BBC RUGBY UNION: TRANSFORMING THE SPORT’S FUTURE

GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND – JUNE 24: Zoe Aldcroft and Natasha Hunt, co-captains of Gloucester-Hartpury, lift the trophy after their victory in the Women’s Allianz Premier 15s Final between Gloucester-Hartpury and Exeter Chiefs at Queensholm on June 24, 2023.

The conclusion of the 2024-25 Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) season has been brought forward by more than three months, a move the organisers say is designed to “help England win the Women’s World Cup“.

The new PWR campaign will get underway on Saturday, October 5th, with the final scheduled for Sunday, March 16th – the day after the final round of Men’s Six Nations fixtures. Starting the competition earlier means the opening rounds will clash with the second edition of WXV, ensuring clubs’ international players will be absent.

“We want to do all we can to help England win the Women’s World Cup, so this season structure was agreed after a very collaborative process with the RFU,” said Belinda Moore, Chief Executive of PWR.

However, this also means the domestic season will be wrapped up before the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, allowing the England squad to focus on their title defence and home World Cup. The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is set to kick off in Sunderland on August 22nd, with the hosts the overwhelming favourites to claim the title for a third time at Twickenham on September 27th.

Organisers have also announced an “innovative set of pre-season matches” – the PWR Up Series – which will take place across three weekends between September 7th – 21st this year.

“With the support of all of our clubs, we have decided to play a short regional competition in September, so our players and clubs are ready to go for the start of the PWR season in October,” Moore added.

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