The "record" that isn't

It is suggested that I am overly critical of RFUW at times, or even "do not support the England team". Its not true - and, having touched on this before, I was going to let this item lie as it didn't need repeating. 

But having now seen the claim repeated - uncritically - on three or four different rugby websites I reckon the time has come to for someone to put things straight. What am I talking about? Well, take this from the fledgling Women's Rugby Magazine website (which I'll be reviewing shortly):

The claim first appeared in the RFUW match report from the weekend's game against the Irish President's XV and has been popping up on various sites throughout the day. 

And the teeny snag is that its complete baloney.

Even if last Saturday's game was an international (doubtful to put it mildly), although England have not lost a game since the World Cup final in 2006 it is also worth remembering that New Zealand have not lost a game since 2001. That alone should have given pause for thought. England do play more often, but even so "extraordinary claims demand extraordinary proof" and you'd think someone would have at least checked on the Black Fern's record before leaping into print?

Because if they had then they would have found that New Zealand's win against Australia last month was their 23rd consecutive win - still four ahead of England. At least*.

Its a shame really, because chances are that within the next 12 months or so England - with ths Six Nations, Nations Cup, etc. - will indeed overtake New Zealand, so the premature announcement serves no purpose. I just hope that the IRB do not republish the RFUW's release as there could be a few annoyed Kiwi's...

*"At least" because it is, frankly, doubtful that -even if this was an international - it was England's 19th straight win anyway. I won't bore anyone with the details, but suffice to say that if RFUW insist that games against President's XVs count as internationals, then the same must apply to games in tournaments for full international teams regardless of England's own selection policies for those tournaments.