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Emily Valentine: The Female William Webb Ellis?

Emily Valentine was only ten when she picked up a rugby ball and played for Portora Royal School in Enniskillen. Since 2010 she has been hailed as the ‘female William Webb Ellis’ but how true is this? The story of Emily Valentine was hidden for over a century until rugby writer John Birch uncovered the…
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Barrette: The Original Female Rugby Code?

In the 1920s, feminists took part in ‘Rugby Féminin’. However the controversial sport faced its demise a decade after its first match. Did barrette influence the female rugby players of the 1960s? The origins of the modern women’s rugby movement can be traced to French universities during the 1960s. However, this was not the first…
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'I wanted to play for Wales with my whole heart': An Exploration of the Players Lost to Welsh Rugby Due To Racism

For over a century, working class rugby players left Wales in order to be paid. However, for many men, “Going North” was a necessity as their skin colour was a barrier to rugby in Wales. In June 2025, Billy Boston was honoured with a knighthood, becoming the first rugby league player to receive the nod.…
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The Legacy of Las Leonas: The Addition, Success and Removal of Spain in the Women’s Six Nations

Spain took part in the Women’s Six Nations between 2000 and 2006 before being removed by administrators of the men’s game, a decision still viewed with ire by many within the women’s rugby community. The 2006 Women’s Six Nations started off strong, with England taking on Wales in St Albans, Scotland facing France in Edinburgh,…
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Ohhhh Canada: The Canadian Women’s National Rugby Team have succeeded against all odds, but where do they go from here?

As Canada prepares for the 2025 Rugby World Cup, they are once again faced with balancing fundraising and on-field preparation. The Great White North may not seem like a natural fit for a flourishing rugby culture, with its often snow-covered pitches and nationwide hockey obsession. However, rugby’s cultural values of being hardworking and humble align…
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The cases of Sione Tuipulotu and Alfred Clunies-Ross: a brief look at the relationship between rugby and the diaspora

Sione Tuipulotu’s inclusion within the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia has ruffled feathers. This article looks at Alfred Clunies-Ross, Scotland’s first diaspora player. The inclusion of current Scotland Men’s Captain Sione Tuipulotu in the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad has created an incredible amount of vitriol on social media. In recent…
Read Article: The cases of Sione Tuipulotu and Alfred Clunies-Ross: a brief look at the relationship between rugby and the diaspora