A lack of money and gulf in class between the top teams and the rest could undermine progress in the women’s game
What’s that coming over the hill? Nothing less than a monster-sized new era for women’s rugby. Between now and 2025 the list of big opportunities to help nourish and grow the female game is long and exciting: a high-profile World Cup in England in 2025, the launch of World Rugby’s annual WXV international tournament later this year and, for good measure, a revved-up Allianz Premier 15s domestic league as well.
Sprinkle over the top the more imminent attractions of next month’s standalone England versus France TikTok Six Nations fixture at Twickenham, set to attract 40-50,000 attendees, and Saturday’s rescheduled ‘Big Game’ – 53,000 tickets have been sold to watch the men and women of Harlequins and Exeter Chiefs – and the message is clear. Women’s rugby’s Cinderella days are numbered.
