Lichfield Ladies left out of new premier women's rugby competition

They're one of the most established sides in English women's rugby, producing dozens of international players over more than two decades.

Currently second in the women's Premiership, just a point behind the league leaders, they have every chance of being crowned champions of England this season.

And yet as it stands, from next season Lichfield Ladies will play no part in the women's top flight for at least two years. The side's future has been thrown into doubt after they were left out of the new women's Super Rugby competition, to be launched next season.

• Announcement of Women's Super Rugby competition

A new top flight competition for women's rugby in England was unveiled last month, aimed at raising the standards of the domestic game and getting more women involved.

Named 'Super Rugby', the competition brings together ten sides from across the country and replaces the women's Premiership as the top league in the country.

The sides named in the new Women Super Rugby top flight domestic league are outlined below.

• Bristol Ladies Rugby Ltd

• Darlington Mowden Park Sharks

• Firwood Waterloo Ladies

• Harlequin FC

• Gloucester-Hartpury Women’s RFC

• Loughborough Students (Lightning)

• Richmond FC

• Saracens Women

• Wasps FC Ladies

• Worcester Valkyries

Of the eight sides currently in the Premiership, Lichfield are the only side to be omitted from the new competition.

• Which Midlands-based teams will be competing?

Three Midlands-based teams have been named in the Super Rugby league for next year.

Worcester Valkyries, affiliated with the men's Worcester Warriors side, boast several England stars including record cap holder Rocky Clarke. They currently sit mid-table in the Premiership after a mixed season.

Gloucester-Hartpury were established in the summer of 2014 and currently play in Women's Championship Midlands 2, the third tier of women's rugby. Despite being undefeated this season, Super Rugby will represent a significant step up for them - and their first experience of the top league.

Loughborough Lightning are the only student team in Super Rugby - and the only East Midlands side. The Loughborough University first team play in the Premier North league and have links with Loughborough Town for weekend games.

• What has the reaction been to Lichfield's omission?

Lichfield Ladies responded strongly to the news that they were to be omitted from the competition, saying they were 'surprised and extremely disappointed'.

They also pointed out that eight Lichfield players are involved in this year's Six Nations Championship, as well as a number of World Cup winning players, Olympians and members of the England 7s squad.

The Rugby Football Union are clear that they followed a "rigorous and independently-chaired application process" to select the teams involved in Super Rugby.

Men's side Leicester Tigers have also waded into the debate, saying that they would encourage the RFU to reconsider Lichfield's bid.

The Tigers were quick to congratulate Loughborough Students on being given a place, they said they were 'disappointed' at Lichfield's exclusion.

• What happens next?

Lichfield Ladies have said they are continuing to look at their potential grounds for appeal and are currently seeking legal advice.

Meanwhile, a petition urging the RFU to review the club's bid to be included in the Super Rugby franchise has attracted more than 4800 signatures.

Lichfield will play their final Premiership game on Saturday 26th March at their home ground. As it stands, that will be their last outing at elite level for the foreseeable future.