Women’s Rugby in 60 secs – Apr 25-May 1

Welcome to the top women’s rugby news in under 60 seconds for Apr 25-May 1. We saw England take home the 2022 TikTok Six Nations Grand Slam, their 13th overall and fourth in a row while Australia won Langford 7s and clinched the 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title.

In more XVs news, Japan defeated Fiji in their first match of three in Australia, Portugal defeated Germany in the Europe Trophy competition, and New Zealand will host the 2022 Pacific Four Series between themselves, Australia, Canada and USA from May 3-10. 

In domestic XVs news, DHL Western leads South Africa’s Premier Division after two weeks, Berkeley and Colorado lead their conferences in USA’s WPL, and we have all the updates on USA’s Club Super Regionals.

In more 7s news, South Africa and Madagascar have qualified for the 2022 Rugby World Cup 7s, and Zack Test joins the USA Eagles as an assistant coach.

We close out the week with 14 features and 9 media.

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tl;dr: Women’s Rugby in 60 secs for Apr 25-May 1 saw England take home the 2022 TikTok Six Nations Grand Slam, their 13th overall and Australia have won Langford 7s and the 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

60 Second Video Update

Top Women’s Rugby Stories

XVs

International

• England take home the 2022 TikTok Six Nations Grand Slam, their 13th overall
• Japan defeated Fiji 28-14 and will play the Australia Barbarians on May 6 and Australia on May 10
• Portugal defeated Germany 57-0 in the Europe Trophy
• New Zealand had a big news week:
  • The Black Ferns will host the 2022 Pacific Four Series between the Black Ferns, Australia, Canada and USA from May 3-10
  • They also announced the Laurie O’Reilly Series with two matches against Australia in August
  • Former Black Ferns Sevens Coach Allan Bunting will join the Black Ferns in a newly created role, Manager of Culture and Leadership

Domestic

• DHL Western leads South Africa’s Premier Division after two weeks
• Army women lifted the Babcock Trophy after defeating Navy 68-0
• Berkeley and Colorado lead their conferences in USA’s WPL
• USA’s Club Super Regionals took place in the Atlantic region this weekend:
  • D1 – NOVA defeated Atlanta Harlequins 36-3 and will face the Chicago Lions on 5/20 in Atlanta, GA
  • D2 – Providence defeated Severn River in a tight match, 9-5 and will face an opponent from the Norther Super Regional (TBD on May 7-8)
  • The majority of the remaining Super Regionals will take place this weekend

7s

• Australia have won Langford 7s and the 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series
  • Black Ferns placed second and Ireland third
• South Africa and Madagascar have qualified for the 2022 Rugby World Cup 7s
• Zack Test joins the USA Eagles as an assistant coach
• USA’s Jessica Watkins is the second rugby player in space and the first Black woman to complete a long-term mission aboard the ISS
• University of Chicago took home the 2022 Small College 7s National Championship

Women’s Rugby Features

A quick reminder that these are articles from the past week so many speak about events that have already occurred.

• England’s Sarah Bern talks about the challenges facing the players who are still juggling their day jobs with playing
• Following the Fijiana Drua’s historic Super W success, the squad turns its attention to Rugby World Cup 2021 preparation, starting with two test matches in Queensland over the next week
• Ireland’s Lindsey Peat writes that her “heart was breaking for Ireland players forced to compete in an unfair fight”
• England’s Zoe Harrison shares where England want to be heading into decisive France clash
• Ireland’s Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe keen to drive Ireland onto Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022
• After Emily Scarratt became the fifth Englishwoman to reach 100 test caps, World Rugby look at the numbers behind her brilliant career
• Ireland’s Cliodhna Moloney writes for the Irish Examiner that passion and grit will only get them so far
• United Rugby Championship chief ‘would love’ to see women’s competition
• Ireland’s Molly Scuffil-McCabe is soaking up new experiences in the green jersey
• Becky Grey writes for BBC what England must do to stay ahead for the World Cup
• Ali Donnelly writes for Scrum Queens that “there are no more excuses for those countries who hold back support”
• Marina Kishmar of Odessa rugby and her teammates continue to train even during the war
• Ahead of the final round of fixtures in the TikTok Women’s 6 Nations this weekend, the organisation’s CEO Ben Morel has revealed that future scheduling of the women’s championship “will be distinct” from the men’s and see England’s clash with France dominate the conclusion of the championship
• Irish women’s 15s players set to seal contracts for next season

Women’s Rugby Media

A quick reminder that this is media from the past week so many speak about events that have already occurred.

• Off the Ball speaks with Jill Henderson, Therese Kennedy and Tanya Waters about taking part in the first ever Irish international women’s rugby match
  • OTB also chatted through if we should criticize basic errors in an amateur side when they play professionals
• England’s Abbie Ward was on O2 Inside Line to talk about challenges faced, marriage as well as her motivation and ambitions
• BBC Sport Wales talks with Wales’ Kelsey Jones as she reflects on the excitement of inspiring the next generation of players
• England’s Emily Scarratt takes us through some of the jerseys that have helped define her career
• We were honored to be on Ruck ‘n’ Roll this week with Grav, Ryan Worley, Harley Worthy to talk W6N, rugby players in space and rugby’s savior Ilona Maher
• Watch the moment that New Zealand’s Portia Woodman made history with 200 tries
• Rugby Union Weekly covers England’s Grand Slam win and all the final TikTok Six Nations matches
• The Good, The Scaz and The Rugby talks with former Irish International Gill Bourke