Welcome to the Women’s Rugby Rundown for April 1-7. The Black Ferns secured their third consecutive gold by defeating USA at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Spain triumphed over Netherlands in the European Championships, Andorra made a victorious debut in their inaugural international test against Bulgaria, Cliodhna Moloney earned a recall to the Ireland squad after a two-year absence, World Rugby issued a groveling apology for ‘misogynistic’ guidelines on how to coach women, and we also provide a global overview of Premier and Club competitions worldwide!
In 7s news, the Black Ferns secured their third consecutive gold by defeating USA 36-7 at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, propelling them to the top of the HSBC SVNS series standings. In the Bronze match, Australia staged a remarkable 24-21 comeback against France, tying with New Zealand on 106 points but falling to second place on points difference. Great Britain solidified their eighth spot in the standings with a 14-5 victory over Brazil, boosting their chances of reaching the Grand Final in Spain, while Japan clinched a season-best seventh place by defeating Ireland 12-5. China emerged victorious in the inaugural Melrose Claymores tournament, triumphing over Hong Kong 24-10.
Looking forward, the last leg of the Challenger Series is scheduled for May 18-19 in Krakow, Poland, where China leads, followed closely by Argentina in second, Belgium securing third, and Uganda currently holding fourth position. The Challenger competition provides a clear promotion pathway to reach the pinnacle HSBC SVNS in 2025, with the top four placed men’s and women’s teams from the 2024 Challenger, based on cumulative series points at the conclusion of the third round, securing their opportunity to compete in the new high stakes promotion and relegation play-off competition at the SVNS Grand Final in Madrid on May 31 – June 2, 2024, against the teams ranked ninth to 12th from HSBC SVNS 2024.
In XVs news, Spain’s 22-5 triumph over the Netherlands in the European Championships not only solidifies their quest for an 11th European Championship title but also underscores their dominance on the field. Despite their failure to secure a try-scoring bonus point, Spain’s performance keeps them in contention for the top spot in the standings. The upcoming match against Sweden presents a crucial opportunity for Spain to leapfrog the Netherlands and secure a seventh successive title for Las Leonas.
Elsewhere in Europe, Andorra made a dominant entrance onto the international rugby scene with a resounding 119-0 victory against Bulgaria in their debut test match, marking a significant milestone as the 76th international women’s XVs team.
Ireland have recalled hooker Cliodhna Moloney to their Six Nations squad, bringing her back after a hiatus since 2021, after she criticized the IRFU on social media and expressed a loss of trust in the IRFU’s leadership in a letter to an Irish government minister.
The Africa Cup, set for May 4-12 in Antananarivo, Madagascar, serves as a pivotal qualifier for both the WXV and the 2025 Rugby World Cup, where South Africa clinched the title in 2019 and 2023, with Kenya securing runner-up and Madagascar finishing third.
World Rugby issued an apology for distributing “misogynistic” coaching guidance targeting women and girls, based on an outdated 18-year-old academic review. After public backlash, the global governing body removed the controversial coaching framework from its website and will be further updating the module.
In Premier & Club news, the highly anticipated Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Final will unfold at Auckland’s Eden Park this Saturday, featuring a clash between the nib Blues and Chiefs Manawa. Chiefs Manawa emerged victorious in the inaugural competition back in 2022, while Matatū claimed the title in 2023.
Western Force marked a historic achievement over the weekend, clinching their first-ever Buildcorp Super W semifinal spot after the Queensland Reds narrowly defeated the Melbourne Rebels. As Round 5 approaches, teams are eagerly competing for the chance to host the semifinals, with the Waratahs already locked in for a top spot and contenders like the Fijian Drua and ACT Brumbies also eyeing hosting rights.
The USA Club Women’s Rugby postseason is shaping up! We know all the D1 Super Regional teams and about half for D2. While some regions are still in regular league play for at least another week, everyone’s eyes are set on the USA Club Rugby National Championships happening on May 17-19 in Austin, TX.
The Welsh Premiership is facing ongoing challenges, as only two matches took place for the first time since February 18. Disparities in match counts are evident, with one club having completed 8 games while another has only played 3 matches. Reports suggest that matches are being contested with minimal players or resulting in outright forfeits.
This weekend will see the Allianz Cup semifinals as well as the matches for 5th/6th and 7th/8th places. The Semifinals will feature Saracens against Exeter, and Bristol against Gloucester-Hartpury, while the 5th/6th place match will be between Sale and Loughborough, and the 7th/8th place match will be between Leicester and Harlequins. Notably, Exeter has emerged victorious in both previous Finals, with Harlequins finishing as runner-up in 2022 and Saracens in 2023.
BC Rugby has announced that their Senior Club Finals are slated to take place at Burnaby Lake Rugby Club on May 4. Vancouver maintains its lead position, closely followed by Westshore, Capilano, and Castaway Wanderers in pursuit.
We close out the week with 9 features, 12 media and 2 rugby jobs. 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 Apr 1-8, the Black Ferns secured their third consecutive gold at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Spain triumphed over Netherlands in the European Championships, Andorra made a victorious debut in their inaugural international test against Bulgaria, Cliodhna Moloney earned a recall to the Ireland squad after a two-year absence, World Rugby issued a groveling apology for ‘misogynistic’ guidelines on how to coach women, and we also provide a global overview of Premier and Club competitions worldwide!
Women’s Rugby Rundown Video Update
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@yscrugby In the Women’s Rugby Rundown for Apr 1-8, the Black Ferns secured their third consecutive gold at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Spain triumphed over Netherlands in the European Championships, Andorra made a victorious debut in their inaugural international test against Bulgaria, Cliodhna Moloney earned a recall to the Ireland squad after a two-year absence, World Rugby issued a groveling apology for ‘misogynistic’ guidelines on how to coach women, and we also provide a global overview of Premier and Club competitions worldwide! 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
7s
International
- The Black Ferns beat USA 36-7 to lift the trophy at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, their third consecutive gold taking them above Australia to the top of the HSBC SVNS series standings [link]
- Australia secured a thrilling 24-21 comeback victory against France, claiming bronze and leveling with New Zealand on 106 points in the series standings, slipping to second place on points difference
- Great Britain solidified their eighth position in the series standings with a 14-5 triumph over Brazil, enhancing their chances of reaching the Grand Final in Spain, and Japan achieved a season-best seventh-place finish by defeating Ireland 12-5 with a late score
- China won the inaugural Melrose Claymores tournament by beating Hong Kong 24-10 [link]
- The last leg of the Challenger Series is scheduled for May 18-19 in Krakow, Poland, with China leading, Argentina following closely in second place, Belgium securing third, and Uganda currently occupying fourth position [link]
XVs
International
- Spain’s 22-5 win over the Netherlands in the European Championships means they still have a good chance at taking home the title again [link]
- Andorra debuted in their first international test, crushing Bulgaria 119-0, marking the introduction of the 76th international women’s XVs team [link]
- Cliodhna Moloney recalled to Ireland squad after two-year exile [link]
- The Africa Cup will be May 4-12 in Antananarivo, Madagascar and will serve as a qualifier for the WXV and the 2025 Rugby World Cup [link]
- World Rugby issues groveling apology for ‘misogynistic’ guidelines on how to coach women [link]
Premier & Club
- Mwamaba defeated Norther Suburbs 53-0 to win the 2024 Kenya Cup and became three time winners [link]
- The Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Final between the nib Blues and Chiefs Manawa is set to be played at Auckland’s Eden Park this Saturday [link]
- Over the weekend, the Western Force achieved a historic milestone by clinching their first-ever semi-finals spot in the Buildcorp Super W, while the Fijian Drua Women notched their third win of the season [link]
- Railway Union clinched a spot in the Energia AIL Final on April 28, halting UL Bohemian’s 14-game winning streak in the process, as Wicklow secured consecutive wins with a late strike against Galwegians [link]
- USA Club D1 and D2’s postseason is shaping up with almost half the regions knowing who their Super Regional contenders are [link]
- The Welsh Premiership did see two matches this weekend but reports indicate that teams are playing with low numbers or forfeiting [link]
- The Allianz Cup returns this weekend with semifinals and placement matches [link]
- SFs
- Saracens vs Exeter
- Bristol vs Gloucester-Hartpury
- 5th/6th: Sale vs Loughborough
- 7th/8th: Leicester vs Harlequins
- SFs
- BC Rugby announced their Senior Club Finals will be at Burnaby Lake Rugby Club on May 4 [link]
Women’s Rugby Rundown Features
- ‘She’s my Michael Jordan’: Debutant Nicholas in awe of captain Caslick as dreams turn into reality [link]
- Ella Cromack: The Red Roses are our idols but we want to work hard enough to make them our rivals [link]
- La Vida Del Reves profiles Mariana Marxuach of Majadahonda who has played rugby for over 25 years [link]
- Wallaroos confirm assistant coaches for 2024 [link]
- Chairman John McGuigan determined to nurture women’s rugby in Scotland [link]
- There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’, but here are five individuals who encapsulate the Women’s Six Nations so far [link]
- Rugby League Roosters Sign USA Sevens Star Liz Tafuna [link]
- Aurélie Groizeleau: ‘You have to realise that referees are still human’ [link]
- Notre Dame College Rugby moving to Walsh University [link]
Women’s Rugby Rundown Media
- WRP 183 had guests Sarah Hunter and Zoe Aldcroft to discuss the W6N and the past week [link]
- Go behind the scenes with Lark Atkin-Davies, Maud Muir and Hannah Botterman as the Red Roses focus on their set pieces – with some additional support from England Men’s captain Jamie George [link]
- After making 75 appearances on England Women’s front row, Vickii Cornborough has drawn the curtain on her illustrious international career [link]
- Joy Neville has inspired a whole new generation of referees [link]
- Philippa Tuttiett has been sharing her analysis of the W6N on Twitter and it’s worth a watch! [link]
- Get to know the real John Mitchell in the latest episode of the England Rugby Podcast, O2 Inside Line [link]
- Inside the Red Roses talent factory and the next generation of England stars [link]
- Watch the remarkable journey of Abbie Ward as she battled back to the professional game just 17 weeks after the birth of her daughter in July 2023 [link]
- Wendy was featured on International Gay Rugby (IGR)’s The Third Half podcast, discussing her rugby journey and endeavors to unite fellow women rugby players via Your Scrumhalf Connection [link]
- Why aren’t Ireland playing their best XV? [link]
- Northern Suburbs Ladies RFC Vice Captain, Atieno Awuor shares her experiences and challenges as a female rugby player [link]
- Costly mistakes for Ireland in front of a record attendance [link]
Rugby Jobs
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