The first shock move of the coming 2025-26 PWR season: Meg Jones switches from Leicester Tigers to Trailfinders Women.
The news brings all manner of consequences.
Most important: it reduces even further Tigers’ chances of making a mark on a league that is still relatively new to them. What a contrast with the success of the Welford Road club in welcoming over 15,000 spectators through its gates for the Scotland game recently.
In their short history at elite level, Tigers have already removed their first DoR, Vicky Macqueen. She had managed to acquire the services of Jones and Amy Cokayne as the two sole Red Roses on their books. Both were absent injured for long periods.
Charlotte Fray was one highly promising player to interest the England management, but she suffered an injury before she could gain a cap.
Last season Tigers finished 8th, well ahead of Sale Sharks (three wins to one), but they are unlikely to repeat that unless their new Director of Rugby, Fraser Goatcher, can acquire new playing strength.
Even Tom Hudson, Macqueen’s replacement, has moved on. Ross Bundy becomes their third head coach in three years.
They were the one side to concede a 100-point loss, to Saracens. And to think Litchfield weren’t admitted to the Premier 15s in 2017, but became a feeder club for Leicester. No shortage of top England players at Litchfield!
EQPs, NEQPs
Both Tigers and TF have become heavily dependent on players not qualified to play for England. This move helps TF to keep on the right side of PWR regulations. By the same token it may make life more difficult for Tigers. PWR haven’t yet announced any regulatory changes for next season. If they do, we may well see a tightening of the limit on ‘overseas’ players.
Good news, for me
It’s not as if Jones is joining one of the four semi-finalists. I would have found that profoundly disappointing, as I want the league to be as equal and competitive as possible. But TF have proved a threat to clubs in the upper reaches, losing to the triple champions, Gloucester-Hartpury by two points, 31-33. They totalled 49 points more than Quins, who finished third. The points difference between Tigers and TF was 358 in favour of the latter. Little wonder that Jones, the great innovator and predator, fancies their style of play.
She becomes one of the few players to have represented four Premier 15s/PWR clubs. In her case we can add Bristol Bears and Wasps to the two under discussion.
Giselle Mather gathered a really fancy group of players for TF’s first season. Barney Maddison has added to that strength since his appointment last August. The side plays with the fearless, open style that Mather developed at Wasps. It’s significant that Jones played there – just a few stones’ throws from her new ground – alongside Claudia MacDonald, Ellie Kildunne, Maud Muir, Abby Dow and Liz Crake (the last two now at TF too). You may have heard of them.
Now I can ask my favourite question: will Meg Jones make the starting Fifteen? Only joking, but the TF back-line showed its potential last season. Led by Caity Mattinson (Scotland) and Julia Schell (Canada) at half-back, Lisa Thomson, Chloe Rollie and Liz Musgrove (all Scotland), Carys Cox (Wales), Vicky Laflin (England training squads) and Grace White (England U20s) played with great verve. Then there was Dow, just in case.
When players switch clubs, they never give their reasons for rejecting the club they leave, only positive views of the one they’re joining. Perhaps one day a devoted researcher will unearth those “Exclusive! – never before revealed!” reasons for quitting.
