Women’s Rugby Rundown for Oct 16-22

Women’s Rugby Rundown News

XVs

International

• Another exciting weekend of WXV action, highlighted by France’s upset of the 2021 Rugby World Cup Champions, Black Ferns, 18-17. Scotland secured a 24-14 win over the USA, marking only the 2nd time they’ve managed to defeat the Eagles in seven matchups [link]
  • Canada 42 – 22 Wales – WXV 1
    England 42 – 7 Australia – WXV 1
    USA 14 – 24 Scotland – WXV 2
    Kazakhstan 18 – 12 Kenya – WXV 3
    Italy 36 – 18 South Africa – WXV 2
    Spain 26 – 19 Fiji – WXV 3
    New Zealand 17 – 18 France – WXV 1
    Ireland 64 – 3 Colombia – WXV 3
    Japan 32 – 10 Samoa – WXV 2
    • There are Twitter discussions that some of these results should be approached with caution, considering the significant difference in experience between teams that have been professional for years and those that are still a long way from embracing professionalism [link]
• Uganda and Tunisia have established a new rugby partnership including an inaugural match scheduled for this year; the first test match is slated between November 20th and 29th, with Uganda’s Men’s and Women’s XV squads traveling to Tunis, and a rematch is planned for early 2024 in Kampala [link]

Premier & Club

• The Colorado Gray Wolves clinched their fourth WPL Championship title besting defending title holders the Berkeley All Blues [link]
• CRAT, CR Sant Cugat, Silicius, and Ghenova Cocos have emerged victorious in the four RFER Cup groups, earning their spots in the semifinals of the inaugural edition of this exciting competition [link]
• UL Bohemians and Railway Union, the sole remaining unbeaten teams in the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division, top the table with 25 and 20 points, respectively, while Old Belvedere follows with 16 points and Blackrock College and Ballincollig both have 15 points [link]
• Over the weekend, three thrilling Allianz Cup rugby matches unfolded, with Gloucester-Hartpury, Saracens, and Exeter Chiefs securing wins, while Bristol leads Pool A with 20 points, closely contested by Saracens and Loughborough Lightning, and Gloucester-Hartpury tops Pool B with 16 points, followed by Exeter with 15, and Worcester with 13 points [link]
  • Earlier in the week, the Warriors Women notified PWR that they have officially withdrawn from Allianz Premiership and the Allianz Cup [link]
• Llandaff dominates the Welsh Premiership, boasting an undefeated record and 29 points, while Seven Sisters holds second place with 13 points, and Caereinion Obra and Pontyclun share the third spot, both accumulating 11 points [link]
• Watsonian maintains its unbeaten streak while holding the top position in Scotland’s Premiership, followed by Stirling County in second place with 35 points, Corstorphine in third with 29 points, and Hillhead Jordanhill in fourth with 27 points [link]
• The opening weekend of Hong Kong’s Nan Fung Sewit Premiership witnessed victories for Societe Generale Valley, Kroll USRC Tigers, and HKFC Natixis Ice [link]
• We shared an update to our USA Club Women’s Rugby Standings [link]
• The Super W draw for the 2024 season has been officially confirmed as Australia streamlines female pathways, including 12 double headers alongside Super Rugby Pacific fixtures in both Australia and Fiji [link]

7s

International

• Teams buzzing ahead of Oceania Rugby Sevens Championship for place at Paris Olympics [link]

Women’s Rugby Rundown Features

• South Africa will face Samoa without Tayla Kinsey, Luchell Hanekom and Aseza Hele [link]
• Caity Mattinson enjoying being part of “super special” Scotland group [link]
• Wales flanker Alex Callender, who lost her mother Donna earlier this year after a long battle with cancer, shares that her late mother will be with her every time she steps onto the field [link]
• Dropped goals are virtually non-existent in women’s rugby – but that could soon change [link]
• Claire Thomas offers an initial assessment of the “Best Team in the Women’s Game” in light of the inaugural WXV Tournament [link]
• Wales scrum-half Ffion Lewis has endured a challenging year, facing a long-term knee injury during the Women’s Six Nations, a traumatic endometriosis diagnosis, and the recent collapse of her club, Worcester Warriors Women, due to a sponsorship withdrawal [link]
• Loughborough’s standout scrum-half, Meg Davey, expresses her determination to make 2023 her standout year in an interview with PWR, emphasizing that she is just getting started [link]
• The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is actively seeking applications for the addition of three new members to join the Women’s Game Advisory Committee, further strengthening its commitment to the development of women’s rugby on the island of Ireland [link]

Women’s Rugby Rundown Media

• Former Wales International advocates strongly for a semiprofessional team [link]
• Back The Girls chats through the Wales performance versus Canada [link]
• See the story behind the unique and innovative Master Card Player of the Match trophy [link]
• Babalwa Latsha and Sadie Kabeya are on Women’s Rugby Pod episode 159 [link]
• South African captain Babalwa Latsha joined The Good, The Scaz And the Rugby
• Leicester Tigers player, Captain of the Swedish national team and co-captain of the 7s team, Amanda Swartz has accomplished a lot in rugby; but it all started with watching her Mum [link]
• Observing Sarah Beckett’s dynamic performance as an England forward, it’s challenging to envision her humble beginnings, having been born three months prematurely along with her twin, Kate, and spending time in Liverpool Hospital [link]