MERGERS, financial crises and in fighting -- rugby union has seen them all in the past few days.

The game's power brokers, be they officials or club owners, have between them done just about everything possible to discourage people from getting involved in a great game.

While many clubs struggle with the cash flow, the fears voiced by others, including Les Cusworth, is that the players of the future will not be coming through because there are less people playing.

But while the wrangling goes, on another version of the 15-a-side game continues to flourish -- women's rugby union.

During the past ten years clubs have sprung up to make rugby the fastest growing women's sport in Europe. Hereford were among the first in the area but now Worcester, Stourport, Pershore and Tewkesbury all regularly field sides.

Worcester have now even started both a second team and an U16s side following a successful roadshow at the tail end of last season.

Part of their success is undoubtedly a changing of attitudes which has seen even women's boxing develop in Britain.

But the game has found itself a new audience due to its extensive development in schools.

Worcester Rugby Club's press officer Nicola Goodwin epitomises the new sport.

She has played for emerging England, dreams of playing in the next World Cup and is also the women's rugby writer for Rugby World.

"Attitudes have changed but rugby is one of the few sports which offers contact, that's what attracts the men to it and it's just the same for women," she said.

"It's also fantastic way of getting girls who've not tried sport before to get involved.

"It doesn't matter what size or shape the girls are they can all play a part in rugby. Some, who may not have been good at netball or hockey because they are too big, can be good at rugby.

"There are also 15 in each side so there's more chance for the others to get a game."

On the international front there is now an annual Six Nations Championship and World Cup.

On the down side, the game could be reaching saturation point in Herefordshire and Worcestershire where teams from Bromyard and Luctonians have now folded despite trying a merger.

But at least most of the players have stayed with the game and simply moved to other clubs so all is not lost. And with more girls taking up the game at school, women's rugby seems to have a healthy future.

Thursday, January 6, 2000.