01 February 2023 , 23:04
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Women's rugby union teams Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors have been offered places in the Premier 15s after being controversially snubbed.
Last December eight clubs were offered a place in the next cycle of the women's Premier 15s beginning with the 2023-24 season. Both the Sharks and Warriors were omitted from the sides initially named for the league, but have now received conditional offers to join the competition.
However, one of the reasons Sale were selected for the league is because the Rugby Football Union (RFU) wants to maintain a women's rugby presence in northern England. Cash-strapped Worcester on the other hand, have recently secured funding to allow them to continue to operate.
The two teams join Leicester and Ealing, who join for the first time, along with existing Premier 15s clubs Loughborough, Bristol, Exeter, Gloucester-Hartpury, Harlequins and Saracens. Alex Teasdale, RFU women's game director, said: "We know rugby in the north can be disproportionately challenged.
"We have therefore responded to the panel's recommendation to explore if a northern club could be part of the league. Given the importance of having a northern provision, we believe with the proposed support package Sale Sharks will be well placed to continue their work to develop and grow rugby in the region."
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She added: “Worcester narrowly missed out on being awarded a place in the initial tender. The club’s circumstances are now changing and we believe it is only fair to also offer to work with them on a conditional basis to also continue to deliver elite rugby in the region.”
Belinda Moore, CEO of Women’s Premier 15s LTD said in the press release: “It’s a really exciting for women’s rugby at all levels, and we’re really pleased to see 10 clubs now moving forwards in their preparations for joining Allianz Premier 15s for next season.” Darlington Mowden Park Sharks and Wasps, the Premier 15s lowest ranked sides, will not be involved next season.
Sale Sharks were offered a place in the Premier 15s just a month after being snubbed (Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)DMP Sharks, who had to crowdfund to stay in the league this season, did not apply to be included for the next campaign because of the increased level of investment required.
A statement from Sharks players said: "Our goal remains to fight for elite competition in the north east and despite there being no representation for the area in the Premier 15s next season, we are hopeful that the future remains bright for the nurturing of the vast talent home to the region."
The RFU vowed to continue to find an avenue to allow clubs who were not offered a place a way into the league, along with clubs who wish to join the league in the future.
In fact, Wasps have already stated their intent to rejoin "at the earliest possible moment" and would be willing to move from London to Coventry to form a closer working relationship with the men's side.