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'I was always included for my ability and not for my gender or sexuality'

BORDEAUX, FRANCE - APRIL 27: Megan Jones of England breaks with the ball, before going on to score her team's third try, during the Guinness Women's Six Nations 2024 match between France and England at Stade Chaban-Delmas on April 27, 2024 in Bordeaux, France. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

As we look towards the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, we will showcase the intersectional representation in rugby, and highlight what makes women’s rugby unique.

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As part of our Pride Month celebrations, England 15s and Great Britain sevens star Meg Jones spoke with RugbyPass about the part rugby plays in supporting the LGBTQ+ community and shared some of her own experiences with this.

“From the beginning, regardless of my sexuality, I was always accepted into the sport as being the only girl playing with the boys. I was always included for my ability and not for my gender or sexuality,” she said.

“At a young age, sexuality is not something that’s ever put as a question. When I turned around 15 or 16, it was something that was more accepting in the game. From a women’s and girls’ point of view, it is something that is accepted and normalised; it’s a lot more spoken about and people are open-minded about it.

“There is a bit of banter around it, particularly at the beginning when you’re coming out, but it’s all very accepting. Of course, I had question marks above my head but that was more aimed at my family because I came out to the team first as it was a lot easier.

“It normalised it for me and that was really important because I probably wouldn’t have had that easy route into telling my family without having the support of my rugby club and community. It allowed me to accept myself as well,” Jones added.

Related

What can rugby do this Pride Month (and all year round) to show support?

“I think rugby is one of the biggest supporters and advocates of the LGBTQ+ community. The biggest thing is representation and visibility – that matters. I know Harlequins do a huge shift on their pride games, waving the rainbow flag which I think is really important because there is so much history and everything behind it.

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“Sharing historical moments of lesbians, gay, trans, queer individuals and sharing stories is really important. I know the rugby community has been huge in supporting mine and Celia’s story and we’ve only had positive comments from that. That’s what the rugby community is about.

“The rugby community is very open-minded and I think visibility has been shown quite a lot over the years with individuals who have been open enough to speak about it.

“One of the main reasons I speak about it is I want people to feel comfortable speaking about it and it’s not ‘you have to come out, because I’m coming out’, it’s just a case of saying ‘this is me and my girlfriend, we’re very much normal and it’s no different to a heterosexual couple’.

“It’s about normalising that behaviour as much as possible and visibility is paramount on that.

What makes a good ally?

“Asking questions and not being shy. We’re going to get things wrong; even me from my point of view, I get things wrong. It’s about being curious and not rude, that’s the only thing people ask for.

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“When people are curious, you want to help and educate if they are genuinely looking to help you out. Just be supportive of individuals who may be a little bit different to your ‘normal’ person, but then again, what is normal?

“A good ally will wave the flag when they need to wave the flag and if there are any comments which are derogatory or offensive towards an individual in the LGBTQ+ community, then shut them down.

“You may say ‘I know you’re joking, but have you considered how that may make them feel?’. Don’t get me wrong, I love a joke as much as the next person but it’s when it comes from a bad place it’s ‘hang on, that doesn’t sound like you care for me’. You should definitely care for one enough but that’s just basic human interactions really.”

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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