Here is an ideal quiz question for International Women’s Day: name the latest team sport in which women are starting to attract more supporters than the men? The answer is rugby union. This Saturday a record five-figure crowd is anticipated in Exeter to watch England’s Red Roses play Italy in the women’s Six Nations, a higher number than attended half of the six fixtures in the Gallagher Premiership last weekend.
Ten thousand fans gathering for a women’s game at Sandy Park? Cheaper tickets notwithstanding, few would have called it even a couple of years ago. No wonder Exeter Chiefs have plans to launch a female team to capitalise on this growing interest. If it helps that England, unlike their men, remain unbeaten with a grand slam still in their sights, there are also clearly other factors at play.
Written by Robert Kitson
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/mar/05/womens-rugby-union-england-six-nations under the title “‘Women’s rugby is taking off’: England excited by their Exeter bow | Robert Kitson”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
