Woman's Premiership boss 'baffled' at Lichfield exclusion

The head of the top women's rugby competition in England says he's 'baffled' by the decision to leave one of the most established teams out of next season's new elite league.

Lichfield Ladies are currently second in England's top flight competition, but were not included when the lineup for the new elite competition, Super Rugby, was announced last month. Mark Francis, chairman of the current Women's Premiership Group, says he's thrilled at the RFU's decision to invest millions in women's elite rugby - but wants them to reconsider leaving Lichfield out.

The RFU says that successful candidates had to demonstrate suitability against 'set criteria and minimum standards', but add that they'll be supporting any teams not chosen for the new competition with their future ambitions to compete in Super Rugby,