As England’s Red Roses prepare to face Rugby World Cup semi-final opponents Canada at Sandy Park on Saturday, captain Marlie Packer has said that the lack of terrestrial TV coverage of the two-test series is “hugely disappointing”.
The two matches will act as a suitable warm-up ahead of the Red Roses travelling to New Zealand next month to play in the inaugural WXV1 competition but coverage of the games will be left for fans to find online via the England Rugby YouTube and Facebook channels having not been taken up by the BBC or ITV, as reported by Fiona Tomas in The Telegraph.
England captain Packer commented, “After the run of the 6 Nations and getting fifty-eight thousand at Twickenham, obviously it’s hugely disappointing that we didn’t manage to get it on normal terrestrial TV, but the fact that it’s still being live streamed – people can still access it to watch it. It’s a bit above us, we’re here to play rugby. Our focus is on the weekend. Obviously we’re disappointed but we know our fans, we know they will still tune in to watch it on the live stream.”
Interim head coach Louis Deacon added, “It is a shame that it’s not going to be televised. It’s been hugely supported before with the BBC and the 6 Nations and that’s really helping grow the women’s game. All we can do is focus on the game and perform and continue to grow that support the Red Roses already have.”
Deacon has named his first 23-player squad to face Canada on Saturday at Sandy Park. Hooker Lark Atkin-Davies will be marking a 50th cap while it could be an emotional afternoon for Exeter Chiefs’ Maisy Allen who is set to make her debut at her home ground, Sandy Park.
Maisy spoke to Level last week about the possibility of wearing the Red Rose for the first time.
