The Rugby Football Union has declared its ambition to fully professionalise the women’s game in England.

Telegraph Sport revealed in April that the governing body was considering a dramatic about-turn to reinstate contracts for women’s XVs players after their decision to axe them after the World Cup last year was widely denounced.

The RFU instead offered professional contracts to the England Women’s Sevens side ahead of the recent Rugby World Cup in California, where they finished ninth.

Three MPs led the criticism of the move at the time, with Tonia Antoniazzi, a former Wales international, describing it as a “huge blow” to the women’s game.

England ultimately lost to New Zealand in the World Cup final. A record television audience of 2.65 million tuned in to watch that XV-a-side final, which was broadcast in the prime-time Saturday evening slot on ITV last year.

Combined with a revamped domestic women’s competition – the Tyrrells Premier 15s, won by Saracens, it prompted the RFU to review their original decision.