Nomads Triumphant
The Nomads arrived back in the UK from their South African Tour, with a double victory under their belts. Their first win played as the curtain- raiser to the Nelson Mandela 90th birthday tribute test match between SA V Argentina played at Ellis Park, they just managing to hold off a strong second half revival by the South African women, winning 34 -40. The Nomads went on to post a 0-29 win over SA in their second match played prior to SA v NZ tri-nations match at Newlands. Welsh international Non Evans with 24 points from her boot was the tours top scorer.
“This was a fantastic tour for us and let us showcase the Women’s game. We were delighted to be invited and the SARU looked after us really well” said Fiona Stockley, Nomads team manager.
16/8/08, Newlands, Cape Town, SA
South Africa Women 0 – 29 Nomads
9/8/08, Ellis Park, Johannesburg, SA
South Africa Women 34 – 40 Nomads

Photo copyright of Steve Hagg of BackPageSport.com
Background to the Nomads:
The Nomads are an invitation women's XV, who fulfil high profile fixtures regularly against England A and the Home Nations and other international touring sides.
The Nomad select side started life as a Premiership All Stars XV who played against England A when there were insufficient teams from the Five Nations to provide regular opposition. Since then the full England Women’s XV regularly play the same teams as the Men’s International Six Nations, save that Spain are the sixth country and not Italy.
The Nomads have developed over the period of time in so far as it is now a pre-requisite to have a full international cap before you can play for the team. Currently they are able to pick from players from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Samoa, USA and Canada.
The Nomads were strong enough to beat England A twice this year 27-12 & 24-15 at London Irish ARFC. The second game had The Nomads boasting 892 full caps between them all. Tries were scored by the full back Lucy Millard, scrum half Donna Kennedy (2) (both Scotland), Susie Appleby (England) with two conversions the fly half Karen Andrew (England). In January 2007 the Nomads were strong enough to overcome Wales in their warm up game for the Six Nations 19-12. They went on to beat the USA Eagles too 24-0 in December 2007.
England A won the 2008 European Cup beating Wales. England A can only benefit from playing such strong opposition on a regular basis. The Women’s game has benefited much by the work put in by Fiona and her colleagues in developing such a strong invitation XV in England.
Steve Hagg of BackPageSport.com
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