Twickenham residents and business owners are bracing for the Women’s Rugby World Cup final on Saturday.
The final, which will have the highest attendance for a women’s rugby match in history, will be played between Canada and England’s Red Roses and at a sold-out 82,000-capacity Allianz Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
Locals, like 18-year-old student Robin Whiddet from Sunbury-on-Thames, are happy that everywhere in Twickenham is “rugby mad”, whilst pensioners Michael and Carole Pearce see the match as part-and-parcel of life in the town.
Michael said: “Twickenham without rugby isn’t Twickenham.”
Steve Orme, operator of the Rose and Lion pub which reopened on London Road last June, has said the demand has never been higher for women’s rugby, with the masses of fans posing a welcome challenge for the new establishment.
He said: “We’re learning our craft with running a pub in a rugby town on a rugby day.”
The tournament is the biggest women’s rugby competition on record, reaching 440,000 ticket sales and outselling the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand by 300,000.
Decorations around the town include crocheted post box tops, flags along Church Lane, and a vertical billboard of three England players facing the train station, titled ‘England, meet England’.
However, some fans have criticised the lack of promotion for the game within the town itself.
Corné du Rand, owner of rugby development programme The Rugby Universe, said the final’s popularity should be utilised better to encourage more people to get into women’s rugby.
He said: “When you’ve got a World Cup on your doorstep, and you don’t create opportunities while the heightened focus is there, it is a bit of a waste.”
Richmond Council said they have been working closely with local partners, such as rugby clubs, businesses, and schools to celebrate the Women’s Rugby World Cup final.
A council spokesperson said: “In the lead up to the final, the council has supported a range of activities across the borough, with local digital campaigns, community activities, tournament fan-zones, and by working with partners to ensure both residents and visitors can share in the excitement of the tournament.
“An example of this, designed to increase participation and bring residents together, was the Trophy Tour earlier this year.
“As part of our leisure strategy, Richmond Moves Together for a Healthier Borough, we have a clear focus on increasing opportunities for women and girls to take part in sport.
“Our London Youth Games team had fantastic participation this year, with more girls than boys proudly representing us and contributing to our success.
“The council also established the Women and Girls Working Group earlier this year, which has developed comprehensive action plan to ensure more women and girls in Richmond are active, engaged in sports, and empowered to take on leadership roles in volunteering and employment related to sports.”
The RFU, in response, said Rugby Fest will take place from October 3-6 at clubs in Richmond, Staines, Barnes and Wimbledon, with Red Roses players attending Rugby Fest events across the country.
World Rugby has been contacted for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Alfie Sansom
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