Saracens Overthrow Trailfinders and Stade Bordelais Seals a Historic Quadruple | WRR 252

We are still celebrating 20 years, and the giveaways continue! Next up on our journey is chasing the 9k follower mark after smashing past 8k. 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

• Ukraine captured the 2026 Rugby Europe Trophy Sevens Series title after securing a tournament victory at the second-round event in Chișinău, Moldova. Following undefeated runs through the group stage alongside Italy and Moldova, Ukraine advanced through the knockout rounds by shutting out Austria 31-0 and narrowly escaping the hosts 15-14 in a tight semifinal. The squad then edged past Italy 10-5 in a hard-fought final to secure a perfect 40-point series sweep, earning both Ukraine and runners-up Italy promotion to the elite Championship Sevens Series for 2027. Georgia claimed a third-place tournament finish over Moldova, while the final seasonal standings condemned Andorra and Croatia to relegation down to the Conference level for next season. [link]
• Look Ahead
  • Europe Championship – July 3-5
    • The first leg of the Rugby Europe Women’s Championship Sevens Series kicks off in Hamburg, Germany. This three-day event features 12 of the continent’s top international squads, including regional powerhouses France, Great Britain, Ireland, and Spain. Teams will battle through a rigorous pool stage to establish early dominance in the standings, initiating the race for the annual European Champions Title before the final leg takes place in Split later in the month. [link]

Domestic

• The LIT Super Sevens series wrapped up its elite women’s circuit at the National Pub 7s tournament, where the Hammerheads captured the final stop of the summer by securing first place ahead of Shogun. The victory officially crowned the Hammerheads as the overall series champions, validating a dominant multi-stop campaign across the calendar. Shogun took home second place to finish as the overall series runners-up. [link]

Women’s Rugby XVs News

International

• Wales secured a 34-17 victory over the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium, completing a Welsh double following the men’s victory earlier in the day. Head coach Sean Lynn used the non-cap friendly to test the squad’s depth ahead of the autumn WXV matches, selecting 11 players under the age of 22 and blooding five uncapped athletes. Uncapped winger Amy Williams paced the offense with two first-half tries, while makeshift fly-half Kayleigh Powell opened the scoring following a dominant run by Number 8 Bryonie King. Livewire scrum-half Seren Lockwood added a converted try in the second half to push the lead to 22-7 before a brief Barbarians comeback brought the score to 22-17 through tries from Bryony Cleall and Celia Quansah. Undeterred by their star-studded opponents, the young Welsh side rallied late, sealing the victory with closing tries from Courtney Keight and debutant Jorja Aiono. [link]
• The Tucumán women’s rugby team made history by playing their first-ever 15-a-side match in the province, facing Chile in a home friendly. Despite a 21 to 12 defeat, players Florencia Moreno, Azul Medina, and Victoria Giardelli expressed major optimism about transitioning to the traditional format from shorter variations like sevens. While acknowledging the steep learning curve regarding physical pacing and tighter spaces, the squad embraced the intense contact and the pride of wearing the “Orange” jersey at home. Looking ahead to their next fixture in Aguilares, team leaders view this milestone as a vital, long-term step toward establishing a competitive, national 15-a-side program in Argentina. [link]
• The Hong Kong Dragons women’s development XVs squad secured the first international victory in their program’s history with a dominant 57-0 win over a Singapore Select side. Head Coach Royce Chan praised the team’s immediate chemistry and clinical execution, which yielded nine total tries despite minimal preparation time together off the pitch. The Dragons established total control early, taking a 20-0 lead in the first quarter behind clinical scoring from Cheng Lok Tung, Sie-To Cheuk Man, Gillian Cheung, and Choi Ngai Lam. Singapore put up a stouter defensive front in the second half, but the Dragons stayed relentless with late tries from Tse Tsz Yan, AuYeung Lai Man, Riva Brill, Leung Tsz Hin, and Natalie Ireland to seal the historic shutout. [link]
• Off the Field
  • The RFU has confirmed a landmark four-year contract framework for the Red Roses, securing a major investment in England’s women’s rugby program through the 2026 to 2030 Rugby World Cup cycle. Developed alongside Team England Rugby, the new agreement guarantees a minimum of 32 full-time contracts, bumps up player salaries and match fees, and introduces a World Cup selection bonus. Red Roses captain Meg Jones highlighted that the deal provides players with greater financial security and structural recognition while heavily investing in developmental pathways for the next generation. A built-in mid-cycle review will also allow for further pay adjustments if the sport’s rapid commercial growth outpaces expectations, ensuring the world’s top-ranked team remains sustainably supported both on and off the field. [link]
  • Rugby Australia has appointed championship-winning coach Tim Walsh as its first Director of Women’s High Performance, elevating him to the organization’s executive team starting July 1. Walsh, who famously guided the Australian Women’s Sevens to an Olympic gold medal in 2016 and a recent World Championship title, will step away from his head coaching duties to lead the strategic alignment of both the Sevens and Wallaroos 15s programs. Under his leadership, Rugby Australia will roll out a high-performance blueprint that includes transitioning the Wallaroos to a fully centralized, professional squad based in Sydney later this year. Walsh’s immediate priorities include joining selection panels to appoint new head coaches for both national teams, while structuring elite training environments to maximize player retention and development ahead of major upcoming milestones, specifically the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2029 Rugby World Cup on home soil. [link]
• Look Ahead
  • South Africa vs USA Series – July 4 & 11
    • Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin has announced an experienced 30-player squad for the upcoming historic two-Test home series against the USA, featuring double-header matches alongside the men’s national team at Ellis Park on July 4 and Loftus Versfeld on July 11. The selection heavily relies on continuity, utilizing 22 players from the roster that achieved a historic quarter-final finish at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, supplemented by top domestic performers and returning English club standouts Danelle Lochner and Micke Gunter. While the squad faces notable absences due to seven players being sidelined by injuries, De Bruin expressed confidence in the synergy built during their recent two-week alignment camp in Stellenbosch. As the team transitions to Johannesburg to finalize strategies against a building American side, a new captain is scheduled to be revealed during next week’s formal team announcement. [link]
    • The USA Women’s Eagles have arrived in South Africa for their first-ever two-Test tour against the Springbok Women. Head Coach Jack Hanratty has named a dynamic squad featuring five uncapped players alongside returning veteran Kate Zackary, who is set to earn her 50th cap after recovering from injury. Georgie Perris-Redding will step into the captaincy for the first time, leading the seventh-ranked Eagles as they look to build on momentum from the Pacific Four Series and establish a new playing style ahead of future World Cups. The tour matches will serve as crucial preparation for the team before they return home in October for newly announced WXV fixtures against Italy and England in Texas, Tennessee, and New Jersey. [link]
  • Hong Kong International – July 4
    • Hong Kong will host the Women’s Rugby Showcase 2026 on July 4 at the Hong Kong Football Club. Designed to celebrate and promote the region’s female developmental pathway, the afternoon features a pathways panel and a youth fun day. The event culminates in an exhibition match between the Hong Kong U23s and the Hong Kong Dragons development squad, who look to carry forward the momentum from their recent historic international win in Singapore. [link]
  • Brazil vs USA & South Africa – August
    • The coaching staff of the Brazilian Women’s Rugby XV National Team, led by Head Coach Guilherme Coghetto, has called up a 37-player squad to prepare for a series of four high-profile international friendlies in August. The “Yaras” will host the development teams of the United States on August 8 and 12, followed by a double-header against South Africa’s development side on August 24 and 29. These home fixtures will serve as critical warm-up matches ahead of the upcoming WXV Global Series tournament, which takes place this September in Hong Kong. The extensive roster features a strong domestic contingent alongside French-based standouts Emi Karine Pereira da Silva and Tais Gomes da Costa Prioste, anchoring Brazil’s preparation for elite international competition. [link]
  • WXV
    • The Italian Women’s National Rugby Team will kick off their 2026/27 international season this September and October with a four-match test series spanning Europe and North America. The campaign begins on home soil at the Omero Tognon Stadium in Fontanafredda, where the Azzurre will host Japan on September 19 and South Africa on September 26 as part of World Rugby’s WXV Global Series. Following these home fixtures, the squad will travel to the United States for a double-header against the Eagles, featuring matches in Mansfield, Texas, on October 17-18 and Nashville, Tennessee, on October 24. Aimed at continuing the team’s growth after the Six Nations, these high-level fixtures will be streamed live via federugby.it, with discounted tickets already on sale for federation members and clubs. [link]
    • USA Rugby has announced a three-weekend international series this October across Dallas, Nashville, and New Jersey, featuring elite matchups for both the senior men’s and women’s national teams. The home campaign kicks off October 17 in Mansfield, Texas, where the USA Women’s Eagles will host Italy as part of World Rugby’s WXV Global Series. The action then shifts to consecutive doubleheader events, starting October 24 at GEODIS Park in Nashville, where the Women’s Eagles face Italy in a rematch before the USA Men’s Eagles take on an Australia XV. The series concludes October 30 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Newark, featuring the Women’s Eagles against England and the Men’s Eagles in a second clash with Australia XV. Aimed at fueling the sport’s domestic popularity ahead of the 2027, 2031, and 2033 World Cups, ticket pre-sales for these high-profile fixtures begin June 30 before opening to the general public on July 2. [link]

Domestic

• North America
  • U23 All Stars
    • The Midwest Thunderbirds captured their first modern-era USA Rugby U23 All-Star 15s Tournament title following a highly competitive championship match in Clearwater, Minnesota. After securing early victories against the Mid-Atlantic and Pacific South on day one, the Thunderbirds claimed a redemptive victory over the Rocky Mountain Peaks last Sunday in a final that featured six lead changes. Lindenwood University rising senior and Wisconsin native Ava Reuter earned MVP honors for her standout performance during the championship run. [link]
  • Quinnipiac Lawsuit
    • A federal judge in Bridgeport is expected to issue a written ruling by next Tuesday on whether Quinnipiac University must temporarily maintain its women’s varsity rugby team during an ongoing lawsuit. The suit, brought by 23 current and future players, alleges that eliminating the program violates Title IX and constitutes retaliation for prior complaints and legal actions. During final arguments on Friday, attorneys for the athletes emphasized that the decision leaves the students’ academic and athletic futures in limbo, while university representation defended the cut as a non-retaliatory fiscal measure to balance the athletic department under Title IX rules. The judge requested additional time to thoroughly review relevant case law and trial notes before delivering her final decision on the requested temporary injunction. [link]
• South America
• Europe
  • PWR
    • Saracens secured redemption and their first domestic title in four years with a commanding 52-14 victory over first-time finalists Trailfinders in the PWR Final at Twickenham Stoop. Playing in front of 8,099 fans, Saracens dominated the first half by scoring 26 unanswered points through tries from Julia Omokhuale, Sydney Gregson, and a brace from Marlie Packer in her final match for the club. Trailfinders squandered multiple early five-metre opportunities and fell further behind immediately after the break as Jess Breach and Alysha Corrigan crossed the line. While the West London side found some rhythm in the second half to score through Maya Montiel and Abi Burton, a Zoe Harrison try and a late second score from Breach sealed the emphatic win, marking Saracens’ first championship of the PWR era. [link]
    • The PWR has announced a landmark, multi-year agreement naming automotive brand JAECOO UK as its official title partner starting in the 2026/27 season. Rebranding the league to the JAECOO PWR and its pre-season tournament to the JAECOO PWR Next Gen Cup, this collaboration marks JAECOO’s largest investment in the sport to date and its first automotive partnership in professional rugby. Officials from both organizations emphasized that the alliance aligns with their shared focus on growth and long-term ambition, aiming to elevate the league’s profile, boost fan engagement, and secure the financial future of elite women’s rugby. [link]
    • On the Scrum V podcast, WRU Director of Women’s Rugby Nadine Griffiths emphasized that expanding the PWR into a cross-border UK league would create a much more commercially viable product by opening doors on a truly national level. She suggested that the PWR could accommodate the influx of six Celtic teams by transitioning into a multi-conference format. While acknowledging that joining Europe’s most lucrative league is the ideal path forward, Griffiths warned that Welsh rugby cannot solely rely on getting accepted. Consequently, she revealed a strategy to develop a separate, robust domestic competition sitting directly beneath the professional league to ensure crucial developmental and playing opportunities remain for under-18 and under-21 athletes within Wales. [link]
  • AXA Elite 1
    • Stade Bordelais achieved a historic quadruple by capturing their fourth consecutive AXA Elite 1 title with a 22-10 victory over ASM Romagnat at the Aguilera Stadium in Biarritz. The Bordeaux squad controlled much of the physical match, opening the score in the 29th minute through a powerful lineout drive finished by Axelle Berthoumieu. Although Clermont responded with an Élodie Fernandez penalty, Stade Bordelais struck back before halftime with a try from Bourgeois, who later added a second-half penalty to pull ahead 15-3. Romagnat fought back with a self-converted try from Fernandez to tighten the score, but Bordeaux showcased their signature resilience and character, sealing the ultimate championship victory with a late 75th-minute try from substitute Tome-Belmonte. [link]
• Oceania
  • Australia
    • Round 4 of the Super W season delivered historic results as both the Fijian Drua and the Western Force locked in their spots for the finals. The Drua dominated the winless Queensland Reds in a 50-17 blowout at Ballymore Stadium, powered by a stellar performance from flyhalf Varanisese Qoro to establish a 33-5 lead by halftime and push Fiji closer to the minor premiership. Meanwhile, the Western Force pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament by defeating the NSW Waratahs 28-21, storming back from a 21-7 first-half deficit behind a brace from Cecilia Smith and a go-ahead try by Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke. This gritty victory marked the first time an Australian side has ever beaten the Waratahs, snapping their legendary 37-0 domestic win streak and securing a historic playoff berth for the Western Australian club. [Western Force] | [Fijian Drua]
    • Round 3 of Super Rugby Aupiki delivered a thrilling set of matches during the “All In” festival round in Pukekohe, headlined by the Hurricanes Poua snapping an 840-day losing streak to upset Chiefs Manawa 34-29. Despite playing with 14 women after Ngano Tavake’s first-half red card, the Poua rallied behind tries from Hinemaringi Scott, Angel Mulu, Tegan Willocks, and Renee Holmes. Holmes was flawless with six goals from six attempts to withstand a late five-try surge from the Chiefs. In the second match of the double-header, Matatū claimed sole possession of the top spot on the table by remaining undefeated with a 27-21 win over the defending champion Blues, avenging their 2025 Grand Final loss. Matatū initially lunged ahead 17-0 through Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Winnie Palamo, but after the Blues fought back to briefly lead 21-20, a spectacular 45-metre breakout from 19-year-old replacement Binky Muamua set up flyhalf Hannah King for the 70th-minute match-winning try. [link]
• Africa
• Asia
  • The Delhi Redz made history by clinching the first-ever Rugby Premier League Women’s title with a 22-10 victory over the Chennai Bulls at the Gachibowli Athletic Stadium in Hyderabad. In an inaugural tournament that featured 48 players, including 24 international stars from 10 countries, the Redz secured the 25 lakh rupees champions’ prize out of a total 40 lakh rupees purse. Lavena Cavuru opened the scoring for Delhi, and while Muskan Piploda temporarily leveled for the Bulls in the second quarter, Eden Kilgour immediately restored the Redz’ lead. Despite sustained pressure from Chennai in the third quarter, Delhi broke away in the final period with decisive tries from Silika Qalo and Isadora Lopes, comfortably holding off a late score from the Bulls’ Sheilla Chajira to seal the historic championship win. [link]

Women’s Rugby Features

• Ballymore Beat: “Alf” at the Centre of Changing Times for Women’s Rugby [link]
• England legend Marlie Packer hunts down Saracens ‘Fairy Tale Ending’ in 2026 PWR Final [link]
• Liz Crake: ‘I’ve been there, done it, made mistakes, had big decisions’ [link]
• AXA Élite 1 Final preview: Not the finale we expected, but the one we deserve [link]
• PWR Final preview: Women’s club rugby royalty take on the newcomers [link]
• Rugby Cnaada and NFP extend partnership through 2028 [link]
• Fearless Trailfinders aim for historic PWR final upset against Saracens ‘wolfpack’ [link]
• Rachel Johnson Named Brown Women’s Rugby Assistant Coach [link]
• Round 3: All in Aupiki [link]
• Beating the Barbarians would be everything – Lynn [link]
• 6 Lead Changes Later, Midwest is U23 Champ [link]
• Carys Phillips creates unique piece of Barbarians history with Allianz Stadium selection [link]
• Automotive brand ends PWR’s two year wait for title sponsor with multi-million pound deal [link]
• Why Alisha and Jasmine Joyce wanted to play domestic rugby in Wales next season [link]
• ‘It is going to ramp up’: Stewart expects big changes in full-time Wallaroos set-up [link]
• Trailfinders target ‘underdog’ victory against Saracens [link]
• Super Rugby Aupiki: Who is setting the pace early on in New Zealand? [link]
• ‘She is a natural leader’: USA international to exit Trailfinders [link]
• Rianna Darroch on the return of the Women’s Central Programme [link]
• PWR secures first multi-million pound sponsor deal [link]
• Top 10 isn’t enough: Springbok Women set sights on bigger goals [link]
• The verdict on every women’s team after 2026 SVNS World Championship [link]
• Just 86 days after giving birth to her second child, Holly Wood will referee her first Premiership Women’s Rugby Final on Sunday [link]
• Black Ferns: First test against England in nearly two years confirmed for NZ women’s rugby team [link]
• Laetitia Royer column: ‘I am ready to be fully myself in the PWR Final’ [link]
• Bok Women to upset the pecking order amongst world’s best? [link]
• ‘We are building something genuinely special’: Red Roses agree new contract framework with RFU [link]
• Kennewell calls time on career after ‘picture-perfect’ World Championship victory [link]
• 2026 PWR Final: What do previous Saracens and Trailfinders encounters tell us? [link]
• Rugby Australia Secures Four Year Coca Cola Sponsorship and World Cup Pouring Rights [link]
• Scotland Women’s Molly Wright retires from professional and international rugby [link]
• Hollie Davidson had very different career before becoming rugby referee [link]
• New-look Wales end losing streak with Barbarians win
   [link]
• Lowering tackle height in rugby led to sharp decline in concussion rates – new study [link]
• Red Roses stars in line for £100K to retain World Cup [link]
• Three takeaways as Wales register a 34-17 win against the Barbarians [link]
• Swys de Bruin keeps faith in Springbok Women’s World Cup core for historic US Tests [link]
• Lewis crosses West Country divide as three more players exit Gloucester Hartpury [link]
• Veteran Black Ferns lock signs fresh extension before Lions Tour [link]
• Sevens Star Lefau-Fakaosilea Adds Firepower for Reds Women in Updated Squad [link]
• Sale Sharks recruit ‘most underrated’ player in PWR [link]
• ‘Two formats, one system’: Walsh hungry to bring winning sevens culture to Wallaroos [link]
• Abi Burton: ‘I’m fighting to go on a Lion’s tour next year’ [link]
• Conversations: Make your club and training period-friendly [link]
• One Year of The Rugby History Project [link]
• ‘Win more’: New high-performance director Walsh setting lofty Wallaroo World Cup ambitions [link]
• Mike Legge explains how the Drua are striking a new balance in 2026 [link]
• Nadine Roos and Nolusindiso Booi missing from Springbok Women squad for US Series [link]
• Bristol Bears sign World Class Ellie Kildunne [link]
• A Rugby Celebration as the Scholz and Sorensen Awards are Handed Out [link]
• Parsons savors historic victory, eyes home semi-final [link]

Women’s Rugby Media

• Full Credit: Belief Builds, Contenders Emerge
• The Good, The Scazy & The Rugby: Meg Jones vs Marlie Packer
• Her Side of the Ruck: PWR Final Preview