from World Rugby
World Rugby reiterates its condemnation of Russias aggressive invasion of Ukraine and the facilitation of this action by Belarus. The global rugby family is united in standing in solidarity with everyone affected by these deeply disturbing events and joins the global community in calling for the restoration of peace.
There’s talk of an international U20 tournament to be held this summer in Ontario to coincide with the national U19 championship. It would involve Tier 2 teams like Canada, with perhaps Portugal, USA, Chile involved. Details when they become available.
NZ officially announced it’s withdrawing from the upcoming World Rugby 7s tournaments in Spain due to domestic COVID MIQ (Managed Isolation and Quarantine) regulations. World Rugby has made changes to the tournament in Malaga January 21-23 with Germany replacing NZ in the men’s competition and Belgium replacing NZ in the women’s competition.
The 2022 World Rugby 7s series starts November 2021 with two consecutive tournaments in Dubai. It then moves to Spain for two consecutive tournaments in January. From there the men move to Vancouver (Feb 26-27) and LA (March 5-6) for tournaments.
from World Rugby
World Rugby has announced details of a new cross-regional annual international competition titled, Pacific Four Series, that will bring together some of the worlds top womens teams.
from World Rugby
Following rugby sevens successful second appearance at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2021 will return with a pair of mens Series events, combined with womens fast-four tournaments in Canada, with Vancouver on 18-19 September followed by Edmonton on 25-26 September
from World Rugby
– Matches will take place between 8 October12 November, 2022 in Auckland and Whang?rei
– RWC 2021 tournament window increases from 35 to 43 days (including 5 days ahead of first match)
The big news this summer for international rugby is the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa but World Rugby have announced the full international schedule on their website here.
The vote to replace Welsh member Gareth Davies on the 12 member Executive Committee takes place May 12th. One Canadian is in the running, Christina Flores. We wish her success. More information on Cristina and the World Rugby Executive Committee is contained in the links below.
from World Rugby
– Fourteen international teams competing in Dubai on 2-3 and 8-9 April
– Combined event confirmed in Los Angeles over weekend of 25-27 June
– HSBC Paris Sevens Marcoussis event postponed
– World Rugby providing US$4 million funding for rugby sevens programmes and high-performance preparation events ahead of the Olympic Games
– Welfare and safety of players, officials and wider society remains top consideration