Interview
USA Eagles ready to take flight
The World Cup in New Zealand is days away and there is hope from within the US squad that they can make a statement as never befor…
Claire Thomas
30 Sep 2022, 9:12
Contributors
Claire Thomas
@Claire_GThomas
Claire Thomas has lived and breathed sport all her life, covering it as a student whilst competing at international level. Now a full time broadcaster, she's never happier than when commentating on the Allianz Premier 15s, tearfully belting out Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, or painstakingly pausing Squidge Rugby videos so she can cackle at all the tiny in-jokes.
Opinion
The building and blossoming of The Sakura Fifteen
Sometimes, and perhaps more often than we could have dared dream –when Japanese teams dive into the pool of a World Cup, a sort …
Claire Thomas
19 Oct 2022, 0:23
Analysis
The precocious French starlets hoping to fell the Black Ferns
The underdogs against a resurgent Black Ferns side, Thomas Darracq's squad of young talents believe they can cause an upset
Claire Thomas
03 Nov 2022, 3:38
Sarries, Gloucester-Hartpury and Bears mean business as new Premier 15s season kicks off
The all-singing, all-dancing spectacle of the Allianz Premier 15s gets another run. Of course it does: it’s the best domestic wo…
Claire Thomas
21 Nov 2022, 10:18
Opinion
'Let's hear it for the boys': Men's involvement in Premier 15s shows growth of the league
When the theme for this column came to me with the sort of satisfying thump, I was surprised. As someone who aims to point all ava…
Claire Thomas
29 Nov 2022, 8:38
Analysis
These Sharks have Teeth: Premier 15s Round 3
Sale Sharks have built their best squad yet. It’s a rich tapestry of youth and experience – with players from down the road an…
Claire Thomas
07 Dec 2022, 4:33
Opinion
I'm dreaming of a Cherry and White Christmas: Gloucester-Hartpury at their unstoppable best
There’s a saying in rugby – a long-running, cheerfully-uttered refrain – that, maybe, ‘this year… this year is Glouceste…
Claire Thomas
14 Dec 2022, 6:12
'Death, taxes, the sky is blue and Sean Lynn wearing shorts': AP15s what we know so far
What’s fascinating– with five rounds of this new season played – is that there is so much we still don’t know. The current…
Claire Thomas
21 Dec 2022, 6:14
Opinion
Purple Rain: Loughborough Lightning are back in business
Premier 15s Round Six: This weekend, Lightning put ten tries on Wasps -the final result Loughborough 62 - 5 Wasps. The two-time se…
Claire Thomas
10 Jan 2023, 6:30
Opinion
Blooming marvellous: An Alternative Red Roses 1-15
Simon Middleton is spoiled for choice. There are so many brilliant Red Roses available to him, and despite this looking set to be …
Claire Thomas
18 Jan 2023, 6:27
Analysis
Surviving and thriving: Why Sale's win over Worcester epitomises why Northern rugby matters
Last week – Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors did two great things. They received conditional offers to remain in the Premier 1…
Claire Thomas
08 Feb 2023, 1:11
Sarries vs Quins: Premier 15s' unmissable duel
I think there’ll be a new name on the Premier 15s trophy this year. If the official engraver’s reading this –I’d get pract…
Claire Thomas
15 Feb 2023, 3:21
Emily Chancellor: Joining Quins, an awful lot of tea and 'hating' Saracens
Emily Chancellor – part of a trio of Aussies who arrived in South London post-World Cup, along with Arabella McKenzie and Kaitla…
Claire Thomas
22 Feb 2023, 11:07
Analysis
The All-Stars, the Circus, and the Wolfpack: 'The big three' hurtling towards the play-offs
In Round 12, the claws of sporting jeopardy seized the Premier 15s table, and gave it a thorough rattle. For the first time since …
Claire Thomas
28 Feb 2023, 7:05
Analysis
Bonus Points and the Bittersweet: Wasps' Latest Chapter
As Wasps savoured their moment of magic, a concurrent plot played out. Yes, they had de-bagelled themselves in the standings–but…
Claire Thomas
07 Mar 2023, 8:48
A blockbuster in Bear Country: How Bristol edged ahead in play-offs race
For Bristol and Harlequins, this was the biggest game of the season so far. Both coaches admitted it: this could well prove a stra…
Claire Thomas
13 Mar 2023, 13:55
Interview
Tongan heart, English soul, Rekeiti Ma'asi-White aims for Test stardom
Son of a Tongan legend and former school mate of Henry Arundell, the Sale Sharks midfielder is on a rapid trajectory to internatio…
Claire Thomas
16 Mar 2023, 12:37
Tumbling records, rising stars, and lasting memories: the 2023 Women’s Six Nations
That’s it, then. The 2023 Women’s Six Nations. Done. Fin. End scene. A wrap.
Claire Thomas
04 May 2023, 2:59
Opinion
A lot of tears: The emotional rollercoaster that was Round 4
Round four proved an emotional rollercoaster with all the soars, plummets, and loop-the-loops which usually only come accompanied …
Claire Thomas
25 Apr 2023, 8:46
