Martyn Thomas
@mcthomassport.bsky.social
Author of World In Their Hands, the story of the first Women's Rugby World Cup.
Huge news ahead of the World Cup.
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe comes out of retirement to play at RWC 2025
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe wants to play at another Rugby World Cup. She’s confirmed she’s coming out of international retirement to vie for Black Ferns selection and has signed a new contract with New ...
www.rugbypass.com
April 21, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Huge news ahead of the World Cup.
Enjoyed chatting to Jade Shekells ahead of her first England start, about overcoming nerves, bringing physicality to the Red Roses & the intense competition for a place in the World Cup squad.
‘What have I done?’ How Jade Shekells learned of Red Roses call-up
When Jade Shekells was summoned to a meeting by Great Britain women’s sevens head coach Giselle Mather earlier this year, she thought she was in trouble. It was the start of her journey with the Red R...
www.rugbypass.com
April 17, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Enjoyed chatting to Jade Shekells ahead of her first England start, about overcoming nerves, bringing physicality to the Red Roses & the intense competition for a place in the World Cup squad.
Reposted by Martyn Thomas
I sat down with Los Pumas captain Julián Montoya in London yesterday to talk all things Argentina, Twickenham & Leicester.
Julián Montoya keen to make more Twickenham memories in 2025
Argentina captain Julian Montoya sat down with RugbyPass to look ahead to some big future challenges with Los Pumas and Leicester Tigers.
www.rugbypass.com
March 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I sat down with Los Pumas captain Julián Montoya in London yesterday to talk all things Argentina, Twickenham & Leicester.
The Women's Six Nations will get underway only six days after the PWR final.
I had a look at what that could mean for the championship, England and perhaps most importantly, Wales.
I had a look at what that could mean for the championship, England and perhaps most importantly, Wales.
How ‘brutal’ PWR sprint could impact Women's Six Nations
If domestic seasons are supposed to be marathons, then the 2024/25 Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) campaign has been an unrelenting sprint for all involved.
www.rugbypass.com
March 4, 2025 at 12:27 PM
The Women's Six Nations will get underway only six days after the PWR final.
I had a look at what that could mean for the championship, England and perhaps most importantly, Wales.
I had a look at what that could mean for the championship, England and perhaps most importantly, Wales.
Reposted by Martyn Thomas
Alright team, listen up!
I’m on a mission, to get myself over to the Rugby World Cup and I need your help. I’m on the look out for work, both at the tournament and in the lead up to help finance the trip.
Cheers for the shares and support. Can’t wait to see you all at the Rugby Word Cup!
I’m on a mission, to get myself over to the Rugby World Cup and I need your help. I’m on the look out for work, both at the tournament and in the lead up to help finance the trip.
Cheers for the shares and support. Can’t wait to see you all at the Rugby Word Cup!
February 26, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Alright team, listen up!
I’m on a mission, to get myself over to the Rugby World Cup and I need your help. I’m on the look out for work, both at the tournament and in the lead up to help finance the trip.
Cheers for the shares and support. Can’t wait to see you all at the Rugby Word Cup!
I’m on a mission, to get myself over to the Rugby World Cup and I need your help. I’m on the look out for work, both at the tournament and in the lead up to help finance the trip.
Cheers for the shares and support. Can’t wait to see you all at the Rugby Word Cup!
That second Ipswich goal is on Amorim. Rushed into a sub he didn’t need to make, ceded the initiative to Ipswich
February 26, 2025 at 8:32 PM
That second Ipswich goal is on Amorim. Rushed into a sub he didn’t need to make, ceded the initiative to Ipswich
Canterbury have committed to supplying all registered #PWR players - about 450 in total - with three free pairs of high-performance boots as part of a new deal with the league.
Premiership Women's Rugby announces league-wide Canterbury boot initiative
PWR has announced a new partnership with Canterbury that will equip the league’s players with free high-performance boots.
www.rugbypass.com
December 9, 2024 at 4:46 PM
Canterbury have committed to supplying all registered #PWR players - about 450 in total - with three free pairs of high-performance boots as part of a new deal with the league.
Exeter Chiefs will head to Ashton Gate tomorrow hoping to pop the Bears bubble.
And Gabby Cantorna says the unbeaten league leaders haven’t even reached their potential yet. #BRIvEXE #PWR
And Gabby Cantorna says the unbeaten league leaders haven’t even reached their potential yet. #BRIvEXE #PWR
‘We haven’t unlocked our potential’: Hungry Chiefs set for Bear hunt
Exeter Chiefs centre Gabby Cantorna has warned the club’s Premiership Women’s Rugby rivals the league leaders have “a little bit more in the tank”.
www.rugbypass.com
December 6, 2024 at 2:37 PM
More than half of all available tickets have already been sold for #RWC2025, making it by far the biggest Women's Rugby World Cup ever.
For more, check out @imogenainsworth.bsky.social's story on RugbyPass: tinyurl.com/mvbx4bbh
For more, check out @imogenainsworth.bsky.social's story on RugbyPass: tinyurl.com/mvbx4bbh
December 5, 2024 at 2:40 PM
More than half of all available tickets have already been sold for #RWC2025, making it by far the biggest Women's Rugby World Cup ever.
For more, check out @imogenainsworth.bsky.social's story on RugbyPass: tinyurl.com/mvbx4bbh
For more, check out @imogenainsworth.bsky.social's story on RugbyPass: tinyurl.com/mvbx4bbh
Evidence of the Ilona Maher factor or an attempt to drive interest in Bristol's first match of 2025?
Either way, Bears have moved the West Country derby against Gloucester-Hartpury, in which Maher could make her debut, to Ashton Gate. It will also be shown live on TV.
Either way, Bears have moved the West Country derby against Gloucester-Hartpury, in which Maher could make her debut, to Ashton Gate. It will also be shown live on TV.
Ilona Maher factor prompts Bristol into fixture change
Ilona Maher’s potential Bristol Bears debut has been moved from Shaftesbury Park to Ashton Gate due to “unprecedented demand” in tickets.
www.rugbypass.com
December 4, 2024 at 1:57 PM
Evidence of the Ilona Maher factor or an attempt to drive interest in Bristol's first match of 2025?
Either way, Bears have moved the West Country derby against Gloucester-Hartpury, in which Maher could make her debut, to Ashton Gate. It will also be shown live on TV.
Either way, Bears have moved the West Country derby against Gloucester-Hartpury, in which Maher could make her debut, to Ashton Gate. It will also be shown live on TV.
Reposted by Martyn Thomas
Guardian and Observer journalists have asked people not to share Guardian stories for 48 hours from midnight tonight (Tues), to respect their strike and the virtual picket line
December 3, 2024 at 3:23 PM
Guardian and Observer journalists have asked people not to share Guardian stories for 48 hours from midnight tonight (Tues), to respect their strike and the virtual picket line
Bad news for any new Bristol fans in the USA hoping to get their hands on an Ilona Maher Bears shirt.
You can currently only get Bears kits personalised in-store at Ashton Gate.
You can currently only get Bears kits personalised in-store at Ashton Gate.
December 3, 2024 at 9:49 AM
Bad news for any new Bristol fans in the USA hoping to get their hands on an Ilona Maher Bears shirt.
You can currently only get Bears kits personalised in-store at Ashton Gate.
You can currently only get Bears kits personalised in-store at Ashton Gate.
"I think it was the universe telling me to take a step back."
Ten days after Meg Jones played at a sold-out Stade de France at Paris 2024, her beloved dad Simon died from cancer.
Four days after that she was back in England training. But an injury gave her the opportunity to process her grief.
Ten days after Meg Jones played at a sold-out Stade de France at Paris 2024, her beloved dad Simon died from cancer.
Four days after that she was back in England training. But an injury gave her the opportunity to process her grief.
Megan Jones: ‘This injury helped me, it was a blessing’
Leicester centre Megan Jones opens up about how an ankle injury picked up with England helped her to process the death of her dad, Simon.
www.rugbypass.com
November 29, 2024 at 8:50 PM
"I think it was the universe telling me to take a step back."
Ten days after Meg Jones played at a sold-out Stade de France at Paris 2024, her beloved dad Simon died from cancer.
Four days after that she was back in England training. But an injury gave her the opportunity to process her grief.
Ten days after Meg Jones played at a sold-out Stade de France at Paris 2024, her beloved dad Simon died from cancer.
Four days after that she was back in England training. But an injury gave her the opportunity to process her grief.
Reposted by Martyn Thomas
It's been 4 years since I've written about rugby but that's nothing on the TWENTY YEARS since Denmark women played a game of XVs.
Of course, I had to write all about it – how they made it happen, how it went, what they're planning next.
www.rugbypass.com/news/denmark...
Of course, I had to write all about it – how they made it happen, how it went, what they're planning next.
www.rugbypass.com/news/denmark...
Denmark’s Valkyries come out fighting in first game for 20 years
In their first game for 20 years, Denmark women demonstrated their commitment to a future in XVs rugby. Rhiannon Garth Jones goes behind the scenes to profile one of rugby’s emerging nations.
www.rugbypass.com
November 27, 2024 at 10:31 AM
It's been 4 years since I've written about rugby but that's nothing on the TWENTY YEARS since Denmark women played a game of XVs.
Of course, I had to write all about it – how they made it happen, how it went, what they're planning next.
www.rugbypass.com/news/denmark...
Of course, I had to write all about it – how they made it happen, how it went, what they're planning next.
www.rugbypass.com/news/denmark...
Reposted by Martyn Thomas
Kazuki Himeno, once a symbol of Japan’s potential, remains his country’s most talented player.
But Eddie Jones has challenged him to become the world’s best back-rower. #ENGvJPN
But Eddie Jones has challenged him to become the world’s best back-rower. #ENGvJPN
Kazuki Himeno: ‘Eddie gave me a task - to be the world's best back-rower’
The Brave Blossoms roll into London desperate to show English rugby its wealth of riches with the gifted backrow at the forefront
www.rugbypass.com
November 23, 2024 at 11:42 AM
Kazuki Himeno, once a symbol of Japan’s potential, remains his country’s most talented player.
But Eddie Jones has challenged him to become the world’s best back-rower. #ENGvJPN
But Eddie Jones has challenged him to become the world’s best back-rower. #ENGvJPN
Kazuki Himeno, once a symbol of Japan’s potential, remains his country’s most talented player.
But Eddie Jones has challenged him to become the world’s best back-rower. #ENGvJPN
But Eddie Jones has challenged him to become the world’s best back-rower. #ENGvJPN
Kazuki Himeno: ‘Eddie gave me a task - to be the world's best back-rower’
The Brave Blossoms roll into London desperate to show English rugby its wealth of riches with the gifted backrow at the forefront
www.rugbypass.com
November 23, 2024 at 11:42 AM
Kazuki Himeno, once a symbol of Japan’s potential, remains his country’s most talented player.
But Eddie Jones has challenged him to become the world’s best back-rower. #ENGvJPN
But Eddie Jones has challenged him to become the world’s best back-rower. #ENGvJPN
Ahead of England A v Australia XV on Sunday, I spoke to Tom Willis about how his spell in Bordeaux shaped the player he’s become.
“It’s on you to impress, otherwise you’re not going to get played. They don’t owe you anything.”
“It’s on you to impress, otherwise you’re not going to get played. They don’t owe you anything.”
‘It’s on you to impress’: How Bordeaux stay made England's Tom Willis
As images go, it is a vivid one. Tom Willis, all 191cm and 110kg of him, squashed behind the steering wheel of a Suzuki Swift as he attempts to beat the traffic on the long drive between Bordeaux and ...
www.rugbypass.com
November 16, 2024 at 8:30 PM
Ahead of England A v Australia XV on Sunday, I spoke to Tom Willis about how his spell in Bordeaux shaped the player he’s become.
“It’s on you to impress, otherwise you’re not going to get played. They don’t owe you anything.”
“It’s on you to impress, otherwise you’re not going to get played. They don’t owe you anything.”