Scarratt Retires & WRU Invests Millions into Women’s Game | WRR 221

Women’s Rugby 7s News

International

• The Asia Rugby Emirates 7s Trophy concluded with Uzbekistan taking home the title after defeating Iran 17-7 in the Cup Final. Uzbekistan showed dominance throughout the tournament, securing the top spot. Iran also had a strong performance, ultimately claiming second place. In the battle for third, South Korea beat Jordan 17-0. [link]
• At the XII Central American Games Guatemala 2025, Costa Rica won the Gold medal based on their superior accumulated point total in the round-robin format. The Silver medal was claimed by the host nation, Guatemala, and the Bronze medal went to Panama, rounding out the top three finishers in the competition. [link]
• The rumors continue to fly about the next two levels of the HSBC SVNS series, with SVNS 3 reportedly heading to Dubai, UAE in mid-January 2026 and set to feature the Thai women and HKCR men from Asia. Meanwhile, SVNS 2 is expected to be a three-leg competition for six men’s and six women’s teams, spanning Nairobi, Kenya, in February, followed by stops in Montevideo, Uruguay, and São Paulo, Brazil in March. [link]

Women’s Rugby XVs News

International

• In the opening round of the Rugby Europe Trophy, Sweden secured a win over hosts Finland with a final score of 18-7 at Ruutisavu Areena. This victory immediately puts Sweden at the top of the early standings, leaving Finland searching for their first points ahead of their next match against Germany in February. [link]
• The Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) new plan for elite rugby makes a major financial commitment to the women’s game, creating two elite teams, a Women’s National Academy, and new domestic and Celtic Challenge competitions to develop and keep talent in Wales. This overhaul also includes streamlining the men’s professional game into a more sustainable three-club model. [link]
  • BBC Sport write that the WRU strategy is specifically designed to stop the loss of top Welsh female players to English clubs by building a competitive domestic structure. Key components include establishing a funded four-club league, alongside the two elite teams and a national academy, with the ultimate goal of strengthening the national women’s team. [link]
• Scottish Rugby has appointed Gemma Fay as its first Managing Director of Women’s Rugby, signaling a major commitment to professionalizing and growing the women’s and girls’ game. In this new senior leadership role, Fay will oversee strategic development, commercialization, and budget management, with a focus on delivering sustainable success from grassroots through to the elite level. Her previous work has already driven significant growth in participation, established the Celtic Challenge, and delivered the country’s first professional contracts for female players. [link]
• The Celtic Challenge has released its 2025/26 fixtures, marking a major leap forward for women’s rugby across Ireland, Scotland, and Wales following the World Cup. The cross-border competition is adding a new Play-Off System culminating in the first-ever Celtic Challenge Final, crowning an official champion. With every match broadcast live and home derbies highlighting the schedule, the league aims to showcase the region’s top talent and build on the immense surge in interest for the women’s game. [link]
• Crave has commissioned All Heart: Canada Women’s Rugby and the Quest for Rugby World Cup Glory, a four-episode original docuseries chronicling the Canadian women’s team’s journey through Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. The series offers unprecedented, behind-the-scenes access as the team pursues a history-making victory, having already defeated New Zealand to advance to the final against England. Produced by Boat Rocker Studios with executive producers Jay Baruchel and The Tragically Hip, the documentary will stream on Crave in 2026 before airing on TSN. [link]
• New Zealand Rugby is significantly shaking up its domestic calendar for 2026. Super Rugby Aupiki is moving to a new June to August window to allow for a longer season and more professional development for players. This change complements the Black Ferns’ expanded 10-Test schedule including an intensified WXV Global Series while the Dr. Farah Palmer Cup will shift to focus on emerging talent later in the year. [link]
• In a strong push for diversity, Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah passionately championed women’s leadership during a panel at the World Rugby General Assembly in London, arguing that “We Can’t Achieve Excellence with Only 50% of Us.” Mensah emphasized that neglecting women alienates half of the talent and profit in the sport, while World Rugby celebrated the success of the recent World Cup and noted that female representation has risen to 42% on the Executive Board and 38% on the Council. The message was a clear call to embrace women not just on the pitch, but across all levels of governance and business. [link]
• One of England’s most decorated women’s rugby players, Emily Scarratt, has announced her retirement at age 35, going out on top just a month after helping her team secure the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 title. The Rio 2016 Olympian retires with a national record of 754 points across 119 Test caps, and will immediately transition into a coaching and mentorship role with the RFU, continuing her legacy as a massive influence on the sport. [link]

Domestic

• The Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership kicked off its post-split stage with some decisive results, highlighted by unbeaten leader Stirling County continuing their dominance with a 36-10 victory over Watsonians. In the other top-four clash, Corstorphine RFC earned a solid 28-15 win over Heriot’s, while the weekend’s biggest battle saw Biggar RFC edge out Cartha Queens Park 51-48 in a thrilling, high-scoring contest. Finally, Hillhead Jordanhill secured a big win in the lower half of the table, defeating Garioch 57-22. [link]
• Llandaff North continued their dominant start to the Admiral National Leagues Premiership this past weekend, defeating Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd 43-7 on October 26th. Llandaff North leads the table with a perfect 3-0 record, having accumulated the maximum 15 points and showcasing their superior attack as the top-scoring team in the Welsh women’s Premiership. [link]
• The second week of BC Premier action delivered a major result as Burnaby Lake edged out Vancouver Thunderbirds 29-24 to maintain their perfect record and share the top spot. Meanwhile, Westshore also secured a narrow win, beating Castaway Wanderers 37-26, keeping the top of the table packed with undefeated teams. After two weeks of play, Burnaby Lake and Westshore lead the competition with 10 points apiece. [link]
• Round 4 of the Energia AIL was defined by massive victories from the top clubs, including a record-breaking 99-7 win for Railway Union, driven by four tries from returning Rugby World Cup star Claire Boles. Unbeaten leaders Galwegians maintained their perfect streak with a dominant 43-0 victory over Cooke, while Blackrock College crushed Ballincollig 60-14, and UL Bohemian handed Ennis a huge 77-0 defeat, signaling the dominance of the league’s powerhouse teams. [link]
• Round 4 of the Iberdrola League saw Colina Clinic El Salvador remain the only unbeaten team after crushing Sant Cugat 56-5 to cement their spot at the top of the table. Elsewhere, Getxo Rugby confirmed their strong form with a convincing 44-22 road win, while both Silicius Majadahonda and Complutense Cisneros secured tight, hard-fought victories in closely contested matches. [link]
• Round 4 of the Nan Fung Group | AIRSIDE Premiership saw continued dominance from Societe Generale Valley, who crushed Causeway Sandy Bay 86-3 to remain the league’s sole unbeaten leader with a perfect 4-0 record. This result extends their significant lead over Kroll URC Tigers and HKFC Natixis Ice, who are tied in second place, as they all continue to chase a spot in the semi-finals. [link]
• Round 2 of Serie A Elite saw the league’s top three clubs, Arredissima Villorba, Valsugana, and SIA-MPL Rugby Colorno all secure five points to share the early lead. Villorba was the most dominant, sweeping Benetton Treviso 60-0 for their second straight rout. Meanwhile, Valsugana powered past Capitolina 55-10, and Colorno defeated IVECO CUS Torino 34-12, setting up a tight race at the top of the table. [link]
• Round 1 of the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) season featured high-octane attacks and statement wins from the league’s top sides. Champions Gloucester Hartpury started their title defense strong, overpowering Saracens 40-14, while Harlequins outscored Loughborough Lightning 52-42 in a chaotic, bonus-point classic. Elsewhere, Sale Sharks dominated Leicester Tigers 46-17 with a flurry of early tries, and Exeter Chiefs secured all five points with a dominant first half against Trailfinders Women, winning 24-12. [link]
  • Following an electrifying Women’s Rugby World Cup, Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) has secured a three-year deal with Gallagher, who will become the league’s Official Insurance Partner. Building on their existing rugby commitments, Gallagher is looking to fuel the growth and professionalization of the women’s game by funding opportunities for leadership, coaching, and community development. [link]
• USA Club continues with the Northern Region kicking off its D2 quarterfinals, even as D1 leaders hold strong. Meanwhile, the Atlantic Region saw significant volatility, highlighted by NOVA remaining undefeated in D1 and a top-of-the-table flip in D2’s Capital division. Finally, the Gulf Coast Region experienced movement in D1 with Utah taking the lead after a commanding win, though D2 and D3 leaders maintained their top spots. [link]

Women’s Rugby Features

• Faith Nathan on Australia’s SVNS hunger and award-winning success [link]
• Rugby Canada is proud to launch the University Rugby Task Force, a collaborative initiative designed to strengthen university rugby as a key part of Canada’s high-performance pathway and elevate the sport’s presence on campuses nationwide, and grow rugby into one of the leading sports within universities across the country. [link]
• Harlequins sign former York Valkyrie title winner Manuqalo Komaitai [link]
• Australia Sevens re-sign trio of rising stars for 2026 SVNS Series [link]
• Quins’ Delgado and Peña Hidalgo set their intentions for new PWR season [link]
• Helping connect players with clubs: Ella Amory’s ‘Offload’ mission [link]
• Dual careers: The PWR athletes juggling working alongside playing [link]
• Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership Stage One Dream Team [link]
• Hometown Heroes: How Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team Inspired A Nation [link]
• Sophie de Goede: ‘We had a couple of moments where we all had a vent’ [link]
• Portia Woodman-Wickliffe makes history as first female Ambassador and Walk of Fame Inductee for the 2026 McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji 7s [link]
• France’s AXA Elite 1 Championship: Get to know the teams [link]
• Manuqalo Komatai: Harlequins Women sign Fiji international forward [link]
• Trailfinders’ Julia Schell: ‘Top four is definitely what we have our sights on.’ [link]
• British Beauty Council names rugby star Tatyana Heard debut Sports Ambassador [link]
• Shannon Ikahihifo opens up on her breast cancer diagnosis [link]
• England’s ‘greatest player’ challenges the game to ‘not undersell’ itself with a showing of ‘unbelievable growth’ [link]
• Where are England’s World Cup winners playing? [link]
• Claudia Moloney-MacDonald: ‘Winning the World Cup was monumental – much bigger than us’ [link]
• Two machines, one final: Why England’s Red Roses and Canada took different roads to Twickenham [link]
• 2025/26 PWR player movement: New faces and changes of allegiance [link]
• A man in a woman’s world: Inside John Mitchell’s World Cup-winning Red Roses camp [link]
• Ponsonby and Borland ‘strongest we’ve ever been’ ahead of PWR opening weekend [link]
• Aoife Wafer: ‘PWR has the best players in the world in one league.’ [link]
• Whistle, sweat and soil: How Esther Nyawira Nyambura woman is changing Kenyan rugby [link]
• FFR advertise for new head coach to lead women’s team [link]
• South Africa ready to be next generation of women’s rugby stars [link]
• Bhumika Shukla: From Rajasthan’s Narrow Lanes to the Heart of Indian Rugby’s Revolution [link]
• How Nomsa Mokwai juggles her career as a nurse and a Springbok rugby player [link]
• Abby Dow: ‘The Red Roses haven’t just won a medal — we’ve won for women’s sport’ [link]
• Dismissed, Not Defeated: The World Aquatics Case as Rugby’s Governance Blueprint [link]
• Eagle Women’s Coaching Decision a Crucial Decision This Fall [link]
• Brittany Hogan discusses overcoming World Cup and injury setbacks [link]
• Investigative journalist Karim Zidan hosted a heated, yet civil, debate at the Play the Game 2025 conference on the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports. Trans athlete Grace McKenzie and scientist Joanna Marie Harper successfully challenged exclusion advocate Jon Pike, whose philosophical arguments were countered with evidence and data on the low prevalence of trans athletes. [link]
• Trinidad & Tobago Rugby Union prepares to host 2025 RAN Sevens in Malabar [link]

Women’s Rugby Media

• ‘I’ve clocked life’: Portia Woodman-Wickliffe showed me her ‘jacked’ Barbie [link]

Women’s Rugby Jobs

• Rugby Canada High Performance Director [link]
• France Women’s Head Coach [link]