Under the Posts – Women’s Rugby News for Jul 12-18

Welcome to the top women’s rugby news for July 12-18. World Rugby has announced new trial law amendments that will begin in August. These have a specific focus on the women’s game and this is important because there is little research around injury, recovery, concussion, menstruation, etc.

In XVs news, Madagascar has moved up to 27th place in the World Rugby Rankings which is is their highest placement ever, Uganda beat Zimbabwe twice in the Rugby Africa Cup, Border Ladies upset DHL Western for the Premier Division Championship and the Dr Farah Palmer Cup kicked off with victories by Canterbury, Auckland and Wellington.

Kenya will play Colombia in their Rugby World Cup repechage qualifier on August 28, European qualifiers between Italy, Ireland, Scotland & Spain will more than likely be a round-robin in September and Asia qualifiers between Japan, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan will be in October.

In 7s news, Australia is reeling from their Olympic selections where Ellia Green isn’t rostered and Asia has announced a full slate of 7s events beginning in September.

We close out the week with 2 articles in “Other News”, 12 features and 3 media.

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tl;dr: Under the Posts – Women’s Rugby News for July 12-18 – World Rugby focuses on new law amendments that specifically address the women’s game, Kenya and Colombia will play their Rugby World Cup Repechage match on August 28, Asia Qualifiers will be in October & Europe Qualifiers will be in September.

Video Summary

Featured Women’s Rugby News

World Rugby has announced welfare-focused initiatives within a package of law amendments that will be trialled globally in competitions that start after 1 August, 2021, reflecting the sport’s ongoing commitment to injury reduction at all levels.

In an open letter to all members, World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont set out his commitment specifically to women’s rugby saying:

“Women’s rugby is growing globally at a rapid pace and in line with the transformational 2017-25 World Rugby Women in Rugby strategy, we recognise that women’s rugby can and should follow its own path, and not just copy what is done in the men’s game.

“We will have a dedicated focus on the women’s game embedded within the laws review process to ensure the game is all it can be for women and girls

We will advance and act upon dedicated injury surveillance within the women’s game to reduce the risk of injury

We will act upon the outcomes of the Otago University Head Impact study and work undertaken by the University of Swansea to implement women specific injury prevention programmes

We will increase our research investment in the women’s game in addition to annual injury surveillance

We will implement the HIA process at women’s Rugby World Cup and explore feasibility of technology trials to aid the identification, prevention and management of concussion.”

Top Women’s Rugby News

XVs

• Madagascar has moved up to 27th place after they completed a double victory over Kenya
• Uganda beat Zimbabwe twice in the Rugby Africa Cup
• Border Ladies took the title over DHL Western in the Premier Division Championship
• Canterbury, Auckland and Wellington recorded victories in the first round of the Dr Farah Palmer Cup
• Kenya will play Colombia in their Rugby World Cup repechage qualifier on August 28
• Asia Championships between Japan, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan will be in October
• Scrum Queens reporting that European World Cup Qualifier between Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Spain will be a round-robin tournament September 5-19
• Ireland has announced the Energia All-Ireland League fixtures which begin on September 25

7s

• Poland won the U18 Europe trophy
• Australia is reeling from their Olympic selections (no Ellia Green) and their recent lackluster Oceania matches
• Asia has announced a full slate of events beginning in September

Other News

• Leicester Tigers will launch a women’s team in the new season as part of a new women’s and girls’ rugby program
• USA’s Kat Roche becomes first female center referee in Major League Rugby history

Women’s Rugby Features

• New Zealand’s Portia Woodman’s credits partner and fellow Black Ferns star Renee Wickliffe support during her comeback from injury
• World Rugby looks at the most capped Barbarians, list includes Wasps’ Swedish winger Tova Derk & former Black Ferns prop Steph Te Ohaere-Fox
• Women’s Rugby Coaching release another print featuring New Zealand’s Alice Soper, DMP Sharks, Rugby Academy at Henley College & Ealing Trailfinders & Eamonn Hogan
• New Zealand’s Kendra Cocksedge’s decision to not retire is paying off
• England’s Poppy Cleal reflects on a wild last 12 months
• USA’s Alev Kelter is preparing for a second Olympic run and talks with Team USA & Sports Illustrated
• How Rio win inspired Australia’s Sariah Paki to try sport
• USA’s Kris Thomas shares her thoughts with only days until they play
• England’s Will Broderick shares his path to coaching the Brazil 7s women’s team
• USA’s Nicole Heavirland shares why she is so proud to represent her hometown in Tokyo

Women’s Rugby Media

• Royal London spoke to Josh Adams, Tadhg Beirne and Iain Henderson to discuss the potential of a future Women’s Lions team
• USA’s Naya Tapper shared ‘What’s in my suitcase’
• New Zealand’s Shiray Kaka shares a touching video what it means to be on the Olympic squad after multiple grueling surgeries and having to leave her husband half a world away