Fiji Removes Naulivou, Wolfhounds Lead Celtic Challenge & Elche Go Unbeaten in Latin Cup | WRR 188

Women’s Rugby 7s News

International

• Fiji Rugby made the right move by swiftly removing Laijipa Naulivou after her bigoted and homophobic comments about LGBTQ+ players, but her appointment in the first place underscores the ongoing systemic issues that continue to plague women’s rugby in Fiji [link]
• Brazil’s Super Sevens returns in October and November with two stages, while the Brasil 7s in December will determine final promotions and Bolsa-Atleta funding, continuing the nation’s push for high-performance women’s sevens [link]
• 2025 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series: Dates, Locations, and Women’s Qualification [link]

Women’s Rugby XVs News

International

• Spain’s Iberians Elche did very well in the Latin Cup finishing 2-0 and Iberians Majadahonda 0-2, while Italy split results as Benetton Treviso and Zebre Parma both went 1-1 [link]
• Round 7 of the Celtic Challenge shook up the standings as Brython Thunder secured their first win with late heroics over Edinburgh, Wolfhounds extended their lead at the top with a hard-fought victory against Gwalia Lightning, and Clovers dominated Glasgow Warriors to stay in the chase, leaving Wolfhounds four points clear with three games to go [link]
• England’s Men’s Six Nations win over France means they’ve claimed the Raeburn Shield, and with the Red Roses holding the Utrecht Shield, it’s the first time both trophies are with the same nation! [link]
• The Africa Cup will be held in May between Madagascar, South Africa, Kenya, and Cameroon [link]
• Canada’s U20 Women’s Rugby Team to play two matches in Ireland this May [link]
• England U20 Women kicked off their February training camp at Loughborough University on Feb 3, with 32 players—including 11 capped—preparing for upcoming fixtures, while Lucy Calladine was named captain for the 2024/25 season, and the squad will reconvene at Bisham Abbey from Mar 27-29 [link]
• Spain’s is set for its most ambitious prep yet, heading to Japan for an unprecedented tour with test matches against the Sakura Fifteen on July 19 in Kitakyushu and July 26 in Tokyo—setting the stage for their crucial World Cup clash on September 7 [link]

Premier & Club

• Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) Unveils Teams, League Structure, and What to Expect in 2025 [link]
• In USA Club D1, SD took the top spot in SCRFU, Tempe moved into second, and sHARCs still lead Red River despite a draw. In D2, Carolina Villains climbed to 4th in Carolinas, SCRFU saw WC Marines overtake Pasadena for second, and Red River remained unchanged. In D3, Red River Cup saw Dallas RFC jump to first after a big win over Round Rock [link]
• Blackrock College ran riot with a 93-0 win over Ballincollig, Old Belvedere powered past Cooke 56-3, Suttonians blanked Tullow 24-0, and UL Bohemian dominated Wicklow 68-21 in a high-scoring Round 13 of the Energia AIL, while Railway Union was awarded a 28-0 victory after Galwegians forfeited and continues to lead the standings [link]
• After Round 12 of Elite 1, Blagnac, FC Grenoble, Toulouse, and AC Bobigny secured wins, while Bordeaux remains undefeated at the top [link]
• Bristol Bears powered into the PWR top four with a statement win over Exeter Chiefs, while Trailfinders strengthened their push for a top-six finish with a crucial road victory over Sale [link]
• After Round 12 of the Nan Fung Group | AIRSIDE Premiership, Piper Kowloon, Natixis Ice, and Societe Generale secured wins, with Societe Generale remaining undefeated at the top [link]
• The Bulls Daisies remain the only undefeated team in the  Premier Division after a dominant win over Boland Dames, while DHL Western Province bounced back against Border, the Sharks climbed to third with a statement win over EP Queens, and Free State secured their first victory in dramatic fashion against the Golden Lions [link]
• Black Pearls held off Thunderbirds 25-12 in a top-of-the-table clash in Uganda’s Premiership Round 5, while Avengers topped Panthers 27-13 and She Wolves and Ewes battled to a 10-10 draw [link]
• Brazil’s women’s XV competition is getting a major shake-up in May 2025 as the Copa do Brasil replaces BR XV, shifting the focus to club teams, with semifinals set for July 5 and the final on August 2 [link]
• Super Rugby Aupiki coaches assemble ahead of 2025 season [link]

Women’s Rugby Features

• Zoë Evans finding the right balance between rugby and construction [link]
• Getting to know Anne Young [link]
• Scotland women and the 14 month journey: Elliann is back from a back injury and “in a good place on and off the pitch” [link]
• Viviane Berodier’s jersey from the first-ever women’s international Test match between France and the Netherlands in 1982 is on display at the World Rugby Museum [link]
• Scotland’s Molly Wright: ‘I tore my hip flexor off my pelvis’ [link]
• Reborn Riordan Inspires Big Reds Win In Ballymore Trial [link]
• The Anderson Women’s Rugby Scholarship awards $25,000 to support rugby-playing students at the high school, undergrad, grad, and trade school levels [link]
• ‘I hate losing’: Sarah Hirini reflects on ‘sickening’ defeat at SVNS Perth [link]
• World Cup dream driving Exeter’s Canadian star Taylor Perry [link]
• Three Japanese Women Players Sign Up For Super Rugby W 2025 Season [link]
• Sacrifices worth it for new Shark Sara Cline [link]
• Local product Morgan relishing Newcastle Wallaroos homecoming [link]

Women’s Rugby Media

• Eagles Overseas Rugby: Bill and Fitzy sit down with Ross Young, World Rugby’s GM of US Operations, to discuss USA Rugby’s preparations for hosting the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups [link]
• The Women’s Rugby Show: Chat with Lottie Dadds who swapped Exeter for Montpellier over the summer to join the Élite 1 Féminine side [link]
• Good Scaz Rugby: Loughborough is hitting its stride late in the season with wins over Bristol Bears and Saracens… so Scaz is letting us take a peek inside her house to find out what’s in the water [link]
• The Power Pod: With just two games in the upcoming buffer weekend of the PWR, it felt like an opportune moment to invite a guest to join Nick Heath and run the rule over the season so far [link]

Women’s Rugby Rundown Jobs

• Saracens have various openings [link]
• Ocean Rugby Sport for Development Program Officer [link]