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Latest News
Andy Vilk, head coach of Italy men's sevens
4 min read

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Italy men’s sevens team seeks return to the big stage

The European men's qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is on the horizon with the prize of four tickets to Cape Town, South Africa at stake in July.

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Thu 19 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Spain Sevens Seville 2022 - Women's
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe keen to drive Ireland onto Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

We spoke to the prolific Ireland star about backing up the team’s success in Seville and plotting their path to Cape Town in September.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 26 April, 2022
4 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
5 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Everything you need to know about Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Your guide to RWC Sevens 2022, which will take place in Cape Town between 9-11 September this year.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fri 8 April, 2022
5 min read
2018 Highlights
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
08:29 mins

Highlights: New Zealand win big in San Francisco

New Zealand retained their Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco
Mon 23 July, 2018
08:29 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
07:03 mins

Highlights: New Zealand women's win Rugby World Cup Sevens

Check out all the top action as New Zealand win The Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
Sun 22 July, 2018
07:03 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
06:30 mins

HIGHLIGHTS: Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two

Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two of action at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 #RWC7s
Sun 22 July, 2018
06:30 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day One
06:51 mins

Highlights: Men's quarter-finals decided

Men's quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens decided after incredible first day at AT&T Park
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:51 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
06:26 mins

Highlights: Women's semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens

Championship semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day one of action
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:26 mins
women's rugby
Thursday 28 October, 2021
3 min read

“We can really challenge teams” says new Wales Women coach Cunningham

New Wales Women head coach Ioan Cunningham is looking forward to the challenges the November internationals will bring.
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After a lean period results-wise, new Wales Women’s head coach Ioan Cunningham senses a new mood of positivity in the camp as the countdown to Rugby World Cup 2021 continues with next month’s November Internationals.

Following on from last Sunday’s training match against the world champion Black Ferns, internationals against Japan, South Africa and Canada on consecutive weekends in Cardiff will put Wales through their paces.

“There’s three good challenges for us there with the different styles of play and a different approach from a mindset point of view,” Cunningham said.

“Japan will be technically superb, they will be fast and will want to play at a high tempo with high ball-in-play (time), whereas South Africa might go back to a more of a set-piece game and will try and go through you with a ‘north-south' approach.

“Canada are one of the world’s best teams with some exceptional athletes and a bit of an all-court game. So there are three different challenges for us, which is great for me and the new coaching group to learn so much about the group moving forward.”

Taking control 

For the next year, up to and including Rugby World Cup 2021, Wales will be led by Cunningham and his assistants, Geraint Lewis, Richard Whiffen and World Rugby intern Sophie Spence.

Wales have failed to finish in the top half of the Women’s Six Nations table for the last decade and are on a seven-match losing streak but Cunningham is not worried about what has gone on before.

“At the first meeting, we had with the coaching group and the team I made it clear that everything is about moving forward, everything is about taking control. We cannot do anything about what has happened before,” he said.

“We want positive mindsets and high energy. We are all united, that’s the biggest thing, we are working together towards achieving something special as a group.

“So far, the time we’ve spent together has been really good. All the girls are working really hard and have adjusted quickly to some new structures and plays.”

Cunningham does, however, get the occasional reminder of the past – from good friend, and former Wales women’s international, Clare Flowers.

“Clare has 70-odd caps for Wales and is very proud of the fact that they finished second in the Six Nations when she played (three times in 2006, 2008 and 2009),” said the former Scarlets forwards coach. 

“She is a good friend of mine and she made it clear to me, you’ve got to show us what you can do. It was good banter but it made me realise what it means to the Welsh women’s players and public.

“Hopefully the small adjustments we have made as coaches will help us perform better and, ultimately, help us win games. We are confident if we get our system and structures right we can really challenge teams.”

Try scorer @LisaNeumann93 feels the whole squad will learn from today's run-out
Ngā mihi @BlackFerns 🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/dnSVo5dD7U

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) October 24, 2021

Massive threat

In Jasmine Joyce, Wales possess one of the best players in the world. And while Cunningham admitted that the Black Ferns run-out had given him “a few selection headaches”, the Bristol winger/fullback is one player whose place in the team is guaranteed.

Joyce terrorised opposition defences at the Tokyo Olympics and the Fast Four sevens tournaments in Vancouver and Edmonton in September and Cunningham is now looking to maximise her threat in 15s.

“The grand plan is to get the ball to Jas as much as possible if I am being honest,” he said.

“She is an outstanding attacking threat, one of the world’s best, and thankfully she is Welsh and with us.

“I am sure a lot of teams will be worried about her being on the team sheet in the weeks and months to come because of the threat she poses. She has great acceleration and footwork and she is tough and durable as well.

“It’s about us understanding how we can get her on the ball as much as possible in the 15s game, getting her to come off the wing and close to rucks working off the nine.

“I spoke to her last week and said I want us to give you 15 touches of the ball a game. If she can get that, she will create massive opportunities for us.”

Read more: Tanya Scholtz on potential Springbok Women debut: “I hope my dad is looking down super happy and proud” >>

Trending News Show all
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Men's
6 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series - Toulouse

Men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series favourites suffer shock defeats on opening day in Toulouse as women’s champions Australia continue fine form

South Africa, Australia and Argentina were all beaten on the opening day of the HSBC France Sevens men’s event, while New Zealand and Australia caught the eye with some big wins in the women’s competition

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series - Toulouse

Fri 20 May, 2022
6 min read
Rikki Swannell becomes first females to commentate on men's series
5 min read

Feature

Behind the microphone: Groundbreaker Rikki Swannell

World Rugby talks to the New Zealander about becoming the first female lead commentator on the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and her life in sports broadcasting.

Feature

Fri 20 May, 2022
5 min read
Andy Vilk, head coach of Italy men's sevens
4 min read

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Italy men’s sevens team seeks return to the big stage

The European men's qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is on the horizon with the prize of four tickets to Cape Town, South Africa at stake in July.

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Thu 19 May, 2022
4 min read
Serevi Coaching Roadshow - HSBC Event
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Fiji are in Toulouse to win: “There is still room for improvement,” says Gollings

Gold and silver medals in their last two HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series outings have Fiji feeling good ahead of French tournament

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 19 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022
4 min read

Rugby Sevens

Captains ready for lift off at HSBC France Sevens

Toulouse welcomes a full line-up of 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams for the first time in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series on 20-22 May

Rugby Sevens

Wed 18 May, 2022
4 min read
2018 Commonwealth Games women's final
3 min read

Commonwealth Games

All the build-up to rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games 2022

Now that the line-ups are complete in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, we take a look at who has won gold in the past and the sides competing to add their names to the roll call of honour in July.

Commonwealth Games

Wed 11 May, 2022
3 min read
Madagascar qualify for rugby world cup sevens
4 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Discipline and hard work at the heart of Madagascar's success on the road to Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

The Madagascar women's sevens team has achieved their historic dream of qualifying for a Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament for the first time. At the heart of this achievement lies a lot of hard work, determination and discipline.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Wed 11 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Seven women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series players to watch in Toulouse

Following an exciting weekend in Langford we look at seven women’s stars who could light up Toulouse between 20-22 May.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 5 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
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