Summary

Mark Witcher, assistant coach at Portsmouth Rugby Club, shares his rugby journey and experiences coaching at Portsmouth and Hampshire. He played for Portsmouth Rugby Club throughout his career and had the opportunity to captain the twos and the vets. Mark mentions players he played with who went on to make it, including Oscar Wingham and Brendan Tracy. He also talks about players who didn't make it but should have, such as Matt Brano and Rich Herring. Mark also discusses his coaching experience and highlights Abby Harding as a standout player he coached at Portsmouth. During the conversation, Mark Witcher and Carl discuss the progression of women's rugby during Mark's tenure as a coach. They mention the impact of televised games, initiatives like 'This Girl Can' and the Inner Warrior series, and the accessibility of women's rugby at the local level. They also touch on the challenges faced by women's rugby in terms of funding and opportunities for players to progress to higher levels. They discuss the need for a more open and inclusive approach in the sport, allowing for promotion and relegation and providing pathways for players who may not fit into the traditional academy system. They also highlight the importance of attracting and retaining top talent in order to compete with other nations. The conversation covers various topics related to rugby, including the promotion and marketing of the sport, the potential for the women's game to become a cash cow for the RFU, the challenges faced by grassroots clubs like Portsmouth Rugby Club, and the importance of sharing knowledge and supporting each other within the rugby community.