Welcome to the Women’s Rugby Rundown for February 12-18. In this episode, we look at the results from the Celtic Challenge Playoffs, more squads for the Guinness Six Nations have been announced, the Black Ferns’ match venues for Pacific Four Series and the O’Reilly Cup were announced, Australia revealed that they will invest $3 million in women’s rugby, Germany will return to International XVs soon, USA hires a new CEO, and we take a global look at Premier and Club competitions around the world.
In XVs news, during the Celtic Challenge Playoffs, Brython Thunder secured a 24-17 victory over Glasgow Warriors, and Edinburgh and Wolfhounds ended in a 26-26 tie. The playoffs continue this weekend with Gwalia Lightning facing off against Glasgow, and the Wolfhounds will compete against the Clovers.
Moving on to the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, teams are unveiling their squads in anticipation of matches commencing on Saturday, March 23. France and Ireland will kick off the weekend, followed by Wales and Scotland. Defending champions England will launch their campaign on Sunday, March 24. Ireland is eager to enhance their performance after securing the Wooden Spoon in 2023. Additionally, we have learned about the World Rugby Match Officials for this tournament, with several debutantes adding to the intrigue.
The Black Ferns are gearing up for their 2024 Test calendar with three home matches against the USA, Canada, and Australia in the Pacific Four Series. Following these, they head to Australia for a potential O’Reilly Cup decider. The Pacific Four Series will also determine qualification for WXV, with the top three teams securing a spot in the WXV 1 tournament and by extension the beginning of qualifying for 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Australia has announced an additional $3 million investment in women’s rugby for 2024, leading to increased tier-one contracts, higher player payments, and a total of 45 contracted players across three tiers. The top tier contracts can earn up to a 28% increase from 2023, with a new unlimited fourth tier for greater flexibility. This initiative reflects a 61% increase from 2023 and is part of a planned growth phase following the success of the Wallaroos in the WXV 1 competition in November 2023. The investment aims to build stability, increase training hours, and foster success at the international level.
Germany has announced their return to International play with a match against Belgium on Saturday, March 2nd. Gareth Jackson, the newly appointed national coach, will lead the Phoenix team. Jackson, the first paid women’s national coach in Germany, will also receive support from various coaches in the respective national teams.
The USA Rugby Board of Directors has appointed Bill Goren as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective March 18th. Goren, previously the Deputy Commissioner to Major League Rugby, brings over 20 years of senior leadership experience in sports marketing and development. His appointment comes as USA Rugby aims for substantial growth, aligning with major sporting events like the 2028 Summer Olympics and the Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033.
In Premier & Club news, Round 12 of the Energia AIL saw Ballincollig, Railway Union, and Blackrock secured bonus point victories, yet UL Bohemian continues to hold the lead in the competition
Gloucester-Hartpury secured the top spot in the Allianz PWR table after a commanding 29-3 victory against Sale Sharks, asserting their dominance as the only undefeated team. Saracens maintained their position in second place, followed by Exeter in third and Bristol in fourth. Loughborough Lightning and Harlequins occupy the fifth and sixth positions, trailing by nine and eleven points, respectively.
In the Welsh Premiership’s sole match, Caernarfon secured a narrow two-point victory against Caereinion Obra. After six rounds, Llandaff North maintains its lead, followed by Sevens Sisters in second, Pontyclun in third, and Caereinion Obra in fourth.
In France’s Elite 1, Bordeaux and Toulouse both maintain their undefeated streaks in Pool 1 and Pool 2.
In Hong Kong’s Nan Fung Sewit Premiership, Natixis Ice leads after Round 12, with the competition intensifying for the top four spots in the upcoming semi-finals.
The Iberdrola League’s has restarted and Majadahonda held on to the top position in Group A, and Sevilla Crocodiles leads Group B.
Vancouver currently holds the top position in the BC Premiership standings after completing 8 rounds. Capilano reclaimed the second spot by defeating Seattle, which now stands in third place. Westshore follows in fourth, Castaway in fifth, and Abbotsford in sixth. The standings are closely contested, with only a few points separating the teams, suggesting the likelihood of further shifts before the upcoming semifinals in April.
In Italy’s Series A Playoff Group, reigning champions Valsugna continued their dominant form with a 36-15 victory over Colorno, maintaining their perfect record of earning 5 points in every match this season. Meanwhile, Villorba secured a win against Cus Milano, who fought valiantly to earn a defensive bonus point. In the Playout Group, Capitolina strengthened their position by defeating Calvisano with a bonus.
Mwamba and Shamberere maintained their unbeaten records in the Kenya Cup after three rounds, securing the top positions in their respective pools. Defending champions Mwamba emerged victorious with a 29-12 win over Northern Suburbs in the Nairobi Pool, while Shamberere clinched a closely contested Western clash with a narrow 26-25 victory against Rongo. Impala secured the second spot in Nairobi by dominating Nakuru with a convincing 48-0 win, while Maseno was awarded a walkover against Western Spears.
The Black Pearls lead the Uganda Cup standings with an unblemished record and 15 points after Round 3. The rest of the table will come into greater focus as more matches progress.
New Zealand’s Sky Super Rugby Aupiki is set to begin in two weeks with Chiefs Manawa facing Hurricanes Poua and 2023 defending Champion Matatū taking on the Blues.
Super W squads have been announced, gearing up for action starting on the weekend of March 15. There have been even more player movements, Exeter Chiefs fullback Lori Cramer joined Queensland, and Canadian hooker Sara Cline joined Western Force.
Ontario announced the Quebec Ontario Rugby Championship with four teams, with more details yet to come.
We close out the week with 9 features and 6 media. Stay connected by subscribing to our episodes on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or Patreon. Follow us on your preferred social media platforms to never miss out!
tl;dr: In the Women’s Rugby Rundown for Feb 12-18, we cover Celtic Challenge Playoff results, Guinness Six Nations squad announcements, Black Ferns’ Pacific Four Series venues, Australia’s $3 million investment in women’s rugby, Germany’s imminent return to International XVs, the USA’s new CEO appointment, and a global overview of Premier and Club competitions.
Women’s Rugby Rundown Video Update
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@yscrugby In the Women’s Rugby Rundown for Feb 12-18, we cover Celtic Challenge Playoff results, Guinness Six Nations squad announcements, Black Ferns’ Pacific Four Series venues, Australia’s $3 million investment in women’s rugby, Germany’s imminent return to International XVs, the USA’s new CEO appointment, and a global overview of Premier and Club competitions. Watch our video & read all the news using the link in our bio! Never miss one of our episodes! Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube or Patreon and be sure to follow us on all your favorite social media platforms. #womensrugbyrundown #WRR #rugby #womensrugby #wrugby ♬ original sound – YSCRugby
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Women’s Rugby Rundown News
XVs
International
- During the Celtic Challenge Playoffs, Brython Thunder secured a 24-17 victory over Glasgow Warriors, and Edinburgh and Wolfhounds ended in a 26-26 tie; the upcoming weekend will feature Gwalia facing off against Glasgow, and the Wolfhounds will compete against the Clovers [link]
- Guinness Six Nations squads are being announced ahead of matches starting on March 23 [link]
- The Black Ferns have announced their match venues for the Pacific Four Series and the O’Reilly Cup [link]
- Rugby Australia has pledged an additional $3 million investment in women’s rugby for 2024, focusing on increased tier-one contracts, higher player payments, and overall growth in the women’s game [link]
- On March 2nd, Germany is set to make a comeback to International Rugby with their inaugural match featuring their first-ever paid coach against Belgium [link]
- USA Rugby Board of Directors appoint Bill Goren as new Chief Executive Officer [link]
Premier & Club
- Ballincollig, Railway Union, and Blackrock College secured bonus point victories in Round 12 of the Energia AIL, yet UL Bohemian continues to hold the lead in the competition [link]
- Securing a 29-3 victory over Sale Sharks in the Allianz PWR, Gloucester-Hartpury leapfrogged Saracens to claim the top spot in the table, maintaining their status as the sole undefeated team in the competition [link]
- Caernarfon secured a two-point victory against Caereinion Obra in the only match of the Welsh Premiership, and after six rounds, Llandaff North maintains its lead [link]
- In the 7th round of France’s Elite 1, both Bordeaux and Toulouse continue to uphold their undefeated streaks in Pool 1 and Pool 2, respectively [link]
- Following Round 12 of Hong Kong’s Nan Fung Sewit Premiership, Natixis Ice maintains their lead, and with the semi-finals starting in mid-March, the competition intensifies for the top four spots [link]
- The second phase of the Iberdrola League saw Majadahonda claim the top position in Group A after overcoming a 0-14 deficit at home, while Sevilla Crocodiles leads Group B [link]
- After Round 8, Vancouver holds the lead in the BC Prem, which is currently on break until March 2nd [link]
- In Italy’s Serie A Elite, Valsugna maintains its lead in the playoff group, while Capitolina heads the playout group [link]
- Mwamba and Shamberere remain undefeated and hold the top positions in their respective pools in the Women’s Kenya Cup after three rounds [link]
- With an unblemished record, the Black Pearls are on top of the Uganda Cup standings following Round 3 [link]
- New Zealand’s Sky Super Aupiki begins in two weekends with Chiefs Manawa verses Hurricanes Poua and Matatū facing off against the Blues [link]
- Matatū are the defending champions having won their first title in 2023
- All the Super W squads have been announced with action set to begin the weekend of March 15 [link]
- Ontario announced a the Quebec Ontario Rugby Championship with four teams with more information to come… [link]
Women’s Rugby Rundown Features
- Leicester Tigers’ Tess Feury on the buzz of SuperPWR weekend [link]
- Telegraph Sport brought Rafferty and Red Roses player Rosie Galligan together to discuss their respective sporting journeys [link]
- Canada’s Magali Harvey opens up about her playing journey and joining Bordeaux [link]
- The Elite Girls Rugby League (EGRL) is a leading force in high school girl’s rugby, expanding along the East Coast of the United States [link]
- Six Nations Rugby to Stage Under-18 Festivals in Italy (Men) and Wales (Women) in Spring [link]
- Continuing our “Pioneers of the Pitch” series, we spotlighted Abbie Winchester’s remarkable journey from the basketball court to the rugby pitch [link]
- Inside Worcester Women’s demise: ‘They passed two financial checks, then decide they can’t afford us’ [link]
- Sisterly support and a fierce London rivalry for Poppy Cleal in the PWR [link]
Women’s Rugby Rundown Media
- Former England Red Rose Kat Merchant suffered over 30 concussions during her career; evidence suggests the effects of concussion are worse on women [link]
- MBE award-winning professional rugby referee Sara Cox joined The Good, The Scaz And The Rugby [link]
- WRP 174 includes guests Rachel Taylor and Helen “Flip” Street [link]
- LTW Fancast covers the derby day win, recent news about the EPQ and the Guinness Women’s Six Nations [link]
- As part of Saracen’s 35 year anniversary celebrations, they spoke to club legend Amy Garnett [link]
- After making history earlier this season when she became one of the first women to referee in the men’s WRU Admiral Championship, Amber Stamp-Dunstan, a second year sport management student at Cardiff Met, has been chosen to ref at the Guinness Women’s Six Nations [link]
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