Rugby Journal Magazine Issue 17 Back Issue

Jaz Joyce reflects on a tough moment when she nearly gave up on rugby and how lockdown led her to sprint through Tesco to keep her mind occupied. Northampton Saints take us behind the scenes at Franklin’s Gardens, sharing the history of the club from its humble beginnings next to a bear pit to its current standing. Trevor Leota, former Wasps and Samoa hooker, shares his ongoing passion for the game while also working to tackle the rise in youth suicides.
We explore Poland Rugby’s inspirational journey, spurred by wartime history, as they edge closer to Europe’s second tier with a win over Germany, and Alev Kelter’s journey to becoming a USA international is nothing short of epic. Meanwhile, Cinderford RFC, the heart of rugby in the Forest of Dean, continues to defy the odds, with early challenges in National One under coach Clive Stuart-Smith.
Nolli Waterman talks about teaching Exeter Chief full-back Phil Dolman a lesson on the pitch and why Matt Perry was a big fan of her dad, and we look at Gill Burns’ impact on Lancashire Rugby and how she helped build a northern powerhouse for women’s rugby, despite the hurdles of the past. Finally, we hear the story of two Ugandan refugees who starred at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and Richmond Women’s battle against Bath.