Welcome to the Women’s Rugby Rundown for February 19-25. In this update, the Black Ferns secured the fourth stop of the HSBC SVNS Series, marking back-to-back championships in Vancouver, with the upcoming destination being LA and pools already announced. The Irish Wolfhounds celebrated a historic victory, clinching the 2023/24 Celtic Challenge title in their undefeated inaugural season. In the Rugby Europe Championship, the Netherlands triumphed over debutant Portugal. Additionally, Wales faced controversy and issued an apology following reports of a sex assault incident at Principality Stadium, and we take a global look at Premier and Club competitions around the world.
In 7s news, the Black Ferns secured back-to-back championships in Vancouver for the HSBC SVNS Series, defeating France 35-19, while Canada clinched third place with a thrilling win over current Series leaders Australia. The USA finished in 5th place over Fiji, Spain secured 7th by beating Brazil, and Ireland claimed 9th after defeating Japan. Australia’s Charlotte Caslick achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first woman to reach 50 HSBC SVNS Series Tournaments.
Australia continues to lead in the overall standings, although New Zealand has narrowed the gap to just 6 points. The margin between eighth and ninth has diminished, with Great Britain maintaining a slim lead of only 6 points. As a reminder, the four lowest-ranked teams—currently Brazil, Spain, Japan, and South Africa—will engage in a high-stakes promotion and relegation tournament in Madrid on May 31-June 2, alongside the top four teams from the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024.
Looking ahead, the fifth stop in Los Angeles has already announced the pools and we await the fixture annoucement.
Winners of the LA 7s ticket giveaway with Barstool, Great American Rugby, and YSCRugby will be announced soon!
In XVs news, continued controversy surrounds Wales as they issue an apology in response to reports of a sexual assault incident at Principality Stadium. This incident comes on the heels of events in November, when a review was published, exposing shortcomings in addressing issues of sexism, misogyny, racism, and homophobia within the WRU.
The Irish Wolfhounds celebrate their undefeated inaugural season by clinching the 2023/24 Celtic Challenge title with a 47-26 victory over the Clovers, and Gwalia Lightning triumphs against Glasgow Warriors in Belfast. The competition officially closes with Clovers vs Edinburgh and Brython Thunder versus Gwalia on March 3.
The Netherlands secured a bonus-point victory of 31-7 against Portugal in the Rugby Europe Championship, solidifying their leading position in the standings. Both teams maintained their positions in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings, with the Netherlands at 15th place and Portugal at 27th. The match marked another historic moment with the presence of three Spanish match officials—Jen Lee as the referee, Lorena Martínez and Elena Mora as assistants.
Asia announced several key events for 2024 but we’ll focus in on the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship. This event serves a dual purpose as a 2025 Rugby World Cup Qualifier, with the team lifting the Championship trophy securing a coveted direct spot. Reigning champions Japan, Hong Kong China, and Kazakhstan will compete head-to-head to determine the title in May, hosted in Hong Kong.
The 2024 USA Women’s Eagles season is approaching, featuring an away test match in Europe and the Pacific Four Series starting in late April. Head Coach Sione Fukofuka led an identification and assessment camp in Charlotte, NC, from Feb 23-25. The camp also serves as a selection platform for the Pacific Four Series in April, with venue and ticket details to be announced soon.
In Premier & Club news, Round 12 of the Allianz PWR featured victories for Trailfinders against Leicester, Bristol over Loughborough, and a draw between Exeter and Harlequins. Gloucester-Hartpury maintained an undefeated status, leading the standings with a win over Sale.
Kicking off on March 23, the Guinness Women’s Six Nations heralds the return of the Allianz Cup, where Exeter Chiefs are primed to face Saracens in the semi-finals on April 13th, vying for a historic hat-trick of victories. As victors of the first two editions, the Chiefs are determined to secure a third title. Saracens, boasting three league titles, seek revenge for last year’s final defeat. The triumphant team will advance to the Championship on April 28th.
In France’s Elite 1, Bordeaux, AC Bobigny, Montpellier, Toulouse, Blagnac, and Lyon secured wins, with Bordeaux and Toulouse remaining undefeated and topping their respective pools. The ASM Romagnat match set an attendance record with 6,025 supporters.
After four rounds in the Nile Special Rugby Championship, the Black Pearls maintain their undefeated status but face competition from the She Wolves, Thunderbirds, and Ewes closely behind, while the Avengers, Nile Rapids, and Panthers round out the bottom of the table.
In Italy’s Serie A Elite, Valsugana secured a place in the championship final within the Playoff Group, while Villorba took steps closer to securing their spot. In the Playout Group, Capitolina’s win over Benetton guaranteed their safety in the Playout Group.
Mwamba and Impala concluded the fourth round of play in the Kenya Cup with a 12-12 draw, marking the only match of the round. Even with the draw, Mwamba kept their spot at the top of the standings.
In the 8th round of Germany’s Bundesliga A, Neuenheim leads with 30 points, closely followed by Heidelberg with 25 points, while the SG Lionesses have 16 points, Cologne has 5 points, and Dortmund has yet to record any points.
Before their season kicks off next weekend, Sky Super Rugby Aupiki participated in preseason matches, with Hurricanes Poua narrowly defeating Matatū 34-33, and Chiefs Manawa securing a 50-24 victory over Blues.
Leading up to their season starting on March 15, Super W teams engaged in preseason matches. Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix secured a 24-14 victory over Western Force, while Waratahs dominated with a 41-7 win against Brumbies, and Queensland recorded a 17-7 victory over Penina Pasifika. The Penina Pasifika side, comprising players from across the Pacific, particularly Samoa and Tonga, will exclusively participate in the preseason. This initiative follows the success of the Fijiana Drua in the Super Rugby W competition, as they enter this year as the defending champions.
USA’s Club XVs Championships are scheduled for May 17-19 in Austin, TX, followed by the Club 7s Championships in Madison, WI on August 10-11.
We close out the week with 9 features and 8 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 19-25, the Black Ferns secured their fourth consecutive HSBC SVNS Series title, the Irish Wolfhounds celebrated an undefeated season with a historic victory in the Celtic Challenge, Wales faced controversy with a reported sex assault incident, and we explore global Premier and Club competitions.
Women’s Rugby Rundown Video Update
@yscrugby In the Women’s Rugby Rundown for Feb 19-25, the Black Ferns secured their fourth consecutive HSBC SVNS Series title, the Irish Wolfhounds celebrated an undefeated season with a historic victory in the Celtic Challenge, Wales faced controversy with a reported sex assault incident, and we explore global 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
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.
Can’t watch on TikTok? Watch on Youtube or any of our other social media channels.
Women’s Rugby Rundown News
7s
International
- The Black Ferns clinched the fourth stop of the HSBC SVNS Series and secured back-to-back championships in Vancouver by defeating France 35-19, while Canada placed third with a thrilling win over Australia, the USA finished 5th over Fiji, Spain beat Brazil for 7th, and Ireland secured 9th place after defeating Japan [link]
- Australia’s Charlotte Caslick became the first woman to reach 50 HSBC SVNS Series Tournaments [link]
- Australia maintains its position at the top of the overall standings, but New Zealand has closed the gap in second place, trailing the Aussies by only 6 points now, with France in third, USA in fourth, Canada in fifth, Ireland in sixth, Fiji in seventh, and Great Britain in eighth
- The gap between eighth and ninth has narrowed, with Great Britain holding on by only 6 points, and as a reminder, the four lowest-ranked teams, currently Brazil, Spain, Japan and South Africa, will participate in a high-stakes promotion and relegation tournament in Madrid alongside the top four teams from the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024
- The HSBC Dream Team from Vancouver includes Michaela Blyde, Thalia Costa, Shiray Kaka, Seraphine Okemba, Ariana Ramsey, Krissy Scrufield and Dom Du Toit [link]
- The pools for the fifth stop in Los Angeles, CA taking place over March 1-3 were released:
- Pool A: New Zealand, Fiji, Brazil, South Africa
- Pool B: France, Australia, Ireland, Japan
- Pool C: Canada, USA, Spain, Great Britain
- Did you participate in the LA 7s ticket giveaway with Barstool, Great American Rugby and YSCRugby? Winners will be announced soon!
XVs
- Wales are in hot water again as they apologize after reports of sex assault at Principality Stadium [link]
- The Irish Wolfhounds clinched the 2023/24 Celtic Challenge title in their undefeated inaugural season, sealing it with a 47-26 win over the Clovers, while Gwalia Lightning emerged victorious against Glasgow Warriors in Belfast [link]
- In the second match of the Rugby Europe Championship, the Netherlands secured a 31-7 victory over Portugal, who is making their debut in the competition after being promoted from the Trophy last season [link]
- The match also created history by featuring three Spanish referees, including Jen Lee as the referee, Lorena Martínez as the assistant, and Elena Mora also serving as an assistant [link]
- Recently announced, the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship, serving as a 2025 Rugby World Cup Qualifier, will feature Japan, Hong Kong China, and Kazakhstan [link]
- USA held an identification and assessment camp in Charlotte as they prepare for an away test in Europe [link]
Premier & Club
- Round 12 of the Allianz PWR saw Trailfinders secure a victory against Leicester, Bristol triumphed over Loughborough, Exeter and Harlequins played to a draw, and Gloucester-Hartpury maintained their undefeated status and leads the standings with a win over Sale [link]
- The Allianz Cup has confirmed their knockout rounds starting on April 13 and Finals on April 28 [link]
- Following Round 8 of France’s Elite 1, Bordeaux secured a victory against ASM Romagnat, AC Bobigny emerged victorious over Stade Villeneuvois, Montpellier defeated Stade Paris, Toulouse secured a win against Stade Rennais, Blagnac blanked Lons Section Paloise, and Lyon beat FC Grenoble; with Bordeaux maintaining their lead in Pool 1 and Toulouse leading Pool 2, both teams remain undefeated [link]
- The ASM Romagnat match broke an attendance record with 6,025 supporters [link]
- After four rounds, the Black Pearls maintain their undefeated status and continue to hold the lead in the Nile Special Rugby Championship [link]
- In the third-to-last round of Italy’s Serie A Elite, Valsugana secures a spot in the championship final by defeating CUS Milano in the Playoff Group, Colorno prevails over Villorba in the same group, Capitolina emerges victorious against Treviso in the Playout Group ensuring their safety, and Cus Torino achieves salvation by winning against Calvisano [link]
- Mwamba and Impala concluded the fourth round of play in the Women’s Kenya Cup with a 12-12 draw, marking the only match of the round [link]
- In the 8th round of Germany’s Bundesliga A, Neuenheim leads with 30 points, closely pursued by Heidelberg with 25 points, while the SG Lionesses have 16 points, Cologne has 5 points, and Dortmund has yet to record any points [link]
- Sky Super Rugby Aupiki had preseason matches ahead of their season kicking off next weekend:
- Super W also had preseason matches ahead of their season beginning March 15:
- USA’s Club XVs Championships will be in Austin, TX on May 17-19 [link]
- USA’s Club 7s Championships will be in Madison, WI on August 10-11 [link]
Women’s Rugby Rundown Features
- Two decades on from father James anchoring the club’s midfield, Claudia McLaren is following in her father’s footsteps in the Celtic Challenge [link]
- Exeter Chiefs’ Maisy Allen insisted that SuperPWR weekend will set a new benchmark for women’s rugby in England [link]
- Martyn Thomas talks to Abby Dow about laying foundations in Ealing, working with Giselle Mather & starting a new era with England for RugbyPass [link]
- What are the difference in injury and concussion rates in a cohort of Canadian female and male youth Rugby Union? [link]
- England’s forgotten World Cup winner learning to talk again [link]
- Tempe draws with San Diego and eyes Super Regional from The Rugby Breakdown [link]
- Tim Walsh opens up about the “Gold Coast of Culture” in Australians Women’s Rugby [link]
- Crystal Kaua talks ‘the impossible task as a head coach’ ahead of Aupiki season [link]
- Glasgow’s Holland Bogan and Lucy MacRae ones to watch for future Scotland caps [link]
Women’s Rugby Rundown Media
- Swedish International and Loughborough PWR didn’t plan on playing rugby professionally but she has found her path [link]
- In a poignant jersey ceremony, the USA paid tribute to their late coach and mentor, Ric Suggitt, in the presence of his daughter and family [link]
- USA’s 7s Head Coach, Emilie Bydwell was on US Rugby Happy Hour talking Vancouver, LA, preps for Paris 2024 and more [link]
- Jo Yapp was interviewed by Matt White on Mornings with Matt White about taking on her role with the Wallaroos, getting the team to become a powerhouse, her coaching beliefs and more [link]
- WRP 175 covers the PWR, Red Roses U20s, Wallaroos Contracts and more [link]
- The Rugby Rundown talked Vancouver 7s, LA 7s and more about the upcoming MLR season [link]
- Ella Cromack sits down to talk through her contract renewal and life in her first season at Quins [link]
- Alice Soper continues to create the hype for the upcoming Aupiki season; she chats with Martha Mataele and all things Matatū [link]
Share this:
Discover more from YSCRugby | Women's Rugby News
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.