January 2022 was a pretty remarkable month in the development of women’s rugby. Here’s a diary reflecting some of the events, ranging from personal to international. Which ones strike you as most significant?
2 January For the third time this season Perpignan RFC has been summoned to appear before a disciplinary commission, this time for inappropriate remarks made to the fifth match-referee, Doriane Domenjo. She has appeared many times as an official in women’s test matches. Perpignan lost a home match to Castres 19-20.
The club has condemned the alleged actions by a spectator in the strongest possible terms.
4 January Tess Feury (USA) signs for Railway Union, the Dublin club.
4 January Spain will play two internationals in preparation for the European Championship:
6 February v Italy – subsequently cancelled (Covid)
10 February: Spain A v Colombia
8 January Two AP 15s games off – Covid infections.
10 January NZR announces the provision of 30 contracts for the Black Ferns. They are alleged to be set between NZ$ 60,000 and NZ$ 120,000 per annum. This compares with previous values between NZ$ 12,000 and NZ$ 25,000.
11 January Charlie Hayter new head of England women’s 7s and 15s rugby; Emma Mitchell consultant for women’s 15s
11 January Alev Kelter joins Saracens.
12 January pro-contracts for twelve Wales women.
12 January Beibhinn Parsons elected Irish Rugby Writers’ Player of the Year for the second year running – a remarkable achievement.
13 January Black Ferns’ first training session of new year, but the 7s squad is not able to travel to Spain for the opening HSBC tourney.
13 January IRFU to provide one live stream per week of an AIL match, to start tomorrow
14 January RFU sets up systems to help DMP Durham Sharks
14 January Wallaroos meet for first time in two years. Jay Tregonning opens his remarks with reference to the culture the players represent, what it means to be a Wallaroo. He hopes to see 2022 fixtures in the Pacific Four competition, a game against NZ in the Laurie O’Reilly Cup, plus two more in May.
15 January Is Cobham RFC the very first club to mount an honours board to list captains of its Girls’ XV?
17 January Australia’s Players of National Interest (PONI) squad arrived on the Gold Coast at the weekend to begin their first training camp of 2022.
18 January No fewer than three rescheduled AP 15s matches to take place in the gap-weekend of 22 January:
DMPDS v Worcester; Sale v Saracens; Wasps v Lightning
18 January Belgium invited to replace New Zealand in the Malaga Sevens where they face Australia, Ireland and Spain.
19 January Nine retainer contracts for Wales players announced:
Gwen Crabb (Gloucester-Hartpury), Georgia Evans (Saracens), Kat Evans (Saracens), Cerys Hale (Gloucester-Hartpury), Abbie Fleming (Exeter Chiefs), Kerin Lake (Gloucester-Hartpury), Bethan Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury), Caitlin Lewis (Exeter Chiefs), Niamh Terry (Exeter Chiefs).
21 January Fixture schedule announced for Super Rugby Aupiki, sponsored and shown by Sky, and involving four teams
21 January HSBC 7s start in Malaga. NZ can’t travel.
22 January Hong Kong and Samoa withdraw from the RWC owing to coronavirus concerns. A new arrangement sees Colombia play Kazakhstan on 19 February for the right to play Scotland (25 February) in the last, final, ultimate eliminator.
23 January USA win Malaga 7s with Emilie Bydwell first-time head coach; Russia reach final with a 9-player squad.
27 January TikTok becomes the first ever named sponsor of the Women’s 6 Nations for an undisclosed fee. This is not an exclusive contract: TikTok will cover the men’s and men’s Under 20 tournaments as well.
27 January Exeter to switch their totemic image to a chief of the ancient Celtic Dumnonii tribe. Planned introduction July 2022.
27 January World Rugby announces new format for 2025 RWC. Location to be announced in May. Further clarity on 2023 WXV championship added. Crucially, performance in the WXV will determine qualification for that RWC.
28 January HSBC 7s in Seville. Australia win.
