Mik A
@mikadooo.bsky.social
Dad, engineer, likes watching rugby
Bruce Perkins at 4The Love of Sport is often an interesting read. Here, a review of who are the movers & shakers of English Women’s rugby (and how many of them are women…)
4theloveofsport.co.uk/2026/02/03/b...
4theloveofsport.co.uk/2026/02/03/b...
Balance of Power – who wields the big stick in English rugby?
In this survey I attempt to gauge the balance between men and women in positions of authority, from the RFU down to the PWR clubs and officials. For th
4theloveofsport.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Bruce Perkins at 4The Love of Sport is often an interesting read. Here, a review of who are the movers & shakers of English Women’s rugby (and how many of them are women…)
4theloveofsport.co.uk/2026/02/03/b...
4theloveofsport.co.uk/2026/02/03/b...
Kavoa aussi a annoncé sa retraite
February 3, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Kavoa aussi a annoncé sa retraite
The big question must be around the process that resulted in Y11 getting to be preferred bidder - was it transparent and fair? As you say, that includes whether potential COIs have been addressed.
February 3, 2026 at 2:11 PM
The big question must be around the process that resulted in Y11 getting to be preferred bidder - was it transparent and fair? As you say, that includes whether potential COIs have been addressed.
I doubt that exclusivity is very significant. It’s surely pretty commonplace for a preferred bidder to be given a period of exclusivity to negotiate the details? One would however expect the process to be predefined rather than made up on the fly.
February 3, 2026 at 2:11 PM
I doubt that exclusivity is very significant. It’s surely pretty commonplace for a preferred bidder to be given a period of exclusivity to negotiate the details? One would however expect the process to be predefined rather than made up on the fly.
I dunno - it was a very weakened Exeter featuring a host of BUCS students yet they still nilled Leicester and got the try bonus. I imagine they’re happy enough.
February 1, 2026 at 11:18 PM
I dunno - it was a very weakened Exeter featuring a host of BUCS students yet they still nilled Leicester and got the try bonus. I imagine they’re happy enough.
Likewise Brighton's Amex stadium was rebranded as "Brighton" and all Amex branding physically covered up in RWC branding.
February 1, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Likewise Brighton's Amex stadium was rebranded as "Brighton" and all Amex branding physically covered up in RWC branding.
Agreed. I like Bradley too but no denying Norman Bell was good when she came on
January 30, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Agreed. I like Bradley too but no denying Norman Bell was good when she came on
Trailfinders v Quins living up to expectations! Abi Burton excelling with ball in hand, Cromack doing a lot of good things at 10 for Quins. A monster tackle just now by Sarah Parry.
Oh, and Ellie Kildunne has somehow managed to get Rachel Malcolm involved in some niggle.
12-10 at half time.
Oh, and Ellie Kildunne has somehow managed to get Rachel Malcolm involved in some niggle.
12-10 at half time.
January 30, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Trailfinders v Quins living up to expectations! Abi Burton excelling with ball in hand, Cromack doing a lot of good things at 10 for Quins. A monster tackle just now by Sarah Parry.
Oh, and Ellie Kildunne has somehow managed to get Rachel Malcolm involved in some niggle.
12-10 at half time.
Oh, and Ellie Kildunne has somehow managed to get Rachel Malcolm involved in some niggle.
12-10 at half time.
I think Loughborough will hope to get a lot closer than 36 points against the almighty Glospury. And Sale may get a lot closer than 24 points against a Bears team that has really struggled this season.
January 30, 2026 at 7:47 PM
I think Loughborough will hope to get a lot closer than 36 points against the almighty Glospury. And Sale may get a lot closer than 24 points against a Bears team that has really struggled this season.
PWR back at last!
TraIlfinders/Quins should be a great match. For me, Trailfinders should have the edge in the forwards, with their three Black Ferns, and Quins should have the edge in the backs. Quins seemed to have deleveloped a winning knack in the first part of the season, so I think them by 5.
TraIlfinders/Quins should be a great match. For me, Trailfinders should have the edge in the forwards, with their three Black Ferns, and Quins should have the edge in the backs. Quins seemed to have deleveloped a winning knack in the first part of the season, so I think them by 5.
The predictions ahead of the Premiership Women's Rugby 🏴 matches this weekend.
For more on PWR - and how to use these predictions at the bookies - check out Rugby4Cast below 👇
buff.ly/1WFyil5
#PWR
For more on PWR - and how to use these predictions at the bookies - check out Rugby4Cast below 👇
buff.ly/1WFyil5
#PWR
January 30, 2026 at 7:47 PM
PWR back at last!
TraIlfinders/Quins should be a great match. For me, Trailfinders should have the edge in the forwards, with their three Black Ferns, and Quins should have the edge in the backs. Quins seemed to have deleveloped a winning knack in the first part of the season, so I think them by 5.
TraIlfinders/Quins should be a great match. For me, Trailfinders should have the edge in the forwards, with their three Black Ferns, and Quins should have the edge in the backs. Quins seemed to have deleveloped a winning knack in the first part of the season, so I think them by 5.
20 years!
Extraordinary service to women’s rugby.
Extraordinary service to women’s rugby.
1/ I can’t believe it has been 20 years. Starting this "blog" in 2006 led to a global brand, so many new friends, and a front-row seat to the growth of women’s rugby.
To celebrate, we are launching the 10K March with our partners at Booshie! 🧵
To celebrate, we are launching the 10K March with our partners at Booshie! 🧵
January 29, 2026 at 9:30 PM
20 years!
Extraordinary service to women’s rugby.
Extraordinary service to women’s rugby.
I do realise that by posting this, I’m triggering a catastrophic run of defeats, player injuries, and I daresay natural disasters.
January 28, 2026 at 7:05 PM
I do realise that by posting this, I’m triggering a catastrophic run of defeats, player injuries, and I daresay natural disasters.
Not often that I get to boast about the theatre of footballing dreams that is Cambridge United. But here we go - 13 matches unbeaten and counting - the longest unbeaten run in the top 4 divisions of English football this season. Eat our shorts, Arsenal!
January 28, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Not often that I get to boast about the theatre of footballing dreams that is Cambridge United. But here we go - 13 matches unbeaten and counting - the longest unbeaten run in the top 4 divisions of English football this season. Eat our shorts, Arsenal!
I hoped that with Jo Yapp gone and new coach in place, McKenzie would get back into the squad. For me she's Australia's best 10, although Moleka has done pretty well and Hinds was looking promising. But evidently not. Whatever the cause, the falling-out seems to have been terminal.
January 28, 2026 at 4:48 PM
I hoped that with Jo Yapp gone and new coach in place, McKenzie would get back into the squad. For me she's Australia's best 10, although Moleka has done pretty well and Hinds was looking promising. But evidently not. Whatever the cause, the falling-out seems to have been terminal.
Notwithstanding that, you'd expect her to have made the Wallaroos 2026 squad with ease. If she's signed for Paramatta she's presumably not injured, so you've got to imagine there has been a falling-out with RA.
January 28, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Notwithstanding that, you'd expect her to have made the Wallaroos 2026 squad with ease. If she's signed for Paramatta she's presumably not injured, so you've got to imagine there has been a falling-out with RA.
I really don't know what happened with Morgan. She's objectively the best 9 in Australia by some distance, however was dropped to the bench in the first two pool matches of RWC2025 and dropped from the 23 entirely for the other two matches.
January 28, 2026 at 4:36 PM
I really don't know what happened with Morgan. She's objectively the best 9 in Australia by some distance, however was dropped to the bench in the first two pool matches of RWC2025 and dropped from the 23 entirely for the other two matches.
Interesting to read that Borland and Ponsonby turned down NZ central contracts in order to play the full season in the PWR, and that they intend to return next season.
Kudos to Trailfinders, sounds like they are doing good things there.
Kudos to Trailfinders, sounds like they are doing good things there.
January 28, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Interesting to read that Borland and Ponsonby turned down NZ central contracts in order to play the full season in the PWR, and that they intend to return next season.
Kudos to Trailfinders, sounds like they are doing good things there.
Kudos to Trailfinders, sounds like they are doing good things there.
I agree in that I think RA are sidelining the Wallaroos, relatively speaking, and will return attention to them with RWC 2027 out of the way. And yes they can insert 7s and NRL players late on (I fear they have taken the wrong lessons from New Zealand in RWC2021).
January 28, 2026 at 3:42 PM
I agree in that I think RA are sidelining the Wallaroos, relatively speaking, and will return attention to them with RWC 2027 out of the way. And yes they can insert 7s and NRL players late on (I fear they have taken the wrong lessons from New Zealand in RWC2021).
I agree with all of that (& note Hinds is back in the 7s squad; it'll be interesting to see whether she & Casilick retain their interest in XVs).
Apart from the advertised budget cut, the new Super Rugby W dates clash with NRL of course, which will have forced a decision on some.
Apart from the advertised budget cut, the new Super Rugby W dates clash with NRL of course, which will have forced a decision on some.
January 28, 2026 at 3:36 PM
I agree with all of that (& note Hinds is back in the 7s squad; it'll be interesting to see whether she & Casilick retain their interest in XVs).
Apart from the advertised budget cut, the new Super Rugby W dates clash with NRL of course, which will have forced a decision on some.
Apart from the advertised budget cut, the new Super Rugby W dates clash with NRL of course, which will have forced a decision on some.
Rugby Australia screwed up badly with those two. I hope we one day get to find out exactly what went wrong.
Interesting also to see Maya Stewart in the 7s squad. I suppose it keeps her in the RA fold and perhaps satisfies her own ambitions, but it doesn't sound particularly great for the Wallaroos.
Interesting also to see Maya Stewart in the 7s squad. I suppose it keeps her in the RA fold and perhaps satisfies her own ambitions, but it doesn't sound particularly great for the Wallaroos.
January 28, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Rugby Australia screwed up badly with those two. I hope we one day get to find out exactly what went wrong.
Interesting also to see Maya Stewart in the 7s squad. I suppose it keeps her in the RA fold and perhaps satisfies her own ambitions, but it doesn't sound particularly great for the Wallaroos.
Interesting also to see Maya Stewart in the 7s squad. I suppose it keeps her in the RA fold and perhaps satisfies her own ambitions, but it doesn't sound particularly great for the Wallaroos.
thanks, these are genius. Although Roderick Spode is surely a Twitter user?
January 28, 2026 at 12:55 PM
thanks, these are genius. Although Roderick Spode is surely a Twitter user?
Reposted by Mik A
Have found tumblr user probablyday's #woosterposting series. In shock
January 28, 2026 at 8:14 AM
Have found tumblr user probablyday's #woosterposting series. In shock
Bonne victoire pour les Lilloises
January 25, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Bonne victoire pour les Lilloises
ah, try chalked off now..
January 23, 2026 at 8:32 PM
ah, try chalked off now..