Australia: Caitlyn Halse; Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Trilleen Pomare, Desiree Miller; Arabella McKenzie, Layne Morgan; Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Ashley Marsters, Siokapesi Palu, Michaela Leonard (capt), Kaitlan Leaney, Eva Karpani, Tania Naden, Bridie O'Gorman Replacements: Tiarna Molloy, Lydia Kavoa, Alapeta Ngauamo, Atasi Lafai, Lucy Dinnen, Natalie Wright, Cecilia Smith, Faitala Moleka. Wales: Jenny Hesketh; Jasmine Joyce, Carys Cox, Kerin Lake, Nel Metcalfe;…

Former Bristol flanker Joe el-Abd has been hired as England's defence coach, replacing Irishman Felix Jones.El-Abd, 44, will come into the England set-up in time for their autumn campaign, which begins against New Zealand on 2 November, but will initially combine his duties with those as head coach of current club Oyonnax.Only once the second-tier French side finish their 2024-25…

New Zealander Goodman, assistant coach at Leinster, was appointed to the Ireland coaching team ahead of the 2024-25 season.He emphasises that the forthcoming tour is an opportunity for young players to impress and to "build depth and have competitions for positions"."From the last [Emerging Ireland in 2022] tour a lot of guys have gone on to represent Ireland. We want…

While he has respect for his former coachs abilities, Biggar has revealed he had a sometimes fraught relationship with the 61-year-old New Zealander during his playing days."I have the utmost respect for Gats as a coach, what he has achieved with Wales, what we achieved together," Biggar added on BBC Radio Wales."The relationship with Warren was professional, it wasn't an…