Premiership Women's Rugby season shortened for 2024-25
Gloucester-Hartpury won the 2022-23 title and will contest this season's final with Bristol Bears on Saturday
- Published
Next season's Premiership Women’s Rugby campaign will be shortened to help England's bid to win their home World Cup.
The 2024-25 season will run from 5 October to 16 March 2025 to give England players more time to rest and prepare for the tournament, which begins in August.
PWR chief executive Belinda Moore exclusively told BBC Sport that the season would “undoubtedly have its challenges”.
"Everyone is very mindful of that bigger goal, getting RWC 2025 right," said Moore.
She also described the possible impact of the Red Roses winning the competition as "significant" for the league.
The decision by PWR means the league’s opening two weekends will clash with the international women’s WXV competitions.
The nine clubs will have to launch their campaigns without their international stars, which will have a bigger impact for some sides.
With the league season over in March, Red Roses players will have their mandatory rest period following the conclusion of the 2025 Six Nations, before entering the England camp for the World Cup in the summer.
The completion of the mandatory rest period means PWR clubs will gain quicker access to their England internationals after the World Cup.
Moore recognises that the changes will put "pressure" on the players and staff who continue to combine work and playing around a tighter schedule.
Two reserve weekends will still be built into the calendar and all nine clubs in the PWR will still have rest weeks.
When asked if the condensed schedule could become the standard format, Moore explained it was "less likely we’d go back to this short season again”, but added “never say never".
This season's final between defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury and Bristol Bears will take place in Exeter on Saturday, 22nd June and will be shown live on BBC iPlayer.