Unions need to put resources together to build on Six Nations success, says Greg McWilliams

Ireland can expect a massive crowd when they face England in the TikTok Women's Six Nations on Sunday at Welford Road and Greg McWilliams wants the game to build on its current popularity.

This season sees the competition get its first full standalone window with last two years’ renewals hampered by Covid-19 restrictions.

As of yesterday there were 15,000 tickets sold for the round-four game between leaders England and fourth-place Ireland (12pm).

That beats the Red Roses' previous record of 14,689 who turned up to watch their last game against Wales at Kingsholm Stadium.

Ireland had three home games scheduled in the tournament and hosted Wales in Dublin and Italy in Cork so far. Belfast is the venue for their final match against Scotland next weekend.

"It’s unbelievable," said McWilliams when asked about the surge in popularity of the game.

"I remember the glory days, beating England in Ashbourne (below), I think we ended up beating them 25-0 in 2013, and there might have been 1,500 people there, that was a big crowd.

"To see over 15,000 people here at Welford Road, we saw 12,000 people in France, we played them away.

"We'd 6,000 in the RDS, 5,000 in Musgrave Park, the numbers are massive.

"The support out there has been great. As this competition grows in its own window, it’s up to all the unions to put all their resources together to make sure we get more competitive games.

"England are by far the most superior team in the competition, France are pretty close.

"Our job is to keep improving so we can have more competitive games that will attract bigger crowds.

"Because it is growing at an alarming rate, in a good way and our job is to keep improving and add to that spectacle for the supporters and trust me, we are working so hard