Harriet Millar-Mills knows just what it takes to perform at a Rugby World Cup, and the 2017 finalist is also just as aware what makes fans of one of the greatest shows on earth smile.
Here is her guide to the city she grew up in, a city that will host Scotland and Wales twice plus world No.2 ranked Canada and the dangerous Australians plus Fiji and Samoa.
Enjoy:
A great host for RWC 2025:
Salford Community Stadium gives a stage for rugby in the north-west and a place for people and children to be inspired to play.
Pre-match plans:
It is super easy to get the tram around to explore all the smaller suburbs like Altrincham, Sale and Didsbury where there is great food, coffee and shops.
In town there’s Freight Island – a hub for food and entertainment.
Then there’s the Trafford Centre. And you can park and ride for the stadium from the Trafford Centre.
Post-match party:
This Rugby World Cup will promote women’s rugby in the north-west and show what an amazing city Manchester is. There’s so many places to go.
The Box Deansgate, the Park Monton, and the Printworks area – 20-plus bars and restaurants.
Where to watch RWC 2025 matches on TV:
The Box Deansgate is good but there are so many great community rugby clubs to check out. Try any of Manchester Rugby Club, Eccles Rugby Club, Chester Rugby Club, Stockport Rugby Club or Sale.
Top tips for first-time visitors to Manchester:
Explore central Manchester, the Northern Quarter and Ancoats, which is full of boutique shops, street art, amazing coffee/brunch places and bars.
Castlefield normally does stuff outdoors and has loads of museums. Then there’s the Co‑op Live and you should visit Salford Quays and MediaCityUK.
Impact RWC 2025 will have on Manchester:
I loved playing at Manchester RFC until I was 12 years old then we had to travel all over the north-west to play junior rugby. Only now there are multiple girls team, after the work the local clubs and the RFU (Rugby Football Union) have put in over the years.
In terms of ladies rugby, there have been teams playing but not competing in the top league for years, but Sale (Sharks) have invested so much time into the community and into women’s rugby. So, hopefully that will start to show in the PWR over the next few years against teams in the south.