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Major sponsorship blow for women's game in England

(Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

English women’s rugby has suffered a blow, Premier 15s title sponsor Tyrrells ending its sponsorship at the conclusion of its three-year contract in August. Owned by KP Snacks, Tyrrells reviewed its sponsorship commitments and took the decision to redirect its marketing spend in line with overarching business objectives.

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KP Snacks marketing director Kevin McNair said: “Tyrrells has enjoyed three hugely rewarding years as the title sponsor of the Premier 15s. We are proud to have been the inaugural title partner for the tournament and help aid the significant growth of the women’s game during this period.

“Following a recent review of our plans, we have taken the decision not to continue with our sponsorship programme as we look to align all our brand sponsorship arrangement with the overall focus of the business. We wish the teams every success and look forward to seeing the women’s game continue to break boundaries and records in the future.”

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RugbyPass brings you Going Pro, the behind the scenes documentary on the title-winning Saracens’ women’s team

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RugbyPass brings you Going Pro, the behind the scenes documentary on the title-winning Saracens’ women’s team

Simon Massie-Taylor, England rugby’s chief commercial officer, added: “We would like to thank Tyrrells for their significant support in championing the women’s game over the past three years as the first-ever title sponsor of the women’s top league. 

“The partnership saw record viewing figures and attendances at matches and more importantly created a lasting legacy, inspiring more women and girls across the country to get involved in the game.

“We are actively exploring new partners for the top-tier tournament and are confident the title sponsorship of the England Women’s Premier 15s game will be an attractive proposition.”

Aided by Tyrrells, the women’s game experienced huge growth in recent years with Tyrrells Premier 15s having been on track to break attendance records this year prior to the early end to the season. 

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Peak viewing figures of the 2019 final were more than double those of 2018 with live attendance up 27 per cent. Throughout the 2019/20 season, 462,385 people have also tuned in to watch live Premier 15s action.

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cw 6 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Thanks JW for clarifying your point and totally agree. The ABs are still trying to find their mojo” - that spark of power that binds and defines them. Man the Boks certainly found theirs in Wellington! But I think it cannot be far off for ABs - my comment about two coaches was a bit glib. The key point for me is that they need first a coach or coaches that can unlock that power and for me that starts at getting the set piece right and especially the scrum and second a coach that can simplify the game plans. I am fortified in this view by NBs comment that most of the ABs tries come from the scrum or lineout - this is the structured power game we have been seeing all year. But it cannot work while the scrum is backpeddling. That has to be fixed ASAP if Robertson is going to stick to this formula. I also think it is too late in the cycle to reverse course and revert to a game based on speed and continuity. The second is just as important - keep it simple! Complex movements that require 196 cm 144 kg props to run around like 95kg flankers is never going to work over a sustained period. The 2024 Blues showed what a powerful yet simple formula can do. The 2025 Blues, with Beauden at 10 tried to be more expansive / complicated - and struggled for most of the season.

I also think that the split bench needs to reflect the game they “want” to play not follow some rote formula. For example the ABs impact bench has the biggest front row in the World with two props 195cm / 140 kg plus. But that bulk cannot succeed without the right power based second row (7, 4, 5, 6). That bulk becomes a disadvantage if they don’t have a rock solid base behind them - as both Boks showed at Eden Park and the English in London. Fresh powerful legs need to come on with them - thats why we need a 6-2 bench. And teams with this split can have players focused only on 40 minutes max of super high intensity play. Hence Robertson needs to design his team to accord with these basic physics.



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