<\/p>\n
\u201cI presented rugby league programmes to the BBC for about 10 years and I only stopped because of time constraints and commitments to other sports like (horse) racing in particular,\u201d she tells the WSA.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a real shame because I loved it and I’ve always loved the community, the players would are hugely admirable and I really do love the sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s always felt that place that was welcoming rather than dismissive, which you will know (as a woman) isn\u2019t always the case.\u201d<\/p>\n
What do you think makes this sport so special?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s fast! Because you only have a limited time with the ball, you\u2019ve got to do something with it, in your phase of six tackles. You have to make something happen before the other side gets a chance and it\u2019s designed so there\u2019s, in a sense, less \u2018ball hogging\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cI like rugby union, but you could get 40 phases of play and the other side never even gets a sniff, whereas in rugby league that can\u2019t happen. I think it\u2019s more athletics as well, you don\u2019t have big heavy scrums to keep recycling the ball, so it\u2019s much more active. <\/p>\n \u201cHaving spoken to one of the players who has played union and league she said the first time she played league she\u2019s never been more exhausted, ever! <\/p>\n \u201cIt requires more running, because you are moving all the time, there\u2019s hardly any slow-down of the game and that for spectators is fantastic because it means it\u2019s action, action, action.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf a team is playing well together and they\u2019re thinking ahead and anticipating each other\u2019s moves the wingers can be set free and then there\u2019s nothing more thrilling than watching a rugby league winger run three-quarters of the length of the pitch full pelt to score a try.\u201d<\/p>\n Why is this tournament in England so important to the future of the women\u2019s game?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n