Champagne could be the new tipple at Ospreys games

Designer rugby shirts for women and champagne on ice are part of a new drive to attract female fans in the wake of world cup fever.

Female fans of the Ospreys will be able to buy baseball-style fitted shirts next week as the club tries to capitalise on a new fan base.

Mini bottles of champagne served at matches and one of the first female supporters' club are also part of the plan to woo female fans.

We have coined a phrase for them, they are our lip-gloss queens Ros Evans, Llanelli Scarlets

"The World Cup has helped seal rugby's reputation as seriously sexy," said managing director Andrew Donald.

"Like football, the game seems to be moving into the mainstream entertainment business with all-female groups at matches becoming an increasingly common sight," he added.

Players at the club - a merger of Swansea and Neath rugby sides - are said to have been inundated with female fan mail.

Mr Donald added: "We wouldn't have bothered doing something like this unless we were sure it was going to do really well.

"Who knows where this could stop - perhaps we could have handbags and other fashion accessories in club colours."

Black and white t-shirts, complete with the unofficial mask logo, have been designed by Helen Ball, a student at Swansea College.

The shirts will be on sale next week

She said: "I drew my inspiration from the popular 70s American baseball look, but brought it bang up-to-date by using a modern typeface for the slogan."

Other clubs are also keen to capture the female market.

The Llanelli Scarlets also have their own range for women rugby fans.

"We have our Miss Scarlets range as well as Baby Scarlet," said Llanelli commercial manager Ros Evans.

"We have coined a phrase for them, they are our lip-gloss queens.

"They get so taken in with the whole image but they become as expert on the game and tactics as the men."

She said fitted tops for women were launched at Stradey Park last season.

The Newport Gwent Dragons have also designed a range of black fitted rugby tops for women but the style was not produced.