The unfortunate reality is that Catherine Spencer has hit the headlines more for her efforts to achieve equality for Women’s Rugby, than her days as England Captain, 63 caps and 5 Six-nations Grand-Slams.

This alone is enough to realise that Women’s Rugby needs a vast overhaul, especially at international level. If the recent admission that there is no Six-Nations prize money was not enough, alongside the sheer disbelief that supposedly suitable international stadiums could not provide hot water, then perhaps the ludicrous reminder that some players are forced to pay for their own flights abroad will finally cause someone, anyone even, to take note, to take action. 

Spencer wants female rugby players to understand their value. To understand that they are the best in the country at what they do.

To understand that many are the best in the world at what they do. “Even when I did interviews as England captain I felt I was having to say thank you for the smallest things and be overly grateful,” she recalls. With no action seemingly imminent, Spencer believes it may be time for the women to disassociate themselves from the men’s game all-together.

With this year’s crucial tie between France and England taking place in round one, perhaps it is time for the Women’s game to branch out, or at least have an alternative schedule. England is ridiculous favourites to claim another Six-Nations title now, but had the women been able to make a different fixture list, we could have been looking at a mouth-watering final round tie.

If not this, then both the men’s and the women’s games should be played at the same venue on the same day. Yet, even this solution does not sit well with Spencer.

In previous instances of these supposed “double-headers”, women are not even on the ticket some of the time, and by the time the match is ready to start, many of the crowd have already opted for a quick getaway.

It is these situations that made Spencer feel like a “second-class citizen.” This feeling and more can be explored further in Spencer’s new thought-provoking and inspiring book “Mud, Maul, Mascara.” For anyone who wants to better understand the struggles of being a female rugby player, this book will do just that.

Hopefully, many people will take the time to read this book, and hopefully, book shops, sports shops, online retailers will acknowledge that this is a story worth promoting.

She may not have garnered anywhere near enough praise during her playing days, but hopefully, now Spencer will start to get the credit she so desperately deserves