England Rugby Football Union to cut women's XVs contracts

Last updated 13:00, July 25 2017



Only 15 days out from the Women's Rugby World Cup, defending champions England have been delivered the worst news from their bosses.

The Rugby Football Union has confirmed the players won't have their contracts renewed after the World Cup in Ireland beginning August 10.

Like many rugby unions, including New Zealand Rugby, the RFU have decided to prioritise its rugby sevens programme.

England's retired world cup winner Maggie Alphonsi told the Telegraph the decision from the RFU was "very disappointing".

It was reported in The Rugby Paper that players were only recently made aware that their contracts would not be renewed for 2071/18 season. However, RFU professional rugby director Nigel Melville stressed that players were made aware of the changes.

"The women's squad were always aware that contracts would end in September, after the World Cup," he told The Rugby Paper.

"The current XVs squad was informed in April that the next contracts will be focused on sevens, reflecting the cyclical nature of the women's game.

"The squad fully understands the position and are focused on the World Cup in Ireland next month."

The governing body explained there would be a return to contracts for players in preparation for the next Women's Rugby World Cup.

The Black Ferns are not contracted and each player juggles work or parenting with training and travel for the national team. England are the only team who had gone semi-professional ahead of the tournament.

The RFU will switch its focus in the women's game to the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco taking place next year, followed by the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...-xvs-contracts