bc magazine

World Rugby Announces Upcoming Locations of Rugby World Cups

At its Annual Meeting in Dublin, World Rugby confirmed the locations for the next three women’s and two men’s Rugby World Cups:

England to host Rugby World Cup 2025 (women’s)
Australia to host Rugby World Cup 2027 (men’s) and 2029 (women’s)
USA to host Rugby World Cup 2031 (men’s) and 2033 (women’s)

World Rugby also confirmed a new partnership approach towards hosting the Rugby World Cup that looks to as they put it “stimulate the dynamic development of rugby globally and increase investment in the women’s game”. It was also confirmed that the 2025 Women’s World Cup will expand to 16 teams.

After the announcement, World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “Today, we have approved three exceptional Rugby World Cup host nations – England, Australia and USA – providing unprecedented certainty and an unparalleled opportunity to accelerate the growth and impact of rugby globally. It is great for rugby, for fans and for the host nations.”

“Today is a landmark moment for the sport and exciting development for fans. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making this dream a reality as we look to deliver a truly global sport for all.”

“We are thrilled to be hosting Rugby World Cup 2025, it is going to be incredible,” said RFU Chief Operating Officer, Chief Finance Officer and former England captain Sue Day. “As we have seen from other home World Cups in cricket, hockey and netball, a Rugby World Cup will further advance all women’s sport.”

Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan said: “This is a historic day for rugby in Australia. We’re beyond thrilled to be welcoming not one, but two Rugby World Cups to our shores. It’s a game-changer for rugby in this country, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise and secure the future of the sport here and see the game we all love grow and thrive for years to come.”

“I speak for the rugby community and fans across the United States when I express our sincere gratitude to World Rugby for their trust and endorsement of our vision to grow this incredible sport exponentially across our country.” added USA Rugby Chief Executive Ross Young. “USA Rugby will now venture into a new era and ensure the sport’s most treasured event is a springboard for creating lasting, sustainable enthusiasm and passion for rugby from coast to coast.”

The postponed women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 will take place in New Zealand later this year with the final held at the iconic Eden Park in Auckland on xx November 2022.

If readers are interested in news and ticket information about future Rugby World Cups the sign up here www.rugbyworldcup.com/newsletter.

additional reporting, images: World Rugby

Women’s Rugby: Kicking

We don’t get to see much high quality women’s rugby in Hong Kong, live or on television, so as a local rugby player it was fascinating to watch how play developed in the England v Wales Six Nation’s match.

As part of my watching brief bc magazine asked me to look for areas where we can improve locally. At the 2017 Rugby World Cup, much was made of the number of missed conversion and penalty kicks – and this applies to many teams locally. On the strength of England v Wales, it is an area which can benefit from close attention.

England’s Daley-McLean’s grubber kick through for Burford’s try was only one of a number of perfectly executed footballing moments, both from hand and place kicking. Elinor Snowsill on the Wales’ team had no opportunities to kick for goal, but she looked comfortable kicking out of hand.

Some of the most intelligent play came in preparation for receiving kicks; in the 36th minute Daley-McLean anticipated a long kick out to touch, and placed herself perfectly to bat it back into field at full stretch, giving England a fresh attacking platform.

There were also a number of charge downs: two of the England number 10’s kicks were tipped off course and a third charged down behind her, leading to one of Wales’ few try scoring opportunities before England recovered.

Look to improve kicking and catching skills:

– practice your catching stance. Getting the body in the right position is half the challenge; and it’s a basic skill.

– practice after main training is finished. Find a partner who will kick to you, and put you under pressure when catching, especially when you’re already tired.

– There’s no need be scared of the ball – it will bounce off you!

Image: courtesy of England women’s rugby

Red Roses March On

On a wet and freezing Twickenham station platform, a young girl articulately explains to her dad the options for closing the gender pay gap in rugby. Outside the Stoop, more fans vividly re-enact their favourite moments from the game. One wonders if these moments, where their inspiration is so obvious, mean as much to the players as on field results, as the women’s game continues to grow. In this post-World Cup season, there is evidence of this growth, not least in attendance numbers. A record crowd of 4,023, including bc magazine’s Sarah Higgins filled Twickenham Stoop Stadium to watch England take on Wales in the Women’s Six Nations.

Both teams came into this game off opening weekend victories; England waking up in the second half against Italy and Wales inching an absorbing contest 18-17 against Scotland. Starting how they left off, England attacked with intent, a first foray over the line prevented by a try-saving tackle from Wales wing Jess Kavanagh-Williams before lock Poppy Cleall finished off a line out move in the right hand corner.

For Wales, existing injury woes worsened, Hannah Jones replacing outside centre Kerin Lake who came off clutching her elbow in only the third minute. And basic handling errors cost them, with more experienced members of the squad just as culpable as the fresher faces. By the 21st minute, England were three tries to the good, Abigail Dow and a sniping run from scrum half Leanne Riley adding to their tally. The bonus point was secured inside 30 minutes, through rising star Ellie Kildunne, though this time Katy Daley-McLean’s conversion attempt bounced off the left post and out.

Wales looked particularly vulnerable down the right, but they put up a spirited defence in the forwards, and competed well in the scrum. And it was all defence – Wales’ first meaningful foray into the England 22 didn’t happen until after the break.

As the weather worsened, Wales got a little brighter, with some expansive runs and their first real period of sustained possession. But an overthrown attacking line out from captain Carys Phillips, allowed England to then recover possession on the edge of their own 22, exemplifying their day. Fly half Robyn Williams was replaced after only 50 minutes by Llecu George, but it did little to stem the tide.

England’s pack was redoubtable if unflashy; flanker Marlie Packer (a typically forthright performance necessitating a fresh shirt for the second half) driving over in the 45th minute, then playing on in one shoe momentarily as Swing Low rang out around the stadium. The backs provided the fireworks – Daley-Mclean penetrating strong Wales defence with a neat grubber, Rachel Burford’s resulting try her last contribution to the game. And a brief pause for treatment for Kildunne clearly worked, as moments later a scintillating solo run from just inside the England half resulted in try number 7 and the best moment of the game.

Cleall rounded out the half century in the final minutes, earning Player of the Game to go with her two tries. Daley-McLean, influential throughout, converted and England marched on with a successive shut-out, 52-0. On this performance, it would be unwise to bet against consecutive Grand Slams. Wales next face Ireland, where they will be looking to cut out the errors and convert their forward power and resilience into points.

In the Men’s Game, England completed the sweep over Wales, a much tighter contest ending 12-6 thanks to two Jonny May tries and a game-saving tackle from Sam Underhill.

England: (backs) Waterman, D; Dow A; Kildunne, E; Burford, R; Pearce, C; Daley-McLean, Riley; (forwards) Clark, R; Cokayne, A; Bern,S; Scott, A; Taylor, T; Cleall, P; Packer, M; Hunter, S (Captain)
Replacements: Davis, L; Cornborough, V; Lucas, J; Burnfield, R; Noel-Smith, I; Mattinson, C; Cattell, L; Tuima, L

Wales: (backs) Snowsill, E; Bluck, H; Lake, K; De Filippo, R; Kavanagh-Williams, J; Wilkins, R; Parker, R; (forwards) Thomas, C; Phillips, C (Captain); Evans, A; Lillicrap, S; Clay, M; Butchers, A; Lewis, B; Harries, S (50th cap)
Replacements: Jones, K; Pyrs, G; Hale, C; John, N; Davies, N; Knight, J; George, L; Jones, H

Images: Courtesy of England rugby