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.

Yesterday Sheila Foley, mother of Irish number eight Anthony Foley, and whose daughter Rosie Foley plays second row, expressed her disappointment. A few hours before Anthony runs onto the field to win his 50th international cap, Rosie will line out with the women's team, alongside Fiona Steed, girlfriend of John Hayes, who wins her 60th cap.

"It's a big day for both of them, playing in Twickenham. Anthony got two tickets and he gave one to me and one to his wife. My husband managed to get one himself as well as my daughter Órla. It would be a pity if Rosie can't stay on," Sheila said.

The women, whose match kicks off at 1pm, have been told they have 40 minutes to vacate Twickenham after the final whistle.

Earlier this week, Ms O'Connell accused the RFU of treating the women's team "shabbily". She said they would pay for tickets to stay on for the Ireland/England clash.

"We were delighted in January to hear that our international with England would be taking place in Twickenham. But we learned from the director of the Women's Rugby Football Union in England that there would be no tickets available for us to watch the men's game. We are blaming the RFU for that."

The women sought just 30 tickets.

Their disappointment was compounded when it emerged they may be unable to attend a post- match reception because their team bus cannot be removed from Twickenham until the men's match is over.

They may be first-class athletes but it seems women are second-class citizens in the male- dominated world of rugby.