John Birch We introduced the story of the Wiverns tour of Britain and France last week. After three big wins against regional select XVs, the Wivens arrive in Shenley for the annual festival. Next up (just two days after playing the South of England) was possibly the highlight of the tour, with the Wiverns taking part in … Read more
Thirty years ago today a whirlwind hit women’s rugby in Britain (and, to a degree, France). Thirty-six Americans arrived for a two week rugby tour of England and France, and changed the game forever. Remembering the most important touring team in early history of women’s rugby – the Wiverns. Thirty years ago women’s rugby in … Read more
from Scrumqueens: The most important and highest profile women’s test match every played between two African nations takes the beginning of September, when Uganda will play South Africa in the continent’s first official World Cup qualifier. However, news from East Africa at the weekend suggests that this could also be the last test between two African teams … Read more
Fiji qualified for the Sevens World Cup, to be played in Moscow next year, alongside China and Japan in India this weekend after they triumphed at last weekend’s Asian World Cup Qualifier in Pune, India, writes John Birch. from Scrumqueens, by John Birch: It has certainly not been an easy journey for Fiji. They first … Read more
When it comes to qualifying for the Women’s Sevens World Cup next year all most continental confederations have to do is just gather all their members into one place and have a tournament. However, in Europe this is not possible. A record 34 European nations entered the World Cup this time round, all bar one competing for … Read more
An analysis of the latest player number statistics, as published on the IRB’s website, reveals that women now account for approaching 10% of adult rugby players worldwide – and in many countries considerably more than that. This is a rise from just over 6% only four years ago – and comes despite both male and … Read more
Well, statistical parity at least. The IRB’s database of test match rugby results (http://www.irb.com/results/index.html) now includes all women’s test matches, as well as men’s games. The information has been loaded just in time for women’s test rugby’s 30th birthday (the first ever test took place on 13th June 1982 when France beat Netherlands in Utrecht 4-0) … Read more
Originally posted on Scrumqueens, By John Birch The 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup may be more than two years away, but by Thursday evening the first two teams will already have been knocked out. The European Championship “B” group is being played in Enkoping, Sweden, this week – and there is a more lot at … Read more
Last month the Otago Rugby Football Union – one of Provincial Unions responsible for the game on New Zealand’s south island – went into administration owing over $NZ2,000,000. The causes of this financial are “many”, but principally seem to centre on the failure of the professional provincial (men’s) team, where overpaid, under-motivated and poorly managed … Read more
Thanks to Nichole Lopes for passing this gem on to us so we could investigate and inform! Buried away on page 23 of the IRB’s plan for women’s rugby is a line that seems to have slipped by without much comment… 2.8 Deliver successful Rugby Sevens event at Youth Olympics 2014 With all the fun and … Read more