Bath Rugby 'disappointed' after women's professional team setback
An initial bid to join the new Allianz Premier 15s competition has been turned down.
Bath Rugby have failed in their initial attempts to provide a professional women's team for the new Allianz Premier 15s competition.
The Rugby Football Union has named eight of the ten teams due to take part from 2023/24, a list which includes neighbours Bristol.
The RFU has stated that other teams will still have the opportunity to join at a later stage in the application process, or in a subsequent season.
Bath say they are considering their options.
Bath Rugby's Chief Executive, Tarquin McDonald, told the club's website: “We are very disappointed with the outcome of the tender process.
“We pledged our commitment to the women’s and girls’ game in May 2021 and since then we have invested over £250,000 into women’s and girls’ rugby, delivering on that pledge and putting in place the foundations for the launch of our professional women’s team.
“Our commitment to the women’s and girls’ game across our region is undiminished, and our ambition continues to be professional men’s and women’s sides playing their games at a newly developed Rec, in the heart of Bath.
“We are considering our options including a formal appeal on this outcome.”