“What next for the Rugby World Cup?”

HOW ABOUT this for forward planning? We now know that in 11 years’ time, the women’s Rugby World Cup will take place in the USA. Normally in big-time rugby, everyone is waiting until the last minute before any key decisions are made – we’ve been waiting for a proper structured season since the dawn of time, it seems.

I regard the block announcement recently by World Rugby of the next two venues for men and three for women to be the most exciting and engaging development in the recent history of the sport. At last, the ruling body has dragged itself out of the mire in which all rugby administrations are sinking and made a bold call, rather than do things the way they have been done for a century. Bold as brass.

Even at this distance, it’s possible to get excited. England’s hosting of the 2025 women’s World Cup can hardly fail to be a sensation, especially if the host side reach the final. It’s now possible to dream