England v Canada: Lack of TV coverage damaging for women's rugby, says Ellie Kildunne
Written by I Dig SportsThe lack of television coverage of England women's series against Canada is "damaging", according to full back Ellie Kildunne.
England face Canada in the second match of a two-Test series in London on Saturday.
Neither game is being broadcast on terrestrial TV, with coverage of the games only available on YouTube.
"It was really disappointing. I thought it was a joke when I heard someone say it," Kildunne told the BBC.
"The women's game is on the up. It is almost a golden age for women's sport.
"I think it's really damaging not to be able to flick it on [TV] for people out there. There might be people out there who don't know how to use YouTube, no matter what age you are it's not as accessible as flicking on BBC and seeing it's there."
The TV rights to broadcast both games were free but reportedly no channel, including the BBC, opted to show the matches.
England are aiming to win the series 2-0 at the weekend, having beaten Canada 50-24 in the first match at Exeter's Sandy Park.
Kildunne says that while she has heard viewing figures on YouTube for that game were good, traditional broadcasters need to do more to support women's rugby.
"I think we are heading in the direction where more needs to be done. It is easy to say 'we support the women', but really are you doing everything as a business to support the women and put them out there?", she said.
Coverage of the matches may have been affected by the clash with games in the men's Rugby World Cup taking place in France.
At the same time as England women playing Canada this weekend, World Cup fixtures between Argentina and Chile then Fiji versus Georgia will be happening.
But Kildunne thinks this is no excuse, saying: "Arguing that the men's rugby is on... this should be just as important. We are on the rise, we are a really successful team and are playing some good rugby as well. People want to watch it, let us impress the world."
The BBC has been contacted for comment.