As the rugby world turns its eyes to the Women’s World Cup Final this week, Richmond has every reason to celebrate. Our very own Murray Judd Bar was the birthplace of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, born from the vision of four Richmond legends – Deborah Griffin, Sue Dorrington, Alice Cooper and Mary Forsyth – and the proud home of many internationals who have helped shape the women’s game.

In total, 122 women who pulled on the Richmond jersey have gone on to represent their country on the international stage. Among them are 47 Red Roses, a number that underlines Richmond’s central role in the history of English rugby.

From Rachel Burford, a 2014 World Cup winner and one of the great leaders of the women’s game, to Kay Wilson, who ran in a record seven tries against Scotland in the 2017 Six Nations, Richmond players have left their mark on rugby’s biggest stages. Victoria Cornborough, a rock in England’s front row, Claire Allan, Fiona Pocock, Alexandra Matthews and Alice Richardson are just some of the names who carried the Richmond spirit into international rugby.

The legacy of the Richmond Alumni is clear in what we see today: a record crowd of around 82,000 will attend the World Cup Final as England aim for their first title since 2014. As the World Cup draws to a close, Richmond is proud of those who came before and those still shaping the future of the Red Roses.

If you’re not heading to Twickenham tomorrow, join us at the Richmond Athletic Ground where we’ll be showing the match live on the big screens in the Murray Judd Bar, the historic birthplace of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Timings:
• 12:00pm – Bar opens
• 12:30pm – Bronze Final: New Zealand vs France
• 2:00pm – Ian Williams Memorial Match: Oxford University vs Richmond XV (on pitch 3)
• 4:00pm – The Final: England vs Canada, live from Twickenham Allianz Stadium