Wikipedia - Premiership Women's Rugby
Premiership Women's Rugby, officially known as Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby or The Allianz PWR, is an annual semi-professional women's rugby union club competition at the highest level of the English rugby union system, and is run by the Rugby Football Union (RFU). It is contested by nine clubs who play two series of round-robin matches to determine the four participants of a single-elimination tournament. It began play in the 2017–18 season, superseding the former Women's Premiership, and introducing elements of professionalism in the sport's highest level. In its first six seasons, the competition was known as the Premier 15s. Gloucester-Hartpury are the current champions, while Saracens have won the most championships (3).
Premiership Women's Rugby runs concurrently with the Allianz Cup, a similar annual competition contested by the same clubs, in which the teams are instead split into two pools, and only play one series of round-robin matches to determine places in the competition's tournament. The Allianz Cup began play in the 2021–22 season and has been won twice by Exeter Chiefs.
History
2016–2023: Premier 15s
The RFU founded the competition as "Women's Super Rugby" in October 2016, committing to a three-year, £2.4 million investment. A bidding process was opened to clubs seeking to operate a franchise in the new league, with the RFU initially planning to have all eight Women's Premiership teams and two new teams compete. Minimum standards were raised for aspiring franchise owners, such as requiring clubs to invest in professional training facilities and coaching resources.
After interviews with twelve clubs at Twickenham Stadium, the RFU announced the league's ten foundation clubs in February 2017. The decision to admit all Premiership clubs (Aylesford Bulls Ladies being taken over by Harlequins to become Harlequins Ladies) except for Lichfield Ladies, despite their fifteen-year presence in the top flight, was controversial. As the club expressed being "disgusted, disappointed and dumbfounded", Leicester Tigers, and Member for Lichfield Michael Fabricant, unsuccessfully attempted to overturn the decision, with the latter claiming the selection of only ten teams violated the Equality Act 2010, as the men's Premiership Rugby had twelve teams. The Thurrock T-Birds, who won the 2016–17 Championship 1 South season, also unsuccessfully attempted to appeal their exclusion.
The seven Premiership clubs would join Gloucester-Hartpury, Loughborough Lightning, and Waterloo in the inaugural season of the league, which had been rebranded to the "Premier 15s" prior to its start. Potato crisps manufacturer Tyrrells obtained its naming rights for three years, in what was described by the RFU as "the biggest ever financial investment in women's club rugby."
Financial services company Allianz began their naming rights sponsorship ahead of the 2020–21 season. The two independent clubs, Richmond and Waterloo, were replaced with the Premiership Rugby-affiliated Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks. The RFU stressed the need for financially viable clubs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Worcester Warriors were temporarily suspended during the 2022–23 season due to financial difficulties. These were resolved within a month and Worcester were unsuspended.
2023 onwards: Premiership Women's Rugby
Trailfinders and Leicester Tigers were admitted into the league in the 2023–24 season, as the competition rebranded to "Premiership Women's Rugby". Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors were initially excluded from the 2023–24 season alongside DMP Sharks and Wasps. Sale and Worcester were given conditional invitations by the RFU to rejoin for the 2023–24 season, in order to maintain the number of clubs in the league at ten.
Withdrawal of Worcester Warriors Women
On 17 October 2023 the owners of Worcester Warriors Women, Cube International, notified the RFU and PWR that they intended to withdraw Worcester Warriors Women from Premiership Women's Rugby and the Allianz Cup. The impact on the season's fixtures was not announced, however Worcester's next fixture, the Allianz Cup match against Bristol Bears Women was cancelled.
The England Women's Premiership is the premier rugby union competition for women's clubs in England, showcasing the highest level of talent, skill, and athleticism in the sport. Established to promote and develop women's rugby, the tournament features a competitive league format that brings together the top clubs from across the nation, each vying for the prestigious title.
Spanning several months, the Premiership consists of a series of intense matches where teams battle it out on the pitch, demonstrating their prowess in both attack and defense. The tournament not only highlights the incredible athletic abilities of female rugby players but also fosters a spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship among the clubs.
Fans can expect thrilling encounters filled with dynamic play, strategic maneuvers, and breathtaking tries, as well as the opportunity to witness the rise of emerging talent in the sport. The England Women's Premiership serves as a vital platform for players to showcase their skills, with many athletes aspiring to represent the national team on the international stage.
In addition to the on-field action, the tournament emphasizes community engagement and the promotion of women's sports, inspiring the next generation of female athletes. With a growing fanbase and increasing media coverage, the England Women's Premiership is not just a competition; it is a celebration of women's rugby and a testament to the dedication and passion of all involved. Join us for an exhilarating season of rugby that promises to captivate and inspire!