Challenge Cup final: Is the women's game in a storm or on the verge of greatness...

It's the most prestigious day in the domestic women's rugby calendar, the women's Challenge Cup final, but that doesn't mean you'd know it from the scant coverage it's received outside of specialist circles.
The contrast with the hype surrounding the men's showpiece at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next Saturday couldn't be more stark.
Yes, the women's game is still a long way behind the men's in terms of money, sponsorship, media coverage, public perception and even basic things like facilities and coaching - to name but a few.
But to say the women's game is facing something of a perfect storm right now would be an understatement of epic proportions.
The response to the Covid pandemic has left many women's teams with huge holes in their playing rosters for the rest of the season and beyond, with some even having to forfeit matches.
Long-term injuries to key players, a lack of strategy, leadership and foresight at the governing bodies, confusion over player payments and the failure to get more maternity cover in place in this most active period for women's rugby has created a perfect storm of issues.
But is the women's game in peril? Or on the verge of greatness...
In the last two years we have seen a huge increase in the profile and popularity of the women's game. Attendances have been growing rapidly at both domestic and international level, and the quality of the play has never been higher.
This has been due in no small part to the efforts of the players themselves, who have worked tirelessly to improve their fitness, strength and skills.
The introduction of the Premier 15s in England has also been a major factor in the development of the women's game. The league has attracted some of the best players in the world, and has helped to raise the standard of competition.
However, there are still a number of challenges that the women's game needs to overcome.
One of the biggest challenges is the lack of funding. The Premier 15s clubs receive a fraction of the funding that the men's Premiership clubs receive, and this makes it difficult for them to attract and retain the best players.
Another challenge is the lack of media coverage. The women's game receives very little coverage in the mainstream media, and this makes it difficult for fans to follow the sport.
Finally, there are still a number of social barriers that the women's game needs to overcome. For example, some people still believe that rugby is a men's sport, and this can deter women from participating.
Despite these challenges, the women's game is on the verge of greatness. The players are more skilled and athletic than ever before, and the crowds are growing.
With continued investment and support, the women's game has the potential to become one of the most popular sports in the world.

So what can be done to help the women's game reach its full potential? Here are a few of my wishes:
1. More funding: The women's game needs more funding to help clubs attract and retain the best players. This could come from a variety of sources, including government funding, sponsorship, and broadcasting deals.
2. More media coverage: The women's game needs more media coverage to help fans follow the sport. This could come from a variety of sources, including television, radio, and print media.
3. More role models: The women's game needs more role models to inspire young girls to take up the sport. This could come from a variety of sources, including current and former players, coaches, and administrators.
4. More opportunities: The women's game needs more opportunities for players to develop their skills and reach their full potential. This could come from a variety of sources, including more youth academies, more coaching programs, and more international competitions.
5. More respect: The women's game needs more respect from fans, the media, and the general public. This could come from a variety of sources, including more positive coverage of the sport, more opportunities for women to participate in leadership roles, and more recognition of the achievements of women in rugby.
If we can all work together to achieve these goals, then the women's game has the potential to become one of the most popular sports in the world.