Full Breakdown
Meg Jones pushes fertility support as England’s Red Roses extend winning streak
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
England captain Meg Jones used the Red Roses’ opening WXV Global Series win over Australia to call for a formal fertility-support programme in women’s rugby. Celebrating a 48-15 victory that marked the team’s 39th consecutive Test win, Jones highlighted recent fertility initiatives in women’s football and urged the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to fund egg-freezing and related treatments for rugby players.
Background & Context
The Spanish football federation and Chelsea FC have announced financial backing for fertility treatment and egg-freezing for their female athletes. In England, the RFU already offers a week of paid leave per fertility-treatment cycle and a maternity policy used by players such as Abbie Ward, Lark Atkin-Davies and Zoe Aldcroft. However, the governing body does not currently fund egg-freezing or IVF, prompting Jones to argue that elite rugby players should receive comparable support.
Key Figures
- Meg Jones – England captain, inside centre, advocate for fertility support.
- RFU spokesperson – senior communications officer for the Rugby Football Union.
- Georgia Evans – England winger, teammate of Jones.
- Hannah Botterman – England prop, researching IVF options.
- John Mitchell – England head coach.
Data & Statistics
- Match result: England 48, Australia 15 (seven second-half tries).
- Winning streak: 39 consecutive Test victories, the longest in women’s international rugby.
- Half-time score: England trailed 10-5, the first half-time deficit since 2020.
- RFU fertility policy: one week of paid leave per treatment cycle; no funding for egg-freezing or IVF.
Official Statements & Responses
The RFU reiterated its commitment to player welfare, noting existing maternity and parental policies and expressing openness to expanding fertility support. Head coach John Mitchell described the Australia match as a “pre-season” test that forced the squad to address on-field problems and adapt quickly.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We work hard to support players in the decisions they make around fertility and family planning and are proud to have been at the forefront of industry-leading support in this area. We already have comprehensive maternity and parental policies in place and are always open to exploring how that support can evolve.” — RFU spokesperson
- “It’s a bit of an eye opener of all of the things you have to go through,” — Georgia Evans
- “It was the first pre-season game of the year where we had the reality of playing rugby and had to solve [problems], which is good for us,” — John Mitchell, head coach
Why It Matters
Jones’ appeal places fertility planning at the forefront of elite sport discussions, highlighting a gap between existing maternity provisions and the financial realities of egg-freezing or IVF. A rugby-specific fertility programme could set a benchmark for other governing bodies, ensuring athletes can pursue both career and family goals without compromise.
What’s Next
- Canada: England face Canada at Exeter’s Sandy Park on September 19.
- New Zealand: The Red Roses travel to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham to meet New Zealand on September 26.