The men’s and women’s Irish international rugby teams face a date with destiny on Saturday amid the splendour of Twickenham stadium.
Both enter their respective RBS 6 Nations clash with high hopes of a triple crown, championship and perhaps even a Grand Slam. The Irish Women are of course the reigning Grand Slam Champions and recognition of that fact has been coming through steadily over the past six months.
A sponsorship deal with insurance giant Aon has helped. RTE Sport will broadcast their game live after the Men’s on Saturday evening and they will play their first game at the Aviva Stadium against Italy two weeks after.
It is important though not to take these improvements as the pinnacle of what can be achieved. Rugby for women is growing at club and grassroots level. The oxygen of publicity can only assist and it should be continually developed until real equality of status and opportunity is achieved. That may take another generation but has to be seen as the ultimate end goal.
The English team go into the game on Saturday as favourites. Ireland’s win over them last year was their first. The game is being billed as a clash of Champions and this is how the English Rugby Football Union is promoting the match.
