Both Bristol teams are back in action this weekend, and both are looking to return to winning ways.
The 1st XV welcome Richmond Ladies to Cleve for the first home fixture of the year. The teams last met back in October when Bristol beat last years Champions for the first time in over five years with a close 33 – 27 victory, where Bristol’s Claire Molloy and Richmond’s Alex Matthews battled it out in the centre.
Richmond currently sit sixth in the league having lost nine of their 11 games this season, tied with Wasps Ladies and Darlington Mowden Park Sharks at the bottom of the table on 12 points. Bristol suffered only their second defeat of the season last week, but remain top of the Premiership by one point.
The team sees a raft of internationals return with no time limitations – Sarah Bern and Izzy Noel Smith played staring roles last week and the home side will be looking to use these two to their advantage on Sunday. Lucy Attwood earns her first premiership start, with Cat McNaney returning to fullback after her solid performance at scrum half last week. Taz Bricknell steps back into the nine shirt after recovering from injury before Christmas.
The 2nd XV travel to Guildford Gazelles with a strong team looking to build on a good second half in their loss to Drybrook last weekend.
Sisters Jessie and Gracie Hood return to the field for Bristol after being absent last week, and Cardiff Met student Emily Underwood returns to the fold at #8. Experience in the form of Becki Belcher, who captains the side, Carrie Roberts and Tilly Vaughan Fowler is paired with the youth of Carys Cox and Hester Stembridge – both new to the club this year, but already showing the strength and depth of the squad which continues to grow.
Both games kick off at 2pm – follow our twitter account on @bristol_l_rugby for match updates.
1st XV vs Richmond Ladies
- Abbie Parsons
- Clara Nielson
- Sarah Bern
- Amelia Buckland Hurry
- Kayleigh Armstrong
- Poppy Leitch
- Izzy Noel Smith (c)
- Poppy Cleall
- Taz Bricknell
- Meg Jones
- Amy Wilson Hardy
- Lucy Attwood
- Sydney Gregson
- Chantelle Miell
- Cat McNaney
- Daisy Travers
- Kate Newton
- Clea Fawcett
- Marlie Packer
- Liv Jones
- Lottie Holland
- Sarah Graham
2nd XV vs Guildford Gazelle
- Jessie Hood
- Nat Lewis
- Ellie Mulhearn
- Steph Jones
- Sadie Giles
- Abi Willett
- Hester Stembridge
- Emily Underwood
- Courtney Bishop
- Vicky Foxwell
- Becki Belcher (c)
- Carrie Roberts
- Carys Cox
- Tilly Vaughan Fowler
- Georgia Liddington
- Alanna Alevropolous
- Lucy Herring
- Bianca Coltellini
- Emma Lacey
- Maeve Liston
- Gracie Hood
- Emma Nicholson
Report courtesy of Emma Bacon, Bristol Ladies Media, sponsored by Wring Group
