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When rugby historians gather 100 years from now they may well single out 2015-16 as the most significant season in the wider development of the women’s game. AUSTRALIA DOMINATE A SEASON TO REMEMBERBELOWAction from the Canada Sevens where the hosts took on FranceThe number of women and girls playing the game had already risen to two million before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games – a quarter of the global playing population – but the ripple effects of events on the pitch are likely to be even greater than anyone can currently imagine.In the build-up to Rio 2016 the fourth HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series provided the platform for the world’s best female players to hone their skills ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut in August.The 2015-16 series was one dominated by Australia who, having pushed New Zealand all the way the previous season, were in a class of their own for much of the series, winning the first three titles in Dubai, Sao Paulo and Atlanta before England (Langford) and Canada (Clermont-Ferrand) tasted success.Dubai kicked off the new series with three massive upsets, Fiji and Ireland beating Canada and USA before Russia overturned three-time series champions New Zealand. Australia progressed serenely, though, and their quarter-final success against New Zealand was a portent of things to come, not only that day as they went on to beat surprise package Russia in the final, but also for the remainder of the season.24 tries scored by leading try-scorerPortia Woodman (New Zealand) 158points scored by leading point- scorer Ghislaine Landry (Canada)2015-16 SERIESDubai (3-4 December, 2015)Champions: AustraliaRunners-up: RussiaSao Paulo (20-21 February, 2016)Champions: AustraliaRunners-up: CanadaAtlanta (8-9 April) Champions: AustraliaRunners-up: New ZealandLangford (16-17 April)Champions: EnglandRunners-up: New ZealandClermont-Ferrand (28-29 May) Champions: CanadaRunners-up: AustraliaFINAL STANDINGS1. Australia - 942. New Zealand - 803. Canada - 744. England - 745. France - 606. USA - 467. Russia - 428. Fiji - 349. Spain - 2810. Brazil - 1211. Japan - 1212. Ireland - 1113. Kenya - 214. Colombia - 128 WORLD RUGBY YEAR IN REVIEW 2016INSPIRE | SEVENS REVIEW