The Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) trophy, won by England’s Red Roses in 2025, has been doing the rounds. After stop-offs in the North and the Midlands, it was the turn of Enfield Ignatians to display the trophy in all its glory at its clubhouse on March 13, writes Jonathan Landi.

The arrival of the trophy, whose evening presence at EIRFC owed much to the good offices of Middlesex Club developer officer Laura Westlake,and which received messages of support from Red Rose squad members Elie Kildunne and Meg Jones, generated much excitement, and particularly in terms of photo opportunities for a discerning and curious audience.

Enthusiastic exponents of the women’s game, EIRFC also used the occasion to stage a couple of six-a-side exhibition games, with the Enfield Tigers U14s’ turning on the style in the 65-14 defeat of their Welwyn counterparts.

The Enfield Tigers U18s also treated us regally, having defeated an Enfield Barbarians side 67-45, also under lights.

EIRFC President Stephen Renny said: “I would just like to thank Laura Westlake and her team at the RFU for chosing our club to showcase the trophy, [and for their] continued support of EIRFC.”

The presence of the much-coveted trophy, the most prestigious in the women’s game, is the legacy of the club’s positive legacy and commitment to providing increased rugby playing opportunities for its girls/women's sections.

The Donkey Lane club unveiled its new-look changing rooms, which are more female friendly by design, amidst much fanfare, at a special opening in the presence of RFU President Deborah Griffin, in September.

This has given Enfield Ignatians far more options, and particularly as it now enables games for both sexes to take place simultaneously at the club.

The results are tangible as EIRFC representation has been manifest at U18s level at county level in games against Eastern Counties, Hertfordshire and Essex this season , in addition to enjoying U18s South-East Regional Cup success (as part of the Welwyn cluster) following a thrilling 25-24 win over Wimbledon at Hobbs Way.

The club is also proud of the fact that its most high profile graduate to date, Niamh Gallagher, has been capped for Ireland U20s, having also continually proved herself at the highest level in the Women's Premiership - she potted two conversions for the Ealing Trailfinders against the Exeter Chiefs on March 14.

Long may it continue.