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Sydney Gregson: Returning to England camp, previewing the Six Nations, and bringing in new fans
It was during the 2015 Women’s Six Nations against Ireland that Sydney Gregson was last capped by England.
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The versatile back who plays for Saracens was included in the England training squad last month ahead of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations in March. She tells RugbyPass how much she’s been enjoying being back in international camp after a few injury setbacks in recent seasons.
“It’s been an amazing experience so far,” she begins. “I think because I’ve been out for such a long time with injury, you sort of forget what it’s like to be in that environment. It was a nice experience and environment and all the girls and staff are lovely.
“I felt both nervous and excited to return. It was the first camp after a while for all the girls as there hasn’t been a lot of rugby so that settled some of the nerves. Obviously you put a lot of pressure on yourself in terms of performance and there was only really one full-on rugby session to be part of.
“Apart from that, there was a lot of detail, catching up, meetings, the fitness testing and gym. So although I was definitely nervous for the rugby session, the rest were feelings of excitement I guess.”
It was announced in May of last year that John Mitchell would take over as Head Coach of the Red Roses after his stint at the men’s Rugby World Cup with Japan.
Mitchell, who watched on when the Red Roses won WXV 1 in November, will be in charge of the Red Roses full-time for the first time next month when the senior women begin their Six Nations campaign and try to defend their title. And Gregson tells RugbyPass she’s enjoyed working with him so far.
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“I think Mitch is great. He’s very honest, to the point and I think he’s a really good person,” she said. “I think he’s quite easy to talk to and I think he’s going to be really good for the squad and great for all the girls. We’re back in camp in a couple of weeks ahead of the Six Nations.”
The Red Roses will travel to Parma to face Italy on the 24th March for their first Six Nations game and will end their campaign in Bordeaux. If selected, Gregson admits France won’t be an easy team to play against.
“France is a big one. I think it’s going to be a competitive game. Whether I get a chance to play in it or to watch it, I think that’s definitely going to be the game to watch in the Six Nations. They’re two really competitive sides and hopefully it’ll be a good game for fans to watch. The atmosphere in France is amazing so hopefully there’ll be a big crowd there as well.”
France and England, as well as Canada and New Zealand are the only sides so far who have already qualified for the Rugby World Cup in 2025 after finishing in the top four at the World Cup in 2021. Gregson hopes that England hosting the tournament will attract new fans to the game.
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“I think considering only last year, there was a record crowd at Twickenham against France, I think it’s really exciting that it’s a home World Cup. I think the fact there are different stadiums hosting the games, I think it’ll be great in terms of engaging a mix of different people to watch the sport.
“I know it’s a very different level but last week when we played the Dual [Saracens v Harlequins in Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby], we had an event afterwards where we spoke to people who were in hospitality. The table which I was sitting on was with people who’d never watched women’s rugby before and you get it all the time.
“People watch it for the first time and people say how entertaining it is. So I think with the international games being held at different places and stadiums, hopefully we will get to see a new mix of people watching and supporting which will hopefully gain us more women’s rugby fans.”
The PWR continues on 23rd February at Mattioli Woods Welford Road which will see Leicester Tigers take on Trailfinders Women, two teams new to the PWR this season. Gregson’s Saracens have a bye week in round 12, but will return to face Leicester Tigers on 3rd March.
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verkeerde kant van die gereg lol
5 Go to commentsJust like John Plumtree at the Sharks he has had a poor start to this season’s coaching gig, but now it looks like he is starting to pull them back also having won 1 game in the first Eleven games they played. It obviously helps that 11 of his fifteen are Springbok players. But now they are starting to improve. No ways they can make it to the playoffs this year but they probably used this season as a way to figure out their game plan. One query I have and I think quite a few people have is: Are they playing better simply because of their international players are back or is it the team strategy led by Rob Penney that is starting to tick? Well I guess we wait and see. Also if it doesn't work out this season, it might be that Rob Penney is using this season as a way to organize himself for next season. Getting all his combinations sorted, his team strategies sorted and figuring out who is best is which position. Now I don't follow Super Rugby any more having now a full focus in the URC but I was surprised about the current Crusaders stats.
10 Go to commentsIf I’m a little bloke, who’s just had possession of the ball, I should expect to get cleaned up by Samipeni Finau if he’s opposite me and I do nothing to avoid him. FTFY You’ll need to rewrite the rest of your article now Hamish Bidwell. I’m not sorry for having missed reading this one. I find it hilarious it’s only the static aussie 10s, just waiting there, that are getting smashed. Move on your feet guys, haven’t you watched DMac and Mounga play for the last decade ffs. Chin up, at least your smiles should return when BB returns to SR next year and there’s more 10s to the fodder.
10 Go to commentsFinau is not leaving a lot of room for error that’s true, but he committed to 3 out of four tackles when the player had the ball so that’s all legal. (And incredibly entertaining)
10 Go to commentsHow does the size of the ‘bloke being hit’ factor into this? If you’re on the opposing team you are fair game. Is Finau the first person in history to target the first five? It seems like this is a great strategy to interrupt your opponents attack. As far as I’m aware, of the four excellent hits on Aussie first fives this year only one of them was ruled late. So if crying about legal tackles isn’t whingeing, then what is it?
10 Go to commentsThings I want to pay attention to this series. 1) Nothing against the other teams in 6 nations, but apart from Irelands loss to england, I dont feel they got tested, So I think this might be tight. 2) Rassie wants to build depth, and would rather do it before a world cup, but I am sure deep inside, he will be reminded that we have not beaten Ireland in years. 3) Will our new coaches plans be sound abd organised in time for the Ireland series? Remember our warm ups might only see our second or third string players available (When are we going to have one universal calander year?) 4) I see Ireland have moved on from Sexton, but what will Farrels plans be for SA? I am sure he will go for a full strength squad. 5) I think the test for the springboks will be the Durban game, it will be in winter, so not too hot for the Irish,no altitude, and it rains allot, might remind them of home. Loftus, if the springboks play the right game, I feel altitude like with most games before, can cause some challanges. 6) Off topic, but who is both Anxious and excited about what the Abs are coming with? A whole new coaching team and different style of play.
118 Go to commentsMost underrated player in world rugby.
2 Go to commentsHow many fans will travel to Qatar to watch these games ? because if they dont, it will be played in front of a few disinterested unknowledgeable Qataris and then just becomes media ‘content’. Thats what Test rugby will be reduced to.
1 Go to commentsSo as long as the playmaker still has the ball IN his hands, its OK. Otherwise the timing is wrong and he’s a liability. No grey line there. Thats the rule he is advocating ? Got it.
10 Go to commentsWrite them off at your peril
10 Go to commentsJust fantastic that the professional game is finally being taken to the Pacific islands. Not before time. It justifies the mere existence of Moana as a club, hopefully they can start to get some positive results too. Check out the sheer joy of the crowds in Fiji and the buzz that having a home team creates. Tonga always had (has ?) issues with their ground not complying with International rugby standards, which NZ always used as an excuse for many years not bringing the All Blacks over. Hopefully this match is the first of many. Would be great to see some tourism grow on the back of it. I once went to the Cook Islands Sevens in Rarotonga - tiny island nation but man did they turn it on. Tonga and Samoa will too given half a chance.
1 Go to commentsQuite right. Punish the time wasters. Its BS these time delays for non-injuries. The Boks have been using it for years now to slow down opposition and now its a scourge on the game. Put players like DeGroot on the sideline and restart play immediately. Watch how 5-6 min to fix your boots quickly becomes 1-2 minutes. Better still how about some personal professional management and you check the conditions/turf beforehand and get yourself better prepared. It might even help your team.
1 Go to commentsWhat drivel. Rugby as a contact sport should not be further diminished by crying over legal hard tackles. Take on the line? Be ready to take the hit. This is PC nonsense.
10 Go to commentsGregor Paul is going to be proved totally wrong. The Crusaders will get in the top 8 and are capable of winning this comp. The return of magnificent captain and player Scott Barrett on Friday was huge. There are a number of players returning and Ethan Blackadder showed huge progression in only his third game back. Christian Lio-Willie has added a new dimension , these two’s combination with Cullen Grace was fantastic. This builds depth when you have outstanding players like Tom Christie and Dom Gardiner also available. The tight five improved ten fold and this is with Tamaiti Williams and Codie Taylor being back.Others are set to return. Johnny McNicoll on his return home has been a revelation. Paul can dismiss Fridays win by the Crusaders as much as he likes and he will prove very popular in this country in doing so. But he will be proved wrong , Rob Penney and his coaching team will have the last laugh.
10 Go to commentsI haven’t seen or heard to many whinging about Finau quite the opposite. The TMO’s have reviewed each time and taken no action, so if they have now been alerted it’s not from people whinging The player comes flying out of the line and launches himself at the attacker so it is probably ruled as a committed tackle, but at what point does it move to tackling a player without the ball Time will tell
10 Go to commentsThis cracked media record of aligning success or failure on head coaches is remarkable. Using the crusaders past history as an example, a more sensible observation and analysis could be that the recent head coaches had inherited a extremely successful combination of players linked to their traditional historical support of the Canterbury people. That period ended this year when the new coach was introduced to virtually a new team. And in a year where other franchises have grown much stronger than their respective past, it was always an anticipated reality that the coach and his new crusader team were up against it. Therefore, I humbly believe that unlike some commentators present, I laud coach Penny and the team for their efforts to date and I am sure given another term and with Canterbury behind them they will be riding high once more. Strange all this coming from me who lives in Taupo and a one eyed chiefs supporter. Can't wait for all future chiefs and crusader games!
10 Go to commentsGrt bench player..keep him there..
3 Go to commentsA Springbok 2-0 win: haha told you we were champions now shut up An Irish 2-0 win: the referee was under orders from world rugby to cheat us but luckily we don’t care because this is part of Rassie’s grand world Cup plan.
118 Go to commentsI hope they didn’t pay Jones fee?
2 Go to commentsTo be fair, the teams he's had to put out are reminiscent of those available to Gatland during his horrible run at the Chiefs in late 2020. Anyway, he's only got a two year contract and Wellingtonian Tamati Ellison will be ready by then, as will a lot of talented youngsters (like the Chiefs Gatland blooded). The Crusaders are planning for the long term.
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