Ten English clubs selected for Women’s Super Rugby launch

Saturday, 4 March 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

LONDON (Reuters): Ten clubs have been offered places in a new women’s domestic competition to start in September, England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced.

England’s Red Roses won the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2014 and the creation of Women’s Super Rugby is aimed at sustaining the rise in participation and improving playing standards.

The clubs to meet the criteria for the new competition are Bristol Ladies, Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, Firwood Waterloo Ladies, Harlequin FC, Gloucester-Hartpury Women’s RFC, Loughborough Students (Lightning), Richmond FC, Saracens Women, Wasps FC Ladies and Worcester Valkyries.

There will be no relegation for two years.

“This is another significant development for women’s rugby in this country,” RFU Director of Professional Rugby Nigel Melville said in a statement.

“I would like to congratulate the 10 clubs on their successful applications which have resulted in them being offered a place in the new competition.

We now have the opportunity to build a world-class domestic competition, with the backing and funding of the RFU.”

The RFU will make a multi-million-pound investment in the new competition over the next three years.

Ireland host the next women’s World Cup in August, which will feature 12 international teams.