England's Red Roses are in contract negotiations with the Rugby Football Union, as their unprecedented dominance in women's rugby raises questions about the sport's competitiveness. The world champions have won 36 consecutive matches, with no Six Nations defeat since 2018 and no loss since the 2022 Rugby World Cup final.
The RFU's investment in full-time contracts since 2018, along with marketing and infrastructure, has propelled England ahead of rivals. Captain Meg Jones and vice-captain Amy Cokayne have praised the funding, urging other nations to follow suit. Jones said: 'We want other unions to put funding, pathways and infrastructure in place so women's rugby can be a global sport.'
Former New Zealand wing Ruby Tui noted England's success is not overnight: 'They changed their contracting system, everybody bought into the 15s. Systematically they have put in such long hours, years, that they are like, no, we aren't losing now.'
However, concerns persist that one-sided contests may deter fans. BBC pundit Ugo Monye warned that if ticket prices rise, spectators may expect more competitive action. Yet close matches against France in recent years—including a 43-42 thriller in 2024—suggest the gap can narrow. Youth results, such as Wales' 32-24 win over England in the Under-18s Six Nations, offer hope for future parity.
England face Italy in Parma on Saturday in their penultimate Six Nations match, with the team aiming to extend their winning streak while contract talks continue.
