Lichfield players 'devastated' at Super Rugby exclusion

There's been outcry from rugby fans after Lichfield Ladies, one of the most established women's sides in English rugby, were left out of the new top flight women's competition.

The Super Rugby tournament begins next season - but Lichfield are the only current Premiership side to be left out, despite sitting second in the league and producing some of our biggest England stars. Today, a petition urging the RFU to re-consider hit five thousand signatures. The team say the news has been a huge shock for players.

• Here from Lichfield Director of rugby Becky Williams below.