Women's Rugby Rundown

Welcome to WRR 238 for March 16 to 22. We kick things off in South America where Argentina’s squad has made it back to back HSBC SVNS 2 titles after a gritty performance in Montevideo. With this gold medal, the Argentinians have officially punched their ticket to the season ending World Championship Series alongside fellow qualifiers South Africa and Spain, who will all join the elite SVNS 1 teams for the finale. Over in Europe, the championship stages are officially set as the Celtic Challenge and Italy’s Serie A Elite confirmed their final matchups.

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Welcome to WRR 236 for March 2-8. This week, the Black Ferns Sevens extend their reign of terror in Vancouver while the Celtic Challenge locks in a high-stakes semifinal bracket. In the United States, the rugby community mobilizes for an authoritative stand on inclusivity, and across the globe, domestic title races in France, Spain, and the United Kingdom reach a blistering fever pitch.

Get all the week’s women’s rugby news: https://scrumhalfconnection.com/2026/03/09/black-ferns-vancouver-terror-and-the-inclusive-stand-in-the-usa-wrr-236/

The rugby community has reached a breaking point. This week, we are taking a different approach. USA Rugby has officially released a new Competition Eligibility Policy that strictly excludes trans women from the Women’s Division, and the fallout is felt deeply across our entire sport.

Between the exhaustion of systemic misogyny at home and the horror of war abroad, from Palestine and Ukraine to Sudan, the DRC, and the current strikes on Iran, the weight of the world is heavy.

Usually, this is where we would give you th...

Welcome to WRR 234 for February 16-22. This week, the internal crisis at the Welsh Rugby Union reached a boiling point as community clubs officially triggered an Extraordinary General Meeting to challenge the current leadership. In a major move for the professional game, New Zealand Rugby secured a landmark collective agreement that guarantees a 36.56% revenue share for athletes and introduces significant salary floors for Super Rugby Aupiki players. Stateside, Women’s Elite Rugby announced a game-changing broadcast deal with The Women’s Sports Network to stream every 2026 match for free. Domestic league leaders are currently asserting their authority across the glob...

Welcome to WRR 233 for February 9 through February 15, 2026. This week we are celebrating a massive milestone for Argentina as they claim the SVNS 2 title in Nairobi and move to the top of the international standings. We also have a major update on the 2026 Pacific Four Series, which is set to bring world-class rugby to Sacramento, Kansas City, and Chicago before a historic finale on Australia’s Sunshine Coast. Domestically, we saw league titles clinched in Hong Kong and a record-breaking opening weekend in South Africa. Plus, we are gaining serious momentum on our 20th Anniversary 10K March as we close in...

Welcome to WRR 232 for February 2-8. This week we lead with New Zealand’s back to back sevens glory in Perth and the historic sell out in Nairobi as the SVNS 2 series prepares for a massive Valentine's weekend. On the international stage, a critical report from Jo Currie and BBC Sport details the emotionally damaging experiences of Scotland’s 2025 World Cup squad, while the Welsh Rugby Union faces a potential referendum. Domestically, leagues in Wales, Ireland, France, and Canada saw clinical shutouts as we celebrate 20 years of documenting the game and continue our 10K March and race to 287 against Madd...

Welcome to WRR 231 for January 26 through February 1. This week we celebrated twenty years of YSC Rugby, marking two decades of dedicated coverage for the women’s game. In international news, the Black Ferns Sevens dominated the Singapore SVNS to secure their third straight title, while the Wolfhounds became the first team to officially secure a Celtic Challenge playoff spot. We also celebrated a historic domestic milestone in Japan as Yokohama TKM claimed their first ever All Japan Women’s 15s Championship. Finally, we looked ahead to a landmark Anzac Day Test and marked the successful closing of the seed roun...

Welcome to WRR 230 for January 12-25. Before we jump into the news, we want to acknowledge the ongoing tragedy in Minneapolis. The recent fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by federal agents are unacceptable, and we stand with the community in calling for an end to this state-sanctioned violence against its own people.

In rugby news, South Africa made history by clinching the inaugural HSBC SVNS 3 title in Dubai, meaning they qualify for the upcoming SVNS 2 Series alongside runners-up Argentina, while Fijiana successfully defended their crown at the McDonald's Fiji Coral Coast 7s. In the 15s game...

Welcome to WRR 229 for January 5-11. This week, we celebrate a historic sweep in Spain as Colina Clinic El Salvador secures the Iberian Cup to complete their quartet of major titles. We also look at a massive financial boost for Kenya's Olympic journey and the announcement of a landmark first-ever meeting between South Africa and the Black Ferns on South African soil. In the Celtic Challenge, the Wolfhounds continue to assert their dominance by remaining undefeated through three rounds of play. Finally, we round things out with league-leading performances in the USA, Japan, Italy, and Spain as clubs fight...

Welcome to WRR 228 for December 8 to January 4. And we’re back! After taking a few weeks off for the holidays, we have a massive catch-up episode for you. This week, we recap a historic sweep for Thailand at the SEA Games and the high-stakes qualification SVNS 3 battle ahead in Dubai. We also cover major coaching shifts as the Black Ferns and Scotland name new leadership, while Asia Rugby faces a provisional suspension from the World Rugby Council following an investigation into governance and financial failures. In domestic news, Stirling County were crowned champions in Scotland and we look ahead to...

Welcome to WRR 227 for December 1-7. This week, we saw Australia dominate rivals New Zealand to claim the HSBC SVNS Cape Town title, while World Rugby continued to face heat over the controversial Size 4.5 ball trial. In XVs news, USA Rugby named Olympic silver medalist Jack Hanratty as the new Women’s Eagles Head Coach, and World Rugby recommended a new lower tackle height for the community game. Domestically, Gloucester Hartpury and Valsugana maintained their perfect league leads in PWR and the Italian Serie A Elite respectively, while UL Bohemian delivered a massive 102-7 win in the Energia AIL.

Welcome to WRR 2226 for November 24-30. This week was massive for 7s: the Black Ferns crushed Australia for gold in the Dubai SVNS opener, the LIT USA squad won the Women's Elite title, and we locked in the full three-tier SVNS schedule and the spicy Cape Town draw. In XVs news, Ireland announced 35 contracts, France named a new coach, Red Roses legend Abby Dow retired, and we cover the major controversy over World Rugby's size 4.5 ball trial. Plus, we wrap up domestic action for those events and teams that are still in play.

🔗 https://scrumhalfconnection.com/2025/12/01/black-ferns-dominate-dubai-svns-map-ball-size-trial-wrr-2226/

Welcome to WRR 225 for November 17-23. The RAN 7s title went to Mexico, who qualified for the HSBC SVNS 3 tournament, and New York was announced as a new host city for the HSBC SVNS Series. In International XVs, Hong Kong China lifted the 3 Nations Cup after beating Belgium, while Georgia and Austria secured wins in the Europe Conference. On the domestic front, league leaders UL Bohemian and ASM Romagnat maintained their perfect runs, and WER announced the return of its entire coaching staff for the 2026 season.

🔗 https://scrumhalfconnection.com/2025/11/24/mexico-wins-ran-7s-and-hong-kong-clinches-3-nations-cup-wrr-225/

Welcome to WRR 224 for November 10-16. This week, South Africa defended their African 7s title, securing crucial qualification for the World Rugby SVNS Division 3 tournament without conceding a single point. New Zealand began the search for a new Black Ferns Head Coach, and Morocco is establishing its first national women's rugby team along with Scotland announcing increased investment for 35 female contracted players. In league action, Stirling County and Watsonians confirmed their places in the Arnold Clark Premiership Grand Final, while several teams clinched titles at the USA Club Championships in the Midwest, NERFU, and Empire unions.

🔗 https://scr...

Welcome to WRR 223 for November 3-9. In 7s, Perth has been locked in as the Australian SVNS host for three more years, and the Delta club was crowned the overall Brazilian Super 7s Champion. This week in XVs news, we look at the growing frustration over the Welsh talent drain to England. In Domestic XVs news, Stirling County secured their Grand Final spot in Scotland, while Gloucester Hartpury staged an epic comeback in the PWR, and the Energia AIL saw some ridiculously high-score blowouts.

🔗 https://scrumhalfconnection.com/2025/11/11/stirlings-final-spot-secured-perth-svns-locked-for-three-years-wrr-223/

Welcome to WRR 222 for October 27-November 2. This week, we continue covering the massive growth in the international game as the 2025 Rugby World Cup finished with 1.1 billion digital impressions, becoming the second-biggest RWC ever on digital and appealing to a younger, more female fanbase. On the 7s front, the HSBC SVNS season will kick off November 29 in Dubai and the Africa 7s qualifier will serve as a qualifier for SVSN 3. In domestic news, the PWR is seeing a 183% spike in attendance, the Bulls Daisies have appointed an all-women coaching staff in South Africa, and playoff races are heating up across...

Welcome to Women's Rugby Rundown 221 for October 20-26. This week, we celebrated a couple of international champions as Uzbekistan claimed the Asia Rugby Emirates 7s Trophy and Costa Rica took home Gold at the Central American Games in 7s. In XVs action, Sweden secured a win over Finland in the Rugby Europe Trophy. Off the pitch, the week was dominated by major professionalization news, including Welsh Rugby's massive investment into the women's game and the appointment of Gemma Fay as Scottish Rugby's first Managing Director of Women's Rugby. Finally, England legend Emily Scarratt announced her retirement following her team's...

Welcome to WRR 220 for October 13-19. This week saw major international stories as Japan reclaimed the Asia Rugby Sevens Series title and the rugby world mourned the passing of Belgium Women’s Sevens coach Warren Abrahams. Off the field, Hollie Davidson made history as she was named to referee an All Blacks Test, and Rugby Canada launched a significant initiative for grassroots empowerment. Domestically, leagues worldwide delivered intense action with huge scorelines: Galwegians and El Salvador RC dominated in Ireland and Spain, Toulouse and Montpellier surged in France, and the final four teams for the Arnold Clark Women’s Prem...

Welcome to WRR 219 for October 6-12. This week, we saw a series of contrasting stories surrounding investment in women’s rugby. On one hand, England and Ireland are making big moves with new funding and strategic plans. On the other hand, Rugby Australia is facing heavy criticism for significant budget cuts and a key staff resignation. We also saw some great on-field action, with the Kenya Lionesses winning the Safari 7s, and new seasons in domestic leagues across the USA, Wales, Hong Kong, France, and Canada continuing to heat up.

🔗 https://scrumhalfconnection.com/2025/10/13/wrr-219/

Welcome to WRR 218 for September 28 to October 5. This week, we'll cover the final World Rugby Rankings of 2025 and the World Rugby Awards Try of the Year and 15s Dream Team of the Year. Waikato were crowned back-to-back winners of the Dr. Farah Palmer Cup, and we'll check in on a few international Sevens tournaments and get updates on domestic competitions around the world.

🔗 https://scrumhalfconnection.com/2025/10/06/waikato-wins-back-to-back-titles-world-rugby-rankings-shakeup-wrr-218/

Welcome to WRR 217 for September 22-28. This week, we'll recap all the action from the Rugby World Cup, where England was crowned champion and New Zealand took home the bronze. We'll dive into the record-breaking attendance and viewership numbers and discuss the major news stories that emerged during the final week, including the World Rugby Awards, new contracts for Scotland, and the selection of a former USA Eagle as a NASA astronaut candidate. We'll also check in on the latest domestic league action around the world.

🔗 https://scrumhalfconnection.com/2025/09/29/england-wins-rwc-nz-secures-bronze-wrr-217/

Welcome to WRR 216 for September 15-21. This week, Canada pulled off a huge upset while England’s expected victory set up a dramatic final at the World Cup. The tournament, however, has been tarnished by a major controversy over missed officiating calls. We also cover the launch of a new international tournament, a massive investment into USA Rugby, news from the Springbok and Scottish teams, and a historic draw for Latvia in their first international in 20 years. On the domestic front, we cover the Dr Farah Palmer Cup, Arnold Clark Premiership, USA Club Rugby, and the new AXA Elite 1 ch...

Welcome to Women's Rugby Rundown 215 for September 8-14. The Rugby World Cup quarterfinals saw Canada and New Zealand dominate while France and England advanced to the semifinals in very different fashion. We now have our Final Four teams! We’ll also round up all the Domestic Leagues around the world.

🔗 https://scrumhalfconnection.com/2025/09/15/canada-england-cruise-as-france-nz-survive-qf-thrillers-wrr-215/

Welcome to WRR 214 for Sep 1-7. We have a packed show this week as the Women's Rugby World Cup pool stage wrapped up, setting the stage for the highly anticipated quarterfinals. Plus, we'll dive into the final results of the International Defence Rugby Competition, where a new champion was crowned, and check in on the Dr. Farah Palmer Cup.

🔗 https://scrumhalfconnection.com/2025/09/08/world-cup-quarterfinals-set-and-france-wins-idrc-wrr-214/

Welcome to WRR 213 for August 25-31. The Rugby World Cup concluded its second round of pool play with several teams punching their tickets to the quarterfinals. The race for the final knockout spot is wide open after a dramatic draw between the USA and Australia, and with final pool standings still to be determined, the quarterfinal matchups are on the line, setting the stage for an explosive final round. Beyond the qualification battles, we saw history being made with South Africa's landmark win, as well as a flurry of records and milestones being shattered by players across the board...

Welcome to WRR 212 for August 18-24. The Rugby World Cup kicked off with massive crowds, viewership, and even bigger wins. England, Australia, Scotland, Canada, France, Ireland, South Africa, and New Zealand. The opening match between England and the USA drew a tournament-record crowd, while France's game against Italy set a new viewing record with 3.2 million viewers in France. Australia earned their biggest World Cup win in history, and Canada's Julia Schell set a new individual try-scoring record. Even with all the big score lines, underdogs like Brazil and Spain still celebrated historic moments. The tournament is on track to...

Welcome to WRR 211 for August 11-17. The 2025 Rugby World Cup is almost here, with all 16 teams officially welcomed. The tournament is set to kick off this Friday with hosts England facing the USA, where we will see the debut of flashing mouth guards for head injury assessments. Scotland is dealing with a contract dispute as Rhona Lloyd has stated that more than half of the national squad will be without contracts after the tournament. The Welsh Rugby Union’s chief executive, Abi Tierney, is also stepping down following a cancer diagnosis. Funding has been secured for a documentary on th...

Welcome to WRR 210 for August 4-10. The USA Club 7s Rugby National Championships ended in dramatic fashion in Madison as the Chicago Lions snatched victory from Chicago North Shore at the final whistle. Fiji, England, Italy, and Canada all closed out their Rugby World Cup preparations with strong wins, while Australia confirmed the absence of sevens star Charlotte Caslick from their tournament squad. In Brazil, Melina secured the inaugural Women’s Cup title, and we round up all the global Premier and Club competitions worldwide.

🔗 https://scrumhalfconnection.com/2025/08/11/chicago-lions-win-usa-club-7s-and-melina-lift-brazil-cup-wrr-210/

Welcome to WRR 209 for July 25 to August 3. It’s been another two whirlwind weeks of Rugby World Cup prep, packed with statement wins and rising momentum. Eight World Cup squads were revealed and final tune-ups delivered across the globe. South Africa stunned the Black Ferns XV in Cape Town, England ran rampant over Spain, and Canada surged past the USA in front of a record home crowd. Ireland, Japan, and the Wallaroos closed out with strong wins, Brazil shut out the Netherlands, and Wales made history with a first-ever win on Australian soil. More warm-up matches are ahead this we...

Welcome to WRR 208 for June 30 to July 6. Canada opened their South Africa tour with a dominant win over the Springbok women in Pretoria, showing strength even while down a player. Trinidad & Tobago edged the Cayman Islands to secure back-to-back wins. The Black Ferns powered past the Black Ferns XV in Whangārei, setting the tempo from start to finish. The IRFU unveiled plans to launch four contracted provincial women’s teams by 2026, with Lynne Cantwell leading the charge. Shogun sealed the LTI Super 7s Elite Series title after winning the final stop at Bury St Edmunds. Canada East took gol...

Welcome to Women’s Rugby Rundown 207 for June 23–29. Trinidad and Tobago edged Mexico in a thriller, but Mexico still walked away with their first RAN XVs title since 2019 by the slimmest of margins. The result helped Trinidad and Tobago jump four spots in the World Rugby Rankings, while Mexico slipped two. In other action, Australia A impressed in a dominant win over Samoa. Ilona Maher earned her first ESPYS nomination, joining a powerhouse lineup that includes Coco Gauff, Simone Biles, and A’ja Wilson. Vicky Dombroski, the only woman to coach the Black Ferns, is featured in the new docume...

Welcome to WRR 206 for June 16–22. Cayman secured a historic win over Bermuda in a 10s match, marking a rare international appearance for both teams. Canada named 38 players to a training camp ahead of a two-match tour to South Africa, with some big names returning from injury. Two new projects are reshaping women’s rugby storytelling: a docuseries following Ilona Maher as she chases a spot at the 2025 Rugby World Cup, and The Founding Four documentary honoring the women behind the 1991 World Cup. We’re proud to help preserve the most complete public archive of Women’s Rugby World Cup stats, c...

Welcome to WRR 205 for June 9-15. The weekend featured Great Britain claiming gold at the first stop of the 2025 European 7s Championship in Makarska, while Georgia made history with their first series win. Fiji’s Vodafone Fijiana defended their Oceania Rugby Championship title in a thrilling match against Samoa, and South Africa also defended their Rugby Africa Cup title in Madagascar with a perfect record. Brazil’s Yaras achieved the biggest victory in their team’s history with a commanding win over Colombia. Off the field, we reviewed the so-called “studies” World Rugby cited to justify its controversial ban on trans w...

Welcome to WRR 204 for June 2-8. The Vodafone Fijiana opened the Oceania Rugby Championship with a commanding win over Tonga as they defend their title. South Africa began their Rugby Africa Cup defense with a strong victory over Uganda, while the Kenya Lionesses also secured a win over Madagascar. Italy and Scotland are gearing up for key test matches in July and August, with Scotland switching stadiums for their 2026 Six Nations match against England to Murrayfield, aiming to break attendance records. The WER Legacy Cup race tightens as Bay Breakers and New York Exiles battle for the remaining playoff...

Welcome to WRR 203 for May 26-June 1. This weekend saw Jamaica secure a strong second win over Trinidad & Tobago in the RAN XVs Tournament. The 2025 RWC is already setting records with 350,000 tickets sold and less than 90 days to go. At the 2025 IGR Union Cup in Oslo, Les Simones remained undefeated to claim the inaugural Emily Valentine Cup, while the “Ruck You Match” 7s united trans women and well-known cis women to champion inclusion in rugby. Over in North America, the Baltimore Flamingos-Ferals took home the 2025 NORAM Women’s+ Cup. Looking ahead, the 2025 Oceania Championship kicks off June 6 in Fiji, while the 20...

Welcome to WRR 202 for May 19–25. New Zealand reclaimed the 2025 Pacific Four Series title, with Canada finishing as runners-up and Australia taking third as coach Jo Yapp announced she will step down after the World Cup. Japan secured a third straight Asia Rugby Championship title. The 2025 RAN Inter-Regional tournament kicked off with Mexico defeating Jamaica in the opening match. In a major step forward, the USA Women’s Eagles are now professional as they build toward the 2025 RWC. In South America, Argentina claimed the SAR 7s women’s crown and will join runner-up Colombia in the 2026 SVNS Division 3. The fallout of the...

Welcome to WRR 201 for May 12-18. We start with the Asia Rugby Championships, where Japan opened their title defense with a dominant shutout over Kazakhstan. In PAC4 action, Canada and New Zealand battled to a thrilling draw in Christchurch, while the Wallaroos outlasted the USA. World Rugby marked 100 days to go with a new trophy and fresh ticket release as England 2025 shapes up to be the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup yet. There were four domestic championship matches this weekend, including the USA Club Nationals, where the Utah Vipers and Las Vegas Irish took home titles. In Spain, El...

Welcome to Women’s Rugby Rundown 200 for May 5–11. We’re stepping away from the usual format this week to celebrate a milestone as we mark our 200th episode. I didn’t set out to make a show. I just wanted to make sure people knew what was happening in women’s rugby because too often, no one was telling those stories. What began as a few scattered updates has grown into weekly coverage of 33 unique competitions around the world. From the top test teams to emerging leagues, WRR brings it all together in one place.

In this...

Welcome to WRR 199 for April 27-May 4. New Zealand closed out the HSBC SVNS season with a commanding World Championship win over Australia, while Canada secured bronze against the USA and four teams: Brazil, China, Kenya, and Spain earned their way into next year’s Division 2 under World Rugby’s newly launched three-tier Sevens model. The format revamp has not been universally welcomed, with concerns raised about reduced access and the impact on emerging nations. Canada also opened their Pacific Four Series title defense with a clutch win over the USA in front of a record crowd of 10,518, the largest ever...

Welcome to WRR 198 for April 20-27. The USA Women’s Eagles hosted Japan for the first time on U.S. soil, falling just short in a thrilling back-and-forth match in Los Angeles, while the Eagles now head to Kansas City for a record-breaking clash against Canada to open the Pacific Four Series. England edged France 43-42 in one of the greatest Women’s Six Nations matches ever to claim their fourth straight Grand Slam, and Scotland closed their W6N campaign with a hard-fought emotional win over Ireland. The HSBC SVNS season is set to wrap up in Los Ange...