France & Ireland U21 Glory, Japan’s Asian Reign, and Chicago’s First WER Win | WRR 245

We’re is still celebrating 20 years, and the giveaways continue! Next up on our journey is chasing the 8,000-follower mark. To be eligible for the next individual drawing, make sure you are following both @YSCRugby and @BooshiePromo on Instagram AND have commented on the pinned Anniversary post.

Want to hook your team up, too? You can enter yourself into the individual milestone drawings and register your team for the massive Grand Prize giveaway at the end of the celebration by commenting your club’s name on our pinned Anniversary post. It has been an incredible 20 year journey so far and we are not slowing down!

Women’s Rugby 7s News

International

• The LIT Super Sevens Series kicked off with a bang at Manor 7s, where the Hammerheads secured the Elite Cup in a high-octane display of sevens rugby. The Elite competition saw New Zealand’s Fullsend claim the Plate, while in the Open brackets, the University of Bath took home the Cup and the Wild Dogs Impis secured the Plate. This opening leg at Eton Manor set a clinical standard for the series, which now moves to Oxford Quins RFC this weekend. With critical series points on the line, the chase for the “Best in the UK” title is officially wide open as the circuit heads into its second of four core rounds. [link]
  • Manor 7s
    • Elite Cup: Hammerheads
    • Elite Plate: Fullsend (NZL)
    • Open Cup: Univ of Bath
    • Open Plate: Wild Dog Impis

Women’s Rugby XVs News

International

• Asia Championship
  • Japan’s Sakura XV absolutely dominated the 2026 Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship, clinching the title with a massive 71–12 win over Hong Kong China in Almaty. Following an earlier victory against Kazakhstan, the Japanese side remained undefeated through clinical attacking and a standout defensive effort from Player of the Match Korai Sakurako. This commanding performance reinforces Japan’s status as the regional powerhouse while showcasing the impressive growth of women’s rugby across Asia. [link]
  • Hong Kong narrowly missed out on second place at the 2026 Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship after a gritty 26–26 draw against Kazakhstan in Almaty. Playing in torrential rain, Hong Kong rallied in stoppage time as reserve hooker Tanya Dhar scored two late tries from driving mauls to secure the emotional comeback. While the result demonstrated the rising confidence of a squad featuring nine new caps, Kazakhstan claimed the runner-up spot behind Japan due to a superior points differential. Co-captain Kea Herewini praised the team’s mental toughness and forward dominance, noting that this resilience provides a massive boost as they prepare to host the World Rugby WXV in September. [link]
• Six Nations
  • Ireland powered to an emphatic 33–12 bonus-point victory over Wales in the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, driven by a peerless performance from Player of the Match Aoife Wafer. The Irish forward pack eventually broke through a gritty Welsh defense as Brittany Hogan crossed twice and Wafer proved a total force of nature in the carry. While Wales found a bright spot with Jasmine Joyce’s first Test try in four years, they simply couldn’t match the sustained physicality and clinical edge of an Ireland side now surging with momentum toward the final round. [link]
  • France kept their perfect bonus-point streak alive in the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, overwhelming Scotland 69–28 at Hive Stadium to set up a massive Grand Slam decider against England. While the French clinical edge was on full display with an eleven-try scoring spree, Scotland showed remarkable spirit by becoming the first team this tournament to put four tries past the visitors’ defense. It was a high-scoring thriller that showcased both the relentless power of Les Bleues and the gutsy resilience of a Scottish side that fought until the final whistle to secure their own scoring bonus. [link]
  • England’s unstoppable momentum continued in the Parma heat as Marlie Packer delivered a four-try masterclass to secure a 61–33 victory over a resilient Italy. While the Red Roses locked in a bonus point within the first fifteen minutes, the Italian side refused to back down, eventually breaching the world champions’ line five times to claim their own scoring bonus. This clinical offensive display marks 37 consecutive Test wins for England and perfectly sets the stage for a massive Grand Slam decider against France next weekend. Packer’s veteran leadership and peerless scoring touch remain the heart of this squad as they head to Bordeaux with their sights set on more silverware. [link]
  • The 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations is set for a blockbuster finale as France and England head to Bordeaux for a winner-takes-all Grand Slam decider. The Red Roses carry an unprecedented 37-match winning streak into the contest, but they face a French side boasting the tournament’s stingiest defense and the momentum of an eleven-try demolition of Scotland. With stars like Marlie Packer and Léa Murie in peak form, this clash at Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Métropole promises a fascinating tactical battle between England’s high-octane scoring and France’s clinical home-soil flair. All eyes will be on whether the world champions can extend their record-breaking run or if Les Bleues can finally topple the juggernaut to reclaim the throne. [link]
• Six Nations U21 Series
  • The 2026 Women’s Six Nations U21 Series wrapped up this past weekend with France and Ireland asserting total dominance as the future of the game. France secured the top spot by crushing England 71–12 behind a five-try haul from Alice Grandhomme, while Ireland finished their first unbeaten campaign with a clinical 31–17 win over Wales. Italy also closed on a high note by fending off Scotland 34–22 to seal a successful run in Edinburgh. These results highlight a massive surge in developmental depth for the French and Irish youth systems as they officially put the senior ranks on notice. [link]
• Africa Cup
  • Tunisia opened their 2026 Women’s Rugby Africa Cup Division 1 campaign with a massive 85–0 statement victory over Côte d’Ivoire at the El Menzah Stadium. The hosts were in total control from the whistle, taking a 41–0 lead into the halftime break before adding another 44 points in a relentless second-half display. Key contributions came from Zahra Chtioui and Ranim Maddouri, while fly-half Nour Ayari was clinical from the tee to help capitalize on the Ivorian defensive struggles. This dominant win puts Tunisia at the top of the standings as they prepare for a highly anticipated North African derby against Morocco to decide the promotion battle. [link]
• Cyprus Women’s Rugby marked a historic milestone on May 2, by holding their first-ever national team training camp in East London. Nineteen years after the federation’s founding, this launch signals a dedicated push to establish a competitive presence on the European stage by 2027. Under the leadership of head coach Craig Ratford and team manager Christy Yiannoudes, players traveled from as far as Canada to forge a shared identity and transition from individual talent to a cohesive squad. This inaugural session wasn’t just a trial run but a definitive statement of intent, proving that the “spirit of the mouflon” is finally ready to compete in the international women’s game. [link]
• World Rugby has officially confirmed that the controversial size 4.5 ball trial will expand into the elite 15s game for the 2026 WXV Global Series, sparking a fierce backlash from top-tier athletes. England’s Zoe Harrison has notably denounced the shift as a regressive step that ignores the high-performance standards already set by women using the standard size 5 ball. Data from recent tournaments reinforces this skepticism, revealing that the women’s game is currently faster and more attack-oriented than the men’s equivalent, despite using the larger equipment. Critics argue that by focusing on ball dimensions rather than systemic issues like ACL research or professional pathways, the governing body is prioritizing an unproven gimmick over genuine athlete welfare. [link]
• Erin Rush’s ascension to the New Zealand Rugby presidency is a landmark moment that blends her deep roots as a former Black Fern with a proven track record in sports governance. After making history as the first female vice president in 2024, her move to the top office follows years of service across the Wellington and New Zealand rugby landscapes. Her two-year term arrives at a pivotal financial juncture for the organization, where her experience as both an elite athlete and a business professional is expected to bridge the gap between tradition and the modern commercial era. [link]
• Rugby Canada has welcomed a landmark $755 million federal investment in Canadian sport, a generational funding boost aimed at supporting athletes from grassroots to the podium. The organization is already mirroring the government’s call for private sector growth through its “Earned Not Given” campaign, which helps national team players offset the costs of full-time training. This financial momentum arrives at a pivotal time for the women’s game, with Canada set to host world champions England for the Rugby Rematch Tour this October at BMO Field and TD Place. [link]
• Welsh rugby fans have a prime opportunity to support their national side this September as the Women’s XV return to Cardiff Arms Park for the WXV Global Series. The home stretch kicks off on Friday, September 18, with an evening clash against South Africa, followed by a high-stakes encounter with the USA on Saturday, September 26. These back-to-back international weekends serve as a vital platform for Wales to build momentum on home soil following their recent push for professional expansion. [link]
• Look Ahead
  • Looking ahead, the rugby still isn’t stopping! The USA Club National 15s Championships kick off on Friday, May 15, bringing the best domestic talent together for a multi-day battle. On May 16, the Africa Cup heats up with a North African derby between Tunisia and Morocco that will decide Division 1 supremacy. The weekend culminates in a Super Sunday finale for the Six Nations on May 17. Wales faces Italy to avoid the wooden spoon, Ireland takes on Scotland in a battle for third, and finally, the heavyweights collide as France and England meet in Bordeaux for the Grand Slam. Between the LIT Super Sevens heading to Oxford and the international finales, there is no shortage of world-class action to follow. [link]

Domestic

• Americas
  • The 2026 BC Rugby Senior Club Finals were headlined by the Vancouver Thunderbirds securing their fifth-straight Women’s Premier League title. The Thunderbirds overcame an early deficit against Westshore RFC, powered by two tries from Kiki Idowu to fuel a 38–17 victory and retain the Gordon Harris Memorial Trophy. In Division One, fourth-seeded Capilano RFC ended their championship drought with a commanding 44–7 win over the Kamloops Raiders, while the Kelowna Crows completed the first half of a club double by defeating the Chilliwack Crusaders 28–12 to lift the Ged Griffiths Cup. [link]
  • Round 2 of the WER delivered a big milestone as the Chicago Tempest secured the first victory in their franchise history with a thrilling 36–32 win over the Boston Banshees. After a winless inaugural season in 2025, the Tempest finally broke through at Benedictine University, fending off a late Banshees surge to secure the emotional result. Elsewhere, the Bay Breakers continued their dominant form with a 46–12 dismantling of the New York Exiles at Memorial Field, while the reigning champion Denver Onyx bounced back from their Round 1 bye to overwhelm TC Gemini 54–29 in Glendale. [link]
• Europe
  • PWR
    • The professional landscape of women’s rugby is shifting toward a cross-border future now that Scottish Rugby has joined the Welsh and Irish in formally lodging expressions of interest to join an expanded PWR. This unified movement marks a significant turning point for the Celtic nations, aiming to curb the “player drain” to England by establishing high-intensity professional homes for elite athletes closer to their national setups. While the IRFU and WRU see this as a strategic move to localize their stars, Scottish Rugby hopes that bringing Glasgow and Edinburgh into the fold will accelerate the progress made in the Celtic Challenge. By bridging the gap between developmental structures and the world’s most competitive domestic circuit, these unions are signaling a move away from isolated development in favor of a robust, Anglo-Celtic professional ecosystem.  [Irish] [Welsh] [Scottish]
• Oceania
• Africa
• Asia

Women’s Rugby Features

• FRPA Launches Leadership Workshop to Empower Women in Rugby [link]
• ‘Outsanding’ Balogun signs on for more with Bears [link]
• Four sisters, a cousin, one team: A rare family story unfolds on Dinos Women’s Rugby roster [link]
• Chiara Peguiron, Italy number 51: “I discovered rugby by chance, and it became a family sport. And that victory against France…” [link]
• Legge is new Drua Women coach [link]
• ‘I Don’t Think I’ve Ever Beaten An England Team At Underage, Ever’: Ireland U21s Claim Famous Win In Coventry [link]
• Marlie Packer: ‘I will support this team in whatever way I can’ [link]
• Cruikshank making the most of ‘brilliant’ latest Scotland opportunity [link]
• ‘We want to play relentless rugby’: Leti-I’iga outlines bold Black Ferns objective [link]
• Morgane Bourgeois’ Women’s Six Nations notebook: Chapter 4 [link]
• England rugby’s first female Sikh swaps scrum for sumo [link]
• Cancer left Red Roses’ Christiana Balogun unable to walk. Now she’s in the England squad [link]
• First female rugby referee urges industry to tackle sportswomen about protection [link]
• South Africa forward Lochner signs new Quins deal [link]

Women’s Rugby Media

• Women’s Rugby Treehouse: Don’t f*ck with women’s balls
• The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby: Inside the Red Roses Coaching Box
• Rugby Rodeo: Six Nations Crunch Time & Fallow Week BTS