Six Nations rugby live: why are we still waiting?

This fascinating newsreel of (men's) rugby from the 1922 was recently unearthed - its fun to watch, look out for the hilarious lineout, not to mention the awful rucks (you'd expect U12s to play better than this these days and I am not joking!). However, when watching it I was struck by how attempting to following women's international rugby today must be very similar to what it was like to follow men's rugby 70 or 80 years ago because you have to largely rely on written reports. As usual none of this year's Six Nations games could be watched live by anyone, unless you were at the ground:

• England games were available as short, five minute, highlights issued by the RFU to the media (and well used by the BBC).
• Wales had all their games filmed by BBC Wales - but again only short highlights are available
• France publish recordings of some of their games on their website
• Scottish Rugby TV record occasional women's games, but the SRU do nothing
• Italy and Ireland never seem to issue any recordings of any of their games

Back in the 1920s there was a excuse for the lack of coverage - like they hadn't invented TV yet - but today? Even the excuse about there not being TV channel show it doesn't work - we have the Intenet. Canada, the USA and even (for heaven's sake!) the Bahamas have all webcast live women's rugby within the last year. Indeed when it comes to the first two you almost take it for granted that their home internationals will be available.

If small, cash-strapped unions like those in North America can manage it, then why do the Home Unions have a problem? Most games are already being filmed anyway - so why not stream them? Its hardly expensive these days - and any cost would surely be justified by the promotional boost it would give.