Sixteen years ago women's international rugby was in its infancy as the England women's team boarded a plane for Toronto in Canada and their first games outside Europe - in fact, apart from one brief hop over the Channel to Utrecht three years before, the first fixtures of any sort outside the UK. It was a big step into the unknown - but a triumphant one as England beat the USA, Canada and Wales to take the first Canada Cup and their first international tournament win.
Now - for the first time in 16 years - England return to the scene of that first overseas triumph to defend their Nations Cup title, won last year in Esher against USA and Canada, and this time with two more opponents - France and South Africa.
Its difficult to see beyond an England win - but the minor placings could be interesting. France have not played anyone from outside Europe since the World Cup, so this will be a revealing test. Have they declined as much as their European record suggests, or is it that Wales and Ireland have advanced?
Canada have beaten the USA in every game they have played since 2006, and that is unlikely to change, while South Africa will be pleased if they can keep the scores against them below 50 - although there has been improvements in the support for women's rugby in South Africa, they have not played a single international since the last World Cup.
And the great news is that you should be able to watch all the games - live! Your Scrumhalfconnection has revealed that Rugby Canada plan to broadcast a live feed of all matches http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-rugby. The times to tune in (ie. converted to British Summer Time) are:
Now - for the first time in 16 years - England return to the scene of that first overseas triumph to defend their Nations Cup title, won last year in Esher against USA and Canada, and this time with two more opponents - France and South Africa.
Its difficult to see beyond an England win - but the minor placings could be interesting. France have not played anyone from outside Europe since the World Cup, so this will be a revealing test. Have they declined as much as their European record suggests, or is it that Wales and Ireland have advanced?
Canada have beaten the USA in every game they have played since 2006, and that is unlikely to change, while South Africa will be pleased if they can keep the scores against them below 50 - although there has been improvements in the support for women's rugby in South Africa, they have not played a single international since the last World Cup.
And the great news is that you should be able to watch all the games - live! Your Scrumhalfconnection has revealed that Rugby Canada plan to broadcast a live feed of all matches http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-rugby. The times to tune in (ie. converted to British Summer Time) are:
- August 10th
France vs South Africa 9:30 PM
England vs USA 11:30 PM - August 13th
France vs England 9:30 PM
Canada vs South Africa 11:30 PM - August 16th
South Africa vs USA 7:00 PM
Canada vs France 9:00 PM - August 19th
England vs South Africa 9:30 PM
Canada vs USA 11:30 PM - August 22nd
USA vs France 7:00 PM
Canada vs England 9:00 PM
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