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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
International rugby
Monday 22 November, 2021
4 min read

Autumn Nations Series and November internationals: Five things we learned

We recap another packed weekend of Autumn Nations Series matches and November internationals.
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French rugby fans enjoyed a stunning Saturday as the country’s men’s and women’s teams completed a rare double over New Zealand.

Les Bleues’ defeat of the Black Ferns was their fourth in a row and moved them up to third in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings powered by Capgemini.

Their male counterparts were equally as impressive against the All Blacks in Paris, while there were also Autumn Nations Series victories for England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.

Having digested all of that, and more, here are five things we learned…

It's why we love this game, it's why we love watching France... 🤩#FRAvNZL #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/TV6bQFLf4O

— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 20, 2021

France and Ntamack’s bravery rewarded against All Blacks

It is a moment that has been replayed over and over in the days since France beat the All Blacks, a signifier of the incredible potential contained within the current Les Bleus squad.

New Zealand had chipped into their hosts’ lead in the opening quarter of the second half at Stade de France, narrowing a 24-6 deficit to 27-25, when Jordie Barrett kicked long towards the French line.

The momentum was with the All Blacks as Romaine Ntamack tracked the ball, but that would change almost in an instant.

Despite finding himself in his own in-goal, the fly-half brushed off one tackle and then outpaced Barrett to set in motion a counter-attack that took the hosts to the opposite end of the pitch, where they won a penalty.

That it didn’t end in a try made it no less significant, or breath-taking, Ntamack’s intervention swinging the pendulum decisively back in France’s favour.

France would add 13 unanswered points in the last quarter to make sure of victory, but this was the crowning moment of a stunning performance from Ntamack. It started with a stunning break, included a fine try, but it will be his courageous counter that will be remembered for years to come.

Resilient Canada building nicely for RWC 2021

Canada slipped to fourth in the Women’s Rankings on Monday but there is little more they could have done to maintain their place in the top three.

Against a rejuvenated Wales at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday, Canada found themselves on the wrong side of a 7-0 half-time scoreline and down to 14 players.

But the visitors displayed a huge amount of resolve to score four second-half tries to round off their November campaign with a third victory in four matches.

An impressive second half from Canada’s Senior Women’s 15s squad sees them finish their Fall Tour with a 24-7 win over Wales! 🍁#RugbyCA pic.twitter.com/R8ipmHsO9s

— Rugby Canada (@RugbyCanada) November 21, 2021

With less than a year to go until Rugby World Cup 2021, playing in 2022, the end-of-year test window offered competing nations an opportunity to build cohesion and give players valuable exposure amid the ongoing pandemic.

Canada have taken that chance with both hands, winning the inaugural World Rugby Pacific Four Series against the USA in Glendale, and then putting in two good performances against England and Wales. Winger Sabrina Poulin has been prolific in the UK, scoring tries in London and Cardiff.

Steward a keeper for England at full-back

Last week, former England full-back Mike Brown compared the man currently wearing the white number 15 jersey, Freddie Steward, to legendary football goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

Brown’s point was that having a full-back who is solid under the high ball is “like having a top goalkeeper in football”. “Any balls that go over the defence’s head, in behind you,” Brown continued, “are swept up which makes the job for the boys in front so much easier.”

Against South Africa on Saturday, Steward was again solid defensively but also contributed to England’s attack, providing a strong carry from close to the line to score his side’s second try – his second in as many tests.

England coach Eddie Jones has described the Leicester Tigers youngster as the country’s best full-back since Brown was ushered out of international rugby three years ago and few would argue that the 20-year-old could have a long test career.

Since then, Elliot Daly has been Jones’ preferred option at full-back, but it looks as though the British and Irish Lion will have a job on his hands to force his way back into the team when he returns from injury.

Les Bleues respond to England in Castres

After watching her side secure a second victory against the Black Ferns in as many weeks, France coach Annick Hayraud admitted that ‘Le Crunch’ bragging rights had been on her players’ minds as they prepared for the match in Castres.

Les Bleues opened the scoring in only the fourth minute at Stade Pierre Antoine and added two more tries before half-time, the third – a penalty try – coming minutes after Kennedy Simon thought she had got New Zealand back into the contest.

Magnifique!

It's a victory to savour for @FranceRugby over the @BlackFerns 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/JeERH7iNRY

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 20, 2021

A fourth successive defeat of the Black Ferns was confirmed after the break, when Marie-Aurélie Castel scored her second try of the match. Hayraud and several of her players, including captain Gaëlle Hermet, later said it was important for the squad to prove that their win in Pau the previous weekend had not been an anomaly.

For the coach, meanwhile, there was a need to match what England had done in Exeter and Northampton, and secure back-to-back wins against New Zealand. “We wanted to mark our territory and respond to the English,” she said.

England and France will meet at least twice next year, during the Women’s Six Nations and Pool C of RWC 2021. Anticipation for those matches could not be higher following what has happened over the past four weeks.

Stage set for ultra-competitive Six Nations 2022

Of the four matches between Six Nations and Rugby Championship sides last weekend, all were won by the northern hemisphere team.

Those results meant that the final tally from the 13 such match-ups across the Autumn Nations Series was 8-5 to the sides from the Six Nations.

With two years still to go until Rugby World Cup 2023, it is too early to talk about a shift in power to the north but one thing that cannot be argued is that this season’s Six Nations Championship is going to be one no rugby fan will want to miss.

England, France and Ireland all completed a clean sweep of Autumn Nations Series victories, the latter two both dominating the All Blacks while the former found a way to beat the world champions despite being put under pressure at Twickenham.

Wales struggled at times against both Fiji and Australia but won each match and ran the world champion Springboks close in Cardiff. Scotland, meanwhile, won three from four and will start next year’s Championship full of confidence.

READ MORE: Magnificent France up to fifth in World Rugby Men’s Rankings powered by Capgemini >>

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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