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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
Women's Six Nations
Thursday 17 March, 2022
4 min read

Six Nations memories: Fiona Coghlan still “dining out” on 2013 success

We look back to the time when Ireland stepped out of the shadows to become Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam champions.
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In what was far from Spring-like weather, Ireland’s women became Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam champions for the first and only time in their history on the outskirts of Milan in March 2013.

The stoical 6-3 victory over Italy completed Ireland’s journey from tournament also-rans to the best in Europe, with captain and prop Fiona Coghlan leading the way.

Up until then, Ireland had failed to make much of an impression on the tournament, finishing in the bottom half of the table every year until 2009, when third place became their domain for the next four years.

TBT; on St Patrick’s Day 5 years ago, this happened. Wishing the @IrishRugby rugby men’s squad & management all the best for Saturday, in their bid for Grand Slam Glory 🍀🍀 #irishrugby #rugby #natwest6nations2018 pic.twitter.com/7CmBtFjI5g

— Fiona Coghlan (@CoghlanFiona) March 15, 2018

“2012 was an important year in the sense we had some galvanising moments,” said Coghlan, who is currently on maternity leave from her job as a P.E and Maths teacher.

“We had a horrible trip to France, we flew into Paris and then had an overnight train down to Pau. We played that game and only lost by a point (8-7),” she said, citing one of those turning points for the team

“When we came back everyone was just talking about our travel arrangements and the girls were really annoyed, and I was like, ‘why is no-one was talking about the game?’

“I said we’ve basically just got to win something (to improve things) but I certainly didn’t think it would happen the next year.

“Things kind of just came together, I think it was a merging of some new young talent and some older heads and a great management team as well.”

Smash and grab rugby

Coghlan is the first to acknowledge that Ireland’s title bid could have become derailed at the first port of call, in this case, Port Talbot. 

“In the first game against Wales, we robbed them basically (winning 12-10). Ali Miller got a toe under a Welsh try to stop them scoring and then we scored one of our best tries of the tournament, a real team try, to win the game.”

Miller would enjoy a fantastic Six Nations, going from try-saver to try-scorer in a real statement win against England.

“Nobody was paying much attention but then we played England next, and when you beat them 25-0, I think people sit up and take notice, particularly in Ireland,” Coghlan pointed out.

“That was just a brilliant game. We played out of our skin that day. England were missing some of their backline for the sevens but their pack was really strong and we fronted up really well.”

Showing blistering pace, Miller scorched home for a hat-trick of tries as England were beaten by Ireland for the first time in women’s rugby history.

“She said the night before she’d dreamt she’d scored a hat-trick but I don’t know about that,” said Coghlan, talking about Miller’s heroics.

“Whatever comes out of Ali’s mouth now, we take with a pinch of salt!”

Afternoon full of creating TikTok content 🙌

Head on over to TikTok and give us a follow here 👇
📱 https://t.co/23gWZhvP0Q@IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/kCrr2xJlRz

— TikTok Women's Six Nations (@Womens6Nations) March 16, 2022

Drinking in the success

After England, Ireland faced Scotland away.

“Everyone had jumped on the bandwagon and we were going for the Triple Crown,” said the loose-head, who was voted Irish Sportswoman of the Year in 2013.

“We were poor in the first half, really sloppy, but we got it together at half-time and performed really well in the second half.

“People were asking where the Triple Crown trophy was but there wasn’t one for the Women’s Six Nations. Scotland give you this little quaich (drinking vessel) so we were drinking out of that instead, pretending it was the trophy.”

By now, Ireland were just two wins away from achieving what had been unthinkable on the eve of the tournament.

“The French game was International Women’s Day, and for the first time the Irish President came to one of our games,” Coghlan said. 

“It was a night game in Ashbourne, really misty and kind of eerie. It’s a small venue with only one tiny stand and you couldn’t see from one side of the pitch to the other.

“That was a brilliant game and we won that one after kicking on after a slow start.

“We knew then that we had the Championship won that weekend because of other results going our way but you don’t want to finish there, you want the Grand Slam.”

Winning is all that matters when the prize is so tantalisingly close, and that’s what Ireland did, grinding out a 6-3 win against Italy in their final game.

“Going to Italy the next week the sun was cracking stones the day before the game and we were out having coffee and it was beautiful. But when we woke up the next day, there was snow and rain,” Coghlan said. 

“It was a real leveller and it was not a great game of rugby but I suppose compelling in that it was touch and go right until the end when Joy Neville won a turnover under our posts and we kicked for touch and won the lineout, and that was it, the game was over.”

It’s fair to say, the celebrations went on long into the night. 

“It was such a historic and memorable moment for the women’s game in Ireland. There wasn’t much about us before that year,” said Coghlan. 

“That whole journey was amazing. I knew we were getting better every year but I genuinely didn’t think we would win the Grand Slam.

“It is still huge, I am still dining out on it now!”

Read more: Six Nations memories: England’s Jo Yapp leading from the front >>

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
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Madagascar qualify for rugby world cup sevens
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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
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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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