Finland and Latvia Earn Promotion as Matthew Smith Resigns from RFU Over Misogynistic Comments | WRR 250

Before we jump into the new, we are shouting out a huge thank you to our community. This is our 250th episode, and we are also celebrating 20 years of YSCRugby. You sent in your wonderful memories, telling us how you found the show and why you keep listening. From fans tracking global events to listeners tuning in during their morning commutes, your support keeps us running. We are incredibly grateful to have you with us on this journey.

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Women’s Rugby 7s News

International

• Europe 7s
  • Finland claimed the top spot at the 2026 Europe 7s Conference in Andorra, dominating Latvia with a 26 to 5 victory in the cup final. Israel managed to capture the bronze medal by narrowly defeating Slovakia in a tight 14 to 12 match, while Malta secured fifth place after a convincing 26 to 0 shutout against Bulgaria. Following a highly competitive tournament featuring eleven teams across multiple pool phases and brackets, both tournament champion Finland and runner-up Latvia officially earned their promotion to the 2027 Trophy Series. [link]
    • The tournament also featured a historic milestone for Estonia, who secured their first ever match victory against Greece during the pool phase with a score of 21 to 12. This crucial win propelled the Estonian squad out of the groups and straight into the quarterfinals. Though they eventually bowed out to Latvia in the knockout round, the achievement marked a major breakthrough for the team’s rugby program. Similarly, it turned out to be a day to remember for Greece, as they bounced back in the ranking pool to secure their own historic first ever tournament wins, dominating Lithuania 24 to 10 and sweeping past Bosnia and Herzegovina 44 to 0 to claim the top spot in the 9th place round robin phase.

Domestic

• The pathway for the 2026 USA Club 7s National Championship has been revealed, setting the stage for the tournament to return to Madison, Wisconsin on August 8 and 9. Defending champions Chicago Lions and NOVA will look to retain their titles as teams compete across a dual track qualification process that awards eight automatic bids to regional winners and eight at-large selections to wildcard squads. [link]

Women’s Rugby XVs News

International

• Barbarians
  • The Barbarians have announced a fresh wave of international stars to join New Zealand’s Ruby Tui for the upcoming clash against Wales at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Coached by Susie Appleby and Sarah Hunter, the squad features elite talent from England, Scotland, Italy, Australia, Spain, and the United States, including veteran Welsh hooker Carys Phillips, who will line up against her own country. The fixture will serve as the second half of a high-profile double header following the men’s match earlier in the afternoon. The final remaining squad members are set to be confirmed next week immediately after the conclusion of the PWR semifinals. [link]
• RFU
  • Rugby Football Union council member Matthew Smith has resigned from his position as chair of Warwickshire RFU following a disciplinary process regarding a discriminatory social media post targeting television pundit and England World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi. Smith had previously been stripped of his council perks for seven months after questioning Alphonsi’s knowledge of the men’s game during a Facebook post in March. The initial punishment sparked widespread criticism, including an open letter from the Women’s Leadership Collective that called for his dismissal and accused the RFU of a disconnect regarding its zero tolerance policy on discrimination. While the RFU lacked the power to directly remove elected council volunteers, Warwickshire RFU confirmed Smith’s resignation on June 9, 2026, stating that they take issues of sexism and misogyny seriously. [link]
• Scotland Contracts
  • Scottish Rugby has announced an upgraded contracting model for the 2026/27 season, increasing the total number of contracted players to 47 as part of a revised women’s performance and pathways system. Under this new structure, 35 players will be based directly in Scotland playing for Edinburgh Rugby or Glasgow Warriors in the Celtic Challenge, while 12 critical players will continue their development externally in France and the Premier 15s. This strategic shift aims to build a competitive domestic system, accelerate player development, and create a cohesive training environment as the national team pushes for success in the Women’s Six Nations and looks ahead to the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup. [link]
    • It also raises questions about the future of the landscape, especially with the PWR recently inviting formal expressions of interest for expansion. With the Welsh Rugby Union also officially throwing its hat in the ring to join the Premiership ranks, a cross-border structural shift feels absolutely inevitable. The big question now is how these unions will map their teams to the bigger stage. Will we see a Celtic Challenge development franchise take the leap, or will a major historic club like Edinburgh or Glasgow bypass them completely to join the expanded Premiership directly?
• W6N
  • Ireland back rower Aoife Wafer has been voted the 2026 Guinness Player of the Championship, claiming a substantial forty percent of the fan vote to secure the award for the second consecutive year. The twenty-three-year-old Harlequins forward made history as the first player to win the accolade in back-to-back seasons since its introduction to the women’s tournament in 2020. Wafer’s standout individual campaign included scoring five tries, making 78 carries, and securing five turnovers, helping head coach Scott Bemand’s improving squad achieve a creditable third-place finish in the competition. [link]

Domestic

• Americas
  • WER
    • Round 6 of Women’s Elite Rugby action brought massive shakeups to the league table, spearheaded by a dominant 57 to 10 victory for the Bay Breakers over the Chicago Tempest. This win officially propelled the Breakers into first place ahead of the Denver Onyx, breaking their 25 point table tie thanks to the head to head tiebreaker from the Breakers’ 36 to 19 victory over Denver back in week one. The Onyx still moved up into second place after matching the scoring frenzy with a 63 to 14 dismantling of the Boston Banshees. Meanwhile, the New York Exiles successfully fought their way into fourth place by securing a narrow 27 to 24 win against TC Gemini. Despite taking the loss, TC Gemini still managed a critical silver lining by walking away with two vital bonus points, earning one for crossing the whitewash for four tries and a second losing bonus point for keeping the final score within the seven point margin. [link]
  • College
    • Following the sudden termination of their varsity program, twenty three members of the Quinnipiac women’s rugby team have filed a federal lawsuit demanding immediate reinstatement. The administration cut the three time national champion team just two days after their spring season ended, replacing it with a men’s long distance track team despite the university’s history of Title IX compliance issues. Players were left in a difficult position due to the transfer portal already being closed, and the lawsuit alleges unequal treatment based on sex alongside retaliation against head coach Becky Carlson for previously raising Title IX concerns. Alumni and community members have pointed to a long history of institutional neglect, including inadequate facilities and minimal administrative support, despite the program’s high level of success and legacy of producing elite athletes. [link]
• Europe
  • The Ealing Trailfinders made history in their first ever PWR knockout appearance, ending the Gloucester-Hartpury dynasty with a nail biting 29 to 26 victory at Kingsholm behind a masterful performance from Meg Jones and a brace from Isla Norman-Bell. They will face Saracens, who secured their own spot in the title match after a breathless 40 to 38 thriller against Exeter Chiefs that was finally settled by a spectacular solo try from Jess Breach with just five minutes remaining. This sets up a massive all London showdown for the PWR Final, scheduled for June 28, 2026, at the Twickenham Stoop. While Saracens will look to lean on the clinical form of newly crowned PWR Player of the Season Olivia Apps, Trailfinders have proven they possess the defensive grit and tactical creativity to dismantle top tier giants, promising fans an incredibly physical battle for the domestic crown. [Trailfinders] | [Saracens]
• Oceania
  • Super W
    • The second round of the Super W season started with an incredible Fijian Drua fightback to stun the Western Force 29 to 24 in Lautoka. The Force appeared in control with a 24 to 10 lead following a 51st minute try by Sammy Wood, but the Drua exploded with three tries in a devastating 12-minute window, anchored by a double from fly-half Varanisese Qoro, to secure the victory. Meanwhile, the reigning champion NSW Waratahs preserved their historic unbeaten record against domestic rivals by defeating the Brumbies 29 to 17 at Viking Park. The Waratahs set up their win with a roaring first-half display to lead 26 to 7 at the interval, spearheaded by two tries from Wallaroos lock Kaitlan Leaney in her milestone 25th match, before successfully weathering a highly physical second-half resurgence from the Brumbies. [Fijiana Drua] | [Waratahs]
  • Super Rugby Aupiki
    • The opening round of the 2026 Super Rugby Aupiki season kicked off with a pair of absolute statement victories. The Blues immediately surged to the top of the standings with a ruthless six-try performance at Eden Park, dismantling Hurricanes Poua 42 to 7 and banking a crucial try bonus point. Not to be outdone, Matatū matched them in the bonus-point column at the brand new One NZ Stadium, securing second place by unleashing a blistering offensive display to overwhelm Chiefs Manawa 52 to 26 behind an impressive five-try haul. [link]
      • Making the victory even sweeter, Matatū set a massive New Zealand domestic standalone women’s rugby attendance record, drawing an incredible crowd of 11,793 fans to One NZ Stadium. To put that milestone into perspective, the previous league record was just 4,800 fans, set back in 2024 when the Blues hosted Chiefs Manawa at Eden Park. By more than doubling the old record, the Christchurch crowd set a massive new precedent for the scale and visibility of the competition moving forward. [link]
• Africa
  • Uganda Premiership
    • The race for the 2026 Uganda Premiership title is coming down to dramatic finish, as the tournament crowns its champion based strictly on final regular season table points rather than a postseason playoff. Nile Rapids currently lead the pack with 27 points, but their position is under intense pressure from the two teams sitting right below them. The ultimate destination of the trophy will likely be decided on Saturday, June 20, 2026, when the second place Thunderbirds square off against the third place Avengers in the league’s final featured clash. Because there is no traditional final match, this high-stakes meeting serves as the definitive title decider for both squads as they desperately chase the victory needed to overtake the Nile Rapids at the top of the standings. [link]
• Asia

Women’s Rugby Features

• Cecil Afrika optimistic for Springbok Women’s Sevens despite World Series heartbreak [link]
• Trailfinders set up Saracens final after stunning upset ends Gloucester’s reign [link]
• Hook, lineout and tackle: How the Women’s Rugby World Cup inspired my career in sports photography [link]
• Scottish Rugby increases women’s pro contracts by 12 [link]
• ‘I know how England think’ – Rouet on suspicion-raising Saracens stint [link]
• Orr returns as seven new players join Edinburgh Rugby Women [link]
• Scotland in Murrayfield return in 2027 Women’s Six Nations [link]
• ‘Look at Ilona Maher’: Lloyd on rugby’s changing landscape [link]
• Twenty years ago, girls who loved rugby looked up to All Blacks. Now they have Matatū [link]
• Super Rugby Aupiki: Attendance records broken as Matatū put 50 on Chiefs Manawa [link]
• ‘I will miss being around the club’: Packer to exit Saracens after nine years [link]
• Black Ferns midfielder Amy Du Plessis eyes World Cup and Lions tour after recommitting to NZ Rugby [link]
• Who I’m watching in Round 1 of Aupiki 26 [link]
• ‘I don’t even know what to say’: Wafer doubles up on top Six Nations prize [link]
• Canada international scoops Player of the Season gong at Rugby Awards [link]
• Rugby Australia Secures R.M.Williams Extension Through 2029 [link]
• Coaching Care Creativity Deep Dives into the Size 4.5 Ball Trial [link]
• Study explores captains’ leadership roles in women’s rugby [link]
• Portia Woodman-Wickliffe named in Time’s 100 most influential people in sport [link]
• Aoife Wafer makes history by winning back-to-back Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship awards [link]
• ‘This is a new chapter’: Marlie Packer’s club future has been confirmed [link]
• Cleall and Leitch come out of retirement to play for Barbarians [link]
• Super Rugby Women: Western Force full-back Aiysha Wigley to end two-year injury battle in season opener [link]
• ‘I was a little bit miffed for 48 years’: Retrospective caps awarded on emotional day at Allianz Stadium [link]
• Glasgow Warriors announce new contracts ahead of 2026/27 Celtic Challenge [link]
• Rugby player El Perry retires after joining Ireland for World Cup [link]
• Anathi Qolo: Leading a new era for the Bok Women [link]
• Scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly hopes new normal has been set for Irish women’s team [link]
• Super Rugby Women’s 2026 Team of the Week Round One [link]
• How therapy helped Sarah Beckett to process England heartache [link]
• EGRL Showcase Remains the Standard in Recruiting Events [link]
• Yapp’s long journey to making history as Lions Women’s Head Coach [link]
• Suzy completes loony Rook! [link]

Women’s Rugby Media

• Rugby Rodeo: Maternity Leave as an England Rugby Player, IVF & Moving to Quins: Rosie Galligan & Marlie Packer
• The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby: Jo Yapp, the first ever Women’s Lions Coach
• The Bonus Point: The Search for an Edge
• LTW Fancast: A performance to be Proud of
• Squidge Rugby: So what’s next for Ellie Kildunne?