Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Contributors

Matt Merritt

Matt is a passionate advocate for women's rugby. While he sees himself as a rugby fan first and foremost, he is also a regular contributor to The Rugby Paper and has written for Rugby World as well as regularly interviewing players and writing about the women's game on his own site. He is also proud to be part of the Girls Rugby Club advisory board.

Red Roses player ratings v Australia | 2021 Rugby World Cup

We break down who soared and who sunk on a rainy Auckland afternoon as the Red Roses booked their semi-final berth.

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
30 Oct 2022, 4:14

'Every match between Canada and the USA is such a big rivalry for us.'

Canada claim second seed after a strong 29-14 win over USA to secure a quarter final game against.... USA again

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
23 Oct 2022, 3:30

'We came here to change the way the world thinks about Japan women's rugby'

A shock win in 2015 propelled Japan's men into the spotlight and the hope was that 2022 would see the women do the same.

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
23 Oct 2022, 2:18

Re-jigged Springbok Women 'so into this game'

Springbok Women head coach Stanley Raubenheimer has decided to ring the changes for their game against England.

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
22 Oct 2022, 9:46

Senirusi Seruvakula reflects on Fiji Women's first Rugby World Cup

Coach Senirusi Seruvakula shared his pride in Fiji Women's performances in their first Rugby World Cup and the opportunities to ke…

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
22 Oct 2022, 6:19

Detysha Harper called up by England to replace injured Laura Keates

Detysha Harper called up by England to replace injured Keates

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
22 Oct 2022, 3:24

Italy focused on keeping confident as they eye a quarter final spot

Inconsistency cost Italy the chance to take home any points against Canada, but with one group stage game still to be played they …

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
16 Oct 2022, 8:02

Springbok Women out of World Cup after Fijian defeat

Fiji against South Africa might be viewed by some as an anti-climactic end to a weekend of international rugby, but both teams put…

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
16 Oct 2022, 5:22

'We came here wanting to win the Rugby World Cup and the first step is to get wins and bonus points'

A 22-12 victory over Italy sees Canada sitting atop their group and second in the seedings, with the prospect of a game against th…

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
16 Oct 2022, 4:17

Time for England to reveal plan B?

England win again, their 27th consecutive victory, but the cracks are beginning to show. Against a dogged and determined France th…

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
16 Oct 2022, 3:25

'All points are important because we know that it is a tough competition'

While the England-France game will be remembered for the Red Roses extending their winning streak, for the French there are lots o…

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
15 Oct 2022, 8:34

'I'm really gutted... it's a really horrible way to come unstitched'

It was a case of ruing what might have been for Japan as their slim half-time lead slipped away to become a decisive 30-17 USA vic…

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
15 Oct 2022, 5:24
Opinion

Scorelines don't tell the full story on a record breaking RWC weekend

After a year’s wait Rugby World Cup 2021 has finally arrived, and if week one is anything to go by, it will be a tournament wort…

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
11 Oct 2022, 16:50
Analysis

Let the Allianz Cup begin!

The Allianz Cup is back! Starting this weekend, Premier 15s teams will go head-to-head once again giving them plenty of match time…

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
15 Sep 2022, 11:31
Interview

Bringing the Craic to the Allianz Premier 15s

London Irish announced their intent to join the Premier 15s a little over a year ago, with Graham Smith part of the exciting coach…

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
06 Sep 2022, 9:45
Opinion

Seeing both sides: Understanding the RFU's decision on trans participation

The RFU has announced that trans women will no longer be able to take part in full contact women’s community rugby, a decision t…

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
04 Aug 2022, 9:15
Opinion

Prioritising professionalism: Why Premier 15s and unions are leading the way

The growth of women's rugby has led to repeated calls to professionalise the game and over the past month we’ve seen the RFU ann…

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
28 Jul 2022, 7:30
Opinion

Which Red Roses make it on the plane to New Zealand?

With the Allianz Premier 15s over for another season and Saracens Women once again reigning supreme it feels like a quiet time for…

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
22 Jun 2022, 4:48
Opinion

New finalists on the block - why this season has been one of Premier 15s best

The Premier 15s regular season is over, the play-offs are ahead of us and we know for sure that there will be a new team amongst t…

Matt Merritt
Matt Merritt
18 May 2022, 7:29
Search