Women's International - news, interviews, reports

Women’s International

This is where you will find all of The Rugby Paper’s Women’s International news, interviews, reports, opinion and other content.

Ellie Kildunne believes impact of home Rugby World Cup lies ‘beyond imagination’

20 December 2024 0 comments

England and Harlequins full-back Ellie Kildunne cannot even fathom how transformative next year’s home Rugby World Cup might be for her country. The 25-year-old was […]

Ioan Cunningham quits Wales

10 November 2024 0 comments

Ioan Cunningham has resigned from his role as Wales women head coach after three years at the helm. Wales won only four of 11 Tests […]

WXV triumphs ideal World Cup preparation for England, says captain Marlie Packer

24 October 2024 0 comments

Marlie Packer has underlined the importance of England’s last two WXV campaigns as the countdown continues towards a home World Cup. England’s World Cup opener […]

England face USA in 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup opener

23 October 2024 0 comments

England will kick off the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup against the United States at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. The August 22 opener launches a […]

Howdy! England pair saddle up to spread the word

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Jess Breach and Ellie Kildunne have launched their new podcast Rugby Rodeo with one ambition in mind – to grow the profile […]

Kate Williams clinches historic victory

22 September 2024 0 comments

By James Orpin Wales ………….. 31 Australia…….. 24 Wales beat Australia in dramatic fashion with Kate Williams going over in the final play to record […]

WXV 3 Newcomers prepare for Dubai test

22 September 2024 0 comments

WXV 3 takes place in Dubai with newcomers Madagascar, Hong Kong and Netherlands welcomed into the fray this year. There’s an added carrot to this […]

Red Roses show who’s No.1 with win over Black Ferns

15 September 2024 0 comments

By William Gupwell England women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand […]

Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin

15 September 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock England ……………………….. 24pts Tries: Packer 18, Dow 30, Kildunne 36, Hunt 42 Conversions: Aitchison 36, 42 New Zealand ………………..12pts Tries: Vaha’akolo 51, […]

England Women heading in the wrong direction

15 September 2024 0 comments

By Jeff Probyn – A front row view of the game Watching last week’s game between England’s women and their French counterparts I couldn’t help […]

Abby Dow: Feeling comfortable in large crowds is key to Rugby World Cup success

10 September 2024 0 comments

By James Reid Abby Dow believes one of the keys to success at next year’s Rugby World Cup lies in the Red Roses feeling at […]

Marlie Packer: We want to win Rugby World Cup in front of sell-out Twickenham crowd

10 September 2024 0 comments

By James Reid Marlie Packer‘s legacy will not be defined by what happens at next year’s Rugby World Cup, but the England captain knows she […]

Rosie Galligan: 2025 Rugby World Cup can have same impact as Euro 2022 on Women’s game

10 September 2024 0 comments

By James Reid Rosie Galligan believes the 2025 Rugby World Cup can replicate the impact of Euro 2022 in transforming the women’s game in England. […]

Super Holly shows why she’s No.1 for Mitchell

8 September 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock England……………38pts Tries: M Packer 11, Breach 18, 49; Rowland 23, Talling 44, L Packer 66 Conversions: Aitchison 11, 23, 44, 66 France……………… […]

Marlie Packer says England will benefit from ‘toughest’ pre-season in big year

6 September 2024 0 comments

England are ready for tough tests against France and New Zealand. Marlie Packer has no doubt that one of the toughest pre-seasons she can remember […]

England flanker Maddie Feaunati set for first Test start against France

5 September 2024 0 comments

The Red Roses step up their preparations for WXV 1 in Canada. Exeter flanker Maddie Feaunati will make her first Test start when England tackle […]

Daley-McLean keen to build game in north-east

25 August 2024 0 comments

By Paul Martin Katy Daley-McLean hopes hosting next summer’s World Cup will provide a much-needed boost for women’s rugby in her native north-east. The South […]

Ulster CEO Hugh McCaughey says Ireland Women are evolving

18 August 2024 0 comments

The Ireland women’s national team will be “unrecognisable” in the next three to five years says Ulster chief executive Hugh McCaughey.

Ellie Kildunne says Great Britain can do ‘something special’ at Paris Olympics

26 July 2024 0 comments

Ciaran Beattie’s side face Ireland on July 28 in their opening pool match at the Stade de France. England full-back Ellie Kildunne feels “something special” […]

Packer out to defend WXV crown in Canada

21 July 2024 0 comments

By PAUL EDDISON Marlie Packer enjoyed one of the greatest nights of her rugby career in the first edition of WXV – little wonder she […]

Cromack: We can follow path set by footballers

21 July 2024 0 comments

Women’s U20 Summer Series By PAUL EDDISON Women’s rugby can follow the example set by the growth of women’s football according to rising star Ella […]

We can do better, says skipper

7 July 2024 0 comments

Women’s U20 Summer Series By PAUL EDDISON England u20s skipper Lille Ives Campion believes her team are only ‘scratching the surface’ of their potential after […]

History to be made in first-of-its-kind women’s u20s series

4 July 2024 0 comments

By Sebastian Barrett England coach LJ Lewis believes the inaugural Women’s Summer Series will give young players something to aspire to as they look to […]

Cox treble puts Wales into 2025 World Cup

30 June 2024 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Wales……………..52pts Tries: Callender 3, Fleming 12, Butchers 35, 55, Cox 46, 64, 77, Hesketh 71 Conversions: Bevan 3, 12, 35, 46, 55, […]

Ward and Hunt both delighted by Mitchell’s impact

16 June 2024 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS With just over a year to go until the start of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, excitement is certainly building up and […]

Kildunne crowned Women’s Six Nations Player of the Tournament

17 May 2024 0 comments

England’s Ellie Kildunne has been named as the Player of the Tournament for the 2024 Women’s Six Nations. After a shortlist of the competition’s standout […]

Red Roses announce first Twickenham match against Black Ferns for 12 years

2 May 2024 0 comments

England women will play their third standalone fixture at Twickenham in less than 18 months later this year, taking on New Zealand at HQ for […]

England celebrate Grand Slam treble

28 April 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK England secured their sixth straight Six Nations title and third Grand Slam in a row yesterday by beating France 42-21 in Bordeaux. […]

Wizard Kildunne is in a league of her own, says Monye

28 April 2024 0 comments

By STEFAN FROST Ugo Monye believes Red Roses flyer Ellie Kildunne has achieved her aim of being the best rugby player on the planet. Kildunne […]

Wales earn first win but still finish in bottom spot

28 April 2024 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON Wales……………..22pts Tries: Phillips 15, Pyrs 43, Tuipulotu 77 Conversions: Bevan 44, George 78 Penalties: Bevan 51 Italy………………..20pts Tries: Minuzzi 17, Granzotto 55, […]

O’Brien keeps her cool to make sure for Ireland

28 April 2024 0 comments

By JOHN CLEMENT Ireland……………15pts Tries: Corrigan 41, Moloney 58 Conversions: O’Brien 59 Penalties: O’Brien 73 Scotland ………..12pts Tries: Martin 7, Thomson 49 Conversions: Nelson 51 […]

Red Roses: Exeter Chiefs back row Maddie Feaunati

28 April 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Birthplace: Leeds Date of birth: 18/05/02 Community club: Marist St Pats RFC Red Roses debut: vs Italy March 2024 Caps: 5 Why […]

Cokayne in for Red Roses decider

25 April 2024 0 comments

Amy Cokayne comes in for the injured Lark Atkin-Davies as England take on France in a third-consecutive Grand Slam deciding match on Saturday. The match […]

Series 3, Episode 35: Grand Slam decider preview with Marlie Packer

25 April 2024 0 comments

It all comes down to this! The Women’s Six Nations is heading for an epic conclusion in Bordeaux on Saturday as England take on France, […]

Brown: £3m grant will help bridge gap

21 April 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Shaunagh Brown questions why Wales don’t already have the basic professional requirements to compete but says the ‘levelling the playing field’ campaign […]

Rampant England on target for slam

21 April 2024 0 comments

From BEN JAYCOCK at Twickenham England………………..88pts Tries: Dow 6, 36, 63; Hunt 9, Jones 12, 57; Aldcroft 18, Kildunne 27, 67, 74; Breach 43, 71; […]

Scotland break Italian duck to boost World Cup hopes

21 April 2024 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON Italy……………….. 10pts Try: D’Inca 31 Conversion: Rigoni 32 Penalty: Rigoni 73 Scotland ………..17pts Tries: Skeldon 34, Orr 62, Rollie 68 Conversions: Nelson […]

Brown: Red Roses must “stand up and be counted” at Twickenham

17 April 2024 0 comments

Ex-Red Roses prop and Harlequins legend Shaunagh Brown spoke of her excitement for England’s clash against Ireland at Twickenham this weekend, and what it represents […]

500-day countdown to World Cup kick-off

14 April 2024 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Excitement is building by the day as the countdown to Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 hit its latest milestone this week. […]

Smaller ball plan for women

14 April 2024 0 comments

World Rugby is considering the use of a smaller ball in the women’s game and is collecting data on the size 4.5 ball which is […]

Ward: I felt I was ‘judged’ over baby

14 April 2024 0 comments

ENGLAND lock Abbie Ward felt “judged” for returning to Test rugby less than a year after giving birth to daughter Hallie. Ward, 31, started the […]

England challenge

14 April 2024 0 comments

England will host world champions New Zealand, and France in September as they build up to hosting the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025. The […]

Ireland get in mood for Twickenham showdown

14 April 2024 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON Ireland……………36pts Tries: Wafer 13, Higgins 19, Jones 25, Corrigan 41, Parsons 59 Conversions: O’Brien 15, 20, 26, 42 Penalties: O’Brien 48 Wales………………. […]

Red card can’t stop England rampage

14 April 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Scotland ………………………… 0pts England……………………….. 46pts Tries: Cokayne 6, Dow 11, Kildunne 33, 64; Kabeya 43, Breach 51, 58; M Packer 72 Conversions: […]

Red Roses: Gloucester-Hartpury prop Mackenzie Carson

14 April 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Birthplace: British Columbia, Canada Date of birth: 24/06/98 Community club: Abbotsford RFC Red Roses debut: vs Scotland March 2023 Caps: 13 Why […]

MacDonald: Mitchell’s approach ‘really cool’

14 April 2024 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Claudia MacDonald has praised the ‘new perspective’ John Mitchell has brought to the England Women’s team since taking charge. The 60-year-old was […]

Red Roses: Saracens outside centre Sydney Gregson

7 April 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Birthplace: Baldock, Hertfordshire Date of birth: 20/01/96 Community club: Letchworth Garden City RFC Red Roses Debut: vs Wales February 2015 Caps: 4 […]

Moloney back in as Irish seek to end run

7 April 2024 0 comments

Ireland have recalled hooker Cliodhna Moloney to their squad for the Six Nations. The Exeter Chiefs player has not featured for her country since 2021 […]

Mitchell winning Red Roses’ “hearts and minds” – Middleton

4 April 2024 0 comments

Former England Women’s coach Simon Middleton has praised successor John Mitchell for his approach of winning the “hearts and minds” of his new players while […]