Women’s Rugby Update – Dec 13-19

Welcome to the top women’s rugby news for Dec 13-19. 62 current and former Irish players wrote to their government to express their loss of all trust and confidence in the IRFU. By the end of the week there was a huge shift in tone from the IRFU and they announced they will publish the two ongoing independent reviews. 

In 7s news, we learned more about Malaga 7s in Spain. This will be Spain’s debut as a host nation on January 21-23 with 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams participating. 

In domestic XVs news, we check on the Kenya Cup, Allianz Premier 15s, Elite 1 and Iberdrola standings. 

We close out the week with 14 features and 8 media.

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tl;dr: Women’s Rugby in 60 secs – Dec 13-19 saw 62 current and former Irish players write to their government expressing their loss of all trust and confidence in the IRFU and we learned more about Spain’s debut as a host nation for Malaga 7s on January 21-23, 2022.

Featured Women’s Rugby Stories

Late last week 62 current and former Irish players wrote to the Ireland government that they had lost their trust and confidence in the IRFU. The strong group of influential figures includes Ireland legends like Fiona Coghlan, Lynne Cantwell, Claire Molloy and Alison Miller, as well as recently retired Ireland captain Ciara Griffin, and leading current internationals such as Cliodhna Moloney, Sene Naoupu, Linda Djougang, and Eimear Considine.

The government responded on Wednesday as Minister for State with responsibility for Sport Jack Chambers saying he was “disappointed” with elements of the IRFU’s response. Chambers and Minister Martin hope to meet a delegation from the group of 59 players next week, before speaking to the IRFU.

By Friday, the IRFU confirmed that it intends to fully publish the two independent reviews currently being undertaken into women’s rugby. 

These women have banded and stood together and are making change. We’re with you!

Top Women’s Rugby Stories

XVs

International

• New Zealand’s leading sports media and influential figures from ‘The Big Four’ global sporting events – Rugby World Cup 2021, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, IWG World Conference on Women & Sport and the FIFA Women’s World Cup – gathered together at Eden Park last week to discuss what will be a momentous year for women’s sport

Domestic

• Round 2 of Kenya’s Cup saw Yamanashi Impala Saracens move to the top of the table with Mwamba and Topfry Nakuru following
• Saracens match against Sale was postponed so even with their loss against Loughborough, Bristol remains on top of the table for Allianz Premier 15s
• Stade Toulousain had a tight match against Stade Français Paris wining by one point and they remain at the top of the table in Elite 1
• The semifinals are set in Hong Kong’s Premiership with Societe Generale Valley RFC vs DAC Kowloon Ladies and Kroll USRC Tigers Ladies vs Gai Wu Falcons on January 8
• CR Majadahonda leads Iberdrola by two points over U.S Sevilla CR while Avia Eibar RT and Olympic of Poz. chase

7s

• Following a thrilling double header at the Emirates Dubai 7s, which saw South Africa men and Australia women take home the silverware, attention now turns to Spain where Malaga will host the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series for the first time
• England Sevens will return to the World Series in both the men’s and women’s competition in Malaga after Great Britain Sevens competed in the opening two rounds in Dubai, as part of the standing agreement to play the calendar year 2021
• Sanctioned by USA Rugby and the USA Rugby Collegiate Council, National Collegiate Championships Rugby 7s (NCCR7s) will serve as the official national championship tournament event for both men’s and women’s collegiate 7s. NCCR7s will be broadcast live on NBC and CNBC, with additional coverage streamed on Peacock

Other News

• Former England full-back Danielle Waterman has launched a new players’ union for women in the Premier 15s; the Women’s Rugby Association (WRA) will provide legal, medical and welfare support

Women’s Rugby Features

• The family of Scotland’s Siobhan Cattigan have set-up a JustGiving page as they aim to raise “£5,000 to create a legacy(ies) in Siobhan’s name to go towards causes she was passionate about and ensure her name lives on”
• Argentina’s Laureana Pappaterra is hoping to return to refereeing soon, after breaking multiple barriers in the game in her country
• USA’s Phaidra Knight is building a lasting legacy with her endeavors in coaching, fashion, broadcasting, philanthropy and more
• England’s Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt describes the amazing journey she has been on through her jersey collection
• Stella Mills on the newly formed The Women’s Rugby Association…is it a turning point for the game?
• Guyana’s Carrin Carter’s small size has always caused a little bit of a shockwave when people find out she plays rugby
• In male dominated wheelchair rugby, Sarah Adam and Liz Dunn look to make U.S. history
• Former England rugby star Dr. Karen Jones is now helping try to save lives in the Emergency Department at Worcestershire Royal Hospital
• England’s Emily Scarratt hopes Red Roses autumn success will inspire more women to take up rugby
• The Rugby Journal shares former player and now co-founder of the Women’s Rugby Association Polly Barnes’ journey
• South American Women’s groundbreaking women’s coaching academy closes 2021 on a high
• Ireland’s Lynne Cantwell: ‘Women representing all of sport will ultimately lead to better decisions’
• Black Fern Risi Pouri-Lane has represented New Zealand in three sports, but she’s found her true calling in sevens

Women’s Rugby Media

• Andrea is World Rugby next #YouthUnstoppables guest
• Women’s Rugby Pod is back with Episode 14 featuring Johnnie Hammond, Rachael Burford and World Rugby Player of the Year Zoe Aldcroft
• Black Fern Anna Richards reflects on her remarkable career in rugby which continues today, after becoming the first female to win the prestigious Steinlager Salver
• Off the Ball isn’t pulling any punches with the IRFU’s lack of empathy and response to the growing crisis
• RTÉ Rugby podcast also covers the IRFU crisis
• Try Hards has a special pod with newly minted CEO of Women’s Rugby Association, Natasha Hunt