News from Five Continents
1 September Hannah O’Connor, the Leinster captain, announces her retirement
2 September France 7s begin their season with training under new head coach, Romain Huet
2 September The Wallaroos celebrate 30 years of test rugby; Jo Yapp announces her squad for their European tour and WXV2
2 September The Farah Palmer Cup is halfway through: only Manawatū unbeaten after 4 rounds
2 September The French squad for WVX1 announced
2 September BBC2 shows documentary “Rugby on Trial”, dealing with head injury issues
3 September England confirm their first exclusive partnership, with Crew Clothing Company; off- field apparel only
3 September Australia A to play Manusina Samoa for the first time on 16th at Apia Park
3 September Eimear Considine added to Irish squad as cover for Méabh Deely (see 14th below)
4 September 35 Canadian players chosen for 2-week training session at Langford, starting on 7th
5 September Standing `Together Tall, official history of Irish Rugby, now available
5 September England announce their squad for the match with France on 7th
5 September Sarah Hunter (England assistant coach) is expecting her first child; she won’t be present at WXV1
5 September According to Alice Soper: across 13 NZ provinces, 4 Aupiki franchises and the Black Ferns, women hold only 16 of the 68 coaching positions; only 4 are head coaches
6 September Alysha Corrigan (Canada & Olympic silver medallist) returns to Saracens
6 September Scotland 40 Wales 14 (Hive, Edinburgh)
7 September England 38 France 19, Kingsholm, Gloucester
8 September Women in Rugby Conference, Naas, Ireland
8 September WRU holds an open trial for all Welsh-qualified players wanting to play for Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning next season
8 September Trailfinders 40 Harlequins 33; Glos-Pury 14 Chiefs 47; Sharks 31 Lightning 45
8 September Women’s Elite Rugby (USA): Berkeley 43 Life West 21; Colorado Gray Wolves 33 New York 5
8 September China win the Asia 7s, beating Hong Kong 26-0 in the final
9 September Natalia John (Wales and ex-Worcester) signs for Saracens
10 September RFU to cut 42 staff in attempt to reduce ‘unsustainable’ losses; Red Roses’ staff not expected to suffer; RFU also intends to redevelop Allianz Stadium from 2027
10 September Emma Wassell (Scotland) forced to withdraw from WXV2 squad for a tumour operation; replaced by Louise McMillan
11 September 6 Nations fixtures 2025 published
11 September King Charles III greets the Black Ferns squad at Buckingham Palace and responds to requests for a hug
12 September WRU introduces safeguarding policy to support the community and professional game across Wales
12 September Manaé Feleu and Marine Ménager to be co-captains of France for 2024-25
12 September HRH Prince of Wales presents caps and broaches to (ex-) Welsh players under the “Missing Caps” campaign (at Parc y Scarlets)
13 September The first ever BUCS Super Rugby fixture: University of Edinburgh 22 Hartpury College 36 (Sixways)
13 September Sione Fukofuka announces Eagles squad for WXV1
13 September Nicky Ponsford (ex-England and RFU Head of Performance, women’s rugby) appointed World Rugby’s Director of High Performance
13 September Giselle Mather to be GB Rugby Sevens’ Head Coach
14 September Ireland 36 Australia 10 (IRFU’s 150th anniversary)
14 September England 24 New Zealand 12, Allianz Stadium London
14 September Scotland 54 Fiji 10 (Hive, Edinburgh, first meeting)
15 September Colorado Gray Wolves beat All Blues 31-27 to win USA Legacy Cup
15 September Majadahonda beat Crat Rialta 41-12 to win the Iberdrola Super Cup (Avilés)
15 September Andrea Duodo is elected President of the FIR in succession to Marzio Innocenti
16 September Manusina Samoa 20 Australia A 18, Apia Park
18 September Kate Zackary (USA captain) named captain of Trailfinders, successor to Tyson Beukeboom (WXV1 Canada captain)
19 September Fi Tomas suggests the BBC will have broadcasting rights for RWC 2025
19 September England WXV squad announced
19 September Netherlands 12 Fiji 10 (Amsterdam)
20 September Kenya 63 Madagascar 19, Nairobi
20 September Wales 31 Australia 24, Rodney Parade, Newport
20 September Irish squad leaves for Vancouver
20 September The RFU will taken no further action over the alleged racist message by Amy Wilson Hardy
20 September Scotland squad arrives in Cape Town
22 September Romania beat Bulgaria 66-12 (Snagov)
22 September Start of South Africa’s U20 women’s week (Johannesburg)
23 September Alex Callender named the Welsh Rugby Writers’ Association women’s Player of the Year
23 September The annual ‘Nuit du Rugby’ held at L’Olympia, Paris; Séraphine Okemba wins award for best French international in 15s or 7s; most other awards to Antoine Dupont
23 September Liza Burgess, Wales captain in their first ever international in 1987, speaks at Usk RFC
23 September USA Eagles prepare for WXV with Rugby Washington (State)
23 September WER (USA) announces Declaration Period (till 20 Oct) for players to apply to join teams
23 September The Eagles and Maple Leafs train together at University of British Columbia
24 September Ticket presale starts for first and last RWC matches; over 55.000 sold today
24 September Shannon Izar (France and France 7s) retires; not exactly her own decision, she says
25 September Rugby Canada starts 3-week programme “Women in the Game”, covering every aspect of women’s contribution to the game
25 September Wales: Sisilia Tuipulotu will miss first WXV2 game v Australia because of visa problems; Rosie Carr misses tournament with shoulder injury
25 September Australia: Leilani Nathan out of WXV with knee injury; replaced by Ruby Anderson
26 September Wales will play their home match against England next year at the Principality Stadium; the WRU has agreed 37 new full-time contracts for players
27-28 September WXV2 and WXV3 first round: South Africa 31 Japan 14; Australia 37 Wales 5; Italy 0 Scotland 19; Fiji 38 Hong Kong China 3; Netherlands 8 Samoa 8; Spain 83 Madagascar 0
29 September WXV1 first round: England 61 USA 21; France 24 Canada 46; Ireland 29 New Zealand 27
