Talk about making a statement! England’s Red Roses absolutely steamrolled Ireland 33-12 to kick off their Women’s Six Nations title defense, and they did it in front of a jaw-dropping record crowd of 77,120 fans at Allianz Stadium. That’s more people than most NFL games!
The defending world champions showed exactly why they’re the team to beat, securing a bonus-point victory that sends a clear message to the rest of the competition. While American rugby fans might not see coverage like this on primetime TV yet, this record attendance proves women’s rugby is having a massive moment globally.
For our APR faithful, this is huge news. As professional rugby continues to grow in the United States, performances and crowds like this show the incredible potential for women’s rugby domestically. The energy, athleticism, and pure excitement on display in matches like this are exactly what American sports fans are craving.
England’s dominance in the women’s game offers a blueprint for what American rugby could achieve with proper investment and coverage. The Red Roses didn’t just win—they put on a show that had 77,000 people on their feet.
Original story via ESPN Rugby. Read more