Lads Told To Follow Ladies' Example

World Rugby chief feels men's players can learn from women's personality, accessibility

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LONDON - Men's rugby must not be afraid to harness the personality power on show at the Women's Rugby World Cup to promote the game, the sport's top administrator said on Sept 2.

Rugby has traditionally prided itself on its team-first ethos, with many coaches regarding media commitments as an unwanted distraction.

But World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said the two could go hand in hand.

US centre Ilona Maher, a campaigner for body positivity with millions of social media followers, is one of the biggest names at the ongoing tournament in England.

"We're seeing at this incredible tournament that you can be yourself in rugby," Gilpin told reporters at Twickenham.

"We believe there's a real opportunity for the men's game to actually follow the lead that we're seeing."

He added: "Greater accessibility and more personality creates more stars. This tournament has demonstrated that being yourself, being on social media, having an opinion, taking the time for fans and for the media doesn't need to be viewed as a performance inhibitor.

"Indeed it can be an enabler because it's making rugby fun for everybody involved."