Ghana Hosts Africa 7s & Challenger Series Qualification, WRU Threats to Women’s Players | WRR 178

Welcome to Women’s Rugby Rundown 178 for October 28-November 3. Less than a year after an independent review exposed a “toxic” culture, Wales faces renewed scrutiny over contract negotiation failures, reportedly resorting to threats of disciplinary action and even the potential withdrawal of its women’s team from the WXV and 2025 Rugby World Cup. This weekend, the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Tournament in Ghana brings together 12 national teams competing for a spot in the 2025 Challenger Series, led by top contenders Kenya, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe, as South Africa has already secured a place in the HSBC SVNS. And we round up all the global Premier and Club competitions worldwide.

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Women’s Rugby 7s News

International

  • The 2024 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Tournament in Accra, Ghana on November 9-10 will serve as the qualifier for the 2025 World Rugby Challenger Series, bringing together 12 national teams—excluding South Africa, who are ineligible as a core HSBC SVNS team—including top contenders Kenya, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe, with all matches available to stream on RugbyPass TV, Rugby Africa’s YouTube and Facebook, and SuperSport [link]

Women’s Rugby XVs News

International

  • Less than a year after an independent review exposed a “toxic” culture at the WRU, the organization refused players’ requests during contract talks, resorting to threats of disciplinary action—even having head coach Ioan Cunningham pressure players to sign new deals during the Six Nations, despite the Welsh Rugby Players Association handling negotiations on their behalf
    • The WRU threatened to withdraw its women’s team from next year’s Rugby World Cup if players did not sign new contracts [link]
    • How the WRU Failed its Women [link]
    • Welsh Rugby’s grovelling apology in sexism scandal: ‘We should have done better’ [link]
    • WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood and chief executive Abi Tierney have admitted serious failings in the process of contract negotiations with the senior women’s team and that it was “absolutely clear” the governing body should say sorry to players [link]
  • Scottish Rugby has today confirmed the 45 female players who will receive support through the Academy program as part of the performance pathway for women and girls [link]
  • Kenya Rugby Union Announces Nisha Van Hoek as Co-Chair of Women’s Rugby [link]
  • The Elgon Cup has been canceled meaning that there are no Senior XVs matches for Uganda this year [link]

Premier & Club

  • Our October 30 update of the USA Club Women’s Rugby standings is live! Some regions have already locked in their postseason play, while others are just getting started [link]
  • Round 11 of the Arnold Clark Premiership saw Corstorphine cling to their undefeated streak and top spot with 54 points, narrowly escaping Stirling County’s challenge in a tight 20-19 win [link]
  • Round four of the Welsh Premiership has Caernarfon leading a tight top five with 15 points, but upcoming clashes between top teams could quickly shake up the rankings [link]
  • The BC Prem has kicked off with Burnaby Lake leading the pack, staying undefeated with two bonus-point wins [link]
  • After four rounds of Elite 1, Bordeaux holds the top spot and remains undefeated, but their lead over the pack is still slim [link]
  • Five rounds into the PWR, Exeter remains unbeaten at the top, solidifying their lead with a 29-12 win over second-place Saracens this past weekend [link]
  • Natixis Ice leads the Nan Fung Group | AIRSIDE Premiership, but they’re joined in the undefeated ranks by Societe Generale and Gai Wu Falcons [link]
  • El Salvador leads from the front in the Iberdrola, but with two other undefeated teams close behind, they hold just a one-point lead [link]
  • Valsugana leads the Serie A Elite after two rounds, but they’re joined in the undefeated ranks by Colorno [link]
  • The Netherlands’ Honor League kicked off this past weekend with Delft, AAC, Waterland, and RUS securing wins, and Delft leading on points differential [link]
  • The Uganda Cup announce the pools ahead of competition starting with 10 teams participating; Nile Rapids will look to defend their title [link]

Women’s Rugby Features

  • Jordan Russell Exclusive: “Before my move to Leicester, I’d lost the love for rugby” [link]
  • Motherhood and rugby [link]
  • We continue our Pioneers of the Pitch series:
    • Lauren Kuffel: From High School Varsity Athlete to Rugby National Champion [link]
  • Menstrual health and rugby [link]
  • Ellie Boatman: I became obsessive very quickly and that stemmed into an eating disorder [link]
  • ‘The players want to be great’: Crystal Kaua’s ambitious plan for Brazil [link]
  • Stewart caps historic year with Wallaroos Player of the Year award [link]
  • Dupont, Baille, Ollivon, Bourdon-Sansus mobilize against homophobia [link]
  • Aussie 7s star Levi shuts down talk of 2025 NRLW switch [link]
  • Understanding the menopause [link]
  • From the rugby pitch to the “Dancing with the Stars” stage, the Olympic medalist Ilona Maher talks to PEOPLE about tackling insecurity, overcoming pressure and finding love [link]
  • A tribute to the USA’s number one: ‘Hope Rogers is a standard-bearer’ [link]
  • What is pelvic health? [link]
  • Exclusive interview with Emma Orr who speaks on her WXV red card, choosing Bristol and moving away from home for the first tim [link]

Women’s Rugby Media

  • WWRAP: Julia, Sian, Huw and Harley break down the Telegraph report alleging bullying, sexism and threats by the WRU towards the women’s national team [link]
  • WRR Highlights: We’ve got a long-rage score from Frostburg, University of New Haven dominating the kickoff, Vassar’s outstanding athleticism, and Texas showing pure power [link]
  • Gallagher High Performance Academy coaches recently held a masterclass with grassroots players during WXV 2024, working in collaboration with ChildFund Rugby [link]
  • The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Hartpury Uni, home to back-to-back PWR champs and triple BUCS Super Rugby winners, has opened its doors through co-captain Mo [link]
  • Ellie Kildunne & Alex Callender discuss the importance of promoting the sport on and off the pitch, the 2025 World Cup and their hopes for the future of the game [link]
  • “We have got an environment where people want to learn, we want to win…” [link]
  • Ellie Boatman says how social pressures and obsessive behaviour led to her quitting rugby [link]
  • The Power Pod: In Episode 5, they dive into Round 4 highlights and preview Round 5, with a nod to Exe and insights from Chiefs head coach Susie Appleby; Philippa breaks down why the stats don’t tell the whole story in Lightning’s clash with Quins, grills Nick on rumors about global star Ilona Maher’s potential PWR move, answers fan questions, and crowns PT’s Power Play of the Week [link]
  • TW2: Fergus, Imogen, and James are back to run through the latest from the best league in the land [link]
  • Shiray Kaka, New Zealand Sevens BIGGEST Hype Girl on the World Stage [link]
  • The College Rugby Show: Episode 2 [link]
  • More Than A Whistle focuses on the careers of referees Joy Neville, Michelle O’Neill and Maggie Farrelly as they continue to break barriers in their respective sports [link]

Women’s Rugby Rundown Jobs

  • Rugby Canada is hiring Director of Events and a Manager, Training & Education [link]
  • Utah Warriors are looking for Ticket Sales Rep, Assistant Strength Coach and Sports Performance Scientist [link]

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