After what feels like a long break for the Six Nations, Bristol Ladies 1st XV return to action this weekend with their final fixture of the Women’s Premiership.
The home game against Wasps Ladies marks the final hurdle before the start of the Play Offs, with the games this weekend deciding who finishes top of the league. Bristol Ladies currently sit in top position, with Lichfield Ladies in close pursuit one point behind.
The game promises to be a fast paced and exciting encounter as England Grand Slam winners Poppy Cleall, Sarah Bern and Izzy Noel Smith return to the starting line up, with Wales Scrum Half Sian Moore also back in action. This is paired with the newly uncovered talent of Lucy Attwood at 10 and Phoebe Murray at 12, both in their first season with Bristol Ladies, and looking to make their mark on the club.
The reverse fixture, the first game of the season, was much closer than the scoreline suggested with the wet weather and rusty errors that come from the first game back providing a challenge for both sides to overcome. On that occasion big performances from Cleall and Noel Smith helped Bristol secure a 39 – 3 victory away from home. With the experience of the internationals back in the fold, mixed with the newly found flair of some of our youngsters, the game is destined to be a display of high quality, top flight rugby.
During the day at Cleve RFC there will be a Kit Sale, the opportunity to win tickets to a Bristol Rugby fixture and the appearance of both Brizzly Bear and Nando’s Chicken.
Kick off is 2.45pm on Sunday 26th March.
The team has been named as:
- Jessie Hood
- Clara Nielson
- Sarah Bern
- Amelia Buckland Hurry (c)
- Keyleigh Armstrong
- Poppy Leitch
- Izzy Noel Smith
- Poppy Cleall
- Sian Moore
- Lucy Attwood
- Chantelle Miell
- Phoebe Murray
- Lottie Holland
- Sydney Gregson
- Cat McNaney
- Jeanine Stephenson
- Sasha Acheson
- Kate Newton
- Sue Neumann
- Brooke Bradley
- Sarah Graham
- Rownita Marston
Report courtesy of Bristol Ladies Media Manager – Emma Bacon
