UK SL 2027

The game in the UK/Europe will feature fifteen teams for the 2027 season. It's the highest number of clubs to ever feature in the competition. Some may complain that there isn't enough talent to support the number but to me, that's simply not true. 

Last year, when SL went from twelve to fourteen clubs, the same whinging was heard. Yet the new teams with squads mainly made up of lower division players acquitted themselves well. When London presumably does the same, hopefully descenters will cease their moaning. 

The talent is there, sometimes it needs an opportunity. In any sport, there are good players who don't quite make the top of the sport. All some players need is a chance, and having more clubs will provide that. I'm really looking forward to the expanded competition. 

The one negative is that two SL clubs receive half the funding and one of them has to pay transport costs to all visiting teams as well. Another club with full funding also pays travel expenses for visitors. All clubs should pay for their own travel. It is nothing short of disgusting that it doesn't happen. 

The new side into SL in 2027 will get no funding at all! A better media deal will hopefully address the funding imbalance that is the blight of the UK game. I wonder if the clubs will ever agree to a financially equal playing field for all participating teams. 

So happy days for having fifteen clubs, but boo to the funding inequality that has come with it. The issue isn't player quality but insufficient revenue. 

World Cup 2026 : Finals (Wheelchair)

The finals are in one post. First up, the play off places, the semi finals and then the grand final. 

Semi Finals:

Wales 64-36 NZ. Third from Group A played fourth from Group B. In an entertaining match, the scores were surprisingly tied 24-24 at the half time. Wales then pulled away to win convincingly.

Scotland 44-12 USA. Third from Group B played fourth from Group A. In the lowest scoring match of the tournament, Scotland led 28-6 at half time. The US struggled to turn opportunity into points. Things evened up a bit in the second half.

France 82-26 Ireland. Ireland got a good start to the match but by half time, it was 32-12 to France. The expected result was achieved and France make their fourth consecutive WC final.

England 86:18 Australia. England came out of the blocks with haste and raced away with the game. 40-6 at half time and it was game over for Australia. England will now have played in all five WC finals. 

Finals:

NZ 30-26 USA. In the seventh/eighth place match, it was as close a game as you could expect. NZ got a try on half time to lead 20-16 and went on to win their first WC match. The USA had 60% of the possession but struggled to turn that into points, missing out narrowly on some scoring opportunities. 

Wales 52-30 Scotland. In the fifth/sixth place match, Wales took control early but Scotland kept them honest by coming back and keeping the score respectable. 28-10 was the half time score in Wales' favour.

Australia 70-24 Ireland. In the third/fourth place match, it had the makings of a close encounter but Australia raced away to a 40-4 half time lead. Ireland had a brief period of success but it was always going to be a one sided scoreline.

England 50-38 France. In the first/second place match, England soon led 10-0 but france came back to lead 22-10 after 30 minutes. Game on. England turn to come back and led 28-22 at the break. England were never headed abain and went on with the job. A fine exhibition of the art. 

For video match highlights, simply click here. 
The official site videos can be accessed by clicking here.

World Cup 2026 : Finals (Women)

The finals are in one post. First up, the semi finals and then the grand final. 

NZ 32-0 Samoa. The Kiwis took an 8-0 lead in at the break, making the important plays and Samoa hanging on. Samoa tired in the second period and NZ won comfortably. Samoa defended well but that's virtually all they were doing. 

Australia 30-14 Fiji. Fiji jumped out to a surprising 8-0 lead. It was 8-8 at the turn around and the Jillaroos pulled away. The game was tight, the score was a bit flattering to the hosts. The message is to take the game to Australia and they can be contained. Doing it for 70 minutes is the challenge. 

Grand Final: 

Australia - NZ.

For video match highlights and post match interviews, simply click here. 
The official site videos can be accessed by clicking here.