Premiership Women’s Rugby: IRFU confirms interest in PWR expansion

The Irish Rugby Football Union has confirmed that Irish clubs could play in the Premiership Women’s Rugby in the future.

The PWR, currently restricted to English clubs, opened an expression of interest process in April for organisations who might join the nine-team competition if it expanded.

The closing date for clubs around the UK and Republic of Ireland to submit their expressions of interest was 30 April.

Currently, Munster, Connacht, Leinster and Ulster play in an Interpro league, while Clovers and Irish Wolfhounds represent Ireland in the Celtic Challenge alongside clubs from Scotland and Wales.

In the most recent Celtic Challenge, Wolfhounds retained their crown for a third year in a row after a 50-29 win over Clovers.

There are 11 players in the Ireland Six Nations squad who play in the PWR, including four who play for reigning Champions Gloucester-Hartpury.

“The IRFU has noted the update from Premi­er­ship Women’s Rugby (PWR) regard­ing the open­ing of expres­sions of interest for future sea­sons. It’s pos­it­ive to see new ideas and oppor­tun­it­ies emer­ging that sup­port the con­tin­ued growth of the women’s game,” IRFU head of women’s strategy Lynne Can­t­well said.

“The IRFU has expressed its interest in the PWR pro­cess and looks for­ward to explor­ing the poten­tial oppor­tun­ity fur­ther that could enable us to grow the game.

“Any developments will be care­fully con­sidered within the con­text of the whole game and what best sup­ports long-term growth for our clubs and provinces.

“Our focus remains on build­ing a strong, sus­tain­able future for women’s rugby across the island.”