Leicester Tigers has been offered a place in the 2022/23 Allianz Premier 15s competition after a successful application in the tender process.

The Tigers Women's side currently sit atop the Women's Championship North 1 ladder after an unbeaten run of eight games in the club's debut league campaign.

Speaking about the successful bid, Leicester Tigers Chief Executive Officer Andrea Pinchen said: "This is very exciting news for Leicester Tigers, our players, coaches, staff and supporters."

"A lot of hard work went into preparing our application and to be successful is a huge step forward for the women's programme at Tigers.

"The club will now work with the RFU on navigating the necessary next steps with a vision to making our debut in the Premier 15s next season."

Leicester Tigers Head of Women's Rugby Vicky Macqueen added: "We are very pleased and equally excited by today's news that our bid to be a part of the Premier 15s has been successful."

"Since launching the women's programme and pathway, in partnership with Lichfield, there was a clear plan to work our way up to being a part of the top-tier of women's rugby in this country and that opportunity has now arrived.

"The working relationship and commitment to that plan from everyone at Tigers, Lichfield and throughout the Leicestershire community has been integral to the steps we've taken so far and will continue to take - together - towards the Premier 15s.

"This is a big day for Leicester Tigers, a big day for women's rugby in our region and I am so pleased for everybody at the club that we have managed to reach this point through the hard work of all involved."
 

RFU STATEMENT: Allianz Premier 15s Update | Tender process for 2023-24 season onwards 

The RFU can confirm that eight clubs have been selected via the tender process and offered a place in the Allianz Premier 15s competition from the 2023-24 season, subject to the signing of shareholder and other agreements.

The clubs selected at this stage, following a competitive tender process which saw strong proposals submitted, are: 

• Bristol Bears Women 
• Ealing Trailfinders Women 
• Exeter Rugby Club 
• Gloucester-Hartpury Women’s RFC 
• Harlequins FC 
• Leicester Tigers 
• Loughborough Lightning/Northampton Saints 
• Saracens

The league has capacity for ten teams and while a number of clubs have not been selected to enter at this stage, there is potential for clubs to join the league at a later stage. The RFU and Women’s Premier 15 Ltd (WP15) will continue to work with these clubs on their potential to participate in the league.   

The selection panel also made a strong recommendation for the RFU and WP15 to explore how greater geographical spread can be provided in the league.

This process will begin in January when discussions with clubs and institutions will take place and will form part of the RFU’s wider review of the women’s competition structure in England. 

The RFU, as part of the women’s competition review, has been working for the past six months to develop a solution for those clubs that have not been offered a place at this stage and those that wish to join Premier 15s in the future, now it knows who has been impacted it will move forward with the final stage of that work. The RFU will be working with clubs to consult on and discuss options in the New Year.

Clubs that have not been offered a place in next season’s Allianz Premier 15s can appeal and this process will aim to conclude by the end of February. 

Alex Teasdale, RFU Women’s Game Director said: “I would like to thank all the clubs currently in the the Allianz Premier 15s competition for their part in developing it into the success it is today.   Their contribution has been invaluable, and the league has set standards around the world for the women’s game. 

“We had a good range of clubs and institutions submit proposals and we would like to thank them for all the hard work, time and energy they put into the tender process.” 

Charlie Hayter, RFU Women’s Rugby Performance Manager, said: “This process is part of the 10-year strategy for the Premier 15s which aims to build on the current league’s success and continue to push the league forward as the most competitive, progressive and sustainable in the world.  We want to create a league which inspires both players, and fans, and continues to develop talented athletes at the elite level. 

“This will happen concurrently with work on the wider women and girl’s plan to accelerate the growth of the women’s game in this country.”