Glaring gender gap remains at the top of rugby

We explored the gender balance at the top 10 ranked women’s nations in the world - England, New Zealand, Canada, France, Australia, USA, Italy, Ireland, Wales and Spain and also looked at the make up of World Rugby's decision making bodies and the game's Regional Associations.

We looked at the Boards of each organisation, and where those didn't exist, the equivalent most senior decision-making group.

Ireland’s most senior committee of 23 people, who sit on the IRFU Committee,  has just two women on it, making it at 8% the union with the worst gender balance percentage at the top of its sport,  though World Rugby’s own Executive Committee also hits only 8%, with just one woman involved, though it has made much progress on its Council.

Only three countries – Spain (31%), Canada (35%) and USA (36%) - meet and surpass the figure of 30% - aninternationally recognised target for the representation of women on boards, with the RFU close at 28%, though its own Council has a long way to go with just seven women among its 63-strong membership.

None of the unions’ most senior teams are led by a woman.

Progress has however been made.

In the past week, Wales appointedLiza Burgess as its the new WRU vice-chairand she has spoken publicly since about improving the diversity and equality of the game in Wales.

At World Rugby, while the make-up of its Executive Committee is lamentable,17 of the 52 members of World Rugby Council are womenand thanks to game-changing leadership and drive from Katie Sadlier in her role as General Manager for the women's game, further changes are expected both at the organisation itself and in the game's regional associations.

Gender balance in the Top 10 ranked nations

USA Rugby BoardTotal 11: 7 men 4 women (36%)

Canada Rugby Board.14 Total: 9 men 5 women (35%)

Spain:Total 19: 13 men 6 women (31%)

England: RFU Board:14 Total:10 men 4 women (28%)(RFU Council 55 men 7 women – 11%)

France: FFR steering committee40 Total: 30 men 10 women (25%)

Wales: WRU Board:12 Total: 9 men 3 women (25%)

New Zealand: NZRU Board:9 Total: 7 men 2 women (22%)

Australia: ARU Board:7 Total: 6 men 1 woman (14%)

Italy:Total 14: 12 men 2 women (14%)

Ireland: IRFU Committee (no board)23 Total: 21 men 2 woman (8%)

Gender parity atWorld Rugby & Regional Associations

Rugby Americas North7 Total: 5 men 2 woman (28%)

Rugby Africa Board11 total: 9 men 2 women (18%)

Sudamerica Rugby12 total: 10 men 2 women (16%)

Asia Rugby Executive CommitteeTotal 12: 11 men 2 woman (16%)

Oceania Rugby9 total: 8 men 1 woman (11%)

Rugby Europe: Board:11 Total:  10 men 1 woman (9%)

World Rugby Executive Committee:Total 12: 11 men 1 woman (8%)(World Rugby Council 59 total, 17 women (28%)