2nd Dec'07 - Derby's Ladies XV make it 3 wins out of 3 games with today's 15 - 05 home win over Mellish Ladies XV.

Here's the Match Report and Photographs from the game. Pictured right are the Derby Ladies team after the game.

4th Nov'07 - Congratulations to our Derby Ladies Seniors XV who won 41 - 22 against Market Rasen Ladies today. Here's the Match Report and  Photographs from the game.

Next Saturday sees the Ladies away to Stafford Ladies, kickoff is 11am.

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28th Sept'07 - Women more used to being caked in mud, windswept and in a scrum enjoyed a treat thanks to hair salon owner Sally Montague. She volunteered her team of stylists to do a makeover on Derby's women rugby players - tackling 12 all at once. Wendy Roberts watched the transformations.

It took just three hours to transform a bunch of muddy rugby players into a gaggle of glamorous girls.

Stylists worked to achieve catwalk looks and make-up artists added their finishing touches to the team.

When the mammoth makeover came to a close, the sportswomen from Derby sipped champagne to celebrate their new styles.

But, an hour into the party, the women dashed off to keep a previous engagement - on the pitch.

Despite their luxury makeovers, members of the University of Derby Women's Rugby Club and Derby Rugby Club's new ladies' team ditched their stylish new looks for a not-to-be-missed weekly training session.

"We were so delighted with our makeover," smiled Claire McGinley, who plays for both teams. "It was just a shame that we had to rush off and go training. "But we all looked fabulous for a couple of hours," she said. "And that's all that mattered. We had so much fun, too. "We had a training session and we didn't want to miss it. And, while we all felt glamorous, we had a great time. We loved our new looks. It was an amazing experience. We were all talking about it." When Derby stylist Sally Montague invited the rugby girls for a complimentary makeover, they all leapt at the chance. Used to spending their spare time caked in mud and wearing figure-hiding, unfashionable rugby shirts, both teams were keen to take part.

Photographs courtesy of the Derby Telegraph

Many of the players juggled their busy schedules to take up the offer at Sally Montague's newest salon, The Old Hall, in St Peter's Churchyard.

Three stylists and two make-up artists from the salon gave up their free time to take part in the event, which marks the start of the rugby season.

Stylists Ryan Parkinson, 24, Lizzie Fox, 23, and Sinead Daley, 20, worked on the women and make-up artists Hannah Grace and Hannah White, from Avalon, the salon's luxury spa, also joined in.

They all worked to give the girls a new look. Many were treated to new haircuts and styles and each of the women had their make-up applied.

Claire, 24, a final-year student at the University of Derby, loved the makeover. She has played rugby since coming to the city to study and was thrilled that the team were treated so well.

When she signed up for an occupational therapy course, Claire also joined the university's women's rugby club.

"I've been captain for the last two years," she said, "and it's been marvellous. I've enjoyed playing women's rugby.

"Before coming to university, I hadn't played. But it's a fantastic sport. I'm in my final year now but I won't stop playing.

"I've joined the new ladies' team at Derby Rugby Club, which, by the way, needs more members and sponsorship.

"When I finish my degree, I plan to stay in Derby, even though I'm originally from Ireland."

Claire has already been in the limelight this year but not for her impressive rugby performances. She won the 24th Rose of Tralee heat in Derby.

"I've had a great year," she beamed. "I got all dressed up for that event and now I've had this wonderful makeover by Sally Montague.

"We were all so pleased. Some of the girls had completely new hair-dos and looked amazing.

"I didn't want mine cutting because I like it long but the girls styled it beautifully. We all had a great time.

"It was fab for all the rugby girls to get together in this way. We're so used to looking grubby and muddy, this was a huge treat."

Kat Grundy, who played for the university but has now switched to Derby Rugby Club, thoroughly enjoyed the three-hour makeover session.

"I'm not a girlie girl and I never wear make-up, but it was fantastic," said the 20-year-old, of Derby.

"It was so brilliant. I had my hair cut and make-up done. It was lovely. It was such a treat to receive an expensive haircut. We were all thrilled.

"I've never been so pampered in my life. I was truly spoiled."

After the makeover session, the girls were whisked by taxi to Limes Bar and Restaurant, in Friar Gate, for a champagne reception.

"It was a fantastic afternoon," said Kat. "We did have to rush off for a training session but that didn't stop us having fun.

"We all had a glass of champagne and then we said our goodbyes. We all looked great."

Sally Montague said: "I met Claire McGinley when I judged the Rose of Tralee event this year. I was really surprised when she told me about being captain of a women's rugby team.

"I decided it would be great if we could give the team a makeover. It was a mammoth task organising the event but I have a great team here. The staff gave up their own time to come in and do this.

"The girls from the team were such good fun. I really hope that we've helped them to raise awareness about women's rugby."

Words and Photographs courtesy of the Derby Telegraph

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14th Sep'07 - Ladies Rugby kicked off at Derby RFC on the 14th Sep'07 at the Lexus Rugby Festival Shirt Handover evening. Demonstration games took place which included Players from Derby RFC, Derby University, Melbourne RFC and Stafford RFC. Photographs from the games can be found in the Ladies Photo Gallery page.

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