Sweden continued their preparations for Women's Rugby
World Cup 2010 with a second victory in three days - 29-0 over
Germany - at the European Women's Trophy in France.
The victory, allied with a 32-0 defeat of Russia on Saturday,
means that Sweden are yet to concede a point in the eight-team
competition and will now face Italy on Wednesday for the right to
make the final as Pool B winners.
This match takes on an added twist as Sweden beaten the
Italians 16-14 in last year's Trophy en route to qualifying for
the World Cup, so Italy will be eager for revenge at the 100 days
to go milestone until the showpiece tournament.
Jennifer Lindholm scored the last gasp match winner that day
on her international debut and the wing crossed for the opening two
tries in Sweden's victory over Russia on Saturday.
Sweden captain Ulrika Andersson-Hall scored her side's
first and fourth tries in the first half against Germany with Anna
Larsson and Sara Åkerman also touching down. Replacement Sofia
Torstensson added the only points after the break.
Spain remain unbeaten
Italy have been equally impressive, their back three crossing
for five of their seven tries in a 43-0 defeat of Germany with full
back Manuela Furlan and left wing Maria Diletta Veronese grabbing
braces.
Veronese was again a try-scorer in the victory over Russia,
but this time it was right wing Chiara Castellarin grabbing a brace
with hooker Germana Raponi and centre Elisa Rochas the other try
scorers for Italy.
Spain, who Sweden also defeated in their successful
Women's Rugby World Cup qualifying campaign on home soil last
May, are the only unbeaten side in Pool A after beating hosts
France A 22-5 in Verdun on Monday.
Isabel Rodríguez opened the scoring in the sixth minute and
the scrum half crossed the try-line for the second time within
minutes of France A wing Alexandra Pertus levelled the scores at
5-5.
The sin-binning of prop Céline Barthelemy, one of five
members of the France A pack who played in this year's
Women's Six Nations, in the 32nd minute, though, proved
decisive.
World Cup bound officials
Bárbara Plá, who along with Rodriguez played at Women's
Rugby World Cup 2006 in Canada, crossed within a minute of the
sin-binning and by the time Barthelemy returned Spain led 22-5
following Angela del Pan's try.
The Netherlands had lost 26-5 to Spain in their opening
match, but bounced back in style with an emphatic 74-0 defeat of
Belgium. They crossed for six tries in each half with wing Elke van
Meer claiming a hat-trick and Rita Wiri and replacement Lusan
Beijens both scoring twice.
This was Belgium's second heavy loss of the tournament,
having also conceded 12 tries against France A two days earlier,
hooker Milena Soloch scoring a hat-trick and fly half Nadège
Casenave also claiming a first half brace.
It is not only Sweden, though, who have an eye on the
Women's Rugby World Cup this week with three of the referees on
the match official panel for the 20 August to 5 September
tournament.
Canadian officials Joyce Henry and Sherry Trumbull are two of
seven females named as referees for the World Cup, while Barbara
Guastini of Italy will be one of three specialist Assistant
Referees.
