The headlines last week covered the third round of the Six Nations, an escalating controversy with the IRFU and buildup to #USA7s.
As a reminder, we are doing weekly posts recapping the top women’s rugby news. Can’t wait a week? Join us on Twitter or on our Facebook page as we will be posting daily.
QU Women’s Rugby Places Seven On 2016 NIRA All-American Team https://t.co/EHlpcIMYFd
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 18, 2017
Seven members of the 2016 National Champion Quinnipiac women’s rugby team were honored by the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) as All-Americans for the 2016 season.
Mason Johnson (Olympia, Washington), Ilona Maher (Burlington, Vermont), Maggie Myles (Emmitsburg, Maryland), Flora Poole (Christchurch, New Zealand), Emily Roskopf (Pleasanton, California) and Hailey Wyatt (Breckenridge, Colorado) all earned All-American status for the second consecutive year while Tayler Schussler (Westminster, Maryland) received honorable mention for the first time in her career.
BREAKING: Marywood Athletics to add men’s and women’s rugby teams https://t.co/tsZTt0nZeZ
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 19, 2017
Marywood University is starting a rugby program including a men and women’s team in the 2018 to 2019 academic year. A nationwide search to hire a full-time rugby coach will commence immediately with hopes of hiring the coach by mid-2017 for a full year to recruit prospective student-athletes to the teams. The coach will also enhance the Sports Information office by serving as a Assistant Sports Information Director.
Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Australia’s Dan Vickerman, who has passed away at the age of 37 pic.twitter.com/PsgfbGpDQB
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) February 19, 2017
RIP Dan Vickerman of Australia
Brazil win South American title – again https://t.co/pQBxUJL5i7
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 20, 2017
Brazil dominated South America 7s, reaching the final with ease and only finally conceding a try when the title was all-but won. Brazil had big wins over Uruguay, Venezuela and Paraguay on their way to the final.
Korea win Asia Development 7s https://t.co/U16qUBXQ9U
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 21, 2017
South Korea have won Asia’s Development 7s in Vientiane, Laos. This is Asia’s annual Development Sevens which brings together the continent’s rising rugby nations, and also acts as a qualification tournament for the senior championship series. This year seven teams took part: South Korea, India, Philippines, Malaysia, Laos, Nepal, and Pakistan.
Meet Pakistan’s rising female stars https://t.co/SRQZN7cjAs
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 21, 2017
A quick video gives us more insight into Pakistan’s new women’s rugby team.
Unbeaten in Okinawa, Falcons win invitational Cup https://t.co/2dUUDhhbFv
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 21, 2017
The USA Falcons, a USA developmental team went undefeated through six matches to win the Cup at the Okinawa Sevens invitational tournament. The tournament included two Japanese teams, Netherlands and development teams from the USA, France and Australia.
Reports in Ireland say Sene Naoupu, Alison Miller & Hannah Tyrrell pulled from the 6N clash v France to focus on 7s https://t.co/6Yikq6fUou
— Scrumqueens #wrugby (@ScrumQueens) February 21, 2017
There seems to be quite a bit boiling under the surface over in Ireland and the news that Sene Naoupu, Alison Miller and Hannah Tyrrell have been pulled from the Six Nations squad has only fueled the fire. Many are questioning why in a 15s World Cup year would these players be pulled for the HSBC 7s Tournament?
Has 15’s in Ireland been kicked to touch? #womensrugby https://t.co/sayubCjsR4
— Irish WRU Supporters (@COYGIG15) February 22, 2017
An opinion piece about the IRFU and their lack of consistency in choosing experienced players vs capping as many as possible. Includes the below chart:
A quick overview of the number of caps handed out since 2015 – the facts speak for themselves! pic.twitter.com/eag8nHQAbp
— Irish WRU Supporters (@COYGIG15) February 25, 2017
‘We’re not disrespecting the Six Nations’: IRFU defend decision to withdraw three key players https://t.co/guMKGUfsNM
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 24, 2017
Then this. Anthony Eddy, the IRUF’s director of women’s and sevens rugby, has explained his decision to withdraw three key players from Ireland’s Six Nations squad. He insists that it won’t weaken Ireland for Sunday’s game and stressed that it would give others opportunities, a word which was used repeatedly.
He also said that Tierney was in full agreement with the decision.
“It was always the plan, we knew a long time ago that there would be difficulty during this time to manage the squad,” he said.
“Tom and I sat down months ago around this and looked at sort of strategising and what we believed was best around development opportunities as well as having some success.
Good stuff from @CoghlanFiona on the issue from today’s @IndoSport https://t.co/dUp6laKLl2
— Rúaidhrí O’Connor (@RuaidhriOC) February 25, 2017
Fiona Coghlan weighs in on the IRFU controversy – “We don’t want to be jacks of all trades and masters of none – and longer form should be priority in year we are hosting World Cup”.
Experienced Black Ferns Sevens team looks for consistency in Las Vegas #USA7s https://t.co/4tJDOyEXVr
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 22, 2017
“Our goals for Las Vegas are consistency and continuity. When the team plays with their heart and smarts they have proven to be hard to beat; we need to ensure that we bring that focus to every game,” said Head Coach Allan Bunting. The team from Sydney remains largely unchanged except for the addition of Cheyelle Robins-Reti.
Atavus is searching for a Marketing Director and Accounting/Auditing Intern. Two ends of the spectrum but check out the open positions!
1 in 4 suffer from mental health issues in any given year. Sportsmen and women are no different. Don’t suffer in silence. #LiftTheWeight pic.twitter.com/JCHhWJhKes
— The RPA (@theRPA) February 19, 2017
The Rugby Players Association (RPA) have launched a new campaign aimed at removing stigma surrounding mental health and providing support to those that need it. #LiftTheWeight
Women of Greece taking to the rugby field | Neos Kosmos https://t.co/XbEb2rKscK
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 22, 2017
Rugby in Greece relatively unknown sitting well behind football, basketball and volleyball in terms of popularity. However the sport is growing and Panathinaikos rugby club player/coach Lina Norman is leading the charge.
Job Vacancy: Communications Manager at Premiership Rugby | Premiership Rugby https://t.co/Kiru6Oxo8y
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) February 23, 2017
Premiership Rugby is searching for a Communications Manager!
Korea win Asia Development 7s | ScrumQueens https://t.co/DkGlSvNtot
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 24, 2017
Scrum
Lineout
Tackle
Ruck
Grubber
TRY
RUGBY#7NamesFor7NewPlanets pic.twitter.com/cTpz4obrJi— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 24, 2017
When #7NamesFor7NewPlanets was trending last week…we played along!
Round 3 predictions! #SCOvWAL will be a tight affair but we’re going with history and @WelshRugbyUnion. #wrugby https://t.co/YZAxLPEkq1
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 24, 2017
Round 3 predictions! #ENGvITA may mean more than 11 tries for England as they take this one easily. #wrugby https://t.co/YZAxLPEkq1
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 24, 2017
Round 3 predictions! #IREvFRA will be the toughest match of the weekend & we put the edge with @IrishRugby #wrugby https://t.co/YZAxLPEkq1
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 24, 2017
Our Round 3 predictions!
Skill levels in rugby union ‘miles behind other professional sports’ https://t.co/t4aLTlZo9z
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 25, 2017
Skill levels in international rugby union are ‘miles behind’ other professional sports, claims Welsh Rugby Union consultant Ben Ryan.
Law’s late penalty seals historic Scottish victory #SixNations https://t.co/bvFngF7Ri2
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 24, 2017
Of course Scotland had to ruin our prediction game (see above) but what a way to end a seven year drought.
Tough call…McLean will be out for at least the next match or more after JO reviews. https://t.co/Vb0BWV0lVd
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 25, 2017
A very controversial red card was given to England’s Katy McLean. She will miss the next match and the disciplinary committee could rule with more time off.
If a red card will teach a player to get lower in a tackle, im on board. These kind of tackles have the ability to shorten a players career https://t.co/Bq9m8wvOk7
— Jen kish (@jen_kish) February 25, 2017
Jen Kish weighs in with a great point…
FT ENG 29 ITA 15. ENG looked to run away in 2nd half but a red and yellow card slowed them down. #RBS6Nations
— YSC #WRugby (@yscrugby) February 25, 2017
A yellow and red card slowed England down but they still overcame Italy in Round 3.
🗒 MATCH REPORT | #RedRoses secure bonus point win over Italy at The Stoop. Here’s how they did it: https://t.co/IfuUa3q1j5 pic.twitter.com/sTy540ggvW
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 25, 2017
Match report from England rugby.