PWR reveals expansion plans with teams across UK and Ireland invited to express interest

Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) has today revealed how it plans to expand and grow in the future by inviting expressions of interest from women’s programmes across the UK and Ireland keen to become part of the league’s future competition structure.

The current nine team league sits at the top tier of English domestic rugby and has traditionally only included England-based teams, however, with this announcement it is clear the PWR sees large potential expansion in its future with the opportunity open to clubs in England, as well as the IRFU, WRU and SRU.

A large majority of Ireland, Scotland and Wales international players currently play in the PWR, with the Celtic Challenge the main competition outside of this for players belonging to the Celtic nations- a league in which a large amount of Irish caps currently remain.

PWR

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC

13

13

0

0

65

2

Saracens Women

13

11

2

0

56

3

Exeter Chiefs Women

14

7

4

3

46

4

Sale Sharks Women

14

6

7

1

37

5

Trailfinders Women

13

5

6

2

36

6

Harlequins Women

14

5

8

1

36

7

Loughborough Lightning

13

4

7

2

32

8

Bristol Bears Women

13

4

8

1

25

9

Leicester Tigers Women

13

0

13

0

1

The PWR statement read: “Women’s rugby, and PWR specifically, are currently experiencing a period of rapid growth. Building on the momentum generated by a home Women’s Rugby World Cup and rising visibility across elite women’s sport globally, the league is continuing to strengthen its position as one of the fastest-growing competitions in the women’s sporting landscape.

“The league has established a strong and expanding commercial platform, and a multi-year partnership with TNT Sports, together with a growing portfolio of commercial partners including Gallagher and The British Army, reflects increasing confidence in the league’s long-term trajectory and its role within the wider sports marketplace.”

The PWR, formerly the Premier 15s, has had many team shakeups since its reinvention back in 2017. In its relatively short lifespan the competition has seen a high turnover with teams such as Firwood Waterloo, Richmond RFC, Worcester Warriors and Wasps FC disappearing from the league, with Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers, Sale Sharks and Trailfinders Women added.

The PWR now takes a break for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations which begins on Saturday 11th April, and will resume for round 17 on Friday 29th May 2026.

Fixture

PWR

Trailfinders Women

11:30

29 May 26

Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC

All Stats and Data