Marley Packer's side was a national darling after their win on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Getty Images/Catherine Ivill
England won the Grand Slam against France on Saturday in front of the world record holders at Twickenham. It was just part of a larger story about a game that was a milestone for women's rugby. If the game is to come out of the current slump, the future lies in recreating these types of games with this kind of atmosphere.
Yes, the sun was shining and it created a very positive image of the day. In this regard, the game was perfectly organized, but there were other moments in this match that made the fans' experience much better than at other times.
The following observations are both personal and from comments. made to me during the game by many experienced Twickenham supporters, some of whom had little or no participation in the women's games until last Saturday.
Ticket prices allowed families to attend without taking on second mortgages to fund the day off. In addition, the loss of income from lower prices will be offset to some extent by increased sales in densely populated retail outlets of the RFU.
Unsurprisingly, there was a different demographic in the crowd—less corporate, and not just in hospitality lodges. It was more mixed, and this, in turn, had a number of consequences. The crowd did not wait in bars until the last minute before trying to throw themselves into the ground. This meant that the team warm-up was appreciated, and the applause that accompanied the return of the England team to the dressing room just before the start of the match was noticeable and must have been inspiring.
It also meant that the first five minutes weren't marred by people having to get up from their seats because of latecomers. Then there was the fact that the spectators actually wanted to watch the match, which meant that the fans weren't interrupted every four minutes when someone wanted to go to a bar or to the bathroom. This is not just a curmudgeon's point of view; It has become really infuriating for the average fan to be constantly interrupted by half-drunk spectators, for whom the game seems to be secondary.
Match was a first for many spectators at Twickenham on Saturday. Photo: Getty Images/Adrian Dennis
It looked like a field. Both teams' nervous debuts saw a period of endless kick-tennis that has infected rugby and is enjoyed by few. Fortunately, it only lasted about five minutes, after which the game calmed down. In retrospect, the 15-minute period in which England held France scoreless despite the incessant pressure on England 22 was when England won the game. It turned out to be just as decisive as the first bout, in which England pushed France back and turned the tide of the game.
This bout acted as a catalyst for England to beat the French by four tries and effectively win game. There was a strange revisionism afterwards, with people complaining at half-time that it wasn't a competition and then complaining that England played poorly as the French bravely fought their way back into the game and approached the finish line.
With no concessions on sex, Marley Packer's performances over the past three years have been as good and consistent as any other player in the game. Technically, the only part of the women's game that needs significant improvement is kicking. However, this will create the temptation to hit more often and shift the current balance away from ball play, which currently distinguishes the women's game.
After the final whistle, it was also noticeable that almost no one got up from their seats to the bar or home. They stayed for the Six Nations Trophy, which took some time. A few hours later, a similar story happened in the fan village, and it was a confirmation of the RFU's decision to expand the range of entertainment offered.
What else did this game show?
For those of you who did not participate in the mini- and youth sections of rugby, the future of the sport, you would not be able to appreciate the effect that this game has had on parents and children. Last Sunday morning was energized with everyone discussing England's win and how they got to the origins of the game.
This game showed that if England made it to the final of the 2025 Home World Cup, they would sell out of Twickenham. This suggests that each Tier 1 union is investing in women's rugby in the same way that the RFU did and increasing the participation and level of their national leagues. In doing so, they must keep an eye on long-term benefits. No sports initiative will succeed immediately and without significant and consistent investment.
If you are not willing to spend time and invest money, you will end up where Ireland is now, collecting a wooden spoon.
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