Rugby World Cup: Why England’s second-class treatment is unacceptable

It may seem like there are bigger issues in the world of sport than how a team chooses to travel. 

Yet, the treatment of the England women’s rugby team, who were forced to fly via economy to New Zealand for this year’s World Cup, raises a number of important questions. 

News broke last month that the Red Roses were not flying with partner British Airways and had been told to refrain from posting about their journey, as the airline in question was not an official partner of England Rugby. 

Understandably, this revelation led to significant backlash and prompted a number of people to question the blatant double standards. 

Why were England’s women forced to travel in economy when the men were in business? Why did British Airways refuse to charter a flight to New Zealand? Why were the entire team urged to keep silent on the situation? 

In 2019, Eddie Jones’ England side flew business class to Japan for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. 

British Airlines provided the flights, including a bespoke plane emblazoned with ‘Sweet Chariot’ on the side. 

However, the Red Roses were forced to find an “alternative carrier” because British Airways does not fly direct to New Zealand. 

What’s more, the RFU stressed that the women flew in economy as the side is currently loss-making and hence limited in what it can invest in. 

A statement from the RFU explained that while it was “proud of the progress” the Red Roses had made, the team management had decided to invest in “additional physios, performance coaches, a nutritionist and a full-time psychologist… rather than flying in business.”

In a word, no. 

Let’s break down the excuses. Firstly, that British Airways does not currently offer flights straight to New Zealand. 

Though this may be the