Sara Orchard

London

Sport Reporter and Commentator at BBC

BBC Sport Reporter & commentator. Qualified Rugby Ref & Level 2 Coach. Generally found near rugby, hockey, tennis, netball or pudding.

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Articles

England women coach John Mitchell will stay beyond home World Cup

2 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Sara Orchard

England's women are still yet to return a profit, with the RFU continuing to invest £15m annually. However, there are green shoots with a 391% increase in ticketing in the last four years, compared to the four previous years. Despite the women's game making an overall loss they have collected £2.4m from ticketing revenue in the last season alone. Alex Teasdale , the RFU's director of the women's game, told the BBC: "It's not all about making money.
England women coach John Mitchell will stay beyond home World Cup

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Sara Orchard

England's women are still yet to return a profit, with the RFU continuing to invest £15m annually. However, there are green shoots with a 391% increase in ticketing in the last four years, compared to the four previous years. Despite the women's game making an overall loss they have collected £2.4m from ticketing revenue in the last season alone. Alex Teasdale , the RFU's director of the women's game, told the BBC: "It's not all about making money.
Premiership Rugby revamp could be done by next season - Sweeney

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Mike Henson |Sara Orchard

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, There are three regular-season rounds remaining of this season's PremiershipA franchise-style Premiership, with clubs awarded licenses to play on the basis of finances, fanbase and facilities as well as results on the pitch, could begin as soon as next season, says Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney.
Women's Six Nations: England's Mackenzie Carson ruled out with ankle injury

1 month ago | bbc.com | Sara Orchard

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, England have beaten Italy and Wales convincingly to go top of the Women's Six Nations table England prop Mackenzie Carson has been ruled out of the rest of their Women's Six Nations campaign with an ankle injury. The 26-year-old Gloucester-Hartpury player suffered the injury during the first half of the 67-12 thrashing of Wales on 29 March.
Women's Six Nations: Jade Shekells makes England squad

1 month ago | bbc.com | Sara Orchard

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jade Shekells (centre) signed for Gloucester-Hartpury at the start of this season, having previously played for Worcester WarriorsVenue: LNER Community Stadium, York Date: Sunday, 23 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMTCoverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Radio and BBC Sport website and appEngland head coach John Mitchell has included GB Sevens player Jade Shekells in his Women's Six Nations squad before their opener against Italy on Sunday.
Rosie Galligan: Saracens 'family' will fight for Premiership Women's Rugby triumph, says England lock

2 months ago | bbc.com | Sara Orchard

Dressing room politics aside, this final is drenched in history for one side. Record-breaking is something Saracens have a long tradition of, with some of the biggest names in the women's game including Maggie Alphonsi, Karen Almond, Nicky Ponsford and Jane Mitchell among their alumni. They remain one of the most established and successful sides of the amateur and semi-professional era. They are 12-time Premiership winners and three-time PWR champions, with their last title coming in 2022.
Bristol wing David among England camp call-ups

2 months ago | sports.yahoo.com | Sara Orchard

Millie David, Charlotte Fray, Jade Shekells and Sarah Parry have all been called into the England training squad for the first time before the Women's Six Nations. Forty-two players have been named, however only 24 women will be available to attend all training camps before the tournament starts. Eighteen of the named players are from Gloucester-Hartpury and Saracens Women, and will later return to their clubs to prepare for the PWR final on Sunday, 16 March.
Women's Six Nations: Millie David among England camp call-ups

2 months ago | bbc.com | Sara Orchard

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, David is joint top of the try-scoring standings in PWR this season with 17 Millie David, Charlotte Fray, Jade Shekells and Sarah Parry have all been called into the England training squad for the first time before the Women's Six Nations. Forty-two players have been named, however only 24 women will be available to attend all training camps before the tournament starts. England open the Six Nations at home to Italy in York, on Sunday, 23 March.
Premiership Women's Rugby: Final round Red Roses rivalries

2 months ago | bbc.com | Sara Orchard

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Harlequins' Ellie Kildunne (centre) and Gloucester-Hartpury's Emma Sing (right) will face each other in the final round of this season's Premiership Women's RugbyPremiership Women's Rugby: Gloucester-Hartpury v HarlequinsVenue: Kingsholm Stadium Date: Friday, 21 February Kick-off: 19:45 GMTCoverage: Live streaming on iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and appThis Premiership Women's Rugby season has never just been about the race for the trophy.
RFU: Bill Sweeney bonus defended by former senior official

Jan 10, 2025 | bbc.com | Sara Orchard

The bonus scheme under which Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney received an extra £358,000 in the same year the body recorded losses and cut jobs has been defended by a former senior official. Genevieve Shore, the ex-chair of the RFU's remuneration committee, says she is "extremely comfortable" with the scheme. With an increased salary of £742,000, Sweeney was paid a total of £1.1m in the 2023-24 financial year.