One of Premiership Women’s Rugby’s showpiece occasions has arrived with the final matches in the Allianz Cup arriving this weekend, when we will crown our 2023-24 champions at Shaftsbury Park on Sunday.

• PWR is delighted to confirm that the final of the Allianz Cup will be broadcast live on YouTube.
• The final will take place on Sunday 28 April, at 2pm at Shaftsbury Park.
• The competition structure puts all nine of our teams in a ranked order so while all eyes will be on the Final, the remaining seven teams have plenty to play for as well.

The full fixture list for this weekend

The Allianz Cup Final – Bristol Bears v Saracens

Sunday 28 April

Shaftsbury Park. Kick off: 2pm

Dave Ward has named an unchanged squad for Sunday’s Allianz Cup final against Saracens at Shaftesbury Park, as the Bears target their first major silverware.

Lucy Burgess captains the side from scrum-half, partnering Lucie Skuse at half back, while Phoebe Murray and Meg Webb continue in the midfield.

Loosehead Simi Pam, whose semi-final double helped fire the Bears towards a home final, joins Jess Sprague and vice-captain Ellie Marston-Mulhearn in the front row, while the experienced Claire Molloy lines up at openside.

Saracens similarly are unchanged with Sonia Green (above, right) ending an incredible career for the club in the Final. She will make her 329th appearance for Saracens Women in the second-row, alongside Emma Taylor.

It’s the second cup final in a row for Saracens Women and, with the Six Nations players to return for the resumption of the league campaign, Akina Gondwe believes that the cup run has put down a marker for what the group want to achieve throughout the rest of the season.

“To get back into the final has set a precedent for the rest of the season. As a squad, we want to be winning things. It’s been really refreshing during this cup block. There’s been young players coming in and chomping at the bit and that has added the extra level of competition and desire. You want players that will give everything, especially in a final and we’ve all been driving each other forward.”

Allianz Cup – Third-Place Play-Off – Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester-Hartpury

Sunday 28 April

Sandy Park. Kick off: 12.30pm

Exeter Chiefs Women will be gunning for third place in this season’s Allianz Cup to set themselves up for the last three regulation games of the league season.

Chiefs’ coaching team have selected a blend of experienced and young players for Sunday’s game that sees them take on Gloucester-Hartpury at Sandy Park (KO 12:30.

Head coach Susie Appleby said: “Tomorrow’s game is really important to us. We want that bronze medal position and to put on a good performance in front of our ever-loyal home supporters.

“Crucially, will also want to create positive momentum that we can take into the final rounds of the Allianz PWR and into the play-offs. We have three more games to play, with two at home; we want to be focused and competitive for these final games.”

Gloucester-Hartpury welcome back Emma Sing and Mia Venner in the back three, who have been released from England camp ahead of the Red Roses Grand Slam decider. Sing starts at fullback, with Venner on the right wing. They are joined by Lizzie Goulden in the back three. Goulden will co-captain the side.

Millie Hyett returns to the starting XV after missing out against Bristol due to injury. Bianca Blackburn goes alongside her at scrum half.

Fifth-Place Play-Off – Loughborough Lightning (22) v Sale Sharks (12)

Saturday 27 April

cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. Kick off: 2.30pm

Former Red Roses international Laura Keates is in line for her Loughborough Lightning debut after being named in the matchday squad to face Sale Sharks this weekend in the second leg of the fifth-place play-off.

The 2014 Rugby World Cup winner joined Lightning last month to restart her career following injury and the Worcester Warriors’ withdrawal from the league.

The tighthead prop has been named among the replacements for the Allianz Cup fifth-place play-off second leg on Saturday (kick-off: 2.30pm) at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. Lightning take a ten-point aggregate lead into the game having won the first leg at Heywood Road 22-12 a fortnight ago.

Sale Sharks hand two debuts this weekend as blindside flanker Lucie Sams and Frankie Harvey come in as they try to overcome a 10-point deficit from the first leg.

Seventh-Place Play-Off Pool – Harlequins v Trailfinders Women

Sunday 28 April

Twickenham Stoop. Kick off: 2pm

Harlequins Head Coach Amy Turner makes just two changes from the side who ran in an impressive five tries against Leicester Tigers a fortnight ago, as Quins look to secure seventh place in the Allianz Cup.

The front five remain unchanged, and in the backs, Katie Shillaker starts on the wing and Amy Layzell shifts to fullback replacing Jade Mullen. Rachael Burford captains the side from 12 with Lagi Tuima at outside centre.

Club Captain Jade Konkel is named amongst the Impact Players, making her return from an injury she sustained against Sale in November.

Trailfinders Women make five changes to the starting XV that beat Leicester Tigers 54-5 last week. Cristina Blanco returns from her victorious European Rugby Championship campaign to start at hooker alongside Liz Crake and Kira Leat in the front row.

Emma Swords replaces Sophie Molton at scrum-half, joining Ellie Green in the half-backs. The centre partnership is Abi Burton and Sofia Rolfi, as the Italian international replaces Immy Wilcox.

Finally, Vicky Laflin is promoted from the bench to start in the back three with Liz Musgrove and Rosie Inman.

With thanks to the PWR

The 2014 Rugby World Cup winner joined Lightning last month to restart her career following injury and the sad demise of her former club, Worcester Warriors.

The tighthead prop has been named among the replacements for the Allianz Cup fifth-place play-off second leg on Saturday (kick-off: 2.30pm) at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. Lightning take a ten-point aggregate lead into the game having won the first leg at Heywood Road 22-12 a fortnight ago.

“Laura has more than 60 caps for the Red Roses so she arrives with a tremendous amount of experience,” said Lightning head coach, Nathan Smith. “I am excited to see her get out there on the pitch and make her Lightning debut.”

Lightning’s matchday squad features 21 English Qualified Players, with the only exceptions being Canadian international lock Abby Duguid and Swedish replacement hooker Maja Meuller.

Five of Lightning’s six England Under-20s players who featured against France last weekend are involved as Amelia Williams, Lucy Calladine and Catherine Wells pack down in a youthful starting front row, while Lia Green and Carmela Morrall are selected at fly-half and inside centre respectively.

Five of the Loughborough University side that was narrowly defeated in the BUCS National Championship final last week all start, as hooker Kendall Waudby switches to the back row, Sally Williams operates from openside flanker while the trio of Bo Westcombe-Evans, Ellen Scantlebury and Georgina Tasker form the back three.

More participants from that StoneX Stadium cup final loss feature among the replacements; Isla Curphey, Lucy Finch, Lucy Weaver and Keevy Fitzpatrick – who is also set to make her Lightning debut.

“Remarkably, Keevy has gone from BUCS 2 to Lightning in the same season,” added Smith. “She is yet another example of the pathway we have at Loughborough Lightning and Loughborough University that is working so well.”

Red Roses international Cath O’Donnell starts in the second row and fellow capped England forward Daisy Hibbert-Jones captains from No.8.

Meg Davey, who started at fly-half in the first leg victory a fortnight ago, switches back to her preferred position of scrum-half and Lucia Linn remains at outside centre, while recent England U20 call-up Evelyn Clarke and experienced Lightning back Emma Hardy complete the bench.

Lightning remain without their England and Scotland internationals ahead of the final round of Guinness Women’s Six Nations games this weekend, as well as four players who are participating in the Pacific Four Series for both USA and Canada.

Smith said: “The girls who play against Sale, I want them to make my life really difficult in terms of when selection comes around and the internationals come back in.

“I want it to be very hard for the internationals to get back into the team. I think the way we have trained this week has shown that the Lightning team wants to do that and make it hard for them. I want to see that continue on Saturday.”

LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING vs SALE SHARKS
Allianz Cup fifth-place play-off, second leg
Saturday 27 April, 2024
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 2.30pm

15 Georgina Tasker (vice captain)
14 Ellen Scantlebury
13 Lucia Linn
12 Carmela Morrall
11 Bo Westcombe-Evans
10 Lia Green
9 Megan Davey

1 Amelia Williams
2 Lucy Calladine
3 Catherine Wells
4 Abby Duguid
5 Catherine O’Donnell
6 Kendall Waudby
7 Sally Williams
8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones (captain)

Replacements
16 Maja Meuller
17 Isla Curphey
18 Laura Keates
19 Keevy Fitzpatrick
20 Lucy Finch
21 Lucy Weaver
22 Emma Hardy
23 Evelyn Clarke

With thanks to Loughborough Lightning

Jessie Spurrier lines up at loosehead with Rosie Dobson and the experienced Hannah Duffy alongside her in the front-row.

Having returned from a serious hip injury against Gloucester in the Allianz PWR last month, Katy Mew makes her first start of the season, and will be partnered by Tyla Shirley in the second-row.

England international Amelia Harper starts at flanker, returning from injury to play her first game for Quins since 2022. Harper is joined by vice-captain Emily Robinson and Nicole Wythe in the back-row.

Flo Robinson and England U20s fly-half Ella Cromack start as half-backs, with Rachael Burford named as captain at 12. Tuima wears 13, with Mayhew, Layzell and Mullen completing Quins’ back three.

On loan from London Irish, Eleanor Trezise is set to make her Quins debut as she is named amongst the Impact Players. Florence Neller is also in line to make her debut at scrum half off the bench.

Harlequins Starting XV

1. Jessie Spurrier
2. Rosie Dobson
3. Hannah Duffy
4. Katy Mew
5. Tyla Shirley
6. Emily Robinson (vc)
7. Amelia Harper
8. Nicole Wythe
9. Flo Robinson
10. Ella Cromack
11. Amy Layzell
12. Rachael Burford (c)
13. Lagi Tuima
14. Izzy Mayhew
15. Jade Mullen

Impact Players
16. Sheree Cooper
17. Eleanor Trezise
18. Shaunagh Brown
19. Lucy Heryet
20. Aseza Hele
21. Florence Neller
22. Emily Scott
23. Katie Shillaker

The Scotland scrum-half last wore an African Violet shirt 25 months ago, before suffering a major knee injury on international duty.

Maxwell, aged 31, made her competitive playing return at the end of 2023 on loan for Edinburgh and returns to Lightning colours this weekend as vice-captain for Saturday’s Cup clash at Heywood Road (kick-off: 2pm).

Lightning’s first run out in five weeks will see them captained by Daisy Hibbert-Jones while Lilli Ives Campion and Cath O’Donnell – who have been involved in recent Red Roses camps – start together in the second row.

Starters Lucy Calledine, Evelyn Clarke and Freya Greensmith make their Lightning debuts while Steph Atkinson, Tiwaah Adjei-Ansere and Abba Austin are also in line for their first appearances from the bench.

It has been a busy period for the Lightning programme as the wider squad prepares for two games, starting with Saturday’s trip to Sale Sharks before Loughborough University head to the StoneX Stadium on Wednesday 17 April for the BUCS National Championships final against Hartpury (kick-off: 7pm).

“The main message we had when we all met up to train was that we are not a split camp,” said Lightning Head Coach Nathan Smith.

“We are one squad preparing two teams for two really big challenges and two games that we hope to get two positive performances in.

“Both teams are prepping each other is the way we want to look at it, as a University and as Lightning as a whole. Throughout the course of the year, the Lightning team trains consistently with the university side.

“These two games doesn’t really change anything. Each player within the University and Lightning are quite interchangeable between the two as we run fairly similar systems for the Lightning game model.”

Lightning are without six senior players participating in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations encounter between Scotland and England, while Maja Meuller is also away representing Sweden against Spain.

Smith’s side travel to face a Sale outfit they have beaten twice in Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby action this season, and will be hoping to put themselves in a strong position ahead of the second leg that is being staged at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday 27 April (kick-off: 2.30pm) – tickets are available by clicking HERE.

“It will be a massively competitive game,” added Smith. “It is always is when you travel to Sale. They will be bang up for putting up a tough performance against us, which we are fully preparing for.

“It is really exciting. We have got a bank of players away on international duty and we have to provide support for them when needed. We have a group of international players who want to keep developing and performing who are going to play in the Cup, and I have got a group of players who are preparing for what is essentially the biggest game they have ever played in.

“It is pretty cool the amount of opportunities that we are providing for a wide range of players.”

SALE SHARKS vs LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING
Allianz Cup fifth-place play-off, first leg
Saturday 13 April, 2024
Heywood Road
Kick-off: 2pm

15 Lia Green
14 Freya Greensmith
13 Lucia Linn
12 Carmela Morrall
11 Evelyn Clarke
10 Megan Davey
9 Jenny Maxwell (vc)

1 Amelia Williams
2 Lucy Calledine
​3 Catherine Wells
4 Lilli Ives Campion
5 Cath O’Donnell
6 Abby Duguid
7 Sara Svoboda
8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones (c)

Replacements:
16 Phoebe Andrews
17 Steph Atkinson
18 Tiwaah Adjei-Ansere
19 Hallie Taufoou
20 Abba Austin
21 Ellie Roberts
22 Sarah Smart
23 Kaz Kacirkova

With thanks to Loughborough Lightning

Winners of the first two editions of the competition, Chiefs are looking to go three from three but face a tough trip to north London.

Saracens have three league titles to their name but lost in the final of the Cup last year to Chiefs, so they will be looking for revenge in this last four encounter. They should come in with plenty of confidence, having topped Pool B with three wins and a defeat from their four games.

The winners of that game will take on West Country opposition in the final, with a derby clash between Bristol Bears and Gloucester-Hartpury completing a tantalising semi-final offering, on 14 April.

For a full list of fixtures click here

Bears finished top of Pool A, winning all their matches, including a 52-21 win away to Chiefs in their first game as they topped 50 points in every one.

The final will be played a fortnight later on Sunday 28th April.

While those four will all be hoping for silverware, the remaining five teams have plenty to play for as well.

Sale Sharks will take on Loughborough Lightning over two legs in the battle for fifth place, while Leicester Tigers, Harlequins and Trailfinders Women will all be looking to secure seventh spot.

With thanks to the PWR

Head coach Nathan Smith has named the same backs division for a third game running as Lightning seek to build on their fantastic win against Harlequins a fortnight ago in their final match before the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby gets underway next month.

The two changes to the side that will be running out at Loughborough University both come in the forwards as Grace Clifford packs down at tighthead prop, with Isla Curphey rotating to the bench.

Canadian second row Abby Duguid makes her second Lightning debut after returning to the Club in place of Lilli Ives Campion, who is rested for this Cup encounter.

After impressing for Loughborough University at BUCS level, 18-year-old back rower Lucy Finch is set for her Lightning debut from among the replacements.

Other changes to the bench from a fortnight ago see Phoebe Andrews and Issy Winter included.

“I’m really proud of what this group has achieved during the period where we’ve had so many players away on international duty,” said Smith. “They have done extremely well and have no doubt created some selection headaches when we do start getting players back from their countries.

“I’m delighted to see Abby Duguid make her second debut and to have the opportunity to work with her. Lilli has had a lot of game time and a big workload while away with England so it’s a great opportunity for Abby to show us what she can do.”

Opponents Trailfinders Women are still searching for their first win of the Cup campaign ahead of participating in PWR for the first time this season.

Smith added: “Ealing are going to be a great addition to the league and from what I have seen from them, they play rugby the right way and it should be a really good game on Saturday.”

LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING vs TRAILFINDERS WOMEN
Allianz Cup, Round 4
Saturday 28 October, 2023
Epinal Way, Loughborough University
Kick-off: 2pm

15 Georgina Tasker (vc)
14 Ellen Scantlebury
13 Emma Hardy
12 Carmela Morrall
11 Bo Westcombe-Evans
10 Lia Green
9 Megan Davey

1 Katie Trevarthen
2 Kendall Waudby
3 Grace Clifford
4 Becky Boyd
5 Abby Duguid
6 Ellie Roberts
7 Sally Williams (c)
8 Maja Meuller

Replacements:
16 Phoebe Andrews
17 Kath Baverstock
18 Isla Curphey
19 Issy Winter
20 Lucy Finch
21 Sarah Shrestha
22 Jess Weaver
23 Lucia Linn

With thanks to Loughborough Lightning 

Head coach Nathan Smith has named the same backs division that ran out at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens against Saracens a fortnight ago.

The changes all come in the forwards with props Katie Trevarthen and Isla Curphy – who both featured from the bench against Saracens – given starting roles while Maja Meuller takes the place of Daisy Hibbert-Jones following the number eight’s Red Roses call-up.

England Under-18s prop Amelia Williams and new signing Kaz Kacirkova will make their Lightning debuts if they are introduced as replacements. Also among the substitutes are Jess Panayiotou and Cat Westley, who are both in line to make their first competitive appearances of the season.

“We knew at the start of the Cup period this was a very young team,” said Smith. “We knew they’d not played a lot of senior rugby so I think it’s great that we’re able to keep the nucleus of the team together and build their experience and development together.

‘‘We’re on a bit of a journey during this Cup block, it’s just great that we’re in a position to keep continuity and that then aids their development and progression moving forward. We’ve been lucky in that regard.”

Lightning have 13 players away representing five different countries in the inaugural WXV during October and November. The latest addition is Hibbert-Jones – a tryscorer in the Saracens defeat – being called up to replace her injured clubmate Sadia Kabeya in the Red Roses squad.

“We’re really proud of Daisy,” added Smith. “She worked really hard for this opportunity and this is the best for her development moving forward. I think she will develop more going away with the Red Roses and those experiences, than she will playing in the remaining Cup games. We’re just really happy she’s going to be challenged even further.”

Saturday’s hosts Harlequins have started their Allianz Cup campaign strongly with victories over Ealing Trailfinders and Saracens.

“Quins have obviously had a great start to the Cup campaign,’’ said Smith. “They’ve got some experienced players within their team so it should be a good challenge for this group to go away to the Stoop against a reasonably experienced team. We’re just hoping to keep moving forward performance-wise in the right direction.”

Harlequins v Loughborough Lightning
Allianz Cup, Round 3
Saturday 14 September, 2023
Twickenham Stoop
Kick-off: 2pm

15 Georgina Tasker (vc)
14 Ellen Scantlebury
13 Emma Hardy
12 Carmela Morrall
11 Bo Westcombe-Evans
10 Lia Green
9 Megan Davey

1 Katie Trevarthen
2 Kendall Waudby
3 Isla Curphey
4 Becky Boyd
5 Lilli Ives Campion
6 Ellie Roberts
7 Sally Williams (c)
8 Maja Meuller

Replacements:
16 Kath Baverstock
17 Amelia Williams
18 Jess Panayiotou
19 Cat Westley
20 Sarah Shrestha
21 Jess Weaver
22 Alex Baker
23 Kaz Kacirkova

The front-row remains unchanged from the side who toppled league newcomers Trailfinders Women at The Stoop two weeks ago. One change to the second-row sees Chloe Benjamin earn her first start in the Quarters, alongside Lucy Thorpe in the engine room.

Emily Robinson will co-captain the side from flanker in the week she was formally announced as one of the squad’s vice-captains. Robinson is joined by Nicole Wythe and Shaunagh Brown to complete a physical back-row trio.

Freya Aucken and Emily Scott pair up once again as half-backs, Scott again named as co-captain having also been announced as a vice-captain for the season ahead.

It’s a welcome return to the side for Lagi Tuima, as the England centre is set to make her first appearance of the season. Tuima is partnered by Amy Layzell in the centres, with Layzell shifting to the midfield from the wing.

Two more changes feature in the back three, as GB 7s flyer Lauren Torley and the powerful Beth Wilcock return to the side for the first time this season. An exciting back three is completed by Katie Shillaker, whose performances in the opening two Cup fixtures saw her named as The RPA’s 15 Under 23 MVP Of The Month for September.

Rosie Dobson is set to play her first game of the season having been named amongst the Impact Players. Just one player is set to make their debut this week, Tyla Shirley will wear 20 as she earns her first Harlequins cap off the bench.

Head Coach Amy Turner said “We’re really pleased to have two bonus-point wins under our belt in the Allianz Cup. We gave the players a bit of time off at the end of last week and they’ve come back in this week hungry to push on in these final two cup games of this block.

“Loughborough play an exciting brand of rugby built on a strong set-piece game. We came up against them in the Cup playoffs last season and fell just short, so we’re looking to right the wrongs of that game and build on the performances of the last fortnight.”

Harlequins Starting XV
1. Jessie Spurrier
2. Hannah Owen
3. Bryony Cleall
4. Lucy Thorpe
5. Chloe Benjamin
6. Nicole Wythe
7. Emily Robinson (Co-Captain)
8. Shaunagh Brown

9. Freya Aucken
10. Emily Scott (Co-Captain)
11. Beth Wilcock
12. Lagi Tuima
13. Amy Layzell
14. Katie Shillaker
15. Lauren Torley

Impact Players
16. Rosie Dobson
17. Sheree Cooper
18. Hannah Duffy
19. Lucy Hereyt
20. Tyla Shirley
21. Grace Clavering
22. Ella Cromack
23. Georgia Gray

With thanks to Harlequins

The Allianz Cup encounter on Saturday 30 September (kick-off: 5.15pm) forms part of a Double Header of fixtures, with Northampton Saints facing Bath in the afternoon’s first match which kicks off at 3pm.

The Saracens fixture is Lightning’s second competitive game of the season, having narrowly lost 19-17 to reigning league champions Gloucester-Hartpury last weekend.

Vice-captain Georgina Tasker, a try-scorer in round one, moves from midfield to fullback with Emma Hardy coming into the starting line-up at outside centre.

Ellen Scantlebury and Bo Westcombe-Evans retain their places on the wings as does Carmela Morrall at inside centre and Lia Green at fly-half.

There’s a switch at scrum-half as Megan Davey starts and Jess Weaver is among the replacements.

Ellie Roberts comes in for Maja Meuller – who moves to the bench – at blindside flanker in the only change to the pack, she is joined on the back row by captain Sally Williams and number eight Daisy Hibbert-Jones.

Locks Becky Boyd and Lilli Ives Campion link up once more in the engine room behind the front row trio of Kath Baverstock, Kendall Waudby and Grace Clifford.

Lucia Linn, who started the Gloucester-Hartpury game, is along the replacements as is Sarah Shrestha, who is in line to make her Lightning debut.

Loughborough Lightning v Saracens
Allianz Cup
Saturday 30 September, 2023
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 5:15pm

15 Georgina Tasker (vc)
14 Ellen Scantlebury
13 Emma Hardy
12 Carmela Morrall
11 Bo Westcombe-Evans
10 Lia Green
9 Megan Davey

1 Kath Baverstock
2 Kendall Waudby
3 Grace Clifford
4 Becky Boyd
5 Lilli Ives Campion
6 Ellie Roberts
7 Sally Williams (c)
8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones

Replacements:
16 Phoebe Andrews
17 Katie Trevarthen
18 Isla Curphey
19 Maja Meuller
20 Sarah Shrestha
21 Jess Weaver
22 Alex Baker
23 Lucia Linn

With thanks to Loughborough Lightning

Head Coach Amy Turner makes just four changes to the side that recorded an impressive 29-36 victory over Saracens last Saturday, as Quins look to claim their second win of the season.

‘Rising Quin’ Jessie Spurrier comes into the side at loosehead, joining Hannah Owen and England prop Bryony Cleall in the front-row. Cleall picked up two first half tries against Saracens and will no doubt look to increase her tally at The Stoop on Saturday.

Nicole Wythe starts on the flank alongside the experienced Shaunagh Brown and Co-Captain Emily Robinson in the back-row.

The unchanged half-back pairing of Freya Aucken and Co-Captain Emily Scott remains, but a new look centre partnership sees Rachael Burford return to the field for the first time since December 2022 having been sidelined through injury for much of last season. Burford is partnered by Georgia Gray at 13, whose dominant defensive display as an Impact Player against Saracens, set the tone for the final minutes of the match.

Having blooded seven uncapped players against Saracens, just one of this week’s match day 23 is set to make their debut, as Centre of Excellence graduate Freya Bell is named amongst the Impact Players.

Head Coach Amy Turner said: “Last week’s result against Saracens was a great way to start the season. To beat Saracens in their own backyard with seven new caps I think is a credit to the attitude of the players and what we’re trying to build as a programme. For me it was about the right exposures for the youngsters, and they just showed up. I was just incredibly pleased that the players put in what I thought they could.

“We’re excited to be back at The Stoop again, for the first time in the Allianz Cup. It’s a privilege to be Trailfinders Women’s first competitive opponent, we know this will mean a lot to them as a club and we’re relishing what will no doubt be a physical encounter on Saturday at The Stoop.”

Harlequins Starting XV
1. Jessie Spurrier
2. Hannah Owen
3. Bryony Cleall
4. Lucy Thorpe
5. Emma Wedervang
6. Nicole Wythe
7. Emily Robinson (Co-Captain)
8. Shaunagh Brown

9. Freya Aucken
10. Emily Scott (Co-Captain)
11. Amy Layzell
12. Rachael Burford
13. Georgia Gray
14. Katie Shillaker
15. Jade Mullen

Impact Players
16. Phoebe Wheadon
17. Sheree Cooper
18. Hannah Duffy
19. Chloe Benjamin
20. Lucy Heryet
21. Grace Clavering
22. Ella Cromack
23. Freya Bell

With thanks to Harlequins