In a stunning decision that comes only a day after World Rugby announced the details of the final Olympic repechage tournaments, South Africa has withdrawn its women’s side from Rio, with African runners-up Kenya now added in their place. The decision comes not from the South African rugby union, but …
Read More »Monaco and Dublin to host Olympic Qualifiers
The city-state of Monaco and Dublin, Ireland, will host the final Olympic Sevens qualification tournaments in June. World Rugby has set the dates for the men on June 18-19 at Stade Louis II and the women a week later on June 25-26 at the UCD Bowl. Only the winning team …
Read More »Talking Rugby (Vol. 2, Iss. 19): The Flip Flop
Back at you with another round of Talking Rugby. Perhaps the final one of 2015? Who knows? Still a few weeks left in the year, but the way this Fall has come and gone, I’m finding it difficult to keep track of the days. Enough with the formalities, let’s talk …
Read More »Berard, LaBrèche, Trumbull to ref Six Nations
Top USA referee Leah Berard and Canadian duo Rose LaBrèche and Sherry Trumbull have been appointed to the World Rugby referee panel for the upcoming Women’s Six Nations tournament. Berard and Trumbull have been given two matches each, while LaBrèche will make her Six Nations bow on February 28 as Wales …
Read More »The Straight Feed – Women, Dubai, and the ARC
It was not a great weekend for Canadian rugby. Losses were taken on all fronts – the men’s and women’s 7s, and the women’s Maple Leafs XVs. The scorelines only tell part of the story, it’s the performances themselves that we need to talk about. GREEN MAPLE LEAFS The Maple …
Read More »Maple Leafs drop second England match
Canada’s Maple Leafs women’s side dropped their second match to England Academy by 22-19 on Saturday, once again giving up a healthy lead in a frustrating second half that saw them go scoreless. The loss is disappointing but the overall tour will be deemed a success as several players put …
Read More »Paquin named to Dubai Dream Team
Karen Paquin has been named to the official HSBC Dubai Sevens Dream Team. The Canadian forward was outstanding once again, impressing with her physicality and work rate. Joining her up front is tough Australian hooker Amy Turner and England’s World Cup star Emily Scarratt. New Zealand’s Kelly Brazier gets the …
Read More »Australia claim Women’s Dubai title
Australia proved to be a step ahead of the field as the Pearls took home the title in round one of the Women’s World Sevens Series. Defending champions New Zealand were shown the door by their neighbors in a terrific quarter-final encounter that went right to the wire. The semi-final …
Read More »Maple Leafs ready for second England match
François Ratier has made a string of changes to his Maple Leafs side for the second match against England Academy at Esher on Saturday afternoon. His development side dropped the first game 37-29 after leading for much of the match, and the side will be hoping to even up the …
Read More »Upsets galore on Dubai Day 1
Upsets were the name of the game on Day 1 at the Dubai Sevens, as three remarkable results got the 2015-16 Women’s World Series off to a spectacular start. The results have raised eyebrows across the sevens universe, with Olympic gold now appearing very far from a fait accompli. Last …
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