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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
RWC 2021
Tuesday 01 March, 2022
3 min read

Rugby World Cup 2021 brings “huge opportunity” – Donna Kennedy

Scotland women’s most-capped player is excited for the current squad at the opportunities that’ll come their way in New Zealand later this year.
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When Donna Kennedy won her 115th and final cap for Scotland at Rugby World Cup 2010 it also turned out to be her country’s last appearance on the game’s greatest stage.

Scotland failed to make it to the 2014 and 2017 tournaments but set the record straight in Dubai last Friday when they defeated Colombia to win the Final Qualification Tournament.

And no one could be more delighted for them than Kennedy who got to play in five consecutive Rugby World Cups from 1994 through to that swansong tournament in 2010.

See you in New Zealand, @Scotlandteam!

👏🎉🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿#RWC2021 pic.twitter.com/mFKStMYCgR

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) February 25, 2022

“From a Scottish perspective, we had always been there in the reckoning for World Cups and we performed well so it was sad not seeing any representation since 2010,” she said.

“These girls have got a huge opportunity. There is one thing playing international rugby for your country, and in Six Nations and European Championships but it is taking it to the next level when you play at a World Cup.

“For a rugby player, unless you are a sevens player, that is the pinnacle. You are out there for everybody in the world to see.

“There’s the camaraderie you get in the team from being out there together for a long time and you get to play against teams that you perhaps wouldn’t normally get to play against otherwise.

“It’s such a great atmosphere when you’re there and a great stage to be on.”

Facing down the Haka in 2006

One of the fondest memories Kennedy has of Rugby World Cup is the time they faced New Zealand – and the Haka – in Edmonton in 2006, Scotland giving the Black Ferns a run for their money in a 21-0 defeat. 

The current crop of players will get to do that too, having been drawn in Pool A at Rugby World Cup 2021 with the host country as well as Australia and more familiar foes in Wales.

But the fact the tournament is in New Zealand, Kennedy says, gives it even more appeal.

“They are very fortunate that they’ll play a World Cup out in New Zealand, it’s a nation of rugby lovers.

“I played against New Zealand at previous World Cups but never out there which I would have loved to have done.

“In the 2006 World Cup, I remember lining up against New Zealand and facing the Haka. We were wearing our white strips and they were in black and it was an experience in its own right; it’s part of the history of rugby.

“You don’t get opportunities to play nations like that very often so when you do, you have to grab them with both hands.

“It was really close in the first half when we played them because I think they underestimated us, but then they brought on their big guns and won 21-0.

“It was a physical encounter and I got player of the match. I remember it very well, it was one of my favourite games.”

There was no stopping @MeganGaffney7 on Friday night in Dubai 🔥#RWC2021 | @Scotlandteam pic.twitter.com/0EfarCJf9N

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) February 28, 2022

Scotland have the game to be a threat

Now based in Worcester, Kennedy does some part-time rugby coaching and still keeps a keen eye on how the current team are faring.

“They have definitely progressed over the years. They have now got an attack, they can score tries, and they’ve now got a defence. They are playing some really good rugby, and they are a genuine threat,” she said.

“They have put in some really sound performances and I think they are going from strength to strength.

“I remember a lot of these girls from when I coached them as U20s – I coached Jade (Konkel), I coached Emma (Wassell)… and it is great to see them coming through and it is great to see Emma get 50 caps. It makes me feel old!”

Kennedy turned 50 earlier this month and has been a long time retired but she still remains the last Scotland women’s player to score a try at a Rugby World Cup.

The flanker scored Scotland’s only try when they slipped to a 32-8 defeat to Ireland in the seventh-place decider at the Surrey Sports Park in Guildford.

By playing Ireland in her last international, Kennedy’s career had gone full circle as she made her debut against the same opposition in Scotland’s first-ever women’s international in 1993.

Once the final whistle sounded on her farewell match, Kennedy’s thoughts were on the storied career that she’d enjoyed, not whether it would be the last time Scotland would appear at a Rugby World Cup.

“It was a sad day for me because I knew it was going to be my last time playing in a Scotland jersey.

“It was a struggle to get to that point as my body was quite broken, I’d already started to retire and I went back but I knew this was definitely going to be my last time so there was a lot of emotion.

“It was a sad day for me and it’s sad for Scottish rugby that they didn’t qualify after that.”

Until now, that is.

Read more: Playing at the Rugby World Cup would be the stuff of dreams - Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm >>

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

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Toulouse

Big names fall on dramatic day of upsets at HSBC France Sevens in Toulouse

Argentina and Australia were knocked out in the men’s quarter-finals, while Series leaders South Africa and heavyweights New Zealand failed to even make the knockout stages. Australia and New Zealand’s women impressed, while Fiji reached the final four in both events.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Toulouse

Sat 21 May, 2022
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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
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