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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
Wednesday 30 March, 2022
2 min read

Six Nations memories: Safi N'Diaye's first Grand Slam

In 2014, a few months before Rugby World Cup 2014 kicked off at home, France won a fourth Women's Six Nations Grand Slam, ending a nine-year wait. World Rugby spoke to Safi N'Diaye, a key player in that French squad, about that year.
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Every part of France's Grand Slam victory in the Women's Six Nations 2014 seemed to be made for the French. That year, France was also preparing to host Rugby World Cup from 1-17 August.

Captain Gaëlle Mignot wore the armband for the first time on the day of the fifth and final round of that Championship, 14 March, a week after International Women's Day. Mignot would keep the armband until her international retirement in June 2021.

At 18:30 local time, the Stade du Hameau in Pau quietly welcomed the nighttime. The day had been sunny and France had won their four previous Six Nations matches up until that point. They were about to play Ireland, the defending champions who had won twice in the tournament, in their final match. 

"We had a great group," recalls France's second/back-row Safi N'Diaye. Jennifer Troncy, Elodie Poublan, Christelle Le Duff, Elodie Portariés, Laëtitia Grand, Lise Arricastre, Shannon Izar, Sandrine Agricole, Marjorie Mayans, Camille Grassineau, Jessy Trémoulière and Yanna Rivoalen were among that squad.

The unstoppable Bleues

Going into that game, ambitions were high. After 2002, 2004 and 2005, France was 80 minutes away from winning the Grand Slam for a fourth time. Since the start of the 2014 tournament, Les Bleues seemed invincible. They hadn't conceded a single try in four matches. Their defence seemed unbreakable.

After kick-off, France quickly found their stride and Marion Lièvre crossed the goal line in the sixth minute after a series of plays started by N'Diaye. The score remained 5-0 until half-time and the atmosphere was electric among the 8,500 spectators around the pitch.

"That year, we felt that women's rugby was growing quickly in France. There were more and more people at the stadium, more and more people were watching the game on TV and there had been a lot of promotion. The image of women's rugby was changing. We were all excited and relished playing in that moment," recalled N'Diaye, whose first cap came two years earlier against Scotland.

After the half-time break, France scored again, first through Portariés and then Izar before Ireland scored their first try on the hour mark through Gillian Bourke. Despite a collective try from the Irish in the 72nd minute, Les Bleus won the match 19-15.

A precious moment in an empty stadium

"It was my first Grand Slam and it remains engraved in my memory, like the one in 2018," said N'Diaye. "At the end of the match, we stayed on the field for a long time, a very long time, savouring the moment between us. We didn't even want to go and shower! We wanted to talk to each other, to enjoy that moment. In the end it was just us and the empty stadium."

New captain Mignot had already shown her leadership skills, motivating her charges to go into battle and not give up, as she would do throughout her career.

This Grand Slam, a few months before a home Rugby World Cup, put France on the right track.

"We were on a good run," N'Diaye conceded. "This victory brought the group together. Many of us were experiencing our first World Cup and we wanted to continue winning titles and experiencing those emotions. We wanted it to never end."

This generation, which succeeded the pioneers who had pushed for women's rugby to be highlighted, helped shape French rugby as we know it today.

"I play today with girls who started playing international rugby after 2014 and who were actually in the stadiums in 2014. They tell me: 'I saw you win the Grand Slam!' It makes me laugh.

"We haven't noticed the years go by, so it's an interesting realisation. But I'm proud that with this group we were able to make little girls dream," N'Diaye said.

This 2014 Grand Slam was a milestone in the history of French women's rugby.

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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