Women’s Rugby Breaks Records, Builds Momentum and Shines on the Global Stage
Make no mistake, women’s rugby has become a hot commodity. The 2024 version of the 6 Nations was nothing short of amazing! It hit several benchmarks that demonstrate viability and success. Commercially, it welcomed partnerships with the title sponsor, Guinness; a broadcast partner in Aon, and premier brand IHG Hotels and Resorts. The final played in Bordeaux between England and France, played host to a women’s rugby record of 66,000 fans. This eclipsed the 2023 Tiktok 6 Nations final attendance held at Twickenham of 58,498. Heck… even the April 27, 2024, clash between the two last place teams, Wales and Italy, broke Principality Stadium records for a women’s match with over 10,000 attendees. Given that 2.7 million women are playing globally, which is an increase of 27% since 2017; World Rugby is seeking to expand this sector of the game. The RFU just announced Impact 2025, a 12-million-pound grassroots investment in the game.
Rugby in the United States
Women’s rugby in the United States has followed a similar, although not as illustrious, path as women’s soccer. Both of our national teams were on the forefront of women’s sport which was jump started by Title IX in 1972. Our Women’s Eagles have experienced a lot of success since their official organization in 1987. One of the hallmarks was a Rugby World Cup Championship in 1991 over England and two additional final appearances. In 2019, our 7s team won a World Series Tournament and secured qualification in the 2020 Olympics. Obviously, a 2024 Bronze Medal showed the strength of our women on the largest stage. Ilona Maher’s devastating stiff arm and “Spliff’s” last second speed grabbed America’s attention.
Social Media Queen
Perhaps there has been no better barometer for the women’s game than social media darling, Ilona Maher. Prior to the Olympics she captured the hearts of followers with her messages about body positivity. At 5’10” and 200 lbs., she embodies the term Beauty and Beast. While she attracted critics because of her physical size, her humanity and raw sensitivity connected with millions of followers. On the heels of Olympic success, she became the most followed rugby athlete gaining more than 3.5 million voters since the August Games. In fact, she has more followers than both Springbok Captain Siya Kolisi and 2021 Player of the Year Antoine DuPont. Truth be told, Ilona has almost reached as many followers as both of them combined! I have to believe her social media notoriety catapulted her to being selected for Dancing with the Stars. While the Mirror Ball has yet to be won, Ilona is not done with rugby. She recently declared her desire to make the 2025 Rugby World Cup squad. While merit matters, I am not alone in the belief that her inclusion could have the whole world watching our Eagles next Fall.
Next Fall Matters
All of recent success for the Women’s Eagles has brought both attention and money. After the medal ceremony concluded, Michelle Kang donated $4 million dollars to the Eagles 7s program that will fuel them into the LA Games in 2028. The notoriety gained over the last few months has set the stage for an event that could change the trajectory for all of USA Rugby. On October 22 World Rugby announced the tournament opener would take place between WR’s #1 Ranked England versus our Women’s Eagles. This Pool A clash may just set attendance records in Sunderland’s Stadium of Light! While the Eagles have a tough ask, there is no question that it also affords our community, under the brightest of lights, to show off to the world. A competitive and fiery opening match, coupled with a top three finish can be a foundation for 15’s program success.
A Tough Ask Indeed
Our Eagles need to take the next step. Since our glory years of the 1990’s, the Women’s XV’s Eagles have not placed higher than 4th (2019). Currently, they are ranked 9th in the World Rugby Rankings. The truth is that the rest of the rugby world has caught up and excelled. The ladies have had no shortage of top tier matches to prove themselves. Recently, the WXV Competition has afforded them with matches against three of the top six teams in the world: England (1), France (4), and Ireland (6). The Eagles went 0-3, with the largest defeat coming at the hands of England, 21-61. Additionally, the 2024 calendar provided the team with opportunities to play #2 Canada and #3 New Zealand, which we lost 50-7 and 57-5 respectively.
USA Rugby needs our Lady Eagles to have a great tournament. While an opening match win will be extremely difficult, made more so by playing England at home, we need to do better than just making it to the knockout stage. This is not a given with pool matches against England, Australia, and Samoa. If we finish as expected, as A2, the Eagles would be likely to face Canada. Here again, our neighbors to the North are formidable. They finished 4th in 2022 and recently beat RWC Champions, the Black Ferns. The Eagles are 19-27 historically versus Rugby Canada and They have beaten us 9 times in the last 10 meetings, with the last US victory coming on July 10, 2019.
If there is a path to repeating what 7’s Eagles achieved, it will go through Canada. But, knocking off England on opening night or picking off our tough neighbors could be just the juice our ladies need to soar to new heights. Doing so can provide a great foundation for 2033 when our ladies play host to the world.
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