RFU set to make historic appointment of first female president

The RFU hope it can boost the profile of women's rugby globally

Telegraph Sport have revealed Deborah Griffin is expected to take charge in 2025, the same year that England will host the women's Rugby World Cup.

Griffin has been a member of there RFU council since 2010 and became one of the first representatives to join world rugby council.

Details on the presidential succession plan for the next three years are set to be ratified at the upcoming RFU AGM meeting on June 16.

As it stands, Griffin won't become president until 2025, when she succeeds Rob Udwin, who won't become president himself until August 2024.

There's hope that the appointment of Griffin will help to significantly boost the profile of women's rugby globally given her stature in the game.

She first began her career in rugby as a player for University College London before founding the Women’s Rugby Football Union in 1983 before becoming the chair of the organisation of the inaugural women's World Cup in 1991.

Additionally, Griffin was also captain for the first English women’s club side and was pivotal in the WRFU’s full merger with the RFU in 2012.

England will host the 2025 women's Rugby World Cup, the second time they have done so having previously hosted in 2010.

New Zealand are the current holders of the trophy having beaten England in the final at Eden Park, Auckland in 2021.

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