No room for girls in old boys’ network

IN the unequal world of old-boys’ sport, looks can’t curry favour.

The Irish women's rugby team, the first Irish side to represent women's rugby at Twickenham as part of a Six Nations double header, have been denied ringside seats or indeed any seats in a stadium that holds 80,000.

The RFU has failed to provide any of the players in the curtain-raiser with tickets for the 4pm Six Nations clash. Apart from an offer of two complimentary tickets to Gráinne O'Connell, president of the Irish Women's Rugby Football Union, which she has declined in protest, the entire squad has been overlooked.