Weekend Wrap from around the game

Ireland

Munster women won the Irish Women’s Interprovincial title at the weekend with Ireland captain Niamh Briggs playing a key role.

Defeating Leinster in the final game 15-7, the Interpros are always an opportunity for Ireland’s best players to make the Autumn international training squad and there were plenty of new faces to impress.

It was 20 minutes before a score was registered when a driving maul saw Leah Lyons crash over with Briggs adding the extras. Leinster fullback Jeamie Deacon went over in the corner and Nora Stapleton converter to level it up at the break.

Briggs added a penalty before the hour mark to get Munster back in the lead, as they began to take control of the game and it was the Irish skipper who then touched down a try to give Munster a solid 8 point advantage.

In the other game on the day Connacht beat Ulster 15-12 to take third place. Jemma Jackson scored the opening try for Ulster but Mairead Coyne hit back for Connacht before Ireland international Sene Naoupu, scored again for the westerners.

Ulster went ahead when experienced centre Grace Davitt dived over and with Jackson adding the extras, Ulster were 12-10 ahead. The win was not to be though when Emma Clery scored for Connacht and they held out to take the spoils.

New Zealand

Waikato moved to the head of the Women's NPC championship as a result of their 27-16 bonus point win over Wellington in Hamilton on Saturday.

Auckland, who had shared the lead with Waikato, had the bye at the weekend.

Stacey Waaka scored twice for Waikato to extend her lead in the individual try scoring stakes and now has seven in the competition.

Auckland, Canterbury and Otago had byes in the round.

Counties Manukau, who have a game in hand, moved level with Auckland after a 44-15 win over Manawatu in Papakura.

Bay of Plenty got into the winners' circle with a 22-19 win over Hawke's Bay at Rotorua.

The Third round results were:

Waikato 27(Stephanie Downder, Victoria Edmond, Ana Masters, Stacey Waaka (2) tries; Masters con)Wellington 16(Agnes Dean try; Lizzie Golden con, 3 pen. HT: 0-13Counties Manukau 44(Azania Watene 2, Sharnita Dudley, Justine Lavea, Hinewai Pomare, Shontelle Woodman, Renee Wickliffe, E Croft tries; Arihiana Marino 2 con)Manawatu 15(Nicole Dickens, Krysten Duffill tries; Duffill con, pen)Bay of Plenty 22(Mystery McLean Kora 2, Luka Connor, Lauralee Hillman tries; Hillman con)Hawke's Bay 19(Kirsty Thomas, Talon Robinson, Naomi Hunt tries; Amy Williams 2 con)

England

The English Premiership returned at the weekend with wins for defending champions Saracens, as well as Richmond, Bristol and Lichfield

Three of the weekend’s game were played at outstanding venues with Bristol playing at Ashton Gate, Saracens at Allianz Park and DMP Sharks at Kingston Park.

In Acton, Richmond put Wasps to the sword with a convincing bonus point 34-0 win. Irish international Jackie Shiels, Ellisha Dee and Oli Davies were among the try scorers as Wasps never got fully into the game in what was a disappointing home start for the west Londoners.

Bristol, playing at the home of Bristol rugby at Ashton Gate, were victorious at home with a 24-5 win over Worcester. With Sarah Hunter now playing with Bristol, the experienced England number 8 was a real asset for her side, heavily involved as the home side scored some early tries. Bristol led 19-0 at the break and when Caryl Thomas crashed over after halftime there was no way back for the visitors.

It was a high scoring affair at Kingston Park 20-31 over DMP Sharks. Hannah Smith scored early for the hosts but DMP hit back immediately and the game was to and fro for much of the half. Lichfield dominated though as the game wore on and pushed the lead out to 31-5 at one point – so much credit is due to DMP’s fightback, with 15 unanswered points.

Finally to Allianz Park where last year’s winners Saracens played last year’s bottom side Aylesford Bulls recording a massive 69-5 win. There were 11 tries in all for Saracens including two for England back row Hannah Gallagher and two for newcomer Nina Vistisen.

Asia

Hong Kong won their first ever Asia Rugby Sevens Series title beating China 24-15 to finish the tournament undefeated, in a huge statement of intent ahead of the region's Olympic qualifiers.

You can read the full story and reactionhere

Schools Game

The 2015 Sainsbury's UK School Games took place at the weekend with a women’s sevens competition at U18 level.

Scotland and Ireland sent representative teams while England sent four regional teams and Wales sent two.

English sides dominated with the final taking place between England SW and England SW.

The full results from the final day arehere