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Premier 15s have announced significant changes to the league structure for the 2023-2024 season. Four current teams have been cut, with two others added. Nine North American players could be affected as a result of the drastic alterations which have received significant reaction on social media.
Eight teams have been granted spots in England’s revised professional women’s competition. Dropping out are Darlington Mowden Park, Sale, Wasps, and Worcester. Added to the group are Ealing and Leicester. According to the league there is a possibility two more teams could be added at a later date.
A tender process was used to determine the new makeup. Darlington Mowden Park chose not to apply after being forced to ask for public assistance to continue this season, while the rejection of Wasps and Worcester is perhaps unsurprising given their well-documented financial problems that have seen their long-standing men’s teams dumped from the Premiership.
Sale’s absence, however, comes as a major shock. The club has won 3 of their 4 opening games of this new season and their withdrawal would leave the competition with no teams north of Leicester in the East Midlands. Sale Sharks CEO Sid Sutton responded to the decision:
“Everyone at Sale Sharks is absolutely devastated at today’s decision to reject the club’s application to remain part of the Premier 15s league. We truly want to represent the Fabric of the North and since the launch of the team in 2020, Sale Sharks Women has been an integral part of that vision.”
Both Wasps and Worcester have declared their intent to rejoin the league, though it’s unclear if Sale will choose to appeal the decision. A statement from the Premier 15s says that the appeal process should be concluded by the end of February.
Canadian international Paige Farries is currently on the books for Worcester, while the USA’s Tess Feury is at Wasps. Seven Eagles play for Sale – Catie Benson, Joanna Kitlinski, Nick James, Alycia Washington, Georgie Perris-Redding, Carly Waters, and Katana Howard.
