Disappointed Bath 'considering' their options following RFU decision

Bath have said that they are considering their options after their bid to launch a team in the Premier 15s was rejected by the Rugby Football Union.

The RFU confirmed eight clubs were selected via a tender process and offered a place in the Allianz Premier 15s competition from the 2023-24 season, but Bath was not one of them despite spending over a £250,000 already in a bid to set up a professional women's side.

Following the news, Bath Rugby Chief Executive, Tarquin McDonald, said: “We are very disappointed with the outcome of the tender process.

“We pledged our commitment to the women’s and girls’ game in May 2021 and since then we have invested over £250,000 into women’s and girls’ rugby, delivering on that pledge and putting in place the foundations for the launch of our professional women’s team.

"This includes the appointment of dedicated staff, led by Maria Crowfoot our Women’s and Girls’ Development Lead. In 21/22 we launched six hubs across Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire engaging over 500 girls aged twelve to eighteen. In 22/23 we launched a women’s pathway partnership with Bath College together with the launch of the first Bath Rugby Women’s Sevens team in late summer 2022 to provide a player pathway to competitive rugby.

“Our commitment to the women’s and girls’ game across our region is undiminished, and our ambition continues to be professional men’s and women’s sides playing their games at a newly developed Rec, in the heart of Bath."

Clubs that have not been offered a place in next season’s Allianz Premier 15s can appeal and this process will aim to conclude by the end of February, a move Bath are considering.

“We are considering our options including a formal appeal on this outcome.”

Bath aren't the only ones unhappy. While the RFU said that the 'selection panel also made a strong recommendation for the RFU and WP15 to explore how greater geographical spread' in the league, some are disappointed that there is a concentration of clubs in the south.

England player Annie Brown wrote on Twitter: "I’m from Devon and even I now know that Loughborough isn’t the North. So many girls this will affect moving forwards because many won’t be able to get to the midlands clubs. Got to keep growing the game, in every part of the country!"