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 movement, and a two-week break in the Premier 15s as cases of coronavirus rise in the UK.
Most women’s rugby fans accepted that the postponement of the Women’s Six Nations was the sensible decision, with many recognising the opportunity this presents for the tournament to stand on its own. Of course, there were trolls who chose to comment online that “nobody cares” about women’s rugby. It’s an arrogant take known all too well by women’s rugby fans, or fans of any sport not quite in the mainstream. It’s the exact kind of comment that I spoke about in my column a few weeks ago about the social media trolling experienced by women’s rugby players.
Wales and Bristol Bears fly-half Elinor Snowsill explained her thoughts well: “I don’t particularly care about men’s football, so when I see a post about men’s football, what do I do? I continue scrolling & don’t give it a second thought. I get on with my life. I certainly don’t waste precious time commenting on men’s football posts about the fact that I don’t care.
“Do those men trolling articles about women’s rugby genuinely think we are going to believe them when they say they don’t care? Are they really that stupid? The simple act of commenting to declare the statement proves the opposite to be true.
“#ICare about my sport, as do millions others.”
Snowsill has explained this so perfectly. It doesn’t matter if you don’t care, there are many who do. I applaud every women’s rugby player and fan who has decided to take a stand this week. As with the #IAmEnough movement in 2020, women’s rugby players and supporters started a campaign to voice their anger about trolling on social media. It’s a credit to the players that these campaigns raise such attention. Since the #ICare movement started, support has been shown by World Rugby, Sir Bill Beaumont, and many other women’s players such as England and Bristol Bears prop Sarah Bern.
I wish standing up to these trolls wasn’t a responsibility solely afforded to the women’s players. As rugby commentator Nick Heath said, how great would it be if more men’s rugby players showed that they cared? It would be brilliant if the men Tweeted their support. It does happen occasionally, and two examples that spring to mind are George North and Sam Warburton showing support for Wales Women. Saracens player Ben Harris also shared his support for the #ICare movement.
Women's rugby players don't 'need' men's players but while many of these apparent "I don't care" social media trolls seem to be following rugby pages / accounts to begin with, it might help if more high profile men's players showed some #icare support for the women's game.
— Nick Heath (@nickheathsport) January 15, 2021
To echo Heath, the women do not need validation from the men, they are accomplished athletes in their own right. But the men could play a crucial role in stopping these trolls. I believe that the dislike of women’s rugby is often born from misogyny, and hearing other men express their interest in women’s rugby may make the trolls switch on or at least realise that the world has moved on. Snowsill agreed with this viewpoint, Tweeting: “the trolls are likely to be following male players. As female players we can tweet as much as we like to try and change attitudes but it’s likely it won’t even reach the people it’s aimed at!” Twitter is an echo chamber. Those following women’s rugby players probably already support them. Heath is absolutely right, let’s get the men to show their support.
If that feels too forced, then of course we will get more people watching women’s rugby if we truly make it a spectacle. As I said last week, the postponement of the Women’s Six Nations gives us the opportunity for some change. I hope the Six Nations organisers make sure that there are no overlapping games, which mean you can’t watch every game in the tournament. I hope (as has been rumoured) that all games are available to watch on television, without having to stream one game on your phone while watching England play on Sky Sports.
Above all, I hope they make it an exciting tournament. In my opinion, the England v France match should be the last of the competition. It’s usually the game that decides the winner and having the game in the first round (like last year) kills any momentum during the tournament.
I have my concerns that the pandemic has widened the gap between England and the other countries, as so many players from other countries haven’t been able to play domestic rugby this season. England’s Premier 15s is the only league up and running, but many players from Ireland, Scotland and Wales have been playing for English clubs this season, which is a massive improvement from the domestic rugby available there. Last week, I spoke to Wales Women’s skills coach Rachel Taylor, who said that the move for many Welsh players to the Premier 15s has been a positive step for Wales Women. The domestic women’s game in Wales is struggling, with many playing for a club and regional side, where games are few and far between. Many Wales stars travel to clubs close to the border such as Bristol Bears and Gloucester Hartpury.
Last week it was announced that the Premier 15s has been suspended for two weeks. Sunday Times journalist Rebecca Myers reported yesterday that the tournament organisers are using this two-week break as a chance to sort out the testing protocols in the tournament, as so far the league has had no testing provisions. Players have taken to Twitter to voice their concerns, with Harlequins player Kristine Sommer Tweeting on 4 January: “Here’s a question – do we think Women’s Premiership will bring in testing to keep players safety up? Asking for myself and all current women’s players.”
She continued: “I’ll say it 100,000 times how grateful I am to play rugby in the UK, but when is player safety a concern? No real bubbles – no testing. This should be discussed, right?”
The Premier 15s is the highest level of domestic women’s rugby in England, and the elite league attracts players from around the world. It’s a mixture of professional, semi-professional and amateur players. Many have full-time jobs outside of rugby, and testing should be a necessity for the league to continue and for player safety to be taken seriously. I really see no excuse for this not to happen, especially with the new more infectious variants of coronavirus spreading rapidly across the UK. The RFU needs to make sure that all clubs can test their players before the league resumes.
Believing that the women’s game will only be paused for two weeks mirrors the optimism I had in March 2020 for a three-week lockdown. Unfortunately, I think this suspension may be extended, but that can be a good thing if the game becomes safer and we don’t have to cancel fixtures.
"Watching England win 53-0 against Scotland is not a great advert for women’s rugby."
There's a considerable upside to postponing this year's Women's Six Nations, a tournament that needs a solid kick up the backside, argues @_JessHayden ??? #sixnationshttps://t.co/e9I66y9bUE
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 11, 2021
This suspension comes despite the law variations that have been in place in the Premier 15s to reduce face-to-face contact. The number of scrums has reduced by 75 per cent, by initiatives such as playing advantage after a knock-on instead of a scrum. There are now free kicks awarded to the opposition for a forward pass rather than a scrum, and there is no longer the option for a scrum at a free kick or penalty.
The laws around the maul have also changed. A maul may only stop once, and no players who were not in the starting line-out can join a maul. Line-outs can also only be driven in the 22-metre zones to reduce the number of mauls. Fewer scrums and mauls means more ball in play time, which results in a faster game.
I recently spoke to England prop Hannah Botterman about the law variations. She has only played 26 minutes under the new law variations before sustaining an ankle injury, but thinks they are a necessity to the game. The only downside, despite more running, is not being able to compete at scrums. The prop says that it means smaller mistakes like knock-ons have a huge effect on the game, as they effectively hand a “free pass” to the opposition.
I would like to see these variations continue at the international level, at least for this season. The variations certainly make the game faster, and the difference to the men’s game gives it that edge that might make it a spectacle for those wondering what can be done in the men’s game to open it up and quicken the pace.
2021 is a year to be creative, and I’ll support any efforts by our game’s lawmakers to make women’s rugby a better spectacle for fans. It’s fine to say #ICare, now let’s make everyone else.
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments