WRU urged to fully support women’s rugby

THE Welsh Rugby Union have been urged to support women’s rugby or risk being left behind.

Warren Abraham kicked off his reign with a 53-0 defeat to France on the weekend, drawing criticism from some quarters.

But in an article for Rugbypass, writer Jess Hayden said the failings lay more with the WRU than the side itself, calling on the union to offer adequate support for the Welsh women’s side.

“Adequate investment isn’t yet there in the women’s game in Wales,” wrote Hayden. “The WRU said they would give contracts to the women once a performance criterion had been met, which to me means they will ride on the back of the investment their players receive from the RFU in the Premier 15s until they absolutely have to invest.

“It’s also about so much more than the money. Even if amateur teams like Wales gave professional contracts tomorrow, the infrastructure needed to push women’s rugby is years behind.

“In my opinion, the WRU need to urgently sort the regional women’s tournament in Wales, better support their talent pool (insuring them would be a start), and have more open conversations with the RFU about player development.

“What we are comparing here is a semiprofessional French side with an entirely amateur Welsh set-up. Some online have even called Wales semi-professional because some of their players receive payment from clubs.

“Let me be clear: some Wales women’s players receive match fees from their Premier 15s club. According to players, this often isn’t enough to cover their petrol and some of them now need to pay for their sports insurance too as their clubs or union won’t.

“There is no real profit margin here for the players, who also only receive expenses from the WRU when they play for Wales.

Money doesn’t grow on trees and has to be invested where it will be most effective. But women’s rugby is growing fast and unions like Wales are at a great risk of being left behind.”