Women’s Rugby in 60 secs – Jan 31-Feb 6

Welcome to the top women’s rugby news in under 60 seconds for Jan 31-Feb 6. This week is dedicated to Kandis and Kathy. Let’s start by taking a closer look at the upcoming Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai. First on February 19 we will see Kazakhstan play Colombia. The victor of that match will then face Scotland on February 25. The overall winner qualifies for the 2021 Rugby World Cup and will take their place in Pool A alongside New Zealand, Australia and Wales.

In more XVs news, Niamh Briggs has been added to the Irish coaching staff ahead of the 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations while Wales announced two additional retainer player  contracts. We also take a look at round 13 of Allianz Premier 15s and the standings for France’s Elite 1 and Spain’s Iberdrola.

In “Other News”, Canada appointed an interim CEO as well as a new member of their Board of Directors while the USA Rugby Senior Club Council announced the bidding process for National Championship events in 2022 and 2023 as well as the nomination process for their Standing Committee Chairs.

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

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tl;dr: Women’s Rugby in 60 secs for Jan 31-Feb 6 looks forward to the Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai while Niamh Briggs was added to the Irish Coaching staff ahead of the 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations.

60 Second Video Update

Featured Women’s Rugby Stories

All eyes are turning to the Final Qualification Tournament  where we finally learn the twelfth team to compete in the 2021 Rugby World Cup.

Asian representatives Kazakhstan will meet South American qualifiers Colombia in the semi-final at The Sevens Stadium with the winner going forward to play top seeds Scotland in a one-off match to determine the final qualifier.

The semi-final takes place on Saturday, 19 February (kick-off 16:30 local time / 12:30 GMT), while the final is on Friday, 25 February, (kick-off 19:00 local time / 15:00 GMT).

World Rugby announced that match officials Amber McLachlan (Australia), Kat Roche (USA), Shanda Assmus (Canada) and TMO Ian Tempest (England) have all been selected to officiate the Final Qualification Tournament. 

All three teams have announced their playing rosters and the countdown begins…

Top Women’s Rugby Stories

XVs

International

• Ireland’s Niamh Briggs has been named as an assistant coach ahead of the kick-off of the 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations
• Bristol Bears full-back Kayleigh Powell and Gloucester-Hartpury second row Sisilia Tuipulotu have signed Welsh Rugby Union retainer contracts
  • The two new additions takes the number of players on the semi-professional contracts to 11, while 12 others have signed full-time contracts

Domestic

• Saracens have widened their lead at the top of the Allianz Premier 15s after round 13 but Bristol, Exeter, Harlequins, Wasps aren’t far behind
• Stade continues their dominant run in France’s Elite 1 with an unchanged table of ASM Romagnat, AC Bobigny, Stade Francais and FC Grenoble
• CR Majadahonda leads Spain’s Iberdrola with 34 points and is closely chased by U.Sevilla C.R., Olimpico de Poz., Avia Eibar RT and Comp. Cisneros

7s

• Australian’s captain Demi Hayes admits there is still plenty of improvement left in the side after their third World Series title in 2021-22
  • While their amazing on-field displays were there for all to see in Seville, it was a superb act from Australia’s players after the final, that captured the hearts of rugby fans around the world. With confetti scattered across the field after their trophy presentation, Australia’s players took it upon themselves to help out tournament organizers by cleaning up the mess.

Other News

• Canada has appointed Jamie Levchuk as interim chief executive officer
  • “The process to identify the next CEO of Rugby Canada is well under way,” stated Rugby Canada Board Chair Sally Dennis. “In the interim, we are confident that Jamie will provide the leadership required to ensure delivery of key initiatives during the first half of 2022.”
• Canada also announced that Kathleen McGinn has been appointed to the Board of Directors, effective immediately
• The USA Rugby Club Council has announced the application process for hosting a 7s or XVs event in 2022 and 2023 is open
• They also announced nominations are being accepted for Standing Committee Chairs and will close February 26
• The Texas Rugby Union announced their annual Mary Graham All Star Tournament will return December 3-4, 2022; location TBC

Women’s Rugby Features

• While she’s grateful for much in rugby, LockerRoom columnist Alice Soper says it’s time for a new attitude within the women’s game in New Zealand
• Athlone’s Anna McGann and Ballinasloe’s Béibhinn Parsons were part of the Ireland Women’s Rugby Sevens squad who earned silver medals in on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament in Seville
• As Scotland Women prepare for their Rugby World Cup 2021 qualification decider against Kazakhstan or Colombia next month, World Rugby talked to former captain Paula Chalmers about what it means to play in the tournament
• Rugby Pass talks with England’s Amy Cokayne about the changes that have helped them on an unbeaten 18 match streak
• Player poaching has started for Fijian women rugby players for overseas contracts but aren’t going through the FRU
• Amanda Windsor White is the first female president for Rugby Atlanta and in Major League Rubgy history
• Sam Larner talks to Helena Rowland about her inspired break in the Premier 15s
• Bath Rugby and Bath College have formed an exciting new partnership to assist in the development of promising young female rugby players in the Bath Rugby catchment area
• Igz Ekoku was flying for DMP Sharks, until a game of touch rugby left her ‘practically disabled
• Gilbert chats with Flo Williams about her inspiration, experiences, what excites her for the future and why she chose Gilbert
• Lisa Neumann puts career to one side for crack at pro rugby
• USA’s Jess Watkins is getting ready ready to be the first Black woman to spend six months in space
• After a challenging 12 months, Sarah Beckett is focused on playing her part in a successful 2022 for both Harlequins and England
• Wales rugby internationals Alisha Butchers and Jasmine Joyce have got engaged

Women’s Rugby Media

• Beibhinn Parsons and the Irish women’s 7s side were top of the agenda on Rugby Weekly Extra podcast
• Watch the highlights of Watsonian winning the Scotland’s Tennents Premiership Final
• Scotland Club Captain Lyndsay O’Donnell talks with Worcester Warrior’s World Cup hopes, while Jo Yapp pays tribute to Lana Skeldon, Caity Mattinson and Lisa Cockburn on their selection in the 30-strong squad
• Women’s Rugby Pod celebrates 100 episodes!
• Check out the HSBC Dream Team from Seville
• Poland’s Karolina Jaszczyszyn topped the World Rugby Sevens Impact Player Standings
• Matt Merritt chats with Harlequin Freya Aucken about all the things