Mexico Wins RAN 7s and Hong Kong Clinches 3 Nations Cup | WRR 225

Women’s Rugby 7s News

International

• RAN 7s was decided by a thrilling final where Mexico claimed the championship by narrowly defeating Jamaica 22-19. This victory qualifies Mexico for the HSBC SVNS 3 tournament, while both the champions Mexico and runners-up Jamaica have earned spots at the upcoming Central American & Caribbean Games. Rounding out the podium, host nation Trinidad & Tobago secured third place with a commanding 27-0 shutout victory over Bermuda. [link]
  • Guyana’s women’s rugby team successfully completed their long-awaited return to the RAN 7s after nearly a decade, securing a significant achievement by beating Barbados in the pool stage and then defeating them again 14-7 in the 5th Place final. This performance marked the end of their comeback campaign and established a new foundation for the program, following months of intensive preparation under new coach Stephen Lewis. [link]
• The Egyptian Women’s Rugby 7s team made their historic continental debut at the 2025 Africa 7s, marking their first major event since achieving full World Rugby membership. Despite initial losses, the squad showed incredible growth, culminating in their first-ever continental win against Côte d’Ivoire to finish tenth, a huge milestone for a program dedicated to aggressive grassroots development. [link]
• The new HSBC SVNS season launches this weekend, featuring New Zealand defending the Series title and Australia holding the most recent title, all while the massive Dubai Invitational tournament kicks off right alongside the main event [link] and [link]
• The HSBC SVNS Series will debut in the US’s most iconic city, with New York hosting a leg of the premier sevens competition from March 14-15, 2026, at Sports Illustrated Stadium. This move is a strategic step by World Rugby to boost the sport’s profile in the US, particularly ahead of the LA28 Olympics and the US-hosted Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033. The event, which will serve as the final round of the regular season, promises an intense, festival atmosphere in a city known for its unmatched energy and fast pace. [link]
• Kenya is on the brink of confirmation to host an HSBC SVNS Division 2 leg in February 2026, marking the first time the country would stage a World Rugby Sevens Series event. World Rugby officials are currently conducting a final assessment of facilities, including the likely host, Nyayo National Stadium, before announcing their decision within the next few weeks. [link]

Domestic

• The inaugural LIT Florida International 7s Tournament is set to launch next Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Premier Sports Campus in Bradenton, Florida, welcoming over 20 teams from across the United States. Following 13 years of successful rugby sevens events in Europe, including the massive LIT Super 7s Series, organizers are thrilled to bring their expertise to the US for the first time. They are also currently seeking U18 girls to join the action. [link]

Women’s Rugby XVs News

International

• Hong Kong clinched the 3 Nations Cup by beating Belgium 15-7 in a tough final match played in freezing conditions. After trailing 0-7 at halftime, the higher-ranked Hong Kong China team showed incredible commitment and resilience in the second half, scoring three unconverted tries to secure the comeback victory. [link]
• In the Europe Conference Georgia delivered a dominating 43-0 shutout victory against Romania in Bucharest. Meanwhile, in the second match, Austria secured a comfortable 20-7 win over Czechia. These matches kicked off the season for the eight registered teams in the Women’s Conference, which does not maintain a formal ranking this year as unions internally arrange matches. [link]
• Sky Italia cemented its role as the home of elite rugby in Italy by renewing its commitment to broadcast every fixture of both the Guinness Men’s Six Nations and the Guinness Women’s Six Nations in 2026. This extensive coverage is particularly notable for the women’s tournament, which will feature games in major stadiums across Europe to reflect the massive growth and engagement following the 2025 Rugby World Cup. [link]
• The Spanish Rugby Federation has hired Régis Sonnes as the new Head Coach for the women’s national team. Sonnes, a French coach with major experience including a run with Top 14 champions Stade Toulousain, is no stranger to Spain, having previously coached the men’s national team. His main goal is to lead the women’s program towards the ambitious objective of qualifying for the 2029 World Cup in Australia. [link]
• The New Zealand Rugby Board has appointed the legendary three-time World Cup winner Professor Dame Farah Palmer as its third representative on the World Rugby Council. Dame Farah’s influence is immense, having captained the Black Ferns to their first three World Cup titles, becoming the first woman elected to the NZR Board, and even having the National Provincial Championship renamed the Farah Palmer Cup in her honor. NZR believes her integrity, leadership, and experience will make her a powerful advocate for global growth of the women’s game. [link]

Domestic

• Both Stirling County and Watsonians, who have already locked up their spots in the Grand Final, secured wins in the penultimate round of the Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership. Undefeated leaders County dominated Heriot’s 62-19, while Watsonians defeated Corstorphine 26-14, setting up a highly anticipated clash between the top two next weekend. In the lower half, Hillhead Jordanhill continued their strong run with a 45-5 victory over Biggar. [link]
• Round 6 of the BC Premier saw Meraloma deliver the biggest win of the round, absolutely crushing Seattle 87-5, while Vancouver also dominated with a huge 111-0 shutout over Abbotsford. The most competitive match saw Castaway Wanderers hang on for a thrilling 24-21 victory over Burnaby Lake, which pushed Castaway Wanderers into a three-way tie for the league lead alongside Vancouver Thunderbirds and Westshore. [link]
• Round 5 of the AXA Elite 1 saw league leaders ASM Romagnat continue their perfect run, defeating Lyon Ol U 34-12 to maintain their top spot with a five-win record. Second-placed Stade Toulousain also kept up the pressure, dispatching Club Toulon Provence Mediterranee 33-10. Meanwhile, Stade Bordelais secured a strong 33-12 victory over Blagnac Sporting Club. However, the biggest shock was the close 6-5 win by bottom-half Stade Villeneuvois Lille Metropole over fourth-placed Montpellier Herault Rugby, shaking up the middle of the table. [link]
• Women’s Elite Rugby (WER), the first professional US women’s rugby league, announced that they are retaining siz of their inaugural head coaches for the 2026 season starting in May. Director of Rugby Jamie Burke praised the coaching staff’s successful collaboration and learning experience from the first season. The league’s President emphasized that this group, which includes former international players and coaches with high-level experience like the Legacy Cup-winning Sarah Chobot, will continue to drive player development and culture as WER moves into its second year. [link]
  • Player declarations for the 2026 season will officially begin on December 1, with more detailed information becoming available soon on the league’s website.

Women’s Rugby Features

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• De Bruin pleased with first camp outcomes [link]
• Wales duo Jasmine Joyce-Butchers and Alisha Butchers have welcomed a new life into the world together [link]
• PWR launches high performance referee programme [link]
• History-making teenager among latest Wallaroos re-signings [link]
• Zack Test: The USA head coach that ‘grew up’ on the World Series [link]
• Bath having ‘productive’ talks with PWR [link]
• Cross-Code Star Vaha’akolo Joins Nib Blues Women [link]
• Springbok Womens Sevens African crown revives World Series hopes [link]
• Black Fern Demant to join Bristol on short-term deal [link]
• Hannah Botterman and Georgia Evans are championing queerness in rugby [link]
• Guide Dogs puppies form guard of honour at Premiership Women’s Rugby match [link]
• In Conversation: Jasmine Fung Hoi Ching [link]
• Australia Sevens make co-captaincy call ahead of Ashby’s SVNS return [link]
• Time of transition: Scotland women’s contracts explained [link]
• Walsh’s Australia in ‘healthy position’ ahead of new SVNS season [link]
• SVNS heads to New York: Olympic heroes set for Big Apple debut [link]
• How Laurian Johannes-Haupt engineered a Bok Women superpower [link]
• Five Rugby World Cup Wallaroos re-sign for 2026 campaign [link]
• Maud Muir on returning to club: ‘It’s been tricky. It is hard to switch your brain on’ [link]
• Why is France still struggling to get past the Red Roses? [link]

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