Hosting Rugby World Cup matches 'huge' for Saints

Julia Chapman said Saints were determined to ensure hosting the World Cup left a "legacy" for women's rugby in Northamptonshire

Hosting matches for the Women's Rugby World Cup is "huge" for one of England's biggest professional clubs, its chief executive said.

Franklin's Gardens, home of Northampton Saints, will host six games during the tournament, starting with Sunday's double-header of Ireland vs Japan and then South Africa vs Brazil.

Hosts England are also due to play a group stage match in Northampton when they welcome Samoa on Saturday, 30 August.

Julia Chapman, Saints chief executive, said: "It [hosting the Women's Rugby World Cup] a really substantial financial benefit to the club."

She told BBC Radio Northampton: "We also get to participate in the hospitality and food and beverage services, so we have skin in the game in terms of making sure the tournament goes well and having people there and making sure they have a great time."

Ms Chapman said the stadium, the 15,148-capacity home of the two-time Prem Rugby champions, had enjoyed a "makeover" with "Rugby World Cup branding everywhere" and looking "really impactful".

She explained: "They [World Rugby] hire out our stadium, so we effectively sub-contract out the cost of running the stadium. It's huge for us."

Franklin's Gardens is also used to host Allianz Premier 15s side Loughborough Lightning and Ms Chapman said the tournament was a great showcase for the women's game.

"You've seen with the Lionesses [winning football's Euro 2025] how you get to a tipping point where people wake up and realise what a great game the women play," she said.

"We're really passionate about making sure there is a legacy [from the Women's Rugby World Cup] for Loughborough Lightning."

When are matches being played in Northampton?

Six matches will be played at the Gardens over three weekends, including two double-headers.

• Sunday, 24 August: Ireland v Japan (12:00 BST)

• Sunday, 24 August: South Africa v Brazil (14:45)

• Saturday, 30 August: England v Samoa (17:00)

• Sunday, 31 August: Ireland v Spain (12:00)

• Sunday, 7 September: Italy v Brazil (14:00)

• Sunday, 7 September: France v South Africa (16:45)

Hosts England will face Samoa at Franklin's Gardens on 30 August