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HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN
The Women’s Six Nations was once overlooked – now we have a competition that is set up to thrive
THE Women’s Six Nations that you see on your screens now is a far cry from the one I started playing in 2005.
The game has come on massively.
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In my playing days, England women’s team were in the shadow of the men’s, we didn’t get much exposure, never mind space in national newspapers!
I distinctively remember one of our matches being played after the men at Twickenham — where we didn’t even get a mention on match day tickets, and were certainly not shown on prime-time TV.
If we wanted to see ourselves play, we had to wait weeks for a DVD to be developed and passed around the squad!
Fast forward to now, and we have a competition that is set up to thrive.
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The tournament will be played over five rounds, in a standalone window away from the men’s competition.
Fans will be able to watch each match, no matter where they are based.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, have a headline title sponsor with TikTok coming onboard to support the women’s game in a record-breaking four-year deal.
With media coverage of the event set to be bigger than ever before, this year really is the year for women’s rugby.
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Looking ahead to the competition, you would be silly not to back England to win the Six Nations.
They are the only fully-contracted side and have the World Rugby Coach of the year, Simon Middleton.
France could make life difficult for England, especially if there is a showdown on the tournament’s final Saturday.
England have a lot of scars from 2018 from when we where narrowly defeated 18-17 by a last-minute try from Jessy Tremouliere.
You never quite know what you will get from France, but if they decide to show up, England will know about it.
MONUMENTAL GROWTH
It’s no coincidence that one of the biggest social media platforms has put its head above the parapet and sponsored this tournament.
They have identified the monumental growth of this sport, and it won’t be long before other brands clock on.
For players, social media has been key to not only growing their personal profile, but also to showing fans who they are.
Fans crave an exclusive look behind the scenes at their heroes’ lives.
Just look at the likes of Bryony Cleall, who is smashing TikTok at the moment because she’s become relatable.
Social media platforms like TikTok let people see past the name on a team sheet, they start to build a narrative around players, and build them into household names.
Since retiring from international rugby back in 2018 my profile has skyrocketed, and I know social media is central element to this.
I have dipped my toe into TikTok and am enjoying it, as I know other old girls are too.
The main goal for me now is to promote the game through my work, whether that be a quick Instagram live with a brand, running commentary pitch side or doing a TikTok dance.
If it grows the game, I am in!
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There is a common argument we often hear in the women’s rugby world, that we have “no women’s rugby fans”.
To that I would say we DO have fans, they just don’t know it yet — but they will once this tournament is over.
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