Why everyone is watching women’s rugby (and you should too)
The Story
The Times
3.9 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 26 September 2025
⏱️ 34 minutes
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Summary
As England’s Red Roses head into the World Cup final tomorrow, it might be the largest audience that women’s rugby has ever seen. With its TikTok superstars and crocheting players, it’s creating new fans and connecting with people in ways the men's teams can only dream of. So why has it taken so long to get here?
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Guest: Elgan Alderman, Co-host, The Times' Rugby podcast, The Ruck.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Producer: Shabnam Grewal.
Read more: Rugby World Cup: how Canada ‘crowdfunded’ way to final
Further listening: The Ruck: Women's Rugby World Cup final preview!
Clips: @worldrugby, BBCSport, ITN News, @mandabed, @rugbyworldcup, @nwsirensgirlsrfu, @ilonamaher, Whistledown Productions, BBC Radio4, englandrugby.
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