Women’s Rugby Rundown for Sep 4-10

Women’s Rugby Rundown News

XVs

International

• Japan emerged victorious in the first match of their two-game series against Fiji, winning 29-24, and they are set to face off again on September 16th [link]
• Ukraine made their XVs debut against Catalonia, a two-time Spanish Champion, ultimately falling short with a score of 15-7 [link]
• After a two-year hiatus, Barbarian Women return with a formidable squad featuring players from eight nations, coached by Sean Lynn, and they will play two matches on their Autumn tour against South Africa and Munster [link]
• The Black Ferns have announced their squad for the WXV [link]
  • They also announced their first ever XVs side (second side) [link]
• England named their 38 player training squad as they continue preparing for the WXV [link]
• Canada announced their traveling squad for their upcoming tour to face England [link]
• South Africa added Laurian Johannes-Haupt as an assistant coach [link]
• Learn more about the WXV 1 Stadiums [link]
• World Rugby announced the appointment of match officials for the WXV [link]
• In the opening weekend of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Italy, Ireland, Australia, and Japan recorded wins [link]
• World Rugby marked Colour Blind Awareness Day 2023, emphasizing progress in inclusivity, especially in preparations for RWC2023, where they plan to implement their Colour Blindness in Rugby guidelines as official policy from 2025, focusing on inclusion, safety, and enjoyment [link]

Premier & Club

• Auckland clinched their first Farah Palmer Cup Premiership presented by Bunnings Warehouse title since 2015 with a thrilling 39-27 victory over Canterbury [link]
  • Northland won the Championship over Manawatū 32-29 and will be promoted to the Premiership next year [link]
• Watsonian continues to lead Scotland’s Premiership with an undefeated record [link]
• Wales’ Admiral National League Premiership is in Round 2 with Caereinion Obra and Llandaff North leading the table [link]
• In WPL Round 12, Berkeley, Gray Wolves, and New York emerged victorious, setting up semi-finals on October 7 featuring the same teams [link]
• The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has suggested hosting an invitational Champions Cup final pitting Gloucester-Hartpury, the English champions, against Stade Bordelais, the French champions [link]

Women’s Rugby Rundown Features

• Joy Neville, the former captain of the Ireland team, made history by becoming the first female Television Match Official (TMO) during the opening weekend of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in the Italy vs. Namibia match [link]
• Maeve Og O’Leary and her Irish teammates are eager for the WXV to get going [link]
• Leinster’s “Across the Laighin” segment highlighted Lisa Doyle and her significant role in rugby within the province, despite her never having played the game [link]
• Fuel companies are using sport to “greenwash their image” and should not be allowed to sponsor World Cups, says former Australia captain David Pocock [link]
• In an article by The Rugby Breakdown, Harvard’s Tiahna Padilla stands out in the USA Pathways program and sets her sights on advancing rugby’s growth [link]
• Leicester Tigers share their recruiting philosophy [link]
• Fijiana have finally been paid what they are owed by the FRU [link]

Women’s Rugby Rundown Media

• Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach share their excitement about the WXV [link]
• Black Fern Charmaine Smith returns to the Black Ferns after being forced to medically retire two years ago [link]
• Watch highlights of the Farah Palmer Cup Premiership final [link] and Championship [link]

Rugby Jobs

• Gloucester-Hartpury is looking for two independent non-executive directors for their Board [link]
• Leinster is searching for a Marketing and Brand Manager [link]
• Swansea University seeks Player Development Center Lead [link]
• Canada is hiring a Women’s National Teams Manager [link]