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Women rugby players face 'shabby' changing rooms, shirt shortages and lack of sanitary bins during Six Nations

England and Scotland were forced to play behind closed doors in blizzard conditions earlier this month - PA
England and Scotland were forced to play behind closed doors in blizzard conditions earlier this month - PA

Imagine it happening to the men. England Women’s Six Nations match against Scotland at Scotstoun in Glasgow fell foul of Storm Ciara two weeks ago.

The solution? Move the match the next day to Murrayfield, but play it behind closed doors, averting the difficulties of ­rearranging the fixture but also denying top sportswomen the right to play before a live crowd.

England secured a 53-0 victory in a blizzard. With the match on Sky, the freezing conditions and empty stands certainly got the women’s game noticed. Possibly, however, for the wrong reasons.

At least, though, the players had hot water afterwards. The weather was similarly savage at Energia Park at Donnybrook when Wales Women had to have freezing showers after their 31-12 defeat by Ireland.

Wales’ Robyn Wilkins was unimpressed. “We are all cold,” she said, with the stoicism women need to embrace to play the international game.

A wide-ranging investigation by The Daily Telegraph reveals problems with facilities and player equipment are widespread in the women’s game, this in what is supposed to be an elite international competition.

Players say they face:

  • A lack of sanitary bins in changing room bathrooms.

  • “Dingy”, “shabby” and, sometimes, dirty changing rooms partly because women’s matches are often played in older venues.

  • Being given only two shirts for the duration of the Six Nations.

  • Getting the wrong size shirts because of a shortage.

  • Being given men’s tracksuits which they find uncomfortable as they are not cut for a woman’s bust or hips.

  • Remarks on their use of make-up in performance reviews.

  • A lower standard of food provision than their male counterparts.

All claims were made anonymously to The Telegraph because players, coaches and others involved in the women’s game fear they might be made scapegoats for speaking out.

One international said: “To me, it is not shocking not to have bins for sanitary waste because it is what we are used to. It only came home to me when I was on my period and I was trying to get rid of a tampon. Because there wasn’t a bin in the loo, I got blood on my shorts. Most of the countries in the Six Nations play in white shorts, so I can hardly be the first woman for this to happen to.

Wales Women had to have cold showers after their game against Ireland - Getty Images
Wales Women had to have cold showers after their game against Ireland - Getty Images

“I sometimes feel really angry when I see all these ads about how the women’s game is progressing because, for some of us, it is not even about being paid, it is about having access to basic things. I wish we could talk more about how great women’s rugby is as a sport like we do for the men, but it is difficult when we are not being treated right. It shouldn’t have to be a battle.”

England bring a wide range of sanitary products to the changing room, both for players who need them, but also to make them feel more comfortable.

But as one former England international said: “The changing rooms are designed for men, not women, there are usually just two lavatories and four urinals, which wouldn’t be much use to us! We can bring our own sanitary products, but it doesn’t take away that there is no provision for women. To be honest, as a lot of us came through what was an amateur game, we don’t expect to be accommodated as women.”

Donnybrook has become notorious with visiting sides for being “dingy, gross and you always feels a bit uncomfortable taking a shower because it doesn’t look clean, regardless of hot or cold water,” according to one Wales international. Players from other countries agree, but like the venue because of the pitch’s quality and the central location.

Another source of discomfort for players surrounds kit. The Irish Rugby Football Union supply women’s internationals with just two jerseys for the duration of the tournament, while the men receive two per match. From next season female players will receive the same provision as their male counterparts.

Wales women are provided with jerseys for each match but, because the kit is ordered up to three years in advance, some sizes can run low leaving players without jerseys in their preferred size. This can be hard, particularly for those who are petite or have bigger breasts.

One player said: “This can be really tough for a lot of us girls because what happens if one of your jerseys that fits right gets covered in mud or rips? It is good we get six jerseys, but I doubt the boys have to take some that aren’t in the right size.”

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) said each player gets a minimum of two jerseys in their preferred size. The player has the choice to re-wear those rather than others that may not be in the right size. The Telegraph understands ordering protocols will be changed to include a better range of sizes.

Welsh players have the cost of petrol or transport covered during the Six Nations. But prior to the 2018 autumn internationals head coach Rowland Phillips – currently taking time away from the role – stipulated that in order to get selected, players must play for their regions. Petrol, though, was not then covered. The WRU says this approach has now changed.

Women's Sport newsletter in-article
Women's Sport newsletter in-article

Reacting to The Telegraph’s revelations, Tonia Antoniazzi, former Wales international and now MP for Gower, said: “There’s no excuse for changing facilities not to have the required sanitary disposal units. Women in sport should not be at any disadvantage. The standard of kit and availability of sizes is key. It shows a lack of understanding, especially if we are to encourage more women and girls into sport.”

Former England captain Catherine Spencer said: “We have put up with things like poor facilities for a long time and, usually, it is a pretty easy fix. Sometimes, because we are so used to not having everything we need, we don’t speak up.”

David Flatman, the former England prop said: “Christ on earth – why isn’t stuff like the sanitary towel disposal stuff in there? There are no excuses. Our daughters should have the same opportunities as boys to play to their best.”