England's women's rugby team, the Red Roses, are ushering in a new era of popularity for the sport, with packed stadiums becoming the expected norm rather than a rare exception.
Fresh off their World Cup triumph last September, where they defeated Canada in front of a record-breaking crowd of 81,885 at Allianz Stadium, England backed up that success by drawing 77,120 fans for their opening Women's Six Nations match against Ireland at the same venue. This new attendance figure shattered the previous Six Nations record of 58,498 set in 2023.
Full-back Ellie Kildunne, reflecting on the atmosphere, emphasized the significance of this sustained growth. "We have to get used to this," she stated. "We sold out then [the World Cup final] and we nearly sold out now, this is going to become the norm. This shows where the women's game is going and long may it last."
The contrast with the recent past is stark. A decade ago, a mere 2,500 spectators watched England narrowly beat Ireland at the same stadium. Hooker Amy Cokayne, the only player from that 2014 match to feature in the recent victories, embodies the sport's dramatic transformation from niche interest to mainstream spectacle.
On the field, the newly crowned world champions began their Six Nations title defense with a 34-match winning streak intact, securing a five-try victory over Ireland. While head coach John Mitchell acknowledged the performance was "far from perfect," the result was never in doubt as England built a commanding 21-point lead by halftime.
The match did have its moments of fallibility, even for star players. Kildunne, the 2024 world player of the year, infamously dropped the ball over the tryline in the first half. However, she demonstrated her champion's mentality by quickly recovering, using her blistering pace to score in the corner later in the game.
The sustained, record-breaking crowds represent more than just a victory lap for the World Cup winners. They signal a fundamental shift in the sport's appeal and commercial viability, proving that the excitement generated by a home World Cup final can be translated into lasting fan engagement for regular tournament play.