7 Bamboos Rugby &#8211; Rugby Events, Coaching and Merchandise

HSBC SVNS Vancouver 2026 | ALL RESULTS >>

The post Highlights: HSBC SVNS New York 2026 | DAY 2 appeared first on 7 Bamboos Rugby - Rugby Events, Coaching and Merchandise.

Highlights: HSBC SVNS New York 2026 | DAY 1

7bamboosrugby — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 08:51:27 +0000

The opening day of the HSBC SVNS New York at the Sports Illustrated Stadium delivered high-stakes drama as the 2026 regular-season champions were crowned in the women’s draw, while the men’s competition set the stage for a mouthwatering knockout round.

Women’s Tournament: Black Ferns Sevens Rule the World

The New Zealand Black Ferns Sevens officially confirmed their status as the dominant force in rugby sevens, securing the 2026 regular-season title with a day to spare. By booking their semi-final spot with three consecutive wins in Pool A, they became mathematically untouchable in the overall standings.

The Black Ferns opened their account with a clinical 46-5 demolition of Great Britain, followed by a decisive 31-10 victory over rivals Fiji.

Jorja Miller, the reigning Series Player of the Year, proved why she holds the mantle by scoring a brilliant brace against the Fijiana. They capped off the day by beating France 29-19, setting up a semi-final clash against the USA.

In Pool B, Australia matched New Zealand’s intensity. Led by the record-breaking Maddison Levi—the fastest player to reach 200 Series tries—the Australians swept their pool.

After crushing Japan 47-7 and Canada 40-0, they edged out the home favorites, USA, 26-19 in a physical encounter. Australia will now face Fiji in the second semi-final.

Men’s Tournament: Australia Topple the Blitzboks

The men’s bracket saw Australia claim the summit of Pool A after a grueling “Southern Hemisphere battle” against South Africa. In the final game of the day, Australia edged the Blitzboks 19-12.

Despite two tries from South Africa’s Selvyn Davids—who celebrated his 100th and 101st career tries—a late score from Jayden Blake secured the top spot for the Aussies.

Australian captain Henry Hutchison praised his side’s “physicality and grit,” noting the emotional weight of the day as the team wore black armbands in tribute to teammate Ben Dalton’s grandfather. Australia now moves on to face a dangerous Fiji side in the semi-finals.

South Africa’s Impi Visser, celebrating his milestone 50th HSBC Sevens tournament, led his team to victories over New Zealand (22-7) and France (12-5) before the narrow loss to Australia.

The Blitzboks remain locked in a two-horse race with Fiji for the men’s regular-season title, with their semi-final match against Argentina carrying massive championship implications.

Pool B: Los Pumas Rise to the Occasion

Argentina’s Los Pumas finished the day at the top of Pool B after a series of resilient performances. They began with a statement 31-12 win over Fiji and followed it up with a “classic” comeback against Spain, overturning a 26-7 halftime deficit to win 27-26.

Their day concluded with a hard-fought victory over Great Britain, ensuring they head into Championship Sunday with maximum momentum.

Fiji, needing a strong finish to keep their title hopes alive, bounced back from their loss to Argentina by dismantling Spain 43-12, highlighted by a hat-trick from Douglas Daveta.

This result ensures that the race for the men’s overall title will go down to the final matches in Harrison, New Jersey.

Quick Links

The post Highlights: HSBC SVNS New York 2026 | DAY 1 appeared first on 7 Bamboos Rugby - Rugby Events, Coaching and Merchandise.

Ramos Last-Gasp Penalty Denies England to Crown France 2026 Champions

7bamboosrugby — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 08:33:49 +0000

France were crowned Guinness Six Nations 2026 champions in the most dramatic fashion imaginable, edging England 48-46 in an extraordinary “Le Crunch” at a pulsating Stade de France.

In a match of 12 tries and shifting fortunes, it was the clinical boot of Thomas Ramos that delivered the decisive blow, landing a penalty in the final minute to break English hearts and deny Ireland the title on points difference.

England Find Their Ferocity in Paris

Coming off a shock loss to Italy, England arrived in Paris as massive underdogs but played with a “ferocity and intent” that stunned the home crowd.

Early tries from Henry Arundell and Tommy Freeman suggested Steve Borthwick’s side were ready to play spoilers. However, France’s “all-court brilliance” kept them in touch, with Antoine Dupont and Theo Attissogbe crossing to ensure a high-scoring first half ended with France leading 27-24.

The contest evolved into a breathless shootout. Every time France threatened to pull away through the power of Julien Marchand or the flair of Louis Bielle-Biarrey, England responded.

Marcus Smith, introduced early in the second half, sparked a revival that saw Ben Earl and Ollie Chessum power over, briefly putting England into a position that would have seen the trophy head to Dublin.

Ramos Steals the Script

With ten minutes remaining and the scores locked at 43-43, the tension in the Stade de France was palpable. An England penalty from Smith looked to have sealed a famous upset and handed Ireland the championship. But France, chasing their third title in five years, showed the “resolve of champions.”

Under immense pressure, the French pack forced an infringement at the breakdown near the halfway line. Thomas Ramos, who had already contributed 18 points with the boot, stepped up in the 79th minute.

His long-range effort sailed through the uprights, reclaiming the lead and the championship in one swing of the boot. As the final whistle blew, England were left “dazed and gutted,” while Paris erupted in celebration for a successful title defense.

A Championship for the Ages

France finish the tournament with four wins from five, their only blemish being the heavy defeat at Murrayfield. While they missed out on the Grand Slam, their ability to survive “heart-stopping” encounters proved the difference. For England, the performance restored some pride after a difficult campaign, but they finish with just one win—their worst-ever return in the Six Nations era.

The result leaves Ireland as Triple Crown winners but bridesmaids in the standings, finishing just two points adrift of Les Bleus. For France, the party in Saint-Denis will last long into the night as they cement their status as the northern hemisphere’s dominant force heading toward the 2027 World Cup.

Line-ups

FRANCE

15-Ramos; 14-Attissogbe, 13-Gailleton, 12-Danty, 11-Bielle-Biarrey; 10-Jalibert, 9-Dupont (capt); 1-Baille, 2-Marchand, 3-Atonio; 4-Flament, 5-Meafou; 6-Cros, 7-Ollivon, 8-Alldritt.

Replacements: Mauvaka, Gros, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Roumat, Lucu, Moefana, Barré.

ENGLAND

15-Steward; 14-Freeman, 13-Lawrence, 12-Dingwall, 11-Arundell; 10-Ford, 9-Mitchell; 1-Genge, 2-George (capt), 3-Cole; 4-Itoje, 5-Chessum; 6-Roots, 7-Underhill, 8-Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Marler, Stuart, Coles, Cunningham-South, Care, M. Smith, Sleightholme.

Stats

FRANCE (27) 48

Tries: Attissogbe (2), Dupont, Marchand, Bielle-Biarrey, Ramos
Conversions: Ramos (6)
Penalties: Ramos (2)

ENGLAND (24) 46

Tries: Arundell, Freeman, Earl, Chessum, Smith, Lawrence
Conversions: Ford (3), Smith (2)
Penalties: Smith (2)

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)

The post Ramos Last-Gasp Penalty Denies England to Crown France 2026 Champions appeared first on 7 Bamboos Rugby - Rugby Events, Coaching and Merchandise.

Drought Over: Wales Stun Italy in Cardiff to Secure Bonus-Point Victory

7bamboosrugby — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 08:06:42 +0000

Wales emphatically ended a three-year Six Nations drought at the Principality Stadium, delivering a clinical 31-17 bonus-point victory over Italy.

In a performance defined by “elation and relief,” Steve Tandy’s side raced into a 31-point lead to secure their first home win in the tournament for 1,491 days, finally silencing the critics after a grueling period for the national side.

Wainwright and Edwards Ignite Cardiff

Benefiting from an unchanged starting lineup for the first time in the campaign, Wales displayed a level of “familiarity and flow” that had been missing in previous rounds.

Aaron Wainwright, the standout performer of the Welsh tournament, rewarded the home fans early. A rampaging break from the number eight saw him crash under the posts for the opening score before he repeated the feat minutes later, doubling the Welsh advantage at the end of another effective line-out drive.

Fly-half Dan Edwards, growing in stature with every minute, converted both and kept the Italians pinned back with daring tactical kicking.

The Cardiff crowd was sent into raptures just before the interval when captain Dewi Lake dived over from a driving maul, capping an individual campaign of immense grit and sending Wales into the tunnel with a commanding 21-0 lead.

Italy Fight Back as Wales Hold Firm

The hosts initially showed no signs of slowing down after the break. A patient, flowing attacking move was finished by the searing pace of Edwards, who converted his own try before adding a “sumptuous” drop-goal to push the lead to 31-0.

Italy, fresh from their historic win over England, finally sparked into life in the final half-hour. Replacements Tommaso di Bartolomeo and Tommaso Allan crossed the whitewash while Wales were down to 14 men following Archie Griffin’s yellow card.

Paolo Garbisi added a late third for the Azzurri, but the Welsh defense—marshalled by tireless work from Ellis Mee and James Botham—ensured the result was never in doubt.

Relief in the Valleys

While Wales still collect a third successive “unwanted” Wooden Spoon, the victory represents a significant psychological breakthrough.

The 1,099-day wait for a Six Nations win is over, and the standing ovation from the Cardiff crowd suggested a renewed belief in Tandy’s developing squad.

Italy finishes the tournament in a respectable fourth place, but Gonzalo Quesada’s side will be disappointed to have fallen short of a first-ever hat-trick of wins in a single campaign.

For Wales, the “elation and relief” of the final whistle marks the end of a dark chapter and a potential turning point for the road ahead.

Line-ups

WALES

15-Rees-Zammit; 14-Mee, 13-James, 12-Hawkins, 11-Adams; 10-Edwards, 9-T. Williams; 1-Carre, 2-Lake (capt), 3-Francis; 4-D. Jenkins, 5-Carter; 6-Mann, 7-Botham, 8-Wainwright.

Replacements: Elias, Smith, Griffin, Beard, Cracknell, Hardy, J. Evans, Murray.

Sin-bin: Griffin (52′)

ITALY

15-Pani; 14-Lynagh, 13-Brex, 12-Menoncello, 11-Ioane; 10-P. Garbisi, 9-Fusco; 1-Fischetti, 2-Nicotera, 3-Hasa; 4-N. Cannone, 5-Ruzza; 6-Lamaro (capt), 7-Zuliani, 8-L. Cannone.

Replacements: Di Bartolomeo, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Favretto, Odiase, Varney, Marin, Allan.

Stats

WALES (21) 31

Tries: Wainwright (2), Lake, Edwards
Conversions: Edwards (4)
Drop-goal: Edwards

ITALY (0) 17

Tries: Di Bartolomeo, Allan, Garbisi
Conversions: Garbisi

Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)

The post Drought Over: Wales Stun Italy in Cardiff to Secure Bonus-Point Victory appeared first on 7 Bamboos Rugby - Rugby Events, Coaching and Merchandise.

Triple Crown Glory: Ireland Overpower Scotland in Dublin to Stay in Title Hunt

7bamboosrugby — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 07:50:46 +0000

Ireland secured their fourth Triple Crown in five years with a relentless 43-21 victory over Scotland in a “breathless and full-blooded” Dublin encounter.

While Andy Farrell’s men delivered the bonus-point win required to keep their title hopes alive, France’s subsequent last-gasp victory over England in Paris ultimately denied the Irish a second consecutive championship trophy.

Raucous Aviva Witnesses High-Octane Opener

In a contest where both sides entered dreaming of the title, the cagey start many expected never materialized. Ireland struck within three minutes as the tournament’s breakout star, Jamie Osborne, crossed for his fourth try of the campaign.

Scotland, however, showed the same resilience that saw them dismantle France a week prior, navigating a 19-phase attack that ended with Darcy Graham scampering over in the corner.

The Irish response was “ruthless.” Dan Sheehan peeled off a clinical maul to reclaim the lead before Stuart McCloskey turned provider, throwing a “killer pass” to Robert Baloucoune.

The Ulster wing shrugged off Graham to score, sending the hosts into the interval with a commanding 19-7 lead and maintaining Ireland’s incredible record of 30 home matches unbeaten when leading at the break.

Scotland Surge Before Ireland Empty the Bench

Gregor Townsend’s side emerged for the second half with renewed belief. Finn Russell shrugged off a frustrating opening period to score at the end of a sustained spell of pressure.

Although Six Nations debutant Darragh Murray sniped over for Ireland’s bonus-point score, the Scots refused to wilt. Rory Darge capped an excellent team move to bring the visitors back to within five points, leaving the result on a knife-edge.

Farrell responded by unloading a powerful bench, including the return of Bundee Aki from suspension. The injection of fresh energy proved decisive. Tommy O’Brien collected a Ciaran Frawley pass to extend the lead, before a Jack Crowley penalty provided much-needed breathing space.

Triple Crown Glory Amidst Title Heartbreak

The final minutes belonged to the hosts. As “The Fields of Athenry” rang out around a jubilant Aviva Stadium, O’Brien raced away for his second score to complete a “superb” win and shatter Scottish hopes of a first win in Dublin since 2010.

While the 15th Triple Crown was celebrated with gusto, the evening ended on a bittersweet note. England’s spirited performance in Paris dangled the championship prize in front of Irish eyes, only for Thomas Ramos to nail a 79th-minute penalty to keep the trophy in French hands.

For Scotland, a 12th consecutive loss to Ireland leaves their bid for silverware in tatters for another year, despite a campaign that promised so much.

Line-ups

IRELAND

15-Osborne; 14-Baloucoune, 13-Ringrose, 12-McCloskey, 11-O’Brien; 10-Crowley, 9-Gibson-Park; 1-O’Toole, 2-Sheehan, 3-Furlong; 4-McCarthy, 5-Beirne; 6-Conan, 7-Van der Flier, 8-Doris (capt).

Replacements: Kelleher, Milne, Bealham, Murray, Timoney, Casey, Frawley, Aki.

SCOTLAND

15-Kinghorn; 14-Graham, 13-Jones, 12-Tuipulotu (capt), 11-Steyn; 10-Russell, 9-White; 1-Schoeman, 2-Turner, 3-Z. Fagerson; 4-Williamson, 5-Gilchrist; 6-M. Fagerson, 7-Darge, 8-Dempsey.

Replacements: Ashman, Sutherland, Rae, Craig, Bradbury, Horne, Rowe, Jordan.

Stats

IRELAND (19) 43

Tries: O’Brien (2), Osborne, Sheehan, Baloucoune, Murray
Conversions: Crowley (5)
Penalties: Crowley

SCOTLAND (7) 21

Tries: Graham, Russell, Darge
Conversions: Russell (3)

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)

HSBC SVNS Vancouver 2026 | ALL RESULTS >>

The post Triple Crown Glory: Ireland Overpower Scotland in Dublin to Stay in Title Hunt appeared first on 7 Bamboos Rugby - Rugby Events, Coaching and Merchandise.

Highlights: HSBC SVNS Vancouver 2026 | DAY 2

7bamboosrugby — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:28:51 +0000

Text, Images and Videos via World Rugby

New Zealand and South Africa top of the HSBC SVNS world in Vancouver

Black Ferns Sevens maintain their long unbeaten record at BC Place, while Blitzboks laid down a marker ahead of the final event of the regular HSBC SVNS Series in New York.

South Africa added the HSBC SVNS Series Vancouver title to their Perth and Cape Town crowns this season and rocketed to the top of the men’s standings, level on points with Fiji.

The Blitzboks went unbeaten across the weekend to claim their first win in Canada since the Covid-shortened series in Edmonton in 2021.

Blitzboks captain Impi Visser’s focus was already switching to next weekend in New York when he spoke on the sidelines immediately after the final. “It’s an amazing feeling,” he said of their win. “Sometimes we take it for granted but it’s an amazing feeling and we’re really grateful for it.

“We’ve had a lot of changes – six changes from Perth to now and the thing we said we want to build is consistency. I think we’ve shown that through and through. We just need to keep up this momentum going into New York.”

Fiji made it five podium finishes in five HSBC SVNS Series tournaments, beating Australia to claim third, while Argentina, who had won the past four tournaments in Vancouver – recovered from a disappointing day one performance to claim fifth place. South Africa and Fiji are locked at the top of the men’s standings.

They’re level on log points, with Fiji just ahead having scored two match points more across the HSBC SVNS Series to date. The side that finishes top of the standings heading into the three-tournament World Championship series will be exempt from relegation to HSBC SVNS 2.

In the women’s competition, New Zealand extended their lead over Australia in the HSBC SVNS Series standings to eight points after claiming their fourth tournament title in five events this season.

Captain Risi Pouri-Lane pointed to the Black Ferns Sevens’ efforts to maintain consistency. “The biggest thing for us is that you can never get complacent and there’s always things you can work on and get better at. They make a big difference in the long run.”

USA beat France in the third-place play-off to end a nine-tournament wait for a podium finish, while Canada got the home crowd on their feet as they claimed fifth, and Japan claimed seventh at the end of an end-to-end play-off against Great Britain.

Quick Links

HSBC SVNS Vancouver 2026 | ALL RESULTS >>

The post Highlights: HSBC SVNS Vancouver 2026 | DAY 2 appeared first on 7 Bamboos Rugby - Rugby Events, Coaching and Merchandise.

Highlights: HSBC SVNS Vancouver 2026 | DAY 1

7bamboosrugby — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 21:50:20 +0000

Text, Images and Videos via World Rugby

Milestones and Upsets Mark Explosive Opening Day at HSBC SVNS Vancouver

The HSBC SVNS in Vancouver delivered a dramatic and milestone‑packed opening day across both the men’s and women’s competitions, with Fiji and South Africa leading the charge in the men’s event while New Zealand’s Jorja Miller and Australia’s Maddison Levi lit up the women’s draw.

Men’s Competition: Fiji and South Africa Advance, Argentina Falter

Fiji extended their remarkable consistency with a fifth consecutive semi-final appearance, driven by another outstanding performance from Viwa Naduvalo. The winger crossed the 100‑try career mark and added five tries over three matches as Fiji recorded wins over France and Australia.

Argentina, the four‑time defending Vancouver champions, saw their 23‑match winning streak come to a dramatic end in the tournament opener. Australia edged them 17–15 before the South Americans slipped to additional defeats, finishing bottom of Pool B despite a spirited win over Fiji.

Australia secured early qualification with disciplined victories over Argentina and France, while Fiji’s dominant 35–14 win over the Aussies closed the pool stage in style.

In Pool A, South Africa marched through unbeaten, highlighted by Sebastiaan Jobb’s spectacular 80‑metre solo try against Spain. Their final match saw them fend off a strong New Zealand fightback to win 17–12 and set up a semi-final against Australia. Spain impressed with wins over Great Britain and New Zealand but narrowly missed out on progressing.

Fiji will face Spain in the second men’s semi-final.

Women’s Competition: Miller Hits 100, Levi Scores Eight

In the women’s event, New Zealand’s Jorja Miller celebrated her 100th career try during a dominant 43–5 victory over Japan. The Black Ferns Sevens completed the day with a perfect 3–0 record, extending their four‑year unbeaten run at BC Place.

Australia matched their rivals with an unbeaten day shaped by Maddison Levi’s incredible eight‑try haul. With sister Teagan rested, Madison Ashby orchestrated play as Levi crossed twice against Fiji, three times against Canada, and three more against the USA.

France also advanced after strong wins over Japan and Great Britain, although they fell to New Zealand in the pool decider. The USA sealed the final semi-final spot with victories over Canada and Fiji before falling to Australia.

As both competitions head into day two, Vancouver is set for blockbuster semi‑finals featuring the world’s most in‑form teams.

Quick Links

The post Highlights: HSBC SVNS Vancouver 2026 | DAY 1 appeared first on 7 Bamboos Rugby - Rugby Events, Coaching and Merchandise.

Historic Rome Triumph: Italy Stun 13-Man England in Landmark 23-18 Win

7bamboosrugby — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 16:25:15 +0000

Italy plunged English rugby into a state of absolute crisis at the Stadio Olimpico, securing a historic 23-18 victory to record their first-ever win over England in 33 attempts.

On a night of “disco lights and celebrations” in Rome, Steve Borthwick’s side collapsed under the weight of indiscipline, as second-half yellow cards for Sam Underhill and captain Maro Itoje paved the way for a landmark Italian triumph.

Early Promise Fades into Familiar Frustration

England arrived in Rome desperate to snap a two-match losing streak, but their afternoon was hampered before kick-off when an injury to Tom Curry forced a late back-row reshuffle. Despite a “new-look” lineup, the same old problems persisted.

Ponderous forward rumbles and a string of handling errors from Joe Heyes and Alex Coles saw England struggle for penetration against an eager Italian defense.

Italy struck first through the boot of Paolo Garbisi, but England seemed to find their rhythm when Tommy Freeman crossed for his ninth Test try. However, the momentum shifted five minutes before the break when Tommaso Menoncello carved through the English fringes to score, putting the Azzurri 10-5 up. A late Tom Roebuck scamper on the stroke of half-time allowed England to retreat to the tunnel with a slender 12-10 lead.

Discipline Meltdown Costs England Dear

After the restart, two Fin Smith penalties appeared to insulate England against a shock as they moved into an 18-10 lead. But with 25 minutes remaining, the wheels fell off.

First, Sam Underhill was sent to the sin-bin for a high hit, followed quickly by Itoje, who was binned for “mindlessly” slapping the ball from the scrum-half’s hands.

Reduced to 13 men, England’s lead evaporated. Garbisi’s boot narrowed the gap before the decisive blow arrived eight minutes from time. In a thrilling sequence of “all-court brilliance,” Monty Ioane and Menoncello combined to set up Leonardo Marin, who dived under the posts to send the Roman crowd into raptures.

A Dark Day for Borthwick’s Empire

As the final whistle blew, England’s players stood “dazed and stunned” amidst the Italian celebrations. The defeat marks England’s third successive loss in the 2026 championship, raising “awkward and far-reaching questions” about Borthwick’s strategy 18 months out from the World Cup.

While Italy celebrates a historic milestone, England heads to Paris next weekend as minor characters in the title race, desperately fighting to avoid their first-ever single-win campaign in Six Nations history.

Line-ups

ITALY

15-Pani; 14-Lynagh, 13-Brex, 12-Menoncello, 11-Ioane; 10-P. Garbisi, 9-A. Garbisi; 1-Fischetti, 2-Nicotera, 3-Ferrari; 4-N. Cannone, 5-Zambonin; 6-Lamaro (capt), 7-Zuliani, 8-L. Cannone.

Replacements: Ruzza, Marin, Fusco, Hasa, Spagnolo, Di Bartolomeo, Allan, Favretto.

Sin-bin: Nicotera (53′)

ENGLAND

15-Daly; 14-Roebuck, 13-Freeman, 12-S. Atkinson, 11-Murley; 10-F. Smith, 9-Spencer; 1-Genge, 2-George, 3-Heyes; 4-Itoje (capt), 5-Coles; 6-Pepper, 7-Underhill, 8-Earl.

Replacements: M. Smith, Van Poortvliet, Rodd, Chessum, Davison, Pollock, Cowan-Dickie, Cunningham-South.

Sin-bin: Underhill (57′), Itoje (64′)

Stats

ITALY (10) 23

Tries: Menoncello, Marin
Conversions: P. Garbisi (2)
Penalties: P. Garbisi (3)

ENGLAND (12) 18

Tries: Freeman, Roebuck
Conversions: F. Smith
Penalties: F. Smith (2)

Referee: Luc Ramos (France)