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'Very disappointing and upsetting' - RFU promote four sides but Richmond blast decision to dump their womens' team

(Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Harlequins)

Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs have been invited to compete in the Tyrrells Premier 15s for the next three seasons, replacing Richmond and Waterloo, the Rugby Football Union has announced.

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The governing body on Monday named the 10 teams that will compete in the top flight of the women’s club game in England until 2023, with applications from Sale and Exeter succeeding during the second phase of the process.

Bristol Bears, Gloucester-Hartpury, Harlequins, Loughborough Lightning, Saracens and Wasps were all admitted as the top six ranked teams.

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WATCH: ‘Going Pro’- Our new behind the scenes documentary with Saracens Women’s rugby team as they attempted to defend their Premiership title in the 18/19 season

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WATCH: ‘Going Pro’- Our new behind the scenes documentary with Saracens Women’s rugby team as they attempted to defend their Premiership title in the 18/19 season

After applications for the remaining four teams were opened up, the RFU selected Durham, Exeter, Sale and Worcester to participate.

Decisions are subject to appeal and will not be finalised until a participation agreement is signed. Richmond described the RFU’s decision as “very disappointing and upsetting” but did not indicate any intention to appeal.

The RFU’s head of women’s performance Nicky Ponsford said: “The quality of the applications was very high.

“We’re looking forward to working with those clubs who have been with us since the league launched in 2017 as well as welcome Exeter and Sale, both of whom have exciting plans which will undoubtedly add quality to the division both on and off the field.”

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The RFU also announced the Tyrrells Premier 15s Development League will no longer take place with effect from the 2020-21 season.

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

Even the 20/30 cappers did too I reckon.


IDK, I think Jordan has a limited life span in this side unless he can develop more to his game. Like you go on to mention, I think theyres more important things to worry about than the effectiveness of someone's extra strings, or secondary components to their game.


Bash backs are Fosters thing, and to a large part they've made it work. Theyre now one of the best teams in the world.


They boy's trucked it up a bit against Italy in the redzone, and against France, wasn't that effective without the right players probably.


Try and take a look at it this way. Dissapointed Havili and Blackadder were in the side? Havili despite clearly shown that he can't do what the team needs at 12 was kept on for the RWC. Back goes down and he brings in Blackadder who doesn't play. Refuses to drop Christie when he should and look who starts this season. Beauden Barret not playing well enough to keep his 10 jersey but we gotta keep him in the side. Weve only got one 8, we stuff developing another I'll just play Ardie every game.


This years team wasn't burdened overly with injuries but they were in every position Razor might have wanted to try and development, severely limiting options. I'm not defending Razor as there was also plenty of other opportunity to make up for it and he was a little gunshy, but I'm also not going to overly criticise him because he chose cohesion over a black slate.

How long are we going to keep blaming All Black failings on Ian Foster.

I think more and more people are on board with it being time to try alternatives, but then again, how would they have reacted to a loss against Italy? 😉

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