFU ann…
Matt Merritt
28 Jul 2022, 5:30
Opinion
Which Red Roses make it on the plane to New Zealand?
With the Allianz Premier 15s over for another season and Saracens Women once again reigning supreme it feels like a quiet time for…
Matt Merritt
22 Jun 2022, 2:48
Opinion
New finalists on the block - why this season has been one of Premier 15s best
The Premier 15s regular season is over, the play-offs are ahead of us and we know for sure that there will be a new team amongst t…
Matt Merritt
18 May 2022, 5:29