England Rugby has announced that the Tyrrells Premier 15s round three clash between Loughborough Lightning and Harlequins Ladies on Saturday 30 September will be live streamed on the England Rugby Facebook page and Tyrrells Premier 15s website.
Kicking off at 12pm, Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Natasha Hunt will be joined by Nick Heath to provide fans with commentary and analysis from the Loughborough Students RFC club ground.
Both Loughborough and Harlequins have picked up try bonus points in their opening two games, but Lightning lost out to Saracens Women in their last fixture while Quins are unbeaten.
Launched earlier this month, the new women’s domestic competition will see an investment of £2.4million from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) over the next three years with clubs benefitting directly.
The competition is expected to improve standards of the women’s game, as well as increase the talent pool available for selection for England in the future.
Commenting on the opening rounds of the competition, Hunt said: “There have been a lot of close games and it seems really competitive throughout. It’s such an exciting time for women’s rugby – if you wanted to play, now is the time.”
RFU Director of Professional Rugby, Nigel Melville, added: “Our main objective for this competition is to raise the standard of the game and to provide players and clubs with the support they need to get better.”
“This is as much about what happens off the pitch as what happens on it, which is why it’s fantastic that we’re able to live stream the first of many games this season this weekend. This will enable us to make games more accessible to fans as well as opening up the tournament to new audiences who can see for themselves the high level of competition and rugby that is played in this league.”
Follow the action live on the England Rugby Facebook page or via the Tyrrells Premier 15s website this Saturday and join the conversation on Twitter by using #Premier15s.
Report courtesy of the RFU
