Women have played rugby for 130 years but women’s rugby has only very recently entered the realm of professional sport. England and France led the way when they first offered professional contracts in 2019 and their clubs and national sides have dominated the world of Women’s Rugby Union ever since. To the delight of players and fans, this year the other countries that compete in the Six Nations women’s teams have either offered professional contracts to their players or have made strong commitments to do so over the next few years.