Wasps FC announce they have a plan for a new men’s and women’s club and a stadium. But they fail to explain where the stadium is, and – far more important – how they propose to pay off their colossal debt, alleged to be more than £100 million.

They claim to have acquired the ‘core sustainable finance’. If it equals that huge debt, it makes for a remarkable recovery.

Responses to the news have been largely damning; just one or two of the faithful give a thumbs up. In the men’s case, a central question is where the club should be readmitted to a league programme: near the top or straight back to the bottom? The RFU has been Janus-like in this respect. Saracens were allowed to return to the elite league after a minimum stay in the Championship. In earlier times clubs like Richmond, London Scottish and London Welsh were sent to the bottom rung or simply closed down.

The position of the two branches of the Wasps family, the men and the women, could hardly be more different.

After selling off their long-established ground in Sudbury, north-west London, the men wandered around the country from venue to venue, before finishing up at the then Ricoh Stadium in Coventry. This move led to a furious response from Coventry City FC, who saw their future heavily impeded.

Wasps’ hopes of a new life in a completely new region soon turned to dust. The women returned to their small ground in Acton, west London. The loss of income caused their ousting from the Premier 15s, a matter on which I have written at length.

Whence the Optimism?

To take the women’s case alone: how does the club propose recreating their section? An outstanding squad, led by perhaps the foremost DoR in the country, dispersed to every compass point. Some of their international players now thrive at:

Bristol Bears: Claire Molloy
Exeter: Claudia Macdonald, Cliodhna Moloney, Edel McMahon, Harriet Millar-Mills
Gloucester-Hartpury: Maud Muir, Sam Monaghan
Harlequins: Bryony Cleall, Ciara Cooney, Ellie Kildunne
Leicester Tigers: Amy Cokayne, Celia Quansah, Meg Jones
Loughborough Lightning: Sadia Kabeya
Trailfinders Women: Abby Dow, Abi Burton, Amy Wilson Hardy, Ellie Boatman, Emma Uren, Liz Crake, Rowena Burnfield, plus the afore-mentioned coach, Giselle Mather

With a little help even I might be able to manufacture a decent team out of that line-up.

But the policy-making behind Wasps was all awry. In 2019, just as the Coventry move was proving unworkable, they announced the development of a new multi-million pound training-centre in – of all unlikely places – Henley-in-Arden, far from Wasps’ roots and not even close to Coventry. Just as extraordinary, the women’s section was politely invited to join training sessions there. How they were supposed to make the journey from London and beyond to the depths of Warwickshire was not explained.

The RFU has rejected any hopes of the men joining the Championship. In all likelihood they would be allowed in only at the lower depths. How would the women’s club manage a rebirth? Four months ago the club stated it was in negotiations with Sevenoaks District Council in central Kent to establish a new base. The recent statement adds the word ‘temporary’ in front of ‘stadium’, which hardly incites confidence.

Even if a ground was secured, where would a new management find players willing to take a chance on future success? We can take it almost for granted that not a single one of the starry names listed above would consider a move back.

And the evidence of the four clubs invited into the elite division (Premier 15s, then PWR) since 2020 reveals how hard it is to lure players who can ensure the standards hoped for.

Of them (Exeter, Leicester, Sale and Trailfinders) only the first has proved able to build a team capable of reaching the heights. The most fruitful source, players from abroad, is now likely to slow down; first, because there is a limited number of players of the requisite quality; second, because they will be aware of the restrictions placed on them by the eligibility rules.

Wasps want to re-establish themselves at the highest possible level. Unfortunately for the women’s section, any level below the PWR means a club is highly unlikely ever to be admitted. Either you are in at the top, or you are out. There are several excellent clubs around the country with ambition, but the chances are, they won’t find acceptance in the elite league. So England selectors are left looking at candidates in a mere nine clubs.

Nor can we be sure that the RFU and its off-shoot in charge of PWR, WP15 Ltd, can discern the best route forward. For all the damning of Wasps’ statement by rugby lovers, there is an underlying concern about Twickenham’s ability to promote a sound future for the game. Everywhere you look, unions are finding it tough keeping finances under control.

If we support Wasps’ future, we are invited to ‘sign the pledge’. A photo of Abby Dow in black and gold kit only heightens the sense of sadness.

It’s a moot point, but Harriet Millar-Mills’ move to Exeter Chiefs may mark the very last ‘departure’ from Wasps. I put departure in inverted commas because she has been in the States for a year or more. She last appeared for England, for whom she has gained 66 caps, in 2021.

I think the onward progress of all the other recent ex-Wasps internationals has already been monitored.

Here’s one attempt at a list of the club’s capped players through the Prem 15s era:

Ellie Boatman (7s), Rowena Burnfield, Abi Burton, Bryony Cleall, Amy Cokayne, Ciara Cooney, Liz Crake, Abby Dow, Meg Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia Macdonald, Edel McMahon, Claire Molloy, Cliodhna Moloney, Sam Monaghan, Maud Muir, Celia Quansah (7s), Carys Williams-Morris, Flo Williams, Amy Wilson Hardy (mainly 7s), plus Harriet Millar-Mills.

Add to them others who have since retired, like Danielle Waterman, Heather Kerr, Justine Lucas, Katie Mason and Rochelle Clark.

Try picking your starting XV out of that lot!

A welcome return

It’s heartening to see HM-M return to action. She is widely admired by her fellows, twice picking up the Players’ Player of the Year award. One of her great assets is her versaltility; she can play with equal facility in the second and back rows. She had long spells out with injury, for a period coaching Wasps’ reserve side.

Now she’ll become only Chiefs’ second full England international; Claudia Macdonald, another ex-Wasp, being the first. For all Chiefs’ triumphs, one lack has been the provisioning of Red Roses. My concern about the club’s use of overseas players was that it hindered the advance of promising home-grown youngsters. One such is Flo Robinson, who, kept out of a starting position by the great scrum-half, Patricia Garcia, was tried out at fly-half on occasion.

Whether Robinson or Millar-Mills can make it into John Mitchell’s first Red Roses squad next autumn will be one of the fascinating questions to intrigue us over the summer.

For their visit to Exeter they have posted a team of 15 plus just three replacements. I recall seeing only 21 names on Giselle Mather’s list in recent seasons, but a total of 18 must set a new and unwelcome record.

It leaves you shaking your head in disbelief; how could it have come to this pass?

Is anyone responsible for the demise of one of women’s rugby’s most senior clubs?

Can we be sure the company placed in charge of the Premier 15s affairs has ensured there can be no repeat of this dreadful outcome?

We must hope the Chiefs can express some sympathy for their opponents’ position.

Oli Bishop names his squad to take on DMP Sharks at the Darlington Arena in the Series

The front row comprises Liz Crake, Alana Bainbridge and Katie Dougan. The row comprises Shya Pinnock and Andrea Stock; in the back row, Fiona Cooper is joined by Helene Caux and Cris Blanco at Number 8.

The Backs comprise a half-back pairing of Polly Roberts and Hannah Edwards
 who look to continue from recent performances. Centres see Tilly Vaughan-Fowler pair up with Sydney Mead in midfield. The back three sees Makeda Lewis on the left wing with Suzie Flowers taking her place on the right wing. Molly Saunders is at full-back.

Tickets – Free Entry

Kick Off is 15:00 on Sunday 30th April 2023, we look forward to welcoming those making the journey up to the Darlington Arena for the return leg of the Series

Team Line Up

1 Liz Crake ©
2 Alana Bainbridge
3 Katie Dougan
4 Shya Pinnock
5 Andrea Stock
6 
Fiona Cooper
7 Helene Caux
8 Cris Blanco

9 Polly Roberts
10 Hannah Edwards
11 Makeda Lewis
12 Tilly Vaughan-Fowler
13 Sydney Mead
14 Suzie Flowers
15 Molly Saunders

16 Caitlin Simpson
17 Daniker Wilmore
18 Caitlin Clark
19 Nicola Beet
20 Izzy Jaques
21 Laura McGee

Wasps start their two-game series with attention turning to DMP Sharks this Saturday at Twyford Avenue.

Oli Bishop names his squad to take on DMP Sharks at Twyford Avenue in the Series

The front row comprises Liz Crake, Alana Bainbridge and Katie Dougan. The row comprises Shya Pinnock and Andrea Stock; in the back row, Sydney Mead is joined by Helene Caux and Cris Blanco at Number 8.

The Backs comprise a half-back pairing of Polly Roberts and Hannah Edwards
 who look to continue before the Six Nations. Centres see Tilly Vaughan-Fowler pair up with Molly Saunders in midfield. The back three sees Makeda Lewis on the left wing with Kirsty Hillier taking her place on the right wing on debut. Suzie Flowers is at full-back.

Tickets – Free Entry

Kick Off is 14:00 on Saturday 22nd April 2023, we look forward to welcoming everyone to Twyford Avenue for the Start of the Series

Team Line Up

1 Liz Crake ©
2 Alana Bainbridge
3 Katie Dougan
4 Shya Pinnock
5 Andrea Stock
6 
Sydney Mead
7 Helene Caux
8 Cris Blanco

9 Polly Roberts
10 Hannah Edwards
11 Makeda Lewis
12 Tilly Vaughan-Fowler
13 Molly Saunders
14 Kirsty Hillier
15 Suzie Flowers

16 Helena Ironton
17 Daniker Wilmore
18 Caitlin Clark
19 Nicola Beet
20 Izzy Jaques
21 Jemma-Jo Linkins

This follows discussions between the RFU and both clubs.

Playing the fixtures as a ‘Friendly Series’ will remove the restriction of additional player eligibility criteria that comes in at the play-off stages of the competition and was putting significant pressure on both clubs to be able to field a team in compliance with the regulations (players must have featured in the pool stages). The decision will allow both clubs to select a squad that can play in meaningful fixtures to support preparations for fulfilling fixtures through the remainder of the league season, without impacting the integrity of the Allianz Cup competition.

With thanks to the RFU

Head Coach LJ Lewis names her squad to take on Loughborough Lightning at Twyford Avenue in Round Fourteen in the Allianz Premier 15s

The front row is comprised of Andrea Stock, Alana Bainbridge and Katie Dougan. The row is made up of Emily Tuck and Fiona Cooper and in the back row Sydney Mead is joined by Cris Blanco and Helene Caux at Number 8.

The Backs are made up of a half-back pairing of Polly Roberts and Hannah Edwards
 who look to continue from recent performances. Centres see Tilly Vaughan-Fowler pair up with Molly Saunders in midfield. The back three sees Makeda Lewis on the left wing with Suzie Flowers taking her place on the right wing on debut. Liz Musgrove is at full-back.

Tickets can be found here –
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/476665077077

Kick Off is 13:30 on Saturday 11th March 2023, we look forward to welcoming everyone to Twyford Avenue for Round 14 in the Allianz Premier 15s.

Team Line Up

1 Andrea Stock
2 Alana Bainbridge
3 Katie Dougan
4 Emily Tuck
5 Fiona Cooper
6 
Sydney Mead
7 Cris Blanco
8 Helene Caux
 ©

9 Polly Roberts
10 Hannah Edwards
11 Makeda Lewis
12 Tilly Vaughan-Fowler
13 Molly Saunders
14 Suzie Flowers
15 Liz Musgrove

16 Liz Crake
17 Caitlin Clark
18 Niamh Williams
19 Shya Pinnock
20 Jemma-Jo Linkins
21 Kirsty Hillier

With thanks to Wasps

Head Coach LJ Lewis names her squad to take on DMP Sharks at Twyford Avenue in Round Twelve in the Allianz Premier 15s

The front row is comprised of Stevie Farrow, Alana Bainbridge and Andrea Stock. The row is made up of Hazel Ellender and Fiona Cooper and in the back row Emily Tuck is joined by Sydney Mead and Helene Caux at Number 8.

The Backs are made up of a half-back pairing of Tess Braunerove and Hannah Edwards
 who look to continue from recent performances. Centres see Ellie Lennon pair up with Molly Saunders in midfield. The back three sees Makeda Lewis on the left wing with Tilly Vaughan-Fowler taking her place on the right wing on debut. Liz Musgrove is at full-back.

Tickets can be found here –
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wasps-women-vs-dmp-sharks-tickets-476657835417

Kick Off is 13:30 on Saturday 25th February 2023, we look forward to welcoming everyone to Twyford Avenue for Round 12 in the Allianz Premier 15s.

Team Line Up

1 Stevie Farrow
2 Alana Bainbridge
3 Andrea Stock
4 Hazel Ellender
5 Fiona Cooper
6 
Emily Tuck
7 Sydney Mead
8 Helene Caux
 ©

9 Tess Braunerova
10 Hannah Edwards
11 Makeda Lewis
12 Ellie Lennon
13 Molly Saunders
14 Tilly Vaughan-Fowler
15 Liz Musgrove

16 Claire Stevens
17 Caitlin Simpson
18 Caitlin Clark
19 Hetta Friend
20 Polly Roberts
21 Rebecca Ball
22. Jemma-Jo Linkins
23 Kirsty Hillier

With thanks to Wasps

Head Coach LJ Lewis names her squad to take on DMP Sharks at The Darlington Arena in our rearranged Round Four fixtures in the Allianz Premier 15s

The front row is comprised of Stevie Farrow, Alana Bainbridge and Andrea Stock. The row is made up of Emily Tuck and Fiona Cooper and in the back row, Caitlin Simpson is joined by Sydney Mead and Helene Caux at Number 8.

The Backs are made up of a half-back pairing of Polly Roberts and Ellie Lennon
 who look to continue from performances against Saracens. Centres see Tess Braunerova pair up with Tilly Vaughan-Fowler in midfield. The back three sees Jemma-Jo Linkins on the left wing with Kirsty Hillier taking her place on the right wing on debut. Liz Musgrove is at full-back.

Tickets can be found here – https://mowdenpark.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/darlington_mowden_park_v_hull

Kick Off is 17:00 on Saturday 11th February 2023, we look forward to welcoming everyone to The Darlington Arena for Round 4 in the Allianz Premier 15s.

Team Line Up

1 Stevie Farrow
2 Alana Bainbridge
3 Andrea Stock
4 Emily Tuck
5 Fiona Cooper
6 
Caitlin Simpson
7 Sydney Mead
8 Helene Caux
 ©

9 Polly Roberts
10 Ellie Lennon
11 Jemma-Jo Linkins
12 Tess Braunerova
13 Tilly Vaughan-Fowler
14 Kirsty Hillier
15 Liz Musgrove

16 Hazel Ellender
17 Katie Dougan
18 Hetta Friend

With thanks to Wasps

Continuing to lead the way for the Women’s game, Harlequins went on to set new records during the 2021 Big Game 13 event at Twickenham Stadium. As well as being the first Allianz Premier 15s match to be played at the home of English rugby, the team attracted a record-smashing 9,000 attendance and an all-time league broadcast record as 99,000 people tuned into the match on BT Sport.

A celebration of Women’s rugby that promises action both on and off the field for all the family, Harlequins welcome Wasps Women to The Stoop in May this year in a fixture that will see the return of Allianz Premier 15s action following the 2023 TikTok Six Nations.

This year, The Game Changer will also feature as the Club’s Pride fixture, a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, which aims to champion inclusivity and positively impact the experience of the LGBTQ+ people within sport.

Off the pitch, expect a variety of activities including mascots, a range of food and beverage concessions, the North Village open with games and face painting, and much more.

Harlequins Head Coach Amy Turner said “Everyone is massively excited for The Game Changer, it’s a fixture with great history in the English club game.

“This will be my first Game Changer, but it’s something I’ve watched develop from the outside and I’m looking forward to being a part of it and seeing another big crowd down at The Stoop.

“Women’s rugby has seen huge growth over the past few years and Quins have always been at the forefront of that with fixtures like The Game Changer. Off the back of what I’m sure will be an exciting Six Nations, we want to showcase the quality of the club game, too. We’re really looking forward to putting on another show at The Stoop.

Tickets are available HERE

With thanks to Harlequins