Rugby World Cup winner, trailblazing coach, and one of the most influential voices in the women’s game – Giselle Mather joins Simon on Hallers Playbook this week.

From the grassroots explosion of participation to the spotlight of the recent World Cup, Giselle reflects on the huge strides the women’s game has made – and the hurdles it still faces. She speaks openly about the structural and financial challenges, the ongoing fight for visibility and investment, and why developing the next generation of players is crucial to sustaining momentum.

Simon and Giselle also discuss the cultural shift rugby is undergoing, how women’s rugby is redefining the values of the sport, and what needs to be done to ensure that progress doesn’t stall.

One thing is clear: for women’s rugby to fulfil its potential, the game must embrace its pioneers, build pathways that match ambition with opportunity, and commit to making the sport truly global, inclusive, and sustainable.