Women’s Rugby in 60 secs – Nov 22-28

Welcome to the top women’s rugby news in under 60 seconds for Nov 22-28. Big news from World Rugby this week and we’ll be looking down at our notes so we get it all right! 

First the Final Qualification Tournament for the 2021 Rugby World Cup will take place in Dubai on February 18 and 24. Scotland, Samoa, Colombia and the winner of the Hong Kong v Kazakhstan play-off will compete for the last remaining place in Pool A.

Second, they awarded exclusive preferred candidate status for future Rugby World Cups. 2025 (women’s) will be in England, 2027 (men’s) goes to Australia, 2029 (women’s) has “a number of interested parties with ongoing discussions” and 2031 (men’s) will more than likely go to the USA. 

Third, World Rugby approved a birthright amendment for players to transfer unions. This was a direct demand of Daniel Leo’s Pacific Rugby Welfare organization. Congratulations!

In 7s news, Australia beat Fiji 22-7 in the Dubai Cup final while France took third over Russia 40-0. 

We close out the week with all the domestic competition standings, 8 features and 3 media.

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tl;dr: Women’s Rugby in 60 secs for Nov 22-28 saw World Rugby announce the Final Qualification Tournament for the 2021 Rugby World Cup, they awarded future Rugby World Cup hosts, approved a birthright amendment for players to transfer unions and we reveal the winners of the first Dubai 7s.

60 Second Video Update

Top Women’s Rugby Stories

XVs

International

• The Barbarians put on a spectacular display beating South Africa 60-5; the match was broadcast on BBC1 with a record breaking 1.15 million tuning in
• The Final Qualification Tournament for the 2021 Rugby World Cup will be in Dubai on February 18 and 24; Scotland, Samoa, Colombia and the winner of the Hong Kong v Kazakhstan play-off will compete for the final place in Pool A
• World Rugby awarded exclusive Preferred Candidate status for future Rugby World Cups: 2025 (women’s) will be in England, 2027 goes to Australia, 2029 has “a number of interested parties with ongoing discussions” and 2031 will more than likely go to the USA.
  • Future Rugby World Cups / Olympic Hosts
    • New Zealand – 2021 (played in 2022 women)
    • South Africa – 2022 (7s)
    • France – 2023 (men)
    • Paris – 2024 (Olympics)
    • England – 2025 (women)
    • TBC – 2026 – (7s)
    • Australia – 2027 (men)
    • Los Angeles – 2028 (Olympics)
    • TBC – 2029 (women)
    • TBC – 2030 (7s)
    • USA favored – 2031 (men)
    • Brisbane – 2032 (Olympics)
• World Rugby approves birthright amendment for players to transfer unions
• Brittany Mitchell takes a deep dive into the upcoming year for Australia and if they are ready…

Domestic

• Railway continues to lead Ireland’s AIL but is closely chased by UL Bohemian, Old Belvedere and Blackrock
  • QFs (Jan 8) are beginning to take shape:
    • Wicklow v Ballincollig
    • Queen’s University v Galwegians
    • Railway Union v Blackrock College
    • Old Belvedere/UL Bohemians v Cooke
• Societe Generale Valley RFC is still on top of Hong Kong’s Premiership but is pursued by Kroll USRC Tigers, DAC Kowloon, Natixis HKFC Ice and Gai Wu Falcons
• Stade Toulousain commands France’s Elite 1 with 20 points while ASM Romagnat is within striking distance
• Bristol continues their winning streak in Allianz Premier 15s but is stalked by Saracens, Harlequins and Exeter
• Kenya’s Cup has kicked off with wins from Yamanashi Impala Saracens and Mwamba

7s

• Australia defeated Fiji 22-7 for the Cup, France beat Russia 40-0 for third, Great Britain outlasted Brazil 22-21 for fifth, USA breezed past Canada 17-7 for seventh and Ireland blasted Spain 31-14 for ninth
• USA promoted Director of Women’s Rugby Emilie Bydwell to head coach

Women’s Rugby Features

• After England put on 239 points across four Autumn fixtures, head coach Simon Middleton believes the Red Roses did not just up their standards, but those of women’s rugby as a whole
• World Rugby has approved the the Mongolian Rugby Football Union as a full member
• Abigail Mnikwa is using her passion for rugby to inspire female leaders in Zimbabwe
• Ireland’s Fiona Steed joins the IRFU Union Committee and she is laser focused on developing the women’s game
• England’s Rocky Clark added a third Barbarian cap to her resume and she shares a bit of her journey with Rugby Pass
• Ireland’s Adam Griggs gives a parting interview with The 42
• Bdr Bethan Dainton (RA) has become the first Army female player be selected for the Barbarians

Women’s Rugby Media

• Tackle Bag is a new series where top players are pitted against each other in weird and wonderful challenges; the first episode features England’s Natasha Hunt and Emily Scarratt
• Wales’ Florence Williams shares what her International debut means to her
• Watch all the best moments from the first leg of Dubai 7s