Worldwide news wrap

Uganda's 7s team after the special beach training at Entebbe Sports Beach. (Photo: Uganda Women's Rugby Association)

New Zealand

At around the halfway point in the pool stage of the Women’s NPC only Waikato and Auckland have 100% records, with Waikato leading the way having played four games so far to Auckland’s three after a clean sweep of bonus point wins. But one of those runs will come to an end this weekend as the two teams clash in Te Awamutu on Saturday.

Last weekend Waikato warmed up for this crucial game with an impressive five-try win over Manawatu, with schoolgirl winger Makaia Riki-Te Kanawa and Steph Downer each touching down twice after Stacey Waaka had opened the scoring. However coach Reuben Samuel was unimpressed: "It wasn't quite the complete performance from us," he said."The scoreline wasn't really a reflection on how Manawatu played for long periods. They put us under a lot of pressure and we did well to deal with that, but we could have played a lot better. We've been getting by these past few weeks. We have to be better against Auckland."

Auckland, on the other hand, were pushed hard in their game – after a week off - by Counties Manukau when, having taken a 25-0 lead into the break, their opponents came roaring back, Auckland eventually being relieved to come away with a 35-29 win. Despite the defeat Counties Manukau remain in a good position to reach the playoffs, but the fourth place remain wide open.

Ireland

The Irish Rugby Union Players Association have announced that they will be including the Irish Women’s 15’s squad in their Player Development Programme.

Niamh Briggs said: “We are delighted to be included in the player development programme offered by IRUPA,” she said. Having access to their expertise and networks around the country will be of great value to our players. It is nice to be recognised as a part of IRUPA’s membership and have services available to us that are on a par with those afforded to male players."

Uganda

Unions have begun to announce their teams for the African Olympic Qualifier, to be played at the Banard Stadium in Johannesburg on 26th/27th September.

Uganda’s Coach Allan Musoke was one of the first to announce his squad, which will include new faces Charity Atimango, Grace Auma and Samiya Ayikoru from Thunderbirds. Rachel Kakaire, on the other hand, was not selected despite her performance in the recent Elgon Cup.

The team will gather for training at the Sports Beach in Entebbe before travelling to South Africa next Thursday.

Uganda Rugby 7s squad: Brenda Kayiyi - Black Panthers, Charity Atimango - Thunderbirds, Charlotte Mudoola - Black Panthers, Claire Anena - Black Panthers, Emmanuella Oroma - Walukuba Titans, Grace Auma - Walukuba Titans, Harriet Kayonjo - Thunderbirds, Hildah Nyiraguhirwa - Entebbe Sharks, Irene Nzige - Thunderbirds, Odoyi Mary Kyoita - Thunderbirds, Prossy Nakakande - Black Panthers, Samiya Ayikoru – Thunderbirds

South Africa

Border have won their third consecutive Interprovincial title, beating Blue Bulls 20-9 in the final in East London, despite a tight opening forty minutes that ended with the Blue Bulls holding onto a 3-0 lead.

In the second half, however, Border turned the game round with four tries, two by flank Lusanda Dumke and one a piece by lock Zandiswa Xozwa and centre Nolonwabo Bomela.

In the B Section final Free State beat the Leopards 22-5, giving them a 100% winning season. The Bloemfontein side held a slender 10-5 lead at the break after touching down for two tries. But they built on this form in the second half with fullback Merriam Ntlafhu completing her hat-trick of tries to add to one by one by Anzel Venter and a conversion by Lindiwe Masole.

Spain

Spain’s WSWS squad have returned from the summer break with a training camp that will run until October 4th. 18 players were selected for the camp, including two - Teresa Bueso and Amaia Erbina – who have been called up after their performances in the European U18 Championship.

Squad:María Ribera (XV Sanse Scrum Rc); Lourdes Alameda (XV Sanse Scrum Rc); María Casado (CR Majadahonda); Iera Echebarria (Olímpico Pozuelo); Patricia García Rodríguez (Olímpico Pozuelo); Irene Schiavon (Olímpico Pozuelo); Marina Bravo Bragado (CR Cisneros); Ángela Del Pan Moruno (INEF Barcelona); Anna Ramon Guardia (INEF Barcelona); Alexandra Castillón Serrano (INEF Barcelona); Elizabet Martinez (GEIEG); África Felez Barragán (GEIEG); Barbara Pla Vegué (Getxo RT); AnaVanesa Rial López (Crat); Paula Medín López (Crat); Teresa Bueso Gómez (Cau Valencia); Berta García Alonso (Usap Perpignan); Amaia Erbina (As Bayonais)

Alphonsi: “England’s women’s XV can learn from the Stuart Lancaster”

With an Olympic Games and the Women’s World Cup on the horizon, Alphonsi told reporters from her local newspaper – theEaling Times– that following the formula adopted by Stuart Lancaster in bringing younger players through the ranks early will be essential for the success of the women’s team in 2017.

“The next six months will be very important indeed for this England side,” she said. “The main priority at the moment is actually the Olympics in Rio. It’s the first time that sevens rugby will be included in there and I know the girls want to come back with a medal at the very least. But obviously there is another big focus for them as the Women’s Rugby World Cup returns again in 2017, and being the reigning world champions they will want to do well and hopefully retain that.

“So the big thing for them at the moment is to make sure they keep on developing players and as a result having that good depth in the squad. You’ve seen it with Stuart Lancaster and the men’s side in recent years; he has built up the side and made sure that he has a very experienced team going into this World Cup, and it needs to be exactly the same for the women’s team as well.”