Contributors
Jess Hayden
@_JessHayden
Freelance rugby journalist and women's sport consultant having worked for World Rugby, British & Irish Lions, The Times, The Sunday Times, Guardian and RugbyPass. She writes about both men's and women's rugby, with a particular specialism in the women's game. Jess is RugbyPass' resident women's rugby columnist based in the UK.
20 Articles
'If the clubs want elite women's rugby, we should be looked after'
This week, Wales forward player Alisha Butchers had to fundraise to cover the cost of ankle surgery following ligament damage sust…
Jess Hayden
08 Mar 2021, 10:05
International player cap would damage women's rugby
In a weekend of controversy in the men’s game, it skipped general attention that the women’s game celebrated a few firsts.
Jess Hayden
01 Mar 2021, 12:14
'The Women's Six Nations will be the biggest rugby that's going on at that moment'
The first focus of all three players is the Women’s Six Nations, which takes place in a new format and in a new Spring-time wind…
Jess Hayden
22 Feb 2021, 10:51
Premier 15s salary cap increase tipping women's rugby towards becoming fully professional
This week, the RFU agreed to double the amount that clubs can spend on players in the Premier 15s. Originally, the salary cap was …
Jess Hayden
15 Feb 2021, 13:46
New Women's Six Nations format could be trial run for male equivalent
Horrific sexist, racist, homophobic and misogynistic abuse experienced by the pundits and commentators of Saturday’s Six Nations…
Jess Hayden
08 Feb 2021, 11:04
Shock Exeter Chiefs result shows good things come to those that invest
In the biggest shock of Premier 15s history, newly-formed Exeter Chiefs beat title holders Saracens 22-14 on Saturday.
Jess Hayden
01 Feb 2021, 13:09
'We won't be made to feel like we don't exist. There's 2.7 million of us'
A couple of weeks ago, Bristol Bears player Stefania Evans launched the #ICare movement: A call for women’s rugby players and fa…
Jess Hayden
25 Jan 2021, 12:15
Male rugby stars need to help women's game stand up to trolls
Last week was a big week for women’s rugby, with reactions to the postponement of the Women’ Six Nations leading to the #ICare…
Jess Hayden
18 Jan 2021, 10:13
Postponement should give Women's Six Nations long-overdue shake-up
The postponement of the Women’s Six Nations has been all but confirmed, with the tournament now set to take place in April/May 2…
Jess Hayden
11 Jan 2021, 12:37
Sexism and online abuse are alive and well in rugby union
If you think sexism and online abuse of women is a 'football thing', than think again. Rugby union is by no means immune, write Je…
Jess Hayden
04 Jan 2021, 11:28
Reaction to uncomfortable truth about concussion in women's rugby shows hope for the game
Last week, I wrote about ongoing research from Dr Elisabeth Williams at Swansea University, which found that concussion is likely …
Jess Hayden
21 Dec 2020, 13:31
Long-term brain damage likely a significantly bigger issue in women's rugby than men's, says lead concussion doctor
According to a lead researcher on concussion in men and women’s rugby, the story of long-term brain damage for women’s rugby p…
Jess Hayden
14 Dec 2020, 12:20
Bored of endless kick-tennis? Women's rugby might be the answer you didn't know you were looking for
Whether you loved it or hated it, it was a tournament that sparked more debate between rugby union fans than any other in recent m…
Jess Hayden
07 Dec 2020, 11:04
I fear fewer women will take up rugby post-pandemic
Last week, I virtually attended The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards, an annual celebration of the best women across al…
Jess Hayden
30 Nov 2020, 12:40
Women's rugby has moved on, even if some people's perceptions haven't
This week, the draw was announced for Women's Rugby World Cup 2021, which will start in September 2021 in New Zealand.
Jess Hayden
23 Nov 2020, 12:03
