The Premiership Women’s Rugby season kicks off at the Stoop on Friday, just across from Twickenham where England secured the Rugby World Cup nearly a month ago with a victory over Canada.
One of the lasting memories from that day was captain Zoe Aldcroft celebrating with the trophy, an image her teammate Meg Jones has since tattooed on her leg. Now, Aldcroft will be looking to recreate those celebrations if her club side, Gloucester-Hartpury, can defend their title at the PWR final on 28 June after winning it for the past three years.
The World Cup saw huge enthusiasm for women’s rugby, with all 16 teams receiving strong backing before England’s triumph. Record attendance and viewership figures were set, and there is optimism that this surge in interest will carry over to the PWR. Internationally, the momentum continues, with over 30,000 tickets already sold for England’s Six Nations opener against Ireland at Twickenham in April.
For Genevieve Shore, PWR’s executive chair and a 1994 World Cup winner with England, capitalizing on this moment is essential.
“We’ve spent the last two years preparing,” she said. “Setting up ticketing, building a database, sharing player stories, getting clubs ready, securing partnerships, and finalizing broadcasting deals—all these efforts have led to this point.
“Our focus is on connecting fans who saw the World Cup with the players now in the PWR, making it simple for them to follow the action. I expect we’ll see a significant rise in viewership and attendance this weekend.”
Alongside attendance figures, many are monitoring developments around the rival R360 league. Several international players have been approached, though no official signings have been confirmed.
The league is set to launch in October 2026, but nations like England and New Zealand have warned that participating players will be ineligible for international selection. Canada, which has athletes competing in the PWR, did not join that statement.
Shore said, “Competition is healthy—it drives everyone forward. I’m not against new ideas or innovation. Let’s see what they offer and how it compares.
“I’m not concerned about R360, but I’m aware of it. That’s just part of leading an organization. Once they reveal more, we’ll know exactly what we’re dealing with.”
On the field, while the World Cup was underway, domestic action continued in the PWR Cup, where Saracens retained their title by defeating Harlequins in the final.
The PWR features nine teams, meaning one side will have a bye each weekend.
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