“We deserve to be in the Prem.” Worcester and Wasps handed their Christmas P45
When the final whistle went at Twyford Avenue, there were scenes of jubilation for the visitors as Worcester put 50 points into a shellshocked Wasps team.
Throughout the eighty minutes the mood was sombre and irate on both benches, following the RFU’s decision to announce the eight teams who would be competing in the Premier 15s next season.
The RFU confirmed that eight clubs have been selected via the tender process and offered a place in the Allianz Premier 15s competition from the 2023-24 season, subject to the signing of shareholder and other agreements.
Worcester and Wasps are two of the four teams who will be axed from rugby’s flagship competition. They make way for Leicester Tigers, Ealing Trailfinders and two more teams, following an appeal process that will conclude in February.
There are numerous issues with the RFU’s announcement. Not least that it was less than 24 hours before they expected teams to run out and compete in a league which no longer values their participation.
“It plays on your mind that you’ve got to go and prove a point, so it does play heavy on players,” said Wasps centre, Ellie Lennon.
“[Our mood has] dropped but not against each other. It’s dropped towards being annoyed and being disappointed.
“It is disappointment towards the RFU because I know there are people behind the scenes at wasps want the best for us,” she added.
Following the culmination of the weekend’s matches, the league will take a break over the festive period. With crucial fixtures taking place in this final period before Christmas, the timing of this decision is shameful from the RFU and the Premier 15s with a total disregard for the welfare of the players.
“We can all take some time off, have a bit of a think, feel the emotions that we need to feel because I think that’s a big part of it,” Lennon said.
For Worcester, adversity has emerged as a key theme throughout this season and his crushing news is added to their long list of struggles they have to overcome.
“It’s tough isn’t it, but this group of players at Worcester have been so mentally resilient. We’ve been having to cope with so much this season. Yes, the timing is tough on players but you know the way they turned it around, I’m just really proud of them, said Director of Rugby, Jo Yapp.
Co-captain and Scotland international Lana Skeldon understands the importance of starting the new year with unwavering confidence in each other.
“We want to be here and we want to compete against the top four teams so I think as you said it’s a tough run of games in the new year but to show our performances in that is going to be crucial.”
We respect the decision but we’re not going to give up there,” Skeldon said.
For Skeldon and other Scots who ply their trade in the English league, this week was supposed to be a celebration of advancements in the women’s game.
The Scottish Rugby Union announced earlier in the week that the front row was one of 28 players to be awarded professional contracts as part of its continued investment into the women’s game.
Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm described this as an historic moment for the women’s programme. Compare and contrast this high with the sucker punch Wasps, Worcester, Sale and DMP have been hit with.
Scottish Rugby announces professional contracts for 28 players, as part of its continued investment into the women’s game.
Read more: https://t.co/WfbzfN1JR0 pic.twitter.com/YRJUjKta9o
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) December 15, 2022
The other elephant in the room is that as things stand, there is no northern representation in the topflight of women’s rugby. The DMP Sharks made it their mission to fight for women’s rugby in the north east, but that battle has been lost for now.
https://twitter.com/sashbambam/status/1604069190398263297
While Worcester and Wasps wait for the final judgement day to come in February, Sale Sharks should be more optimistic given their recent success but also their geographical location.
“I assume when they look at these extra two clubs coming in that they’re going to have to look up north for one of those,” said Yapp.
By contrast, Ealing’s Director of Women’s Rugby Giselle Mather, who was only appointed back in July, discussed with great anticipation the positive impact that this will have on grassroots rugby at her club and the surrounding area.
“This is a very special day for everyone involved with Ealing Trailfinders. It’s one of those moments that will be highlighted in our history for years to come.
“We are incredibly proud to have been successful and delighted to have the opportunity to bring elite female athletes, coaches and support staff to Ealing Trailfinders.
“The programme will not only benefit the 45 players selected in our Premier 15s squad, but will have a hugely positive impact on the growth and development of women’s rugby at all levels,” Mather added.
While Leicester and Ealing have something to celebrate this Christmas nearly half of the current league find themselves tossed out into the cold, anxiously waiting for their fate to be decided.
The Premier 15s has the space for ten teams to compete . This means that there is potential for clubs to join the league at a later stage.
The handling of this announcement represents yet another shortcoming by the RFU, who have once again chosen the hard way to grow the women’s game.
Read next: DMP Sharks: Fighting for women’s rugby in the North East
