"Women's rugby better to watch": brilliant radio interview with Catherine Spencer

BBC Radio 4's "Woman's Hour" included a really excellent interview with Catherine Spencer today - click here to listen via iPlayer (UK only for the next seven days - starts 34 minutes) or download a Realplayer file of the interview (which may be available overseas). ScrumQueen also have a transcript of edited highlights.

She is talking with Jane Garvey (left) - one of the best interviewers at the BBC at the moment IMHO (having been interviewed by her myself I feel I know!) and, although she obviously knows little about the game, she is well briefed and asks some really good questions.

The interview also includes a BBC rugby reporter - Sarah Orchard (right) - who I confess to not having heard of before, but she is very passionate about the women's game (though I'd disagree about what she says about BBC coverage, especially for teams other than England!).

One great claim - even debating point - she makes is:

"The thing about the men's game at the moment is that there is so much territorial kicking  and in addition to that , men have been playing for so long they are almost too professional. They can almost cheat the laws every so slightly. You don’t get that with womens rugby. You get a much purer version of the sport, and that is better for the spectator to watch. If you appreciate the game you will get a better game if you watch the women’s game."

What do you think? Personally - other than 10 minutes of mayhem at the recent Wales v Scotland men's game - I'd have to agree!

This comfortably the best and most professional interview I have heard on women's rugby - especially on a generalist programme. It couldn't possibly be because all the participants are female, could it??