Sale Sharks Women and Worcester Warriors women have been given conditional offers to be the final two of the 10 teams that will complete the Allianz Premier 15s league for the 2023/24 season.
Belinda Moore, CEO of Women's Premier 15s LTD said in the press release: “It's a really exciting for women's rugby at all levels, and we're really pleased to see 10 clubs now moving forwards in their preparations for joining Allianz Premier 15s for next season.”
They will join the eight clubs that had their places confirmed before Christmas. Six teams in the current league (Loughborough Lightning, Saracens Women, Harlequins Women, Gloucester-Hartpury, Exeter Rugby Women, and Bristol Bears Women) were included. New teams Ealing Trailfinders Women and Leicester Tigers Women were also added.
It was strongly recommended by the tender panel for the RFU and Women's Premier 15 Ltd (WP15) that a greater geographical spread should be provided in the league.
In the original eight teams included, Loughborough Lightning were set to be the furthest North, despite being based in the East Midlands.
Sale Sharks Women will provide northern representation in the league.
Alex Teasdale, RFU Women's Game Director said: “We know rugby in the North can be disproportionately challenged. We have therefore responded to the panel's recommendation to explore if a northern club could be part of the league. Given the importance of having a northern provision, we believe with the proposed support package Sale Sharks will be well placed to continue their work to develop and grow rugby in the region.”
Teasdale added: “Worcester narrowly missed out on being awarded a place in the initial tender. The club's circumstances are now changing and we believe it is only fair to also offer to work with them on a conditional basis to also continue to deliver elite rugby in the region.”
Worcester Warriors Women recently announced a 10-year partnership with Cube International, which was dependent on them securing a league spot for next season.
Their conditional inclusion in the 2023/24 league means that this funding will be guaranteed if Warriors can provide the required information requested by the RFU.
In the past six months, the RFU has been working to provide a solution for the clubs that will not be involved in the 2023/24 season, and those that wish to join the Premier 15s in the future.
Charlie Hayter, RFU Women's Rugby Performance Manager added: “Our goal is to keep building strength in depth across the women's game and we will work with clubs and WP15 to build an integrated system of opportunities to compete at every level.”
Written by Imogen Ainsworth
