Rugby

KANSAS CITY — Canada, playing its first game in more than six months, opened defence of its Pacific Four Series title with a somewhat laboured 26-14 win over the U.S. in women's international rugby play Friday.

The Canadian women's rugby sevens team, coming off back-to-back third-place finishes in Hong Kong and Singapore, look to finish the HSBC SVNS season with a bang this weekend in Carson, Calif.

Canada, ranked second in the world, will host the ninth-ranked U.S. on Aug. 1 at Ottawa's TD Place in its final home outing before the Women's Rugby World Cup in England.

World Rugby has announced a change in format to its rugby sevens competition on the eve of the season finale this weekend in Carson, Calif., a move that delays the Canadian men's bid to earn promotion back to the top tier.

The Canadian women open defence of their Pacific Four Series title against the U.S. in Kansas City on Friday, the first step on their journey to the Rugby World Cup in England this summer.

Veteran forward Karen Paquin makes her first Canadian start since the 2021 Rugby World Cup when Canada opens defence of its Pacific Four Series title on Friday against the U.S. in Kansas City.

SYDNEY (AP) — Les Kiss will take over as Wallabies head coach from Joe Schmidt next year as Australia finetunes for the 2027 Rugby World Cup it is hosting.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The 11th round of Super Rugby Pacific was played over an Anzac Day long weekend when bonds between Australians and New Zealanders forged in war were reinforced on playing fields in both countries.

Canada's men and women will share the stage May 3-4 at Dignity Health Sports Park, the rugby sevens venue for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. But the two teams are facing different challenges in Carson, Calif.

LONDON (AP) — England won a seventh successive Women's Six Nations title after surviving a sensational France fightback by 43-42 at Twickenham on Saturday. Both unbeaten teams were playing for a Grand Slam.