Denver Onyx Repeat as WER Champions, Nagato Blue Angels wins Taiyo Seimei 7s & Scion Claims Club 7s Crown | WRR 258

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

• Aussie 7s Reunion
  • Members of Australia’s historic 2016 Women’s Rugby Sevens team reunited at Allianz Stadium in Sydney to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their Olympic gold medal victory in Rio. Defeating New Zealand 24-17 in the inaugural Olympic sevens final, the squad created a lasting legacy for female contact sports in Australia and worldwide. Key figures, including star Charlotte Caslick and coach Tim Walsh, reflected on the milestone’s profound ripple effect as former teammates, now accompanied by the next generation of children, gathered together to honor the moment that continues to inspire future athletes building toward the Los Angeles 2028 Games. [link]
    • The reunion also highlighted a significant milestone for inclusivity, welcoming back 2016 gold medalist Ellia Green. Being embraced by the team provided a powerful platform for him to show up as his authentic self, demonstrating the enduring bond of the 2016 squad and sending a strong message of acceptance across global athletics. His warm reception stands in stark contrast to World Rugby’s current governing policies, which continue to ban male-to-female transgender athletes from women’s contact rugby under restrictive guidelines. [link]

Domestic

• USA Club 7s
  • The 2026 USA Club 7s National Championship brought sixteen women’s teams to the Madison United Rugby & Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, for two days of pool and bracket play. The Scion Sirens captured the women’s Cup title with a 31-19 victory over the defending champion Chicago Lions in the final, securing their fifth overall national championship. In the third-place bronze medal match, Chicago North Shore defeated the San Diego Surfers 14-5. Across the remaining brackets, the Washington Athletic Club won the Plate by beating the Chicago Lions Bonus Track 29-5, the Phoenix Rugby Club took the Bowl with a 26-12 win over Life West, and Orlando Rugby claimed the Shield after topping Philadelphia 20-5. [link]
• Taiyo Seimei 7s Series – Grand Final
  • The Nagato Blue Angels claimed their fourth consecutive annual title by winning the Taiyo Life Women’s Sevens Series 2026 Grand Final Sapporo Tournament at the Daiwa House Premist Dome. Sakurako Yazaki of the Blue Angels earned annual MVP honors as her team capped off the series victory ahead of runners-up Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix and third-place bronze medalists PEARLS. In the relegation play-offs, the Self-Defense Forces Physical Training School PTS, Hokkaido Barbarians Diana, and Japan University of Economics Women’s Rugby Club AMATERUS all secured their spots to remain in the top-flight 2027 series. [link]
• Look Ahead [link]
  • Kabeberi 7s – Kenya
    • Hosted by Mwamba RFC in Nairobi, the Kabeberi 7s is one of Kenya’s oldest and most celebrated sevens tournaments. First played in 1986, the event is named in memory of former Mwamba player George Mwangi Kabeberi and serves as a vital leg in the annual Kenya National Sevens Circuit alongside historic stops like the Christie 7s and Driftwood 7s.

Women’s Rugby XVs News

International

• South Africa vs Fiji Series
  • The Springboks opened their two-Test Fijian tour in dominant fashion, overpowering the Fijiana XV 55-12 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Powered by a relentless performance from their forward pack in blustery conditions, the South Africans built a 27-7 halftime lead and ultimately ran in nine tries, including a brace from loosehead prop Xoliswa Khuzwayo and scores from Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Lindelwa Gwala, Vainah Ubisi, Sizo Solontsi, Maceala Samboya, Byrhandré Dolf, and Sinelitha Noxeke. Fiji managed two counter-attacking tries through Varanaise Qoro and Adi Vani Buleki, but a second-half red card to Fijian No 8 Alfreda Fisher derailed any hopes of a comeback. Dolf capped off a stellar individual performance with 13 total points from the boot and a try, cementing a historic victory for the visitors. [link]
• USA Falcons vs Brazil Series
  • The USA Falcons defeated the Yaras 19-7 in the first of two WXV warm-up friendlies at the Estádio do Nacional in São Paulo. The Americans took control with first-half try from Makayla Wilkins before pulling ahead 19-0 in the second half through scores from Tahlia Brody and Sayler Russell. Brazil responded late with a lineout maul try scored by Marina “Tchoba” Fioravanti and converted by Raquel Kochhann, but the Falcons held firm for the victory. The match marked an emotional return for Brazilian third-rower Milena Mariano after a two-year injury layoff, with both sides set to clash again at the same venue on Wednesday, August 12. [link]
• Off the Field
  • Fiji New Head Coach
    • The Fiji Rakavi Football Union has appointed Willie Walker as the new Head Coach of the Vodafone Fijiana XV. Walker brings a distinguished coaching background from New Zealand women’s rugby, having led the Blues Women to three consecutive Super Rugby Aupiki titles from 2024 to 2026, serving as Head Coach of the Black Ferns in 2025, and earning the 2025 ASB National Women’s Coach of the Year award. His task will focus on elevating Fiji’s high-performance women’s program, strengthening domestic coaching pathways, and cultivating long-term success for the national team on the international stage. [link]
• Look Ahead
  • Upcoming Weekend [link]
    • World Rugby Rankings Permetations
      • World Rugby released its latest women’s ranking permutations ahead of the upcoming Test match between Fiji and South Africa in Lautoka. South Africa will remain locked in 10th position even with a win, as only 0.26 rating points are on the line, though a defeat by more than 15 points would drop them to 11th. Meanwhile, a victory for Fiji would elevate them to a record-high 12th place above Wales, whereas a loss keeps them in 13th while narrowing their cushion over Spain.  
    • Brazil Yaras vs. USA Falcons
      • This international friendly marks the second match of a two-game warm-up series between Brazil and the USA Falcons (the U.S. developmental squad) at the Estádio do Nacional in São Paulo as both nations prepare for the WXV Global Series. Prior to this series, Brazil held a historical edge with three wins and one draw in six prior meetings against USA developmental sides. However, the Falcons secured a 19-7 victory in their opening clash on August 8.
    • New Zealand Black Ferns vs. Black Ferns XV
      • Head Coach Whitney Hansen leads the newly named 31-player Black Ferns squad into an internal trial against the Black Ferns XV in Wellington. New Zealand Rugby introduced this developmental fixture to test high-performance depth and integrate emerging talent, including five newly named uncapped players, ahead of their upcoming international slate that includes the O’Reilly Cup and WXV fixtures.
    • Fiji vs. South Africa
      • The Springbok Women wrap up their two-Test tour of Fiji against the Fijiana XV following a commanding opening performance in Suva. Historically, South Africa and Fiji have developed a fiery international rivalry, with the Springboks leveraging their dominant forward pack to secure a 55-12 victory in the series opener on August 8.
    • Japan Matches
      • The Sakura Fifteen announced two upcoming domestic test matches taking place in September and October. Japan will first face Fiji in a test match on September 4 at JAPAN BASE in Fukuoka, followed by a WXV Global Series match against Wales on October 31 at the Kumagaya Sports Culture Park Rugby Ground in Saitama. [link]
  • WXV
    • Scotland Training Squad
      • Scotland Women interim Head Coach Dave Butcher named a 32-player training squad for the home leg of the inaugural Vodafone Scotland WXV Series at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh. Captain Rachel Malcolm leads the group after recovering from an injury that sidelined her during the Six Nations, joined by returning forwards Anne Young, Evie Gallagher, and Sarah Bonar. The 18-forward, 14-back roster features four uncapped players, including Glasgow Warriors trio Imogen Spence, Ceitidh Ainsworth, and Nicole Flynn, alongside Exeter Chiefs winger Katie Buchanan. Key contributors Francesca McGhie, Lisa Thomson, and Emily Coubrough were ruled out due to injury ahead of home tests against Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, which precede an away series against Australia in Sydney and Canberra. [link]
    • Italy Training Squad
      • Italian Women’s National Team Interim Head Coach Plinio Sciamanna has named a 30-player squad for their final summer training camp in Merano from August 17 to 23. This camp concludes the Azzurre’s summer preparation phase following previous sessions in Parma and Corvara. Returning to the squad are forward options Alessandra Frangipani and Giulia Cavina, experienced center Michela Sillari, and uncapped hooker Silvia Fent. The team will reconvene in Silea in September to prepare for their WXV Global Series fixtures against Japan and South Africa in Fontanafredda. [link]
    • Welsh Training Squad
      • Wales Women head coach Sean Lynn has named an extended 46-player training squad ahead of the upcoming four-match WXV Global Series. The selection features 14 uncapped players alongside 37 athletes with Celtic Challenge experience from Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning, as well as center Savannah Picton Powell returning from injury. Following a robust pre-season training camp, Lynn will trim the roster for four Test matches, which kick off with home clashes against South Africa and the USA at Cardiff Arms Park before the squad travels for two games against Japan. [link]
    • Black Ferns Training Squad
      • Black Ferns Head Coach Whitney Hansen has named a 31-player squad for the remainder of the 2026 season, introducing nine roster changes from the Pacific Four Series. The squad features five uncapped players earning their first call-ups off strong Sky Super Rugby Aupiki campaigns: Ngano Tavake, Amarante Sititi, Elinor-Plum King, Maia Davis, and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a. They are joined by returning veterans, including 2022 World Cup winner Santo Taumata, Alena Saili, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, and Layla Sae, who successfully returned from an ACL injury. The squad will prepare in Wellington to face the Black Ferns XV before embarking on an eight-Test stretch that includes the O’Reilly Cup against Australia, the RGR tour against South Africa, and the home-and-away WXV Global Series. [link]

Domestic

• North America
  • USA
  • WER
    • The Denver Onyx claimed back-to-back Women’s Elite Rugby titles by defeating the Bay Breakers 24-17 in the 2026 Legacy Cup on August 8 at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado. Denver stormed to a commanding 24-5 first-half lead behind two tries from fly-half and Player of the Match Aly Cunningham, alongside scores from Jojo Kitlinski and Saher Hamdan. Despite being shut out in the second half while the Breakers mounted a late rally with tries from Emily Nelson and Celine Liulamaga, the Onyx held firm to secure the championship. The victory capped off WER’s second professional season, cementing Denver as the league’s first repeating champion, while Bay Breakers assistant coach and athletic trainer Mary Swanstrom was honored with the Kathy Flores Heart of a Champion Award. [link]
  • Field of Dreams
    • Portland Rugby Football Club has joined a select group of U.S. rugby organizations with dedicated complexes by opening its 39-acre “Field of Dreams” facility on Two Rod Road in Maine. Designed as a regional hub for ruggers across New England, the ambitious project encompasses a multi-pitch development plan featuring three full-size grass fields, an all-weather turf pitch with professional lighting, and a multi-purpose clubhouse outfitted with locker rooms, meeting spaces, and social areas. The club celebrated the landmark achievement with a dedicated Opening Day slate that showcased its complete rugby pipeline, featuring youth celebrations, senior competitive fixtures for both the Women’s+ and Men’s divisions, a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, and an all-generations exhibition match. [link]
  • NCR Update
    • National Collegiate Rugby CEO Jeremy Treece issued an update to members detailing the organization’s regulatory engagement with the USOPC and a collaboration proposal submitted to USA Rugby. Following a USOPC recommendation after USA Rugby twice declined mediation over an ongoing dispute, NCR presented a strategic partnership proposal valued at over $300,000. The proposed model covers joint initiatives in cross-marketing, talent identification, coaching and referee development, senior club transition, and streamlined membership. With USA Rugby failing to engage in substantive discussions since receiving the offer, NCR publicly shared the proposal while reaffirming its commitment to operate as an independent, member-driven collegiate association serving over 20,000 student-athletes across 680+ teams. [link]
      • Given the ongoing litigation between the two organizations, USA Rugby’s decision to withhold a response likely stems from legal prudence. With court proceedings and formal regulatory complaints still active, legal counsel would almost certainly advise against negotiating or publicly responding to settlement-adjacent proposals outside the judicial framework.
• South America
• Europe
  • Serie A Elite (Itlay)
    • The 2026/27 Women’s Serie A Elite rugby schedule kicks off on November 8, 2026, featuring eight teams competing across a 14-matchday regular season that concludes on March 14, 2027. Defending champions Valsugana Rugby Padova begin their title defense on the road against Forum Iulii Rugby, while last season’s runners-up Arredissima Villorba open away at Unione Rugby Capitolina. The top four teams will advance to the single-leg semifinals on March 21, culminating in the championship final on March 27 to crown Italy’s 34th Women’s Absolute Champion, while one team faces relegation to Serie A at the end of the campaign. [link]
• Oceania
• Africa
• Asia

Women’s Rugby Features

• ‘Pulling the game together’ is in everyone’s interest – but US college orgs are still far apart [link]
• What’s up with the Wallaroos? [link]
• Key playmaking trio extend contracts through to LA Olympics [link]
• Alba Capell: Spain will grab headlines at the WXV Global Series Challenger [link]
• Munster boss on skipper O’Leary: ‘She’s got an incredible knack for pulling people together’ [link]
• Scotland forward pack bolstered and England U20 cap included in WXV squad [link]
• Calling the shots, changing the game [link]
• Italy on the hunt for new head coach and WXV training squad named [link]
• McMillan retires from international rugby five months after Scotland recall [link]
• Buchanan called up to Scotland Women’s squad [link]
• Babalwa Latsha talks Boks captaincy and the ‘experience of a lifetime’ [link]
• Three-time Super Rugby winning head coach will lead Fiji into new era [link]
• Next generation of female talent locked into youth retention contracts [link]
• Familiar questions after Scotland Women’s double coaching exit [link]
• Scotland appoint two new assistant coaches as another senior figure departs [link]
• Give Them an Inch…And they’ll take away women’s sports.. [link]
• Ellie Kildunne to make Twickenham Stoop return in Round 1 of 2026/27 [link]
• New Scotland Women boss Dave Butcher addresses interim role [link]
• Amy Cokayne and Sarah Bonar named to England and Scotland squads for WXV Global Series [link]
• Five ACT Brumbies Among Australia’s Top Emerging Female Rugby Talents [link]
• Dalgliesh appointed Edinburgh Rugby Women Head Coach [link]
• ‘I’m always chasing better’ – Dual Rebecca Clough medallist Wood [link]
• Springbok Women expressed ‘freedom’ in big Fijiana win [link]

Women’s Rugby Media

• Full Credit: Aupiki Awards, Aussie Shakeup & Our Black Ferns XV
• Challenging the Game: The coach’s guide to sports bras
• American Rugby Rising: USA Rugby & CRAA Joint Venture – USA Rugby CEO, Bill Goren, & CRAA Executive Director, Paul Keeler