PWR and Elite 1: what are the differences between the two competitions?

The year is 2017, and the kick-off of Premier 15s marked the start of a revolution in women’s club rugby in England. Ten teams clashed for seven months as Saracens became the competition’s inaugural champions.

At the same time Montpellier HR had just conquered the Top 8 for the sixth time in the 45th season of the French women’s rugby competition.

Fast forward to the present day and Premiership Women’s Rugby seems to have overshadowed its neighbours in Élite 1 entirely. Not only in terms of competitive standard, but also on the economic, streaming, and social media fronts.

While the English-French dichotomy has existed for the past 1,000 years, with the rivalry familiar to women’s rugby as well, the gap between the two countries and leagues has increased severely for the past six years.

PWR is the leading light in domestic women’s rugby globally. Each year the competition has seen growth, the level of competitiveness has never been higher, every match is broadcast or streamed, and stars from across the globe have been attracted to English shores with the hope of cutting their teeth at the pinnacle of the women’s club game.

On the other side of the Channel, Élite 1 has only now in 2025, found an official sponsor for the league in the form of insurance giants AXA. Although it is a step in the right direction, the truth of the matter is that 95% of Élite 1’s games are not streamed or broadcast, which has hampered the league’s growth.

Despite its historical dimension, the French senior women’s competitions were outclassed by their rivals and that gulf is likely to grow further.

But, in what concerns its performers, are both competitions at the same level? Is Élite 1 an appealing playing landscape for those who want to become pro players? Or is PWR seen as the promised land for seeking a full time career in the game?

For Spain’s and Harlequins Laura Delgado, who played for Tarbes in 2016/2017, Élite 1 is still an attractive market.

“There are more professional contracted players in England, but I would say that in France there are a lot of opportunities, especially for young athletes.” the 35-year-old prop said.

“In Élite 1 and 2, clubs make good use of a government funding mechanism that allows them to hire players. I know a couple of them who moved from Spain to France because of that. I think in France they also try to encourage players to learn the language and culture which helps long-term.”

Nonetheless, most of those abroad players end up not making into the first team when they arrive.

“In France, from my experience sometimes they tend to select first the local players, even if they are not as good as a foreign one,” Delgado explained. “It depends on the club, for sure, but overall, they are a bit conservative. In England, they tend to give foreign players the same number of opportunities as the locals.”

Corroborating Delgado is Canada’s Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Senft, who experienced Élite 1 in the 2023/2024 season.

The Canadian utility forward helped the likes of Stade Bordelais to retain the champions crown, and though she enjoyed her time in France, she noticed more than a few differences between Élite 1 and PWR.

 

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“If you have a good CV, you will earn enough to live and enjoy life there,” Senft explained. “However, from a player wellness perspective, not every club has a physio or a medic at every training session. Sometimes you will have to strap your own ankles. In PWR you are looked after.”

For the past three seasons Stade Bordelais have dominated Élite 1. So much so that the talents of their head coach, Francois Ratier, has seen him appointed as France’s new head coach after the exits Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz.

Such a stranglehold of the league ladder, while fruitful for those living on the banks of the Garonne and wearing claret, does take the sting out of things a little bit.

“Unfortunately, in France, it comes down to the same top two or three teams,” Senft mentioned. “There’s less uncertainty in who’s going to fight for the title.

“The PWR clubs are packed with international players that range from Europe to Pacific Island nations, meaning that the standard is quite high. You aren’t cracking teams after only 20 minutes, as most games are competitive until the very end, something that fans want to see.”

However, it doesn’t mean that the Élite 1 isn’t an intense and thrilling competition, or that France lacks excitement for the women’s game, as the Canadian back-row enjoyed her time in Les Bleues land.

“I had a great time in France because of my personality. I love social gatherings and to meet new people. The history behind rugby in France is so special, and the community behind it all is open and always inviting you to participate in events and enjoy myself.”

For Delgado, her time in France was vital to her career, widened her gaze and skill-set.

“I’ve developed in both environments,” she said. “France takes the scrum very seriously, as it is like a religion over there. That, and the rugby champagne, which pushed me past my boundaries. As for my time in England, I would say that the main change comes down to one word: structure. We had a schedule to go to the gym as a team, another to work on our individual skills, etc. That was a game-changer for my career.”

The experienced Spaniard, who has been a fierce advocate for women’s sports, mentions how the English club scene and league has fiercely tried to improve player’s lives.

“The PWR and the English clubs are always looking for ways to help their players.” Delgado, who works as a scrum coach in the Harlequins academy, stated.

“They worry about our future, especially about what will happen to us after we retire. Be it by enrolling players in coaching degrees or helping them find jobs, I do think in England they are more concerned about us. They work closely with the RFU and the Rugby Players’ Association to help us find a way forward.”

For Senft, the word consistency is key to understand England’s progress in that last decade, and offers a minor example of the difference between the two competitions.

 

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“The French league has to be more consistent in the training environment – for example, the set-piece. Élite 1 teams wouldn’t be able to hold their own in a set-piece game against a PWR side, as they lack the depth and workload that English teams have.”

However, despite PWR’s growth and power, Senft still feels that the Élite 1 possesses something different that England will never be able to clone.

“The PWR teams will not ever play in the same style as the French teams,” the Saracens forward said. “Look, Kevin Rouet, who has now joined our Saracens backroom staff, he is trying to execute a more fast-paced style, and some of the English girls think it is jouer; it isn’t, as we are still playing a structured game. But that’s good, because it is the uniqueness of both countries’ playing style. That entices players to experience both worlds.”

Circling back to PWR’s and Élite 1’s strengths and differences, Laura Delgado mentions a key talking point: media attention.

PWR has enjoyed years of exposure through streaming. This every top flight women’s match has been broadcast, whether that be on YouTube, the BBC iPlayer or on TNT Sports. Élite 1 has had barely any games broadcast in the last five years, which has fostered the divide between the two.

“In terms of media attention and commercial and investment support, the PWR is one step ahead,” Delgado said. “It makes a difference. PWR clubs have more resources as a result. But Élite 1 is working towards that goal, as the league is now called AXA Élite 1, with some games being broadcast every week. Still, they need to give players more exposure if they want to challenge the PWR.”

Senft agrees with her Harlequins rival but hopes a critical change might occur in the next few years.

“PWR is definitely steps ahead but I wouldn’t put a number in it,” she said. “The French league has the players, and they can have the same infrastructure as the men’s league. If they take that step, I do think they can be blooming in the space of a year. I am hopeful for them.”

PWR has undoubtedly grown into the best women’s competition in the world, convincing the majority of the world’s best to join the ranks of English club rugby.

In the opposite corner there is AXA Élite 1. While possessing some stellar operators, hasn’t been able to land the same number of A-listers due to a lack of social media and public exposure. And the absence of professional structures around their club game.

Nonetheless, what is certain for Delgado and Senft is that the growth of the local women’s league will be critical to the game’s future, pushing unions and clubs to believe in it and to create the right structure and foundations.

“The game has grown, mainly in the public eye.” Senft said. “When I was growing up, I don’t remember watching any women’s sports on TV, but now they’re broadcast, streamed, and shown on social media.

“I always wanted to be a professional rugby player but never thought I would get the opportunity to be paid, and now I have that chance. I hope the club level in Australia, Canada and other countries will continue to develop so there are more opportunities out there. And I am hopeful that Élite can get to PWR’s level.”