England Rugby Team Faces School Divide, Plans Change

Rugby in England faces challenges with social mobility and attendance, as highlighted by two recent analyses. A report from the Sutton Trust shows a significant divide in educational backgrounds among the England rugby team, with 44% of players, including Jamie George, hailing from private schools, compared to only 7% of the general population educated privately. Meanwhile, the Impact '25 initiative aims to enhance accessibility and participation for women and girls in rugby, receiving £12.13 million in government funding to create a multi-generational legacy. The program has successfully increased diversity and community involvement in the sport, with 94% of new participants feeling welcomed. Despite these advancements, rugby continues to struggle with attendance figures, lagging behind other major sports like the NFL and Premier League. This disparity in fan engagement poses a critical question for the future viability of the sport.