New PWR leadership to be announced in January

Gloucester-Hartpury won last season's Premiership Women's Rugby title

A new leadership structure of Premiership Women's Rugby will be announced in January, according to the league's chair, Genevieve Shore.

It follows the resignation of chief executive Belinda Moore in October after 22 months in the role.

Shore has told BBC Sport that Moore's exit was "not so much a surprise" and that it was "the right time for her".

However, there was no decision on whether Moore will be replaced.

"The board will get together early January and have a good think on what we think the right structure is," Shore said.

"The board is taking a much more hands-on [role] It's a small company, so it's not that complex, so we've divided up tasks between us.

"I'm pretty much here every day, either virtually or in person, and I've been doing a lot of the day-to-day [tasks]."

Moore's exit has left Shore in charge of PWR, something the former Red Roses player and 1994 World Cup winner said she is "really privileged to be part of".

Plans for 2025

Since Moore's exit, the signing of Ilona Maher to Bristol Bears has attracted new interest in the league.

In December the PWR announced a new partnership with Canterbury to provide three pairs of boots a season to 450 of the league's players.

PWR is also preparing for the 2025-26 season, which will follow a home Women's World Cup next summer.

Shore said the English top flight will be "ready to go straight off the back of it", promising more announcements in the new year on what that will look like.

However, the current season is being constantly evaluated, with players closely monitored as the whole PWR campaign is being played in a five-month window.

"It's intense. So far, the good news is our players are getting fitter and stronger," said Shore. "We're not seeing degradation in the athletes."

The league has reached the halfway mark in the season, with Exeter Chiefs winning all seven of their games.