Japan Reclaims Asia 7s Title & Scotland Shakes Up GB Sevens | WRR 220

Women’s Rugby 7s News

International

• Japan reclaimed the 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates 7s Series title, sweeping both legs with dominant performances, including twice defeating rival China in the Cup Finals. This result is a shift from the recent pattern, as China won the overall Series in both 2022 and 2024, trading titles with Japan who won in 2021 and 2023. Ultimately, this hard-fought Series concluded with Japan as champions, China as the consistent runner-up, and Hong Kong securing third place overall. [link]
  • CORRECTION: Final standings confirm Thailand secured third place overall in the Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Sevens Series, while Hong Kong finished fourth.
• The ANZUS International Tournament in New Zealand just wrapped up, with the U.S. Air Force taking home the 7s title. The USAF put in a dominant performance against the Royal New Zealand and Royal Australian Air Force teams, securing the First Place trophy with a strong 3-1 record. The Royal New Zealand Air Force took second, while the Royal Australian Air Force finished third in the four-day competition, which celebrated international military camaraderie. [link]
• The Uruguayan newspaper, El Observador, shed some light on the revamped HSBC SVNS Series structure, confirming Uruguay will host one of the key qualification stops in Montevideo on March 21-22. This SVNS2 circuit will feature six men’s teams, and six women’s teams, all vying for four coveted spots in the elite SVNS World Championship finals. [link]
• Scottish Rugby is now running a full-time Scotland men’s sevens program while also taking over operational oversight for the Great Britain men’s and women’s sevens teams competing in the World Series. The GB women’s team will mostly operate out of England and Wales, but it will pull players from all three home nations who will still maintain alignment with their own national performance pathways. [link]
• The rugby world is mourning the passing of Warren Abrahams, the beloved head coach of the Belgium women’s national sevens team, who tragically died in Nairobi while leading his side at the Safari 7s tournament. Abrahams, a former player and highly respected sevens innovator who also coached Wales Women and worked with USA Rugby, collapsed at the stadium and was later pronounced dead. [link]
• Africa 7s is set for November 15-16 in Nairobi, Kenya. This event has historically been dominated by South Africa, who holds nine titles, but host Kenya is a perpetual powerhouse, having reached seven finals. [link]
• Rugby Americas North just announced their expanded three-day RAN Sevens Tournament will return to Trinidad & Tobago on November 21-23. Defending champions Mexico will face an expanded field including newcomers Bermuda and Guyana. The champions will secure a coveted spot in the global SVNS pathway, and the top two teams will also earn qualification for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games. [link]

Women’s Rugby XVs News

International

• Scotland’s Hollie Davidson, fresh off refereeing her second Women’s Rugby World Cup final, is making history again after being added to World Rugby’s panel for the men’s November internationals. The decorated official will take charge of the All Blacks’ Test against Wales in Cardiff on November 22nd. Davidson is already a pioneer, having been the first woman to referee a Men’s Six Nations team in 2022. [link]
• South Africa Rugby officially confirmed that Swys de Bruin is renewing his contract with the Womenboks. Their focus now shifts to preparing the team for the 2029 Rugby World Cup. [link]
• Rugby Canada is launching a major initiative called Pathways to Empowerment after receiving funding from Sport Canada’s Community Sport for All Initiative. The national program has two key goals: boosting grassroots participation by funding coaching in schools in underrepresented communities, and significantly increasing the representation of women in rugby leadership and coaching through mentorship and training grants. This project is a crucial cornerstone of Canada’s five-year National Growth Plan, providing direct financial support to clubs and individuals starting this fall. [link]
• French Rugby is experiencing a massive shift toward gender parity, evidenced by a dramatic 94% growth in female players between 2017 and 2023, reaching over 52,000 members. The FFR is driving this development with proactive programs, structural changes like tightening the Elite 1 competition, and cultural shifts, including achieving 50% female representation on the Steering Committee in 2024. [link]

Domestic

• The Arnold Clark Premiership title contenders are set after a dramatic final day saw Stirling County and Watsonian FC dominate, while Corstorphine Cougars barely squeezed in with a one-point victory. This result meant Heriot’s secured the final spot, with all four top teams advancing to the six-round second stage starting October 24th, leading up to the December 13th final. [link]
  • Scottish Rugby is continuing its broadcast partnership with BBC ALBA to feature two key matches from the Arnold Clark Premiership second stage. The televised games will showcase league leaders Stirling County taking on second-placed Watsonian FC on October 24th, followed by a rematch between Hillhead Jordanhill and Cartha Queens Park on November 14th. All teams are fighting for a shot at the Championship Final, which is also scheduled for a live broadcast on December 13th. [link]
• Round 2 of the BC Premier delivered some tight action, with Vancouver Thunderbirds just edging out Seattle in a gritty 19-15 victory. Meanwhile, Westshore showed some serious scoring power, dispatching Abbotsford with a decisive 44-24 win. This sets up a solid early-season ladder with Vancouver Thunderbirds and Westshore sitting near the top alongside Meraloma and Burnaby Lake. [link]
  • Building on Canada’s success at the 2025 Rugby World Cup, BC Rugby is reigniting elite regional play with the return of the Ruth Hellerud-Brown Cup this November. The four-round senior competition will feature teams like the Vancouver Island Tide, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Wave, and Vancouver Thunderbirds competing from November 2025 through March 2026. This Cup, named for a Canadian rugby pioneer, is designed specifically to identify and develop the next generation of future Canadian international players. [link]
• Round 2 of the AXA Elite 1 saw a dominant scoring display, with Toulouse crushing Villeneuvois 58-3, and Montpellier Herault defeating Toulon Provence Mediterranee 34-7. These decisive victories rocketed Toulouse and Montpellier to the top of the standings with nine points each. [link]
• Round 3 of the Energia AIL Division was absolutely dominated by bonus point wins, with a perfect five teams taking maximum points. League leaders Galwegians put on an insane performance, running in 12 tries to crush Tullow 74-7, maintaining their perfect record. Elsewhere, UL Bohemian handed Old Belvedere a crushing 36-0 shutout, while Blackrock College earned a statement 29-10 win over Railway Union. [link]
• Round 3 of the Iberdrola cemented El Salvador dominance at the top of the table after they steamrolled Majadahonda 57-21, bringing their total points scored to an absurd 166 in three games. U.Sevilla CR and Getxo A. RT are close behind in second and third place, respectively. [link]
• Round 3 of the Nan Fung Group | AIRSIDE Premiership solidified the hierarchy with Societe Generale Valley taking a big win, crushing HKFC Natixis Ice 43-19 to maintain their perfect record and lead the table. Kroll USRC Tigers also delivered a major blowout, dismantling Kowloon 74-5 to jump to third place in the early standings. [link]
• In USA Club rugby this week, Utah delivered the most dominant performance, seizing the Gulf Coast’s Frontier D1 lead with an intense 119-5 blowout victory. Elsewhere, the Atlantic Region saw major shifts as Phoenixville, Union, and York & Lancaster soared to the top of their divisions. Meanwhile, the Northern Region stayed mostly steady, with only Metropolis displacing the leader in the D1 Midwest West. [link]
• The 2025/26 Series A Elite season kicked off with a bang, as all four winning teams secured a crucial offensive bonus point. Reigning champions Villorba put on a huge statement performance, crushing CUS Milano 60-0. They were joined at the top by Valsugana, who steamrolled CUS Torino 66-7, and Colorno, who defeated Capitolina 34-10. The day’s only away win went to Benetton, who secured a solid 32-10 victory over Neapolis Campania Felix. [link]

Women’s Rugby Features

• England captain Zoe Aldcroft on winning World Cup: ‘We had so much belief’ [link]
• Jones joins Scottish Rugby as head of women’s performance and pathways [link]
• England provides the blueprint for 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Australia [link]
• Why the historic Women’s Rugby World Cup final is etched in my mind forever [link]
• ‘Honest and humble’: Wallaroos trailblazers announce retirements following Rugby World Cup [link]
• More Than a Game: How a Two-Week Crush on Rugby Sparked a Trip to the 2025 World Cup [link]
• ‘A place for everyone’: Monalisa Codling advocates for more women to enter rugby [link]
• Sadia Kabeya: ‘Meeting others in rugby who look like me brought me out of my shell – I can be myself now’ [link]
• Rugby Australia Awards RECAP: Ikitau, Tuinakauvadra take out big awards in night for first-time winners [link]
• Simon Middleton praises Japan and Fiji as World Cup success stories, but names Australia, Wales, and Italy as disappointments. He stresses that other unions must significantly invest to close the growing gap with the Red Roses. [link]

Women’s Rugby Media

• newstalk: Lynne Cantwell on the future of Women’s Rugby
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• The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby: Emily Scarratt: How Rugby Made Me
• American Rugby Rising: USA Eagle Erica Jarrell-Searcy
• The Rugby Rant: Today’s Rant features Karen “Gaz” Gasbarino, TJ Olsen and The Hammer
• Rugby Rodeo: Girls Holidays, Shushing Rivals & Toxic Traits
• Sky News: ‘We’ve built something phenomenal’ Red Roses captain on creating legacy for women’s rugby