Professional Women’s Rugby (PWR), currently the leading women’s rugby league worldwide, is exploring an ambitious expansion beyond England by inviting expressions of interest from potential teams in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. This move could transform the top-tier English league into a broader British and Irish competition.
Presently, the PWR features nine English teams, but opening the door to the other Home Nations would mark an unprecedented step in British rugby, as no men’s or women’s English top-flight rugby league has expanded beyond England’s borders before.
Genevieve Shore, Executive Chair of the PWR, stated, “We are pleased to invite UK and Ireland-based organisations to express their interest in joining the league’s future. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a fast-growing, world-class competition and to help shape the next chapter of women’s rugby.”
READ MORE: Gloucestershire Farmers Receive Support as Local Produce Prioritised Amid Crisis
READ MORE: Concerns Mount Over RAF Fairford as Iran Threatens UK Amid Middle East Tensions
The possibility of cross-border inclusion is timely. Gloucester-Hartpury, a dominant West Country team featuring Welsh players, has won the last three PWR titles and remains unbeaten this season. Meanwhile, interest in women’s rugby is surging following England’s Red Roses triumph at last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, witnessed by a crowd of 82,000 at Allianz Stadium.
Further igniting the sport’s momentum, England’s opening fixture of the upcoming Women’s Six Nations against Ireland is nearing a sell-out at the same venue in April.
Expressions of interest for new teams are open until the end of April, with the next stage of discussions slated for May. If successful, new clubs could enter as early as the 2027-28 season, coinciding with plans to expand the men’s Premiership Rugby league.
The league’s prospectus highlights the benefits for new members: “Joining PWR enables organisations to contribute to an increasingly valuable and competitive league, one with growing audiences and a clear vision to become the world’s most competitive women’s rugby competition.”
Additionally, the league is open to new organisations becoming shareholders, emphasizing its inclusive and strategic growth model.