Flyers Caitlin Urwin and Piper Flynn have been re-signed by the Queensland Reds women’s team as the club farewells stalwart Ivania Wong.
Locking in the two pacy finishers is another step towards piecing together the full squad for the June kick-off to the Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s season.
Urwin’s classy contributions on the wing in 2025 earned her selection in the Wallaroos squad for the Rugby World Cup in England.
Flynn crossed for a try with her first touch of the ball as a Red when she made her debut off the bench against the ACT Brumbies last season.
Both have sharpened their games by immersing themselves in the Next Gen 7s program and will now bring those gains into 15-a-side training.
“I definitely see an exciting season ahead for the Reds. Our debutants of last year have more experience, we have depth and we have that hunger to go a step further than last year,” Urwin said.
“Playing sevens was really beneficial. The extra chances you get one-one-one, playing at high speed more often, expanding your fitness and more matches are things that build your game.”
Flynn, the young Easts winger, is equally upbeat about the integration of the sevens and 15-a-side programs in Queensland.
“Getting your speed and fitness up and really concentrating on the accuracy of your ball work are all very handy things to take back to 15s,” Flynn said.
“I made my debut for the Reds last year but didn’t get to start a game. I’ve definitely got the hunger and drive to push for more.
“It’s exciting to be involved again when I can see the strength across the team.”
Reds Head Coach Andrew Fraser said Urwin and Flynn were two big assets for the 2026 squad.
“It’s fantastic to have both women committed to the Reds for 2026. Caitlin and Piper have both played for Australia A over the past two seasons and proved themselves to be quality finishers in Super Rugby Women’s and Founders Cup competition,” Fraser said.
“Their ability to play across both sevens and 15s formats has added to their experience and game time so they come in fit and ready for the Reds season.”
The Reds are farewelling one of the club’s most highly decorated players in Wong, who co-captained the side last year.
She has the distinction of playing for the Reds in all 43 games since the Super Rugby Women’s competition kicked off in 2018.
It has established her as the leading cap winner for the club, the leading try-scorer and the 2022 Super W Player of the Year.
She will pursue an opportunity on the wing with the ACT Brumbies in 2026.
“I’ll always be a proud Queenslander and the great friendships I’ve made in the Reds jersey don’t change,” Wong said.
“I’m very proud of that record as the most capped Reds player but the journey isn’t over.
“When you are in that many grand finals and fallen short, it definitely stays with you and makes you determined to win a championship.
“I’m excited for this next opportunity, embracing change in a new environment and unlocking a bit more of me that I still feel is left to give to Super Rugby.
“Any jersey I put on I’ll rep to the full. I’m going to give this next opportunity everything I’ve got.”
Wong has definitely benefitted from the calendar switch to a later June-July slot for Super Rugby Women’s after repairing a hip fracture sustained late last year.
Fraser gave rich praise to Wong’s contribution to Queensland rugby over a long period.
“Where we train at Ballymore, every day we walk past an image of Vani playing hard for the Reds,” Fraser said.
“We totally appreciate and respect what she has put into Queensland rugby. She’s passionate about her rugby and she’ll forever be in and around our thoughts.
“We wish her the best for the future. It is part of the growth of women’s sport that there are now more opportunities to continue to play.”
The Reds kick off the new season at Ballymore against Wong’s new club at Ballymore Stadium on June 7 with a Sunday afternoon game.
2026 SWYFTX SUPER RUGBY WOMEN’S DRAW
ROUND 1
Sunday, June 7
Queensland Reds vs ACT Brumbies, Ballymore, 1:05pm
ROUND 2
Queensland Reds BYE
ROUND 3
Saturday, June 20
Queensland Reds vs Western Force, Perth, 4:05pm
ROUND 4
Saturday, June 27
Queensland Reds vs Fijian Drua, Ballymore, 2:05pm
ROUND 5
Sunday, July 5
Queensland Reds vs NSW Waratahs, 4:05pm, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
SEMI-FINALS
July 17-19 SRW 1 vs SRW 4
July 17-19 SRW 2 vs SRW 3
SUPER RUGBY WOMEN’S FINAL
July 24-26 Winner SF 1 vs Winner SF 2 (Highest Ranked = Home Venue)
WOMEN'S SUPER RUGBY GRAND
FINAL
August 1 SRW 1 vs SRA (NZ), Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
