Women’s Rugby News for Jan 16-22

Welcome to the top women’s rugby news in under 60 seconds for Jan 16-22. Welsh Rugby Union has been accused of sweeping their investigation into a toxic culture of sexism under the rug as revealed by the BBC and Munster retained the Vodafone Ireland Interprovincial title over the weekend.

In more XVs news, Gloucester-Hartpury continues their incredible unbeaten streak in Allianz Premier, Bordeaux remains on top of France’s Elite 1 which sees last year’s champion Toulouse tied for fourth, Stirling County moves on to face Corstorphine in Scotland’s Tennent’s Premiership Championship and Spain’s Iberdrola saw a weekend of upset wins but the Crocodiles continue to lead in unchanged rankings.

In 7s news, New Zealand won Hamilton 7s, USA placed second and Australia got third. Teams now move on to Sydney this weekend. 

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 16-22 saw the BBC reveal more information about the Welsh Rugby Union’s investigation into sexism and Munster retained the Vodafone Ireland Interprovincial title.

60 Second Video Update

@yscrugby

Your #wrugby News in under 60 seconds for Jan 16-22 saw the BBC reveal more information about the Welsh Rugby Union's investigation into sexism and Munster retained the Vodafone Ireland Interprovincial title. Watch our video & read the entire update using the link in our bio! #womensrugby #wrugby #rugbyunion #rugbytok

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Top Women’s Rugby Stories

XVs

International

• BBC article looks into Welsh Rugby Union investigation of “toxic culture” of sexism
  • Alleged individuals still work at WRU
  • Key witnesses who could corroborate allegations were not spoken to as part of WRU investigation
• Inaugural Celtic Challenge saw Welsh Developmental claim a narrow 29-27 victory against The Thistles (Scotland Developmental)

Domestic

• Munster retains the Vodafone Ireland Interprovincial Title after defeating Connacht 50-24
• Gloucester-Hartpury continues their unbeaten streak in Allianz Premier, Exeter and Harlequins remain in the hunt while Saracens overtook Bristol based on points against
• Bordeaux remains on top of France’s Elite 1 with last year’s champion Toulouse suffering another defeat and sitting tied for fourth
• Stirling County defeated Heriot 28-5 and will face Corstorphine next weekend in the Scotland’s Tennent’s Premiership Championship
• Spain’s Iberdrola League saw 3 of 4 upsets this weekend but the rankings remain the same as last week

7s

• New Zealand won back-to-back Hamilton stops after defeating the USA 33-7; Australia placed third and defeated Ireland 33-17
  • Automatic qualification for the 2024 Olympics looks like it will be New Zealand, Australia, USA and potentially Ireland (France already qualifies as host)
• Teams now move on to Sydney and the pools are:
  • Pool A: New Zealand, Japan, France, Papua New Guinea
  • Pool B: USA, Great Britain, Fiji, Canada
  • Pool C: Australia, Ireland, Spain, Brazil
• NCR had their All Star and Small College 7s Championships this weekend
  • West won All Stars
  • Eastern Penn won Small College
• PR 7s has added another franchise, the Golden State Retrievers based in San Jose, CA and they also host the league’s 2023 Western Conference Finals tournament at PayPal Park in mid-July

Women’s Rugby Features

• The Mayhew family has been central to the rebuilding of the club at Aylesford Bulls
• 2021 Rugby World Cup visitors spent nearly $3m in Whangarei
• The Worcester Warriors have secured long-term investment and are releasing a 10-year plan
• USA has partnered with ChildFund Rugby to empower women community leaders to create change
• Elizabeth Cartwright releases her interview with England’s Simon Middleton about the World Cup and looking towards 2025
• Women’s Rugby Association announces inaugural Players’ Board
• IRFU set sights on recruiting GAA superstar Vikki Wall for rugby switch
• Emma Farnan shines a light on the realities of being trans in sports
• Ireland’s Elaine Anthony shares her remarkable journey with David Kelly
• Gorata Kgathi energised by “emotional and inspiring” trip to New Zealand
• ‘If a suitable policy doesn’t exist, you’re implying there is no place for mothers in your team’
• More than 55 amateur rugby union players sent a letter of claim to World Rugby, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU) on Thursday to begin the pre-action phase of their lawsuit over possible brain injuries
• Leinster Coach Tania Rosser says Ireland head coach Greg McWilliams should be doing everything he can to get Jenny Murphy back on board for the upcoming Six Nations
• “I think right across the sport we know we need to change…We want parents to be happy that their kids are playing, so we absolutely support the safety measures.”

Women’s Rugby Media

• From the Venezuela National Rugby Team 🇻🇪 to Lindenwood University 🦁 to PR 7s Caring De Freitas shares her journey to professional Rugby
• Gloucester-Hartpury Hannah Jones spoke to Imogen Ainsworth about their sensational unbeaten run
• Gift reviews No Woman, No Cry
• Eagles Overseas talked with USA Women’s 7s Head Coach, Emilie Bydwell, and USA Falcons’ 7s Head Coach, Ben Pinkelman
• In a funny and destigmatising conversation, the girls discuss Rachel Lund’s research into in-game incontinence in Premier players!
• The #CorrectTheInternet campaign calls out human bias that has skewed sports-related SEO in favor of men
• Watch the highlights from Hamilton 7s
• Rugby Hive chats with Nicole & Kieran Crowley