Black Ferns Sevens Rule Singapore and Yokohama TKM Claim Historic Title | WRR 231

20th Anniversary

We’re celebrating a massive 20-year milestone by launching the “10K March” to grow our community on Instagram and TikTok. We’ve teamed up with our long-time partner Booshie Custom Gear to give away prizes as we hit follower milestones, leading up to a “Team Hero” grand prize for one lucky winner and their club. It’s a huge nod to our two decades of coverage, documenting the game’s evolution from muddy club pitches to the professional era. [link]

Women’s Rugby 7s News

International

• The Black Ferns Sevens absolutely dominated in Singapore, crushing Australia 36-7 to secure their third straight title. It was an emotional win for the New Zealand squad, who dedicated the victory to those affected by the recent landslides back home. Meanwhile, Canada managed to snag their first podium finish of the season by taking down the USA in a dramatic extra-time thriller. [link]
  • The women’s standings have shifted significantly after the Singapore leg. New Zealand has officially claimed the top spot with 58 points, followed closely by Australia in second. The USA and Canada have both made impressive jumps into the third and fourth spots, while Japan took a tumble down to sixth. Meanwhile, Fiji and Great Britain find themselves sitting at the bottom of the table in the relegation danger zone. [link]
• The pools for the Perth SVNS are officially locked in. The Singapore champions, New Zealand, are set to headline Pool A against the USA, Fiji, and Japan. On the other side, Australia will be looking for redemption in a tough Pool B that includes Canada, France, and Great Britain. [link]
  • Pool A: New Zealand, USA, Fiji, Japan
  • Pool B: Australia, Canada, France, Great Britain

Women’s Rugby XVs News

International

• The 2026 Pacific Four Series is right around the corner this April, and we’ve pieced together the schedule as Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the USA kick off the long-term build toward the 2029 World Cup. This year marks a major transitional phase, with the USA entering the “Hanratty Era” and New Zealand resetting under new head coach Whitney Hansen. While we’re still waiting on some official union announcements, it looks like the tournament will be centered in the USA, giving fans a front-row seat as these powerhouses test their depth and world rankings. [link]
• Round 6 of the Celtic Challenge saw the Wolfhounds officially secure their playoff spot with a dominant 44-10 bonus-point victory over Gwalia Lightning in Cork, fueled by an early three-try blitz and a standout performance from Eve Higgins. The Clovers moved into second place after a hard-fought 38-31 win against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun, holding off a spirited second-half comeback despite finishing the match with 13 players due to yellow cards. Meanwhile, Brython Thunder finally ended their wait for a first win of the season, grinding out a 14-7 away victory against Edinburgh at the Hive Stadium to keep their top-four hopes alive. [link]
  • The Hive Stadium in Edinburgh will host the first-ever Celtic Challenge Final on March 28, 2026. This inaugural standalone showpiece marks a major milestone for the cross-border competition, serving as a vital launchpad for elite Irish, Scottish, and Welsh talent. With the Wolfhounds currently dominating the standings and already securing their playoff spot, the battle for the remaining seeds is heating up as teams fight for a chance to lift the historic trophy live on the BBC and TG4. [link]
• Asia Rugby has officially unveiled its massive 2026 Emirates Competitions Calendar, and we’re in for a full year of top-tier 15s and 7s action. The women’s 15s season kicks off this April in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where the hosts will battle it out against Japan and Hong Kong China. Things get even more interesting in July with a brand-new “landmark” competition set to debut in Sri Lanka, while the second half of the year shifts entirely to the Sevens circuit, headlined by the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games in October [link]
  • It is particularly interesting to see Asia Rugby forging ahead with such an ambitious schedule given that it is currently under provisional suspension from the World Rugby Council due to ongoing governance and financial failures. With World Rugby freezing all non-salary payments and the organization reportedly facing over $500,000 in debt, many are watching closely to see how these tournaments will be funded and executed.
• A historic Anzac Day Test is officially on the calendar for April 25, 2026, as the Wallaroos prepare to host the Black Ferns at Sunshine Coast Stadium. This landmark fixture serves as both a Pacific Four Series clash and the first leg of the O’Reilly Cup, marking a significant moment of shared remembrance and elite competition. It’s part of a massive 10-Test season for the Wallaroos that includes their first-ever tour of the USA and a trip to Europe for the WXV Global Series. [link]
• Wales women are heading to Allianz Stadium on June 27, 2026, for a high-profile “away” double-header against the Barbarians. This uncapped fixture serves as a key warm-up for Sean Lynn’s squad before the WXV Global Series in September. It’s part of a massive weekend for the sport in southwest London, with the PWR Final taking place just down the road at the Stoop the following day. [link]
• World Rugby Coach of the Year John Mitchell has officially signed a long-term extension to stay on as head coach of the Red Roses through the next World Cup cycle. Under his leadership, the team has hit a world-record 25-game winning streak and reached the highest ranking points in rugby history. While attack coach Lou Meadows is moving on, Mitchell will take over those duties for the upcoming Six Nations, supported by the legendary Emily Scarratt in an interim coaching role. [link]
  • England legend Jo Yapp is heading home to take on the brand-new role of Head of Women’s Pathway starting in July 2026. After a historic stint coaching Australia through the 2025 World Cup, she’ll now focus on nurturing the next generation of talent as part of the RFU’s “Every Rose” strategy. She is staying busy in the meantime, jumping in as a consultant for the upcoming Six Nations and helping out with the U18 and U21 programs. [link]

Domestic

• Yokohama TKM sealed their historic All Japan Championship run with a clinical 21-12 victory over the Artemi Stars at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium. Captain Moe Nagaoka led the charge in Tokyo to ensure the team’s dominant season ended with well deserved silverware. This season was highlighted by their Kanto Tournament title and a ruthless 64 to 19 semifinal win. By toppling the three time defending champion Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix in the regular season and overcoming their only loss to secure the national trophy, TKM has officially arrived as the new standard setters for the Japanese game. [link]
• USA
  • Women’s Elite Rugby officially hit a major milestone this week by closing its seed round, marking a critical leap forward for the league’s stability and long term development. This successful round of investment ensures the organization is financially on track for its 2026 season, which is set to kick off on May 2 following a preseason in April. The funding round brought in some serious heavy hitters, including Carolina Soccer Ventures and GG Ventures, alongside new board leadership from Priya Oberoi. Most intriguingly, the investor group features a mystery Grammy Award winning artist whose identity is still under wraps. By securing this foundational capital, the league is focusing on building a scalable professional pathway that provides the elite platform and professional logistics American women’s rugby has long deserved. [link]
  • Club rugby is firing up across the country, with the Gulf Coast and Pacific regions stealing the spotlight. In the Red River Premiership, all eyes are on the massive top-of-the-table clash between the Houston SHARCs and Life University, while the Tampa Krewe are dominating the Florida D2 circuit. Out West, the San Diego Surfers opened the year with a statement 78-0 shutout, and the West Coast Marines remain the team to beat in D2 with a perfect record as Northern California prepares to rejoin the action. [link]
  • Dates and key locations for the 2026 USA Rugby Club Super Regional Championships are now official. Gulf Coast heads to Austin, while the Atlantic battles it out at Niagara University! Early qualifiers like Chicago NS, Milwaukee Scylla, and Providence are already waiting for their opponents. [link]
• Westshore and Meraloma have emerged as the dominant heavyweights of the BC Premier after a massive Round 7. Westshore maintained their top spot with a staggering 94-0 blowout against Seattle, while Meraloma kept the pressure on with a 61-0 shutout of Abbotsford. Burnaby Lake and the Vancouver Thunderbirds also secured key wins to stay in the playoff conversation, as the league moves toward a critical top-of-the-table clash between the two leaders next weekend. [link]
• Stade Toulousain remains the undisputed leader of Elite 1 after a massive Round 9 thriller, edging out closest rivals ASM Romagnat 23-17 to stay perfect. Stade Bordelais kept pace in third by crushing Toulon 55-7, while Blagnac and Montpellier secured vital wins to cement their playoff positions. As the league takes a breather until February 21, the “Big Three” have officially separated themselves from the pack, leaving the bottom half of the table in a desperate scramble for survival. [link]
• Gloucester-Hartpury reclaimed the top spot in Round 9 of the PWR, moving to 8-0 after Nel Metcalfe’s first-half hat-trick fueled a 45-26 win over Loughborough. The weekend was defined by last-gasp drama: Harlequins snatched a 27-26 victory at Trailfinders with a final-play try, while Keira Bevan’s 80th-minute penalty secured a 30-29 win for Bristol Bears over Sale. Elsewhere, Exeter Chiefs blanked Leicester Tigers 36-0 to stay in the top-four hunt. [link]
• Round 11 of the Nan Fung Group | AIRSIDE Premiership saw HKFC Natixis Ice deliver a ruthless 79-0 shutout over Causeway Sandy Bay, while Societe Generale Valley RFC narrowly escaped a second straight loss with a gritty 14-12 comeback against the USRC Tigers. Gai Wu Falcons kept their momentum with a 60-10 thrashing of Kowloon, followed by a Round 12 loss to the surging HKFC Ice (31-7. [link]
• Round 10 of the Serie A Elite saw league leaders Valsugana Rugby Padova extend their advantage with a dominant 59-10 bonus-point win over CUS Milano. Arredissima Villorba kept pace in second place by defeating Colorno 20-10, though they failed to secure an offensive bonus point. Meanwhile, Benetton Rugby climbed to 30 points after a 27-0 shutout of CUS Torino, fueled by a Pietrobon hat-trick. [link]
• South Africa is going all-in on the women’s game for 2026, starting with the rebranded Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 1 on February 14. We’re also seeing a massive push for youth development, as the U18 and U16 Girls Weeks will now run alongside the boys’ tournaments, leading to the first-ever selection of two SA Schools girls’ teams. Between the new franchise competition plans and the return of the Women’s Club Championship in September, the pathway from school to pro has never looked more solid. [link]

Women’s Rugby Features

• ‘We feel like everyone is in a solid space’: why PWR will not expand next season [link]
• Following review and analysis of the 2025 season across Junior and Senior levels, USA Women’s Eagles pathways are committed to raising the depth and level of the USA Women’s talent pool looking ahead to LA28, RWC 2029 in Australia, and RWC 2033 which will be hosted in the United States. [link]
• France’s François Ratier turns to a pair of former rivals to fill coaching vacancies [link]
• Q&A With New Women’s Eagles Coach Jack Hanratty (Pt. 1) [link]
• “It was pure adrenaline” – Locatelli bids farewell to Azzurre [link]
• Premiership Women’s Rugby “very disappointed” at lack of title sponsor despite growth [link]
• Brian Robinson and Family to contribute Women’s Eagles match bonus structure in 2026 [link]
• ‘All I have to do is play rugby’: what helped Kennedi Stevenson step up to the Series [link]
• Salvin bolsters Exeter squad with addition of Scantlebury and Febrey [link]
• Red Roses star Maud Muir tackles misconceptions in the women’s game [link]
• One grass-roots rugby club are paying their women’s players – it could shake up the sport [link]
• RUGBY CANADA UPDATES PATHWAY FOR CANADA’S WOMEN’S 15s TEAM [link]
• Alana Borland: From Christchurch to Ealing, why Trailfinders is living up to expectations [link]
• World Rugby announces LIQUI MOLY as Official Partner of Rugby World Cups 2027 and 2029 [link]
• USA Women’s Eagles convene for kick off camp [link]
• ‘It’s not about the scales …it’s about someone who couldn’t do a push-up three months ago and now they can do 20′ [link]
• Abi Burton: I came back from coma and redundancy to win World Cup — now I’m fighting for change [link]
• World-class Nasser chasing breakthrough Singapore title, hints at RWC 2029 tilt [link]
• Why the PWR this February is going to be box-office [link]
• Boatman’s journey through adversity: ‘I had a few complications…not being able to feel my leg properly’ [link]
• Scotland Women Lay Foundations at Training Camp [link]
• England lock Ward pregnant with second child [link]
• ‘Lightning is the best place for me’: Loughborough skipper pens new multi-year deal [link]
• Wallaroos flyer to make Australia Sevens debut in Singapore [link]
• England Rugby sets out new strategic plan to grow the game [link]
• Manuqalo Komaitai: ‘Most of the girls back at home want one day to play here’ [link]
• Rugby Australia and Castore announce new landmark partnership [link]

Women’s Rugby Media

• US Rugby Happy Hour: Alycia Washington
• The Bonus Point Rugby Pod: Building Scotland’s Future
• The Rugby Rodeo: Sophie Power – Breastfeeding mid-way through a 100 mile race, ULTRA Marathons & Changing the Sport for Good
• LTW Fancast: New Year, A New Hope?