Category Archives: Women’s Rugby

Happy Blogiversary!

Posted on July 8, 2019 by

It’s been 5 years since we started this blog and over that time we’ve covered all sorts of topics, from ghostly paintings and the Twickenham streaker, to the “First Lady” of rugby and international rugby’s most decorated player. Not forgetting our extraterrestrial jersey! 

Here’s a round up of our top 10 most read posts over the last 5 years… Continue reading →

Posted in Countries, International Players, Lest We Forget, Museum Collection, Women's Rugby | Leave a comment

Cardiff v Newport: The Ladies’ Story

Posted on July 23, 2018 by

A century after the first British women gained the right to vote, our women’s rugby historian, Lydia Furse, takes a look at how sport impacted the lives of many women in South Wales during the First World War. Continue reading →

Posted in Clubs, Women's Rugby | 5 Comments

Dual Identity: Two Women’s Rugby Players Capped For Two Countries (Each!)

Posted on March 5, 2018 by

As the NatWest 6 Nations continued this weekend, our women’s rugby historian Lydia Furse has been exploring those who have played at the national representative senior level for more than one country. Pulling on the shirt.  Singing the national anthem. … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries, International Players, Rugby World Cup, Scotland, Women's Rugby | Leave a comment

Women in Rugby Union: A Story Worth Telling

Posted on December 18, 2017 by

A new PhD project delving into the history of women in rugby union is being undertaken by Lydia Furse through the World Rugby Museum and De Montfort University. She tells us about her passion for rugby and her project aspirations in this Q&A. Continue reading →

Posted in Women's Rugby | 6 Comments

Vodka, Monsters and a disputed third place: the 1991 Women’s Rugby World Cup

Posted on August 7, 2017 by

The first Women’s Rugby World Cup could easily not have occurred.  The International Rugby Board refused to recognise the tournament, 600 potential sponsors were consulted with not a single one interested in supporting the event, and a number of unions refused … Continue reading →

Posted in Rugby World Cup, Women's Rugby | Leave a comment

Ireland 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup

Posted on July 24, 2017 by

The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 is around the corner, taking place in Belfast and Dublin from 9-26 August 2017.  The Irish Rugby Football Union was chosen to host the eighth Women’s tournament in May 2015 and looks set to … Continue reading →

Posted in Rugby World Cup, Women's Rugby | Leave a comment

International Rugby’s most decorated player

Posted on August 18, 2016 by

by Cat McNaney The Black Ferns fly half, Anna Richards, is the most decorated player in the history of international rugby. With a total of 49 caps under her belt, Richards is the most capped Black Fern to date, and has … Continue reading →

Posted in International Players, New Zealand, Women's Rugby | 1 Comment

The Last Game of Rugby (2029)

Posted on October 22, 2014 by

The following article by Leonard R Tosswill was first published in Rugby Football Weekly in January of 1929. It involves an imagined future (2029) in which women and men played rugby on the same team- women as backs, men as forwards. … Continue reading →

Posted in Women's Rugby | Leave a comment

Emily Valentine – the first lady of rugby

Posted on August 13, 2014 by

‘Omnes Honorate’ or ‘Honour all men’ is the school motto of Portora Royal School for Boys, in Ennsikillen, Northern Ireland. However ‘with a fine disregard for the rules’ 10 year old Emily Valentine did precisely the opposite and convinced the … Continue reading →

Posted in Women's Rugby | 3 Comments

INTERVIEW: How to win the Women’s Rugby World Cup by Gill Burns

Posted on August 8, 2014 by

Name: Gillian Ann Burns Position: Number 8 Club: Waterloo International Career: England 1988-2002, Captain 1994-1999 World Cups: 1991, 1994, 1998, 2002 Winner: 1994

Posted in England, International Players, Rugby World Cup, Women's Rugby | Leave a comment