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Latest News
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
Dubai Emirates Airline Rugby Sevens 2021 - Men's
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Perfection, not silverware, the focus for South Africa and Selvyn Davids

We caught up with the Blitzboks star, who has helped guide his side to the top of the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings as the countdown continues to their home Rugby World Cup Sevens.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 5 April, 2022
3 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
Rugby World Cup 2021
Monday 31 January, 2022
3 min read

Rugby World Cup is “the biggest prize” – Paula Chalmers

As Scotland Women prepare for their Rugby World Cup 2021 qualification decider against Kazakhstan or Colombia next month, we talk to one of their former captains about what it means to play in the tournament.
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A couple of years after she played in the last of her three Rugby World Cups and retired from international rugby in 2006, Paula Chalmers emigrated to Sydney to work for her brother-in-law’s firm of financial advisors.

With the outdoor lifestyle, warm climate and everything else that Australia has to offer, it is a decision the former scrum-half and captain does not regret in the slightest.

And now, later this year, living in the southern hemisphere could come with an added benefit – the chance to see her native Scotland play in their first Rugby World Cup tournament in 12 years.

“It would be a nice birthday present if they are able to get there, I might treat myself to a trip to New Zealand, especially if some of the other girls from the past decide to go out to the tournament,” said Chalmers, who turns 50 in June, four months before the Rugby World Cup gets underway.

“It would be nice to catch up with some of them, and it’s only a three-hour flight away so it’s a lot more doable than if I was in Scotland still.”

World Rugby, Hong Kong, and Samoa Unions have today confirmed the withdrawal of their women’s 15s teams in the upcoming @rugbyworldcup Final Qualification Tournament.

Scotland will now play in the final match, against the winner of Kazakhstan v Colombia.

Full story ⤵️

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) January 21, 2022

Whether RWC 2021 involves Scotland or not depends on the outcome of the Final Qualification Tournament in February in Dubai, when Bryan Easson’s team will take on either Kazakhstan or Colombia in a one-off game to decide who claims the final ticket to New Zealand.

Given Scotland’s recent upturn in form and higher World Rugby Women’s Ranking, they will be favourites to take their place in Pool A with hosts New Zealand, Australia and Wales.

“It’s the ultimate in 15s, you don’t get any bigger stage than the Rugby World Cup,” said the three-time participant. 

“Now, it’s all televised, there will be big crowds, especially in New Zealand, which is a phenomenal place to play rugby.

“If they can’t get themselves up to beat Kazakhstan or Colombia in a one-off game with the Rugby World Cup dangled in front of them, they’ll never get up for rugby, it’s just the biggest prize.

“Not that they would want to say their achievement is getting to the World Cup, but it would be a massive achievement if they did that because it has been such a long time.”

Strike power

From the little rugby that she has seen, Chalmers likes the way the current team is shaping up.

“The players coming through now look like a good group of girls and are playing a nice brand of rugby. The full-back (Chloe Rollie) seems to set things alight for them, she is a very exciting player.

“If they can get the ball out there, they have got the strike power to score some tries.”

Chalmers made over 70 appearances for Scotland – more than her elder brother, fly-half Craig Chalmers – and competed in her first Rugby World Cup in the Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam-winning year of 1998.

She was in the squad again for Rugby World Cup 2002 and bowed out in Edmonton in 2006, contributing 27 points as Scotland finished sixth after losing out on a place in the semi-finals to hosts Canada on points difference.

It was during that tournament that Scotland played in their only previous encounter against Kazakhstan, winning 32-17.

“It was the second game of the World Cup and I know that with the way the pools were set up (a cross-pool fixture format), only one team went through. We’d beaten Spain with a bonus point and we needed to do the same against Kazakhstan to stay in contention.

“There was a lot of pressure going into the game to score tries and it was hot, I remember that, and they were a very hard, physical team but we stuck to our task, chipped away and chipped away and managed to break them down and got the four tries we needed.

“It was quite a very physical encounter.”

Scotland appeared in one more tournament in 2010 but have spent the last 12 years in the Rugby World Cup wilderness.

Chalmers is delighted to see Scotland are on the brink of ending that long wait and the evolution of the women’s game in general.

“It’s amazing to see how it has progressed. From what I have seen and read, it’s almost professional now and the girls playing are athletes and extremely fit and the skill levels are obviously much higher than in my day,” she said. 

“It is impressive to see, and it has been a long time coming. But I enjoyed my time, it was what it was.”

Read more: Colombian Tucanes ready to walk the pathway to Rugby World Cup 2021 >>

Trending News Show all
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
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
7 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia clinch overall 2022 series title while late Lily Dick try gives them Cup win in Langford

Hosts Canada took fifth place while Ireland flyer Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe bagged 12 tries as they won bronze in the HSBC Canada Sevens in Langford.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Mon 2 May, 2022
7 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
5 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia edge towards HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series glory in Langford as New Zealand provide thrills on return

Australia are closing in on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title after a perfect start to the penultimate event of the season in Canada, while the Black Ferns came back with a bang at the Starlight Stadium.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Sun 1 May, 2022
5 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Captains on top of the world ahead of the HSBC Canada Women's Sevens in Langford

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to the home of Rugby Canada after a 1,083 day break as Australia look to clinch their first Series title since to 2018.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Fri 29 April, 2022
3 min read
Santiago Gómez Cora
5 min read

rugby sevens

Santiago Gómez Cora: “You have to be patient, trust a lot and do the hard work”

World Rugby caught up with Los Pumas Sevens coach about Argentina’s recent win in the HSBC Canada Sevens and what it means to him going forward.

rugby sevens

Thu 28 April, 2022
5 min read
Charlotte Caslick
3 min read

HSBC Sevens Series

Series title within Australia’s reach as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to Langford

We spoke to Australia co-captain Charlotte Caslick about her team's mindset heading into this weekend's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop in Langford knowing they can wrap up the series title.

HSBC Sevens Series

Wed 27 April, 2022
3 min read
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