The sixth season of the (Allianz) Premier 15s league was always going to be dramatic, but few could have imagined how earth-shaking.

The end of the second 3-year-block would see a review of the ten clubs’ performances, with the unavoidable possibility of one or two repeating the demise of Richmond and Firwood Waterloo in 2020.

Once more the axe fell on two distinguished clubs, DMP Sharks and Wasps. The move was met with horror and disbelief in many quarters, but not at Twickenham Towers, where expressions of sympathy and sorrow are not deemed necessary.

It was more positive seeing the two strongest clubs, Saracens and Harlequins, at last failing to make the knock-out final. Sad as it must have been for them, it was vital for the league to prove it was not a two-horse race, especially one limited to London.

In their place Gloucester-Hartpury and Exeter Chiefs paraded at a well-filled Kingsholm (9,668), and the home side exploited its favoured position to romp home 34-19.

Here’s reminder of the end-of-season table:

Table                       P​        W​      L​      D     Pts

Gloucester-H       18       16     ​ 2     0       79
Exeter​​​                   18       15      3      0       78
Saracens​​               18       15     3       0       75
Bristol​​​                   18        12    6       0       62
Harlequins  ​​         18        10     7       1       55  ​
UWW      ​​               18        7     10      1      38
Sale                   ​​      18        7      11      0      35
Lightning         ​​​      18        5      13      0      30
DMPS ​​                    18        ​2     16       0      10
Wasps                     18        0     18       0       2

Points of interest

1. Glos-Pury top for the first time.

2. Exeter fast becoming the eternal bridesmaids: a second final, a second loss.

3. Sarries not the force they were. They show every intention of avoiding a repeat of that third place.

4. The sizeable gap between third and fourth. But Bristol are rapidly acquiring the reputation of the most ambitious of the ten clubs. They have made it plain they intend altering trends next season. An early prediction: they’ll finish very near the top.

5. The continuing descent of Quins. Despite a change of head coach they finish in their lowest ever position in the Prem 15s.

6. The second unwelcome gap, between them and Worcester, 12 points; but UWW’s position is their best ever. With all the rumpus concerning the Warriors club throughout the season, it’s easy to forget that it took the women’s section nearly two years to achieve their first victory. For them to win six games and finish sixth speaks volumes for the staff, especially Jo Yapp, and the players. It’s a stark reminder of the yawning gaps between clubs in their financial backing and general wellbeing.

7. Sale too did well to gain their 35 points. But it needed the infusion of many overseas and Celtic players to finish seventh. That was not the original target when they gained admission three years ago. Developing local talent to the required standard is proving difficult.

8. Lightning are the club I worry about. At the time of writing, 29 July, they have lost a number of leading players and gained none. Nathan Smith has been appointed the new head coach. They will be living a double life between their native heath, Loughborough University, and Franklin’s Gardens, 38 miles south. I’m not sure that makes life simpler for them. Why have Northampton Saints not entered the transfer market the way Leicester Tigers have for their new women’s section?

9. As we bid farewell to DMP and Wasps, I might as well repeat my wailing about Waterloo and Richmond three years ago. What is so disturbing about the disappearance of these four clubs is the speed with which they have dissolved and the lack of sympathy shown by the decision- makers.
There is a yawning gap between the bright optimism of the RFU as it announces huge financial backing for the league and the ease with which the four can walk the plank. There is no Intensive Care Unit in women’s rugby as there is in men’s. The machine is switched off.

10. While the exact make-up of most clubs remains in doubt, Quins’ signing of thirteen young players inside 24 hours is a sign of future trends. Clubs are hedging their bets about a reliance on overseas players to bring home the bacon.

11. Now we have a brand-new name, Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR), a beautiful new logo and a ten-year structure. It remains to be seen how soon a further adjustment will be required before we reach 2033.

One of the RFU’s many slogans is ‘Play together, stay together.’ One result, Bristol Bears 115 DMP 0, shows a different reality.

Glos-Pury’s first victory
The first final to involve two clubs outside London.
The first final to be played on the home ground of one of the finalists, a feature not to be repeated. But how to be sure? Choose HQ? Vickii Cornborough did suggest it six years ago.
The first time a famous stadium has been renamed in honour of a final (Queensholm)
The first time a head coach has been in charge of both clubs. She still seemed pretty upset.

And:

The biggest crowd yet for a final, 9,668.
But none of the four officials was a woman. Contrast the Trent Bridge test: both umpires women.

Quins remain the only side to win the trophy after failing to finish top of the league.

Yet another game was marred by a sequence of yellow cards; commentators once more saying: ‘She was lucky it wasn’t red’.

In the commendable search for a safer game, the law-makers need to scratch their heads again to find a way of ensuring spectators get a 15 v 15 game. Other punishments are available, though not tying boot-laces together.

A fortnight before the final, Chiefs announced an open-top bus parade through the centre of the city of Exeter to celebrate two victories, by their men’s and women’s teams.

The men won the Premiership Rugby Cup in extra time against London Irish. The women won the Allianz Cup for the second time running.

To put these triumphs into some perspective: Chiefs’ men’s side finished seventh in the Gallagher Premiership league, and player after player is leaving the club for other shores.

The Allianz Cup passed under the radar of most rugby fans. Chiefs posted strong sides for their matches; wasn’t the underlying principle to give the other squad members a chance to shine?

The new regulations

England v The World: Exeter 5-10; G-H 10-5. How will those ratios be forced to change before next season?

If the eligibility regulations for next season are really tight, that may have been Exeter’s last chance to win the title for a good few years.

One suggestion is that as many as 16 of the listed squad of 23 must be England Qualified Players (EQPs). That would change the face of several clubs. Bristol, Exeter, Sale, Loughborough, Worcester, to name but half of them. It would also limit the field the two new clubs can pick from. The policy that Susie Appleby followed mid-lockdown cannot be followed. Presumably only the very best non-EQPs would be considered, to conform to the rules while ensuring a successful season.

Moore says clubs will be subject to more stringent controls than before.

Till now they have been penalised for fielding more than two non-EQPs. But that hasn’t affected the rich clubs, a persistent weakness of the Prem 15s since its establishment in 2017. Hence Exeter Chiefs’ presence in the 2023 final and their double triumph in the Allianz Cup.

The funding balance remains unclear. How will clubs that don’t have a benevolent billionaire sitting in the directors’ box compete on level terms?

What a pity that the statement still doesn’t offer a black-and-white picture of the future. Moore indictates that clubs will have to have a minimum number of England qualified players.’ But how many?’

Chiefs parade precisely five EQPs in their starting fifteen for the final. How many of the rest will be forced to return home next year?

Home or Away?

It’s a dilemma that goes to the heart of the game. On the one hand, the league was established (in truth, re-established), to ensure an improved pathway to the full England team. On the other, to attract talented players from elsewhere.

Moore repeats that line when she says: ‘we [ ] don’t want to lose those global sporting superstars that people also want to come and watch.’ (My italics)

How many of the non-EQPs match that description? Some for sure, but there are plenty of others who would be embarrassed by such hyperbole.

It brings us back to the state of the game worldwide. Most overseas players come to the league to improve their own game with better back-up than they can enjoy at home. That means better coaching, better physical preparation and the chance to earn some money for their pains. In other words, England remains a fertile nursery for women’s rugby.

For as long as other leading nations can rely on England to provide these resources, they may feel less need to offer them themselves. It’s a pretty problem. Most immediately, it concerns the future well-being of the Celtic nations.

That’s where the term ‘foreign’ comes into question. Are Welsh and Scottish players really ‘foreign’? They are part of the UK, just like the English. But in rugby terms they aren’t part of the flock. For them to be removed en bloc would mean massive upheavels to their respective unions.

Ireland is even more complicated.

One of rugby’s triumphs is for the IRFU to represent the whole island. Ulster girls wear the green alongside their republican sisters. Who’s ‘foreign’ there?

England, my England

Moore adds: ‘You can see from the recent success for the Red Roses that (growing the pathway) is starting to pay dividends.’

That’s an interesting reading of history. Long-term, England have led the way, with only New Zealand standing in their way of constant triumph. The ‘recent success’ still failed to result in a World Cup victory. Kiwis can gloat, if they’re so minded, at the Red Roses’ continued inability to reach the pinnacle of rugby power.

Draft too draughty

It’s no surprise that Moore is not considering introducing a draft system, as is commonplace in USA sport. It was first hinted at in the early days of the Prem 15s, when Nigel Melville, spotting the developing inequalities, said it might be necessary to introduce some equalising measures. He didn’t specify how – very wise! In 2023 it looks just as impossible to say to an individual: ‘We intend sending you to X club next season’. Umpteen laws might be broken pushing that through.

The announcement may affect the two new clubs directly. They have already picked up top players (Abby Dow, Amy Cokayne), but might have been looking abroad for more playing strength.

Moore admits her company needs to ensure more income before such a revolutionary step could be taken.

A new Identity

Intriguingly, she hints at a change of name for the league. No name, no pack-drill. Perhaps that means the addition of a term like ‘Super’ or ‘World Class’. Anticipation reigns.

It adds a second Red Rose to their ranks after Detysha Harper made the same move from Loughborough Lightning. Both these players have northern roots, Harper in Manchester, Talling in North Yorkshire. It is highly welcome news that at last the north-south drift is reversing.

At the same time Sharks have signed Nikita Prothero, an England Under 20 loose forward. This age-group side will provide a profitable source of material for clubs casting around (desperately?) for added playing strength.

For Lightning the news is more concerning. Like Gloucester-Hartpury, they are a central nursery for future stars. Unlike G-H they haven’t been able to attract top talent for a while. Remember the astonishment when they announced the signing of Katy Daley-Mclean, Emily Scarratt, Justine Lucas and Jo Brown in the early days of the Premier 15s!

With Scarratt and Helena Rowland missing from huge chunks of the 2022-23 season, their challenge has faltered. In stark contrast G-H have gained big-name players and are approaching a first-ever final.

Any move that improves Sharks’ chances is good news for the league. One glance at the map and you see their ground as a lonely outpost of what is supposed to be all-England territory (to use a tennis phrase).

We can expect further avalanches of signings across the coming weeks. Few clubs will feel they have all it takes to complete a winning seventh season of the AP 15s with their current stock.

In the time-honoured phrase, there was little love lost between the two sides. Sarries had never lost a semi; Chiefs had never lost to the Londoners at home. Something had to give.

There were enough errors early on to show even the most experienced of players were feeling the heat (and the heat of battle was extended by a temperature approaching 30 degrees). Right at the start Holly Aitchison had a clearance kick charged down – not for the first time in her career – but fortunately for her Chiefs knocked on.

Exeter had the edge in early scrums, through Sarries sorted that out later. Both sides were prepared to take risks: a brave response to the challenges of sudden-death. That approach only added to the excitement.

It took Sarries thirteen minutes to visit Chiefs’ 22 for the first time. An Aitchison cross-kick brought a determined assault on the try-line; Leanne Infante was very inventive, often dummying to test out the fringe defences. Sarries thought they were over but Charlie Gayther decreed ‘holding on’.

Chiefs were ecstatic at winning a scrum penalty, but moments later an Aitchison penalty kick brought the visitors close to the line. From there they mounted another series of pounding attacks; this time Hannah Botterman wasn’t to be denied. (0-7)

Over the next period Chiefs had to defend like mad; they found it hard exiting their own half.

A drop-out from their own line spelled danger. Jess Breach started the counter, Lotte Clapp slipped through and delivered a scoring pass to Sarah McKenna. A lovely move.

Half-time: 0-14, the same score as the previous day’s semi, only here the visitors were on top.

The second half had problems fitting all its drama into a mere 40 minutes. Exeter came roaring out of the blocks, just as Bristol Bears had done in Gloucestershire. In the first minute Katie Buchanan made a long break. The good work continued for Kate Zackary to prove her value to the club once more with a muscular fend and touch-down. (7-14)

When offered a penalty in front, Poppy Leitch wisely opted for a kick at goal and Liv McGoverne did the job. (10-14)

On 49 minutes came a yellow for Aitchison for a deliberate knock-on. I dilate on that further down. For Sarries things grew infinitely worse when Marlie Packer suffered the same fate barely a minute later.

As she walked off, did the home crowd roar ‘Chieeeefs! or another word beginning with ‘Che’? The former, I trust.

What followed was inevitable. Hope Rogers, who till then had had a quiet game, scored to put Chiefs ahead for the first time (17-14). Sarries worked very hard while reduced to the size of a Rugby league team. Indeed, on one occasion Chiefs failed to get the ball down the line to the right wing, despite the 2-player advantage.

By the time Sarries returned to full strength, they were only those three points down. They began stringing their well-practised moves together again. Poppy Cleall showed her range of talent by suddenly hoofing the ball right down to the try-line. What vision!

Sarries now put together the longest set of phases of the entire game. Chiefs defended with grit and determination, but after several blasts at the line, the ball spun back to Aitchison who measured an exquisite kick-pass to Clapp on the left. The TMO checked for off-side, but you weren’t going to catch an experienced operator like her out. (17-21)

In the normal way of things, you would have expected Sarries to seal the game up there and then. They didn’t. Little was normal at Sandy Park. Indeed, Gayther showed his yellow card for a third time to dismiss Evans.

Exeter had a 5-metre line-out on offer, but the throw was wonky. No matter; they now mounted serious attacks on the line, and with one minute on the clock their lead was restored. Eilidh Sinclair’s face was a picture as the line opened up before her.

Time for delirium and disbelief in equal measure.

Result: Exeter Chiefs 24 Saracens 21

Teams

Exeter Chiefs
15 Doidge 14 Buchanan 13 Zackary 12 Cantorna 11 Sinclair 10 McGoverne 9 F. Robinson 1 Rogers 2 Tuttosi 3 Menin 4 Fryday 5 Leitch (captain) 6 Fleming 7 Allen 8 Johnson
Bench: 16 Moloney 17 Turani 18 Jacoby 19 van der Velden 20 Jefferies 21 M Macdonald 22 Wilkins 23 Cramer

Saracens
15 Breach 14 Grant 13 Gregson 12 McKenna 11 Clapp (co-captain) 10 Aitchison 9 Infante 1 Botterman 2 Campbell 3 Clifford 4 McMillan 5 P. Cleall 6 Evans 7 Kasolo 8 M. Packer (co-captain)
Bench: 16 Rettie 17 Carson 18 Ellis 19 McIntosh 20 Moore 21 Wyrwas 22 F. Williams 23 Alejandro

Officials:

Referee: Charlie Gayther
ARs: Jonathan Cook and James Cornell
TMO: David Rose
NB a TMO was in operation here, and he had plenty of work to do.

Afterthoughts

Over 4,000 spectators were present. From a publicity point of view, it was a pity they were all housed in the main stand, leaving the cameras to stare at an empty east stand.

Once more I raise the issue of the ‘deliberate’ knock-on. It had a profound effect on this game, as it has done all too often this season. Gayther sent three Sarries players to the bin; only one of them was for an unnecessary extra roll on the ground – but it wasn’t till the 78th minute that Georgia Evans disappeared. When Aitchison and Packer both committed the same infringement (an attempted interception), we were treated for the umpteenth time to a game of 15 v 13. Again I ask: how long does a player have to decide whether she can intercept a pass accurately or not? How many players have we seen deliberately withdrawing a hand because they know they cannot take the ball cleanly? I suspect the answer is somewhere close to zero. The non-offending side can be offered all sorts of recompenses without the need to dismiss a player from the field.

Chiefs fielded five England-qualified players in their starting 15, three backs and two forwards. I’m not sure how that benefits English rugby, but the 10-year schedule looks forward to welcoming more ‘world stars’ to the league to boost its attractiveness, so that’s all right.

In case you’d like to see the French version of an elite final, take a look at the 8-minutes long offering on www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArDSLXht1_A

Stade Bordelais (in white tops) at home versus Blagnac. It’s another close-run affair.

It’s a hard life. You finish the season with the same number of wins and losses as your coming opponents, but you have to travel around 200 miles to play them, because they scored three more bonus points than you.

This is the key battle of the two semis. Second versus third is bound to be less predictable than first versus fourth.

The two sides competed in last year’s final, so have form. Since Sarries won that duel, Chiefs will be all the more intent on correcting history at Sandy Park.

One glance at the Sarries’ line-up (down below), and you wonder how they ever lose a match, or even, why opponents bother turning up to dispute the issue.

But that isn’t how the season has worked out for them. Their stats are strikingly unimpressive by their normal standards: far fewer points scored than you’d expect; far more conceded.

Now Alex Austerberry shows his hand. It’s as full of trumps as is possible without the deciding card of Zoe Harrison at No 10. He prefers to keep Poppy Cleall in the second row. Fair enough, she is dangerous wherever she plays, but surely she can wreak most harm in the back row. Second row hasn’t been Sarries’ strongest suit all through their years of supremacy.

One team only too happy to confront them are the Chiefs. Their stats stand alone in the league.

They’ve scored 112 more points than Sarries and conceded 90 fewer. The question is why they aren’t the runaway leaders. But, like Sarries, they have lost three times, and in a cut-throat competition like the AP 15s that’s a few too many.

Susie Appleby manages to find room for a handful of English players, which is a relief, but the remainder, many from the New World, present a formidable array of talent to face the almost permanent winners of the top prize.

If you are of a nervous disposition, it would be sensible to remain strictly impartial when watching this battle unfold on Sunday.

Teams

Exeter Chiefs

15 Doidge 14 Buchanan 13 Zackary 12 Cantorna 11 Sinclair 10 McGoverne 9 Robinson 1 Rogers 2 Tuttosi 3 Menin 4 Fryday 5 Leitch 6 Fleming 7 Allen 8 Johnson

Bench: 16 Moloney 17 Turani 18 Jacoby 19 van der Velden 20 Jefferies 21 Macdonald 22 Wilkins 23 Cramer

Saracens

15 Breach 14 Grant 13 Gregson 12 McKenna 11 Clapp 10 Aitchison 9 Infante 1 Botterman 2 Campbell 3 Clifford 4 McMillan 5 P. Cleall 6 Evans 7 Kasolo 8 M. Packer

Bench: 16 Rettie 17 Carson 18 Evllis 19 McIntosh 20 Moore 21 Wyrwas 22 Williams 23 Alejandro

Officials
Referee: Charlie Gayther
ARs: Jonathan Cook and James Cornell TMO: David Rose
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net

Details: Sunday 11 June, Sandy Park, Exeter, KO 15.00 BST

In the glib phrase ‘What’s not to like?’ the answer is very little. A local derby, international players everywhere you look, fans fizzing with anticipation.

Then you discover that Ioan Cunningham and his staff will be present to run their eye over the Welsh players on view. Cunningham is pleased: many of his squad are competing at the peak level of club rugby, in the care of top coaches and using the best facilities.

Let’s see how many players will come under his microscope: Lleucu George, Kelsey Jones, Bethan Lewis, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Lisa Neumann, Elinor Snowsill, Keira Bevan, Alisha Butchers, Gwen Pyrs and Bryonie King. That’s quite a lot. Then there’s the second semi to add a few more.

He may be slightly surpised to see some of his most prized competitors reduced to the bench, most notably Lisa Neumann and Sisilia Tuipulotu; both must be added early to his own international team-lists.

But it’s another Welshman, Sean Lynn, who has made that decision, and he has hardly taken a false step all season.

The Downside

Welsh rugby is still in turmoil, the men’s game in particular. So we can’t expect to see those ten Welsh players being required to switch to a Welsh club in order to retain their contracts. That day remains far off.

While most Welsh rugby fans are worried to death about their men’s team, we can only hope that the women – who have worked wonders to reach the top level of the WXV – are given full backing.

The Upside

We can look forward to an intriguing set of battles all over the park. G-H’s front-row will have to work hard to control the power and know-how of the Pam-Bavies-Bern trio; equally the midfield battle between George-Heard-Lund and Snowsil-Reed-Murray should be one for the purist.

If you look at the bench to decide the likely winners, then G-H surely have the trump cards.

The odds always favour the home side, and G-H are greatly helped by having Kingsholm as the venue. Bristol are working overtime to encourage their supporters to be brave and leave their favourite city for the ‘other place’ down the road.

A game to savour.

Teams

Glos-Pury

15 Sing 14 Rugman 13 Lund 12 Heard 11 Venner 10 George 9 Hunt 1 Muir 2 K. Jones 3 Delgado 4 Monaghan 5 Aldcroft 6 Matthews 7 Lewis 8 Beckett

Bench: 16 N. Jones 17 Buggy 18 Tuipulotu 19 Learned 20 Brock 21 Blackburn 22 Bridger 23 Neumann

Bristol

15 Lovibond 14 Coles 13 Murray 12 Reed 11 Wills 10 Snowsill 9 Bevan 1 Pam 2 Davies 3 Bern 4 Cunningham 5 Burns 6 Butchers 7 Molloy 8 Marston

Bench: 16 Phillips 17 Pyrs 18 Mulhearn 19 Barwick 20 King 21 Burgess 22 Skuse 23 White Details:

Saturday 10 June, Kingsholm, Gloucester; KO 15.00 BST

Officials:
Referee: Alex Thomas
ARs: Harry Walbaum and Katherine Ritchie TMO: Nikki O’Donnell
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net

The two new clubs, Leicester Tigers and Ealing Trailfinders, have only two examples to follow of clubs arriving fresh-faced into the elite league.  But Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks provide very different stories.  In short, the simplest solution to survival is money, and plenty of it.

Leicester Tigers are doing the big sell.  They have already acquired three Red Roses, Amy Cokayne, Celia Quansah and Meg Jones, to help increase optimism. They are asking for volunteers to advance the cause.

But as they claim they are ‘actively growing the game in the Leicestershire area’, they make no mention of Loughborough Lightning, just down the road, who have been doing that for the past many years.

And in the curious way the league has been transformed over the past months, Lightning find themselves split between two centres, their own university and Northampton, a distance south.

The geographical conundrum the RFU set itself in 2017 – to provide a broad base across the country – has not been solved. In practice, it is proving impossible.  London loses one club, but gains another. The West country retains four clubs; the Midlands rise from two to three, though two lie on each other’s doorstep. The north now resembles a desert with a single oasis.

That is one more intractable problem facing the newly installed company in charge of affairs.

Ealing Trailfinders inevitably find themselves taking on Wasps’ mantle, as the sole representatives from West London. Like Tigers, they have now acquired three Red Roses, all of whom were previously Wasps: Abby Dow, Liz Crake and latterly Rowena Burnfield. Andrea Stock becomes a fourth Wasps to move across, but ET know they can’t reply on their academies at Brunel and Henley to supply all their remaining needs. More signings must follow.

The Top Half

Both Dow ad Burnfield arrived at Trailfinders via Quins, who are losing players at a surprising rate for a top club. For the first time they failed to reach the play-offs, which is a real downer. Even that last round result, 33-33 against Warriors, was a shocker; a wide half-time lead thrown away. What? Oh yes, England achieved nearly the same against France, so all is forgiven.

We were not told what led to Amy Turner’s replacement of Gerard Mullen as head coach. If it was simply a question of results, then Turner’s position must be in jeopardy, but other factors may well have been in play.

Quins said goodbye to Jess Breach and Leanne Infante – the latter admittedly via Bristol Bears to Sarries. And next season will see them minus Cokayne, another major loss.  The replacements Turner brought in couldn’t provide the cutting edge needed to ensure victory in tight games. Despite having two of the sharpest tacks in their back line, Dow and Ellie Kildunne, their ‘points for’ reading leaves them well behind the top four clubs.

The one side to make an outstanding advance were Gloucester-Hartpury. Sean Lynn must be considered the coach of the season. He has brought in a host of top players such as Alex Matthews (ex-Worcester) and Sarah Beckett (another ex-Quinn), but his greatest achievement must be in advancing the careers of so many other players at various stages of their careers.

Amongst the English-qualified players Bianca Blackburn and Rachel Lund haven’t worn a Red Rose shirt for several seasons, but it’s contributions like theirs that keep the boat bobbing along.

The season’s statistics tell a strange story. Though they were the only club to reach the last round with a single loss, G-H scored fewer points than Exeter (2nd) and Saracens (3rd) and conceded more than Exeter. But we all know what stats are.

Exeter Chiefs may yet achieve their constant ambition, to be top of the class, but they couldn’t equal G-H’s achievements in the regular season. If the new company in charge of the AP 15s does introduce a limit on overseas players, then several of them may not be signed on again for next season. Then the club’s other main strategy, to advance the cause of local Devon and Cornwall players, can take precedence.

Saracens have experienced an uneven season.  They have been at the top of the pole for so long that it was surprising to find them struggling at times. No need to quote injuries as an excuse – every club can tell the same story. So the cause must lie in the overall quality of the squad. They can still replace one Red Rose in a technical position with another: Holly Aitchison for Zoe Harrison at 10 and Mackenzie Carson for Hannah Botterman at 1. Few other clubs can, but they still managed to lose three games, roughly three times as many as in the past.

Bristol Bears have enjoyed a fine season. Even without Abbie Ward to act as an important anchor, they had sufficient reserves of talent to ensure a first entry to the play-offs. Even so, Dave Ward has a distance to go before his squad can face all opposition with confidence. The biggest gap across the top four teams lies precisely between the Bears and Sarries in third place, a whole 15 points.

The Other Half

Lightning still have to sort out their relationship with Northampton Saints. For all the benefits of aligning with a major men’s club, there remain logistical problems that other clubs don’t face. They had an underwhelming season. As leading players succumbed to injury, the reserves called up couldn’t ensure regular wins. Five out of eighteen is a paltry return for a once successful unit.

Worcester’s travails have been widely recorded. At least they have emerged from the wreckage intact, unlike the men’s teams. Great credit is due to Jo Yapp for her perseverance and encouragement to her players.  They have hauled themselves out of a bottom-3 position for the first time, reaching their best-ever 6th. If the Coach of the Year trophy is awarded for hard work and perseverance, then Lynn must cede honour to Yapp.

Sale have had to resort to signing up players from the New World  and the Celtic lands to keep pace with their rivals. That was not the original intention of the club, who sought to  bring on the local talent the north consistently provides . Sadly for them, the pull of the south remains too strong.

We are left with the two clubs who are relegated, unlikely ever to return, Wasps and DMP Sharks.

That is the price for failure in the bright new world of professional women’s rugby. There is no fall-back position for clubs that don’t maintain standards. Will that be the case at the end of the RFU’s 10-year strategy in 2033? We can only hope not.

That makes three Gallagher Premiership sides to drop out in one season.

The news from Exeter Chiefs and Leicester Tigers is scarcely more encouraging. Both have received financial backing from their owners to help stave off insolvency.

We should bear in mind that the CEO of the Gallagher Premiership is Simon Massie-Taylor, who was invited to join the panel that discussed and published its 10-year strategy for the Allianz Premier 15s League. It was he who looked forward to more of the GP clubs joining the women’s league. He had his way with Leicester Tigers, but his management of his own championship looks less than sure-footed.

The recent crises have annoyed clubs in the Championship even more. One of them, Ealing Trailfinders, who have twice had their application to join the GP turned down, are the other club to find favour for next year’s AP 15s.

It remains to be seen what effect these financial straits may have on the women’s teams. Will the head coaches be able to sign on all the players they want and need?

Wasps v Bristol Bears

The largest crowd of the season saw the Swarm win the first and second quarters, then the last minute to record their second bonus point of the season.

It was an heroic display in the last ever elite match to be staged at Twyford Avenue, and Dave Ward was forced to send on his power players – a front-row of Simi Pam, Lark Davies and Sarah Bern anyone? Bern treated us to another gallop and back-door off-load to show her class.

Makeda Lewis had the thrill of scoring Wasps’ fourth and last try in front of a roaring crowd.

But there the curtain came down.

The other Games

How much pleasure can Chiefs derive from swamping the league leaders away from home? Glos-Pury knew they were safe with a home semi-final, and that sort of certainty can do funny things to a team’s onfield display. They now face Bristol (details below), while Chiefs have to overcome Sarries, who are all too used to the big time.

We had our very first draw of the season in a palpitating finish. At Sixways Quins looked to be riding comfortably with a half-time 21-7 lead, but Warriors fought back admirably, Abi Kershaw bringing the home team level with seven minutes to play. And there the scoreboard remained stuck.

This is an unsatisfactory season’s end for Quins, who have come to depend heavily on imported talent. Quite the reverse for Warriors who have been through really challenging times to find themselves sailing high in sixth place.

Lightning completed their poorest season to date with a home defeat to erstwhile champions Sarries at Franklin’s Gardens. It’s a shock to see them down in eighth place after years of relative success.

Sharks met Sharks with the expected result. Sale finish seventh overall, but Katy Daley-McLean and Rachel Taylor will know the club needs to make further improvements to ensure a safe future at the top level.

Results:

DMP Sharks 5 Sale Sharks 34
Gloucester-Hartputy 19 Exeter Chiefs 58
Loughborough Lightning 21 Saracens 33
Worcester Warriors 33 Harlequins 33
Wasps 22 Bristol Bears 41

Table                       P​        W​      L​      D     Pts

Gloucester-H       18       16     ​ 2     0       79
Exeter​​​                   18       15      3      0       78
Saracens​​               18       15     3       0       74
Bristol​​​                   18        12    6       0       62
Harlequins  ​​         18        10     7       1       55  ​
UWW      ​​               17         6     10      1      38
Sale                   ​​      18        7      11      0      35
Lightning         ​​​      17        5      12      0      30
DMPS ​​                    18        ​2     16       0      10
Wasps                     18        0     18       0       2

Note: UWW were awarded 5 points for the match against Lightning that had to be called off owing to the lack of an ambulance (Official result 0-0).

Semi-Finals: 10 June

Gloucester-Hartpury v Bristol Bears, KO 15.00)

Exeter Chiefs v Saracens (Sandy Park, KO tbc)

*Here are a few northern Red Roses who moved south (some not permanently): Abbie Ward (née Scott) Claudia Macdonald, Detysha Harper, Ellie Kildunne, Heather Kerr, Holly Aitchinson, Jo Brown, Katy Daley-Mcleas, Sarah Beckett, Tamara Taylor and Zoe Aldcroft.

Afterthoughts

For the second time in three years the season finishes with two clubs being banished from the presence, in all probability for ever.

At last the RFU’s AP 15s website managed to add a first message of regret: Saturday (…) sees DMP Sharks and Wasps make their final appearances in the Allianz Premier 15s. Both sides have contributed so much to the league in recent years and created countless unforgettable memories, for players and fans alike, and the entire Premier 15s family wishes them well for the next chapter of their respective journeys.”

But we can have little idea what those respective journeys will be. The gap between the elite league and the rest yawns ever wider.

Three years ago Giselle Mather predicted an increasing strength in the two Championship leagues. Elite clubs were having their size reduced and the players of Richmond and Waterloo would add further depth. That opinion now looks misplaced.

The two current cases are strikingly different. The London club has suffered from the misplaced ambition of a former owner. The move of the men’s club to Coventry proved a disaster; the women paid the consequences.

DMP have suffered from the socio-economic truth that the south (especially London) exerts an unwelcome draw on rugby talent*. Even Sale Sharks, the one northern club left in the league relies largely on  imported talent to survive.

Who will be the next to go under?