The RFU has taken a giant leap forward in announcing the eight clubs to be accepted for this, the third cycle of the Premier 15s.

They are Bristol Bears, Ealing Trailfinders, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester-Hartpury, Harlequins, Leicester Tigers, Loughborough Lightning/Northampton Saints and Saracens

Of the current ten clubs in the league DMP Sharks, Sale Sharks, University of Worcester Warriors and Wasps are missing. Only two of them have the chance of being added to the final list.

The new entries are Ealing Trailfinders and Leicester Tigers, with Loughborough Lightning now linked formally with Northampton Saints.

The New Faces

Trailfinders, lying close to Wasps in west London, strengthened their claim enormously when Giselle Mather left Wasps to become their new DoR.

Tigers have taken over Lichfield, once a top women’s club back in Premiership days, but their name is not mentioned. They lost all their top players (Scarratt, Hunter, Hunt…) when their bid to join the inaugural Premier 15s in 2017 was turned down.

The curiosity in this tie-up is that the two clubs lie so far apart. We have to assume that Tigers’ huge prestige means Lichfield’s identity will disappear below sea-level.

Could the same go for the Lightning-Saints connection? Geographically, the obvious link for Lightning would have been Tigers, just a few miles down the road. But rugby doesn’t operate according to the rules of simplicity. Could you get through life with a name as long as Loughborough Lightning-Northampton Saints (38 letters)?

But the 64k dollar question is: how strong will the two newcomers prove to be? They can have the best coaches imaginable (they do!), but where do the players come from to match the standards of sides with six years experience? Will they have the financial resources to entice the odd Red Rose in with a tasty contract? Trailfinders have managed it with their men’s team operating in the Championship, but this is a different kettle of fish entirely.

If they look abroad as Exeter did, they risk running up against the RFU’s long-term wish to give English-qualified players preference. It’s noticeable that recent Chiefs’ sides have contained fewer overseas players than before.

No Room at the Inn (yet?)

It comes as no surprise to see which names are missing. The fates of Wasps and Worcester have covered the sports pages for weeks. And now the RFU has passed judgement on the men’s clubs, ending their hopes of a second coming. The effect on Wasps women has been far worse than on Warriors.

Sale Sharks are a quite different case. They were one of the two to be brought into the Premier 15s Mach 2, at the expense of Richmond and Firwood Waterloo. They have the advantage of being attached to a Gallagher Premiership club and started this sixth season with much better results than before. But they have acquired precious few leading English players, having to seek elsewhere for new signings.

It’s to their advantage that, if DMP did get the chop, they could be retained as a beacon of hope for the whole of the north of England.

If they failed in their bid, that would surely leave egg on the face of the RFU. Why introduce a new club, only to oust it two years later?

Other clubs had dreams of reaching the starry heights, notably Bath and London Irish. Each was handicapped by geography: Bath only a handful of miles from Bristol; Irish yet another London hopeful.

An elite group out on its own, or the last step in a ladder?

Their futures go hand in hand with all the well established clubs in the Championship, one grade below the elite. The gap between what we can crudely call Division One and Division Two was already vast. It can only grow inexorably wider.

In the men’s game there are hopes that a fair system of promotion and relegation may yet be introduced. In the women’s game it is hard to imagine a similar arrangement succeeding.

We read that the selection panel, (for which read the recently formed company WP15Ltd) ’made a strong recommendation [to the RFU] to explore how greater geographical spread can be provided in the league’.

A remarkable admission of failure: the RFU has had five long years to ponder the issue, but no-one has yet spotted a way of assuring it. Of the eight clubs confirmed, Loughborough is the northernmost, but no-one can pretend that Loughborough is in the north.

The only club anywhere near Scotland, DMP, have been backmarkers almost from the start. All the trends have been for players to move south to find high quality rugby alongside a paying job. Economics talk, not least in this corner of the sporting world. Perhaps a large prize should be offered for someone who can come up with a plausible solution.

One such, to involve Newcastle in some shape or form, was mooted years ago but not followed up.

Ealing’s introduction brings a third London club into play. Wasps have announced their intention to join their menfolk in Coventry. Let’s hope they can win and retain the favour of the local community far better than the men’s club has done.

Once more the danger is that vast tracts of the nation will be left fallow.*

Where do we go from here?

The newly established company in charge is left with insoluble problems. They have to decide how to even out the inequalities of funding, to my mind a shortcoming in the initial regulations of 2017. How can they ensure that clubs offer more or less equal contracts to their players? If they can’t, then the drift towards the three of four most affluent will continue unabated, to the detriment of the league itself.

The only time players tend to leave a successful club is when they are denied regular rugby by the presence of so many test players on the books.

*For those interested they include: the entire south coast and hinterland from Kent to Dorset; the West Midlands; East Anglia, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria and Northumbria.

At long last the RFU has given us an inkling of its strategies for the next cycle of the Premier 15s, due to start with the 2023-24 season. Sara Orchard broke the news in a BBC report on 31 May (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61642997 ).

It lays emphasis on the need to promote the interests of English players.

That is an issue I have been harping on for a long while. In March I wrote: ‘Perhaps the Prem 15s executive committee should consider limiting transfers, as per football.’ Is it the duty of English rugby to help overseas players raise their game? In the season just closing they have come largely from Celtic lands, North America, Spain and Japan to enjoy better coaching and competition.

That is fine for the players and fine for their national unions that don’t have to worry about providing a matching level of support, but it leaves those countries with an elite league much weakened by their absence. All those potential heroes operate far from their local heaths where youngsters can be inspired to follow their example.

Orchard reports Susie Appleby, head coach of Exeter Chiefs, as saying: ‘Yes, we have some overseas players, but Sarries have loads of England players, so what’s the difference? They also have Welsh, we have Welsh, every top club in this league is made up of different international players.’

This statement completely misses the point. It defies logic. ‘Sarries have loads of English players’ – so do all the ten clubs. Or perhaps she means: ‘Sarries have loads of Red Roses’. Yes, and that is a reason why they have been top dog for most of the Prem 15s’ existence.

The difference is that her side consists almost exclusively of non-England qualified players. Only three have found a regular place in a Chiefs’ starting Fifteen, Poppy Leitch, Flo Robinson and Merryn Doidge. Over the next season or two we will discover whether constantly shifting Robinson around from centre to scrum-half to fly-half has helped her progress towards a first England cap. Neither of the other two has been capped while at Sandy Park.

Let’s compare Chiefs with other clubs relying on a big influx from outside. In Round 17 of the AP 15s Bristol Bears had ten England-qualified players in their starting line-up; Worcester Warriors had nine but Glos-Pury had only five. That is too few. With the extra funding Gloucester have announced for the women’s section, that position may change.

Clubs gain a £7,500 bonus if on average they have sixteen England-qualified players in their starting line-up. Exeter can laugh at that paltry sum, given the generosity of Chiefs’ owner, Tony Rowe.

We have only to look at another well known professional league – in a different sport – to see how England-qualified players can be sidelined by the introduction of the best players the rest of the world can offer.

Appleby reveals that Rowe required his new women’s team to be competitive. That meant signing up players from abroad. Appleby did indeed invite English players to join the new enterprise, but none was willing to move. That will have been reassuring for the clubs that were not forsaken.

She may possibly try again during the close season.

‘Every club is made up of internationals,’ she says. Tell that to DMPDS. As George Orwell once said: ‘Some are more equal than others.’

Every player who joins the AP 15s from outside England weakens the home structure. Voices in Scotland and Wales are still calling for their clubs to be allowed to join the English programme. That is flattering for the English, but is an admission of failure on the part of their Celtic equivalents.

How are their leagues going to grow if the best players are syphoned off to play abroad? What are the prospects for the national team if that is their union’s attitude?

How would the identity of one or more Welsh/Scottish clubs be determined? Given current standards, they would need to be an amalgam of the best players available. One of the strengths of the Prem 15s is its club structure. Introducing sides differently organised (an ‘amalgamated Scottish XV’, a ‘West Wales XV’) would be harmful.

It represents just one more desperate problem for the RFU to solve. It has to decide the make-up of the clubs in the next three-year cycle. Still ten clubs? I won’t repeat my argument that ten is the ideal number, filling the season with sufficient gaps for international calls and much needed rest.

Last time round the axe fell on Firwood Waterloo and Richmond, a bitter blow for both distinguished clubs. So the RFU is not averse to taking extreme measures. This time DMP Durham Sharks are the likeliest fall guys. At the start of this year the RFU stepped in to help the club out, though they kept their methods unpublished. All we know is that their rescue programme had no effect on results. DMPDS’s single win last season was reduced by one this year.

If they are ejected, that is a blow for one of the Prem 15s’ declared objectives: to offer as wide a geographical spread as possible.

Of the likely (English!) replacements Bath and London Irish have stated their interest in applying. Bath would add a fifth west country club to the mix, just a dozen miles from rivals Bristol. LI would restore four clubs to the London area, and many non-Londoners were pleased to see the number reduced to three with Richmond’s demise.

Exeter Chiefs’ progress has made it plain that no new club can hope to succeed in the Prem 15s without a huge influx of top players. Where they are to come from is anyone’s guess. The only major rugby-playing nations not yet contributing in large numbers are Australia, France, Italy and New Zealand, and it’s hard to imagine many of them switching allegiances in 2023.

Instead, the RFU is highly likely to tighten regulations concerning minimum number of England-qualified players for each club. That would affect not only Chiefs, but also Bristol Bears, Gloucester-Hartpury and Worcester Warriors – all heavily dependent on Welsh talent – and Loughborough Lightning, who have recently taken on any number of Scottish players. The other new club in the current cycle, Sale Sharks, also signed up many Celtic players to fill its ranks.

What, more problems?

That leaves the RFU with a few more ticklish problems such as:

What is the ideal number of players per club? It was reduced from 60 to 40.

How much more professionalism to introduce? Very little?

Any adjustments to the Allianz Cup, established this year? Chiefs walked off with it by deploying the strongest squad possible. Was that in line with the original concept? Most of the rounds passed under the radar, which is a pity.

Any adjustments to the role of dual-qualified players? It’s difficult to discover any details about this category, as hardly any clubs display up-to-date lists of their players.

How to apportion live stream broadcasts? A few clubs put on their own productions, which is excellent. (though with them we tended to learn about only the home team in any depth) But of the rest, was the RFU intent on showing the highest quality games wherever possible?

Why now?

Why has the RFU revealed these preliminary thoughts now?

Because it is four days before the biggest day in the Prem 15s season. The RFU knows the unfortunate impression it will make when (in all probability) twelve of Exeter’s starting 15 will prove to be foreign imports. Their priorities were made clear when Rob Cain was forced to add five names to his USA squad flying to New Zealand this week to take part in the Pacific-Four series. No question of national pride coming before club commitments

All five matches from the opening round will be broadcast followed by two fixtures per round for the remainder of the 2021/22 season.

Quality highlights packages from the three non-streamed games will also be produced.

Following a successful pilot, we are also pleased to confirm ‘All In’, the first magazine show about the women’s top-flight will return with three shows across the campaign.

The season gets underway on Saturday 4 September and broadcast picks for the first five rounds have been confirmed.

Coverage starts at midday as new Bristol Bears head coach Dave Ward takes charge of his first competitive fixture against Exeter Chiefs at Shaftesbury Park.

Sale host Worcester Warriors at Heywood Road while there’s a London derby at Twyford Avenue in a contest where new Wasps prop Bryony Cleall could face former side Saracens, the club she arrived from this summer.

Elsewhere, DMP Durham Sharks travel to Gloucester-Hartpury in the late kick off and on Sunday, champions Harlequins host Loughborough Lightning in a battle of two of last season’s semi-finalists.

Rounds two-five sees streams hosted at six of the 10 clubs, details of which are below.

Regular commentators Nathan Middleton, Nick Heath and Johnnie Hammond will be joined by the likes of Kat Merchant, Danielle Waterman and Topsy Ojo who will form part of regular match day presentation teams throughout the campaign. Reporters Claire Thomas and Ashleigh Wilmot will continue their pitch side roles.

Schedule for rounds 1-5

Round one
4 September – Bristol Bears v Exeter Chiefs (KO 12 noon, Shaftesbury Park)
4 September – Sale Sharks v Worcester Warriors (KO 1.30pm, Heywood Road)
4 September – Wasps v Saracens (KO 3pm, Twyford Avenue)
4 September – Gloucester-Hartpury v DMP Durham Sharks (KO 4.30pm, Alpas Arena)
5 September – Harlequins v Loughborough Lightning (KO 3pm, Twickenham Stoop)

Round two
11 September – Gloucester-Hartpury v Bristol Bears (KO 2pm, Alpas Arena)
12 September – Loughborough Lightning v Wasps (KO 2pm, Epinal Way)

Round three
18 September – Saracens v Loughborough Lightning (KO 1pm, StoneX Stadium)
18 September – Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs (KO 3pm, Twickenham Stoop)

Round four
2 October – Exeter Chiefs v Wasps (KO 2pm, Sandy Park)
2 October – Gloucester Hartpury v Harlequins (KO 4pm, Alpas Arena)

Round five
9 October – Wasps v Gloucester-Hartpury (KO 3pm, Twyford Avenue)
10 October – Saracens v Exeter Chiefs (KO 2pm, StoneX Stadium)

Courtesy of The RFU

Susie Appleby, DoR of Exeter Chiefs, will be delighted and relieved to welcome back a host of her international stars from abroad. Signatures to date include the Eagles quartet, Jennine Duncan, Gabby Cantorna, Kate Zackary and Rachel Johnson; the Maple Leafs, Emily Tuttosi and McKinley Hunt, the Leonas Patricia Garcia (she has taken on extra coaching duties) and Laura Delgado, the impressive Japanese prop Sachiko Kato, and the Dutch club captain Linde van der Velden.

Their presence will be a huge boost for the Chiefs’ chances. When you consider the privations of the pandemic and their nations’ concerns about World Cup preparation, these signings can’t have been a foregone conclusion. Next season Chiefs won’t expect to wait till Round 4 for a first victory.

Worcester have made an interesting addition to their strength, Minori Yamamoto, who becomes the third Japanese player to join a Prem 15s club after Ayaka Suzuki of Wasps and Sachiko Kato of Exeter Chiefs. At the age of 20 she appeared at fly-half in every one of Japan’s matches in the 2017 World Cup.

Bristol have quickly made good the loss of a quality hooker, Clara Nielson, by taking on Robyn Lock (six Welsh caps) from Gloucester-Hartpury.

With Jade Konkel making a welcome return to Quins, Sarah Beckett must wonder when she will next get a chance to put in a claim for England’s No 8 shirt. The queue is long and distinguished, but it looks as though she’ll have to make do with a blind-side slot for Quins next September.

Club Moves

In an interesting development Chiefs announce a pre-season friendly against Wasps on 21 August at Sandy Park, where a brave new east stand is going up. There have been odd match-ups before in pre-season, but with Worcester about to announce similar fixtures, this is a trend that could gain a lot of traction. In a delectable future you could imagine repeats of Wasps trip to the south of France a couple of years ago where they played Montpellier as well as getting a suntan.

(Lead photo shows Patricia Garcia and Laura Delgado)

The Gallagher Prem is to be extended to 13 then 14 clubs; in each of the coming two seasons one club will be allowed up from the Championship. Thereafter promotion-relegation will kick in, restricted to one-up, one-down. In this way Jeff Blackett, the RFU President, hopes to satisfy all parties. One group has been especially vocal, those against the removal of pro-rel, as desired by several elite clubs.

One crucial effect of the Prem’s decision is to lengthen the season. How that is to be achieved is hard to discern; there is mounting concern over player-welfare. International players are most at risk; their season is carefully monitored. When it comes to vital games, clubs must not be tempted to invite a leading player to overlook a minor niggle to ensure the desired result.

And the Women’s League

The men’s and women’s leagues differ markedly. Most obvious is the overwhelming presence of amateurs in the AP 15s. The money expended on the two operations is as wide as could be.

If the AP 15s is to be extended, problems loom.

First, if every club that wanted to join was allowed in – that is a string of Premiership clubs like Bath, Leicester, London Irish, Newcastle and Northampton, plus the ambitious Ealing Trailfinders – the season could last a calendar year.

If the league was extended by one or two only – the most likely move – the season would still be worryingly long. And what would happen to the unsuccessful clubs? Would the RFU operate a third three-year-block of no change 2023-6?

Third, meaningful promotion-relegation could only become a reality if and when the Championship (Division Two, if you like) consisted largely of clubs similarly funded to the elite ten. And even there, the money at club treasurers’ disposal varies vastly.

Ambitious clubs hoping to catch the RFU’s eye for admission would be much less happy with the one-up, one-down arrangement of the Gallagher Prem; it could so easily mean an extended stay at the lower level. But what they all desire would mean a top division of around sixteen clubs, hardly a workable proposition – unless it rejected the home-and-away arrangement.

The Task ahead

Then again, clubs only now setting up a women’s section should have no illusions about how hard it will be to reach the necessary standards. Even a club like Bath with a ready-made neighbouring club on hand, Bath Ladies, would need to seek other player-resources to have a chance of success. The AP 15s is not a glorified academy, where promising players can find their feet. The proof comes with the two great academies that are already prominent members, Loughborough Lightning and Gloucester-Hartpury. Both have produced untold numbers of internationals, but both have needed to sign up top players from elsewhere. And neither has yet proved strong enough to reach a play-off final.

One ready source of the right material lies overseas. That was Exeter Chiefs’ policy. It’s open to question how many more overseas players of the required standard would want to follow that example. Could the day ever dawn when a limit is applied to the number of non-English qualified players attached to a club?

If yet more Celtic players were invited into the AP 15s, that would ignore the vital need of the IRFU, SRU and WRU to establish well funded competitions in their own lands. We still await news of the findings of the committee looking into the future of women’s rugby in Wales.

I ignore the added possibility of Celtic clubs joining the AP 15s.

No decision on a global calendar will be taken before 2024, so difficult is it to reach a pattern that satisfies all parties. In England women’s clubs might be perfectly happy with a season stretching from September to April or May, with the Six Nations placed at the end, dovetailing in with the AP 15s play-off finals. But those nine months are not long enough to allow all those would-be applicants to take their seat at the table.

It will be fascinating to see how they go about acquiring the player strength needed to survive at the top. They may well be able to show the necessary Minimum Operating Standards, the other great requirement for admission. It is on the field of play where they face the greatest challenge.

The RFU has made the decision to postpone the fixtures originally due to take place this weekend and next, after a Saracens player tested positive for COVID-19 [community acquired] and 10 other players are isolating as close contacts. There are also a number of Saracens players currently out injured or returning from injury.

This decision has been made after consultation between Saracens Women and the RFU using the detailed medical protocols in place to ensure that the health and wellbeing of all players and support staff is protected.

The Disputes Committee met and agreed that the two matches would be rescheduled on the next two reserve weekends in the calendar as follows, taking into consideration player availability for all clubs for each fixture:

· 2 January 2021 – Harlequins Women v Saracens Women, KO 3pm, The Stoop
· 30 January 2021 – Exeter Chiefs Women v Saracens Women, KO time to be confirmed

Saracens v Harlequins on 2 January 2021 will still be live streamed across England Rugby and Premier 15s channels.

RFU Head of Women’s performance, Nicky Ponsford said: “Given the positive test result along with other players isolating as well as out injured or returning from injury, the club do not feel confident they can field a side this weekend or next.

“Following discussions with all three clubs about rearranging the fixtures there were some concerns about player availability on each of the available weekends so the committee agreed the best approach was to schedule the Harlequins v Saracens match on 2 January and Exeter Chiefs v Saracens on 30 January.

“All Covid-19 protocols were followed by Saracens and the club alerted us to this at the earliest opportunity. We have been in dialogue with them throughout as well as with Exeter and Harlequins. We thank all the clubs for their co-operation and support in this matter.”

A hard fought battle in the first half had the teams leaving the field with 14 points a piece and all to play for. But it was in the second that Wasps took the lead first with a penalty then a final try to end the game 14 points to 24.

It was a strong start from Exeter’s defence putting pressure on Wasps from the kick off. It wasn’t until 8 minutes into the game that Wasps took the lead when MacDonald stole the overthrow from Exeter’s line out and ran it over the line. Jones’ bonus points put Wasps ahead by 7 points.

It didn’t take long for Exeter to equalise – after Wasps were penalised and left defending Exeter 5m out – it was their scrum half, Garcia who snuck under Wasps defence and over the line. The teams continued to disrupt each other’s game plans, but it was Exeter who pulled through and again left Wasps defending their line from 5m out and second row, Hunt, found her way through Wasps’ defence to put Exeter out in front.

With minutes left in the half it was Muir who equalised with a wrecking ball try under the posts – Jones’ boot setting the half-time score to 14 point apiece.

Wasps came out strong from the half- earning a penalty from the kick off and opting to kick for the posts – three points from Jones giving them the edge.

Despite the biased score line – the second half was by no means made easy for Wasps. Five minutes into the second half Wasps found themselves defending their try line a man down after a yellow card – but they kept themselves out of trouble not conceding any points.

It was Kildunne who cemented Wasps’ lead with a cheeky chip and chase that saw her running over the line in a one man spectacular – extras again from Jones.

Wasps held out for the final 10 minutes of play and maintained their lead, the game ending with just 10 points between the teams at 14-24.

A special mention from this weekend’s game, as Mitchelson came on to earn her 200th Cap for Wasps FC Ladies – an incredible and hugely honourable achievement and we cannot wait to see more of her this season!

Buoyed by back-to-back wins over Worcester Warriors (19-7) and DMP Sharks (31-6), the latter secured with tries from Garnet Mackinder (2,) Laura Delgado, Kate Zackary and Patricia Garcia, Appleby still felt the need to be slightly critical of her side’s showing, even though they collected all five points on the day.

The response from her squad since that win at the Northern Echo Arena has been impressive in training – and now she is hoping that continues as they prepare to welcome Wasps to Sandy Park tomorrow (1pm).

‘’We knew what we had to get better and hopefully we have,” said Appleby. “We’ve worked on that (improved performance) for the last two weeks and it’ll show on the field, but the proof is in the pudding as they say.’’

Tomorrow’s fixture is the first of four consecutive games for Appleby’s side that will see them face last seasons semi-finalists Wasps and Loughborough Lightning, alongside reigning champions Saracens and fellow new team Sale Sharks. Last round, Wasps suffered a 33-27 defeat to Saracens, however they will be buoyed by their second-half performance that saw them score 24 unanswered points to almost snatch victory.

Appleby sees the next month as an opportunity for her side to understand where they are within the league and the calibre of side they will have to regularly compete with if they are to achieve success in the league.

‘’I’m excited about these next four games to see where we can progress to,” continued Appleby. “We’ve got some really good challenges coming, top four sides and all respect to who we’ve played, that’s where we want to be aiming.

‘’We’re sitting at 11 points, which is quite pleasing. The challenge for us now is how many points we can amass each game, each time we turn out, whatever those points look like and I’ve handed that over to the girls to take ownership of, to get more of that understanding of how the league works and how you achieve ‘success’ in the premiership.’’

Appleby also confirmed a first call-up into the first team squad for young hooker for Daisy French.

‘’Daisy’s hopefully going to come off the bench on Saturday at hooker for the first time, which is a really exciting progression for her.’’

Appleby largely keeps faith with the same side that has produced the goods over the previous matches, with just one change to the starting XV from the game against DMP Sharks. Ebony Jefferies replaces Alex Powell, so Poppy Leitch moves back into the second-row as a result.

On the bench, there are welcome returns to match fitness for American international winger Jennine Duncan and Japanese prop forward Sachiko Kato, neither of whom have featured for the Chiefs since the opening two rounds of the season.

That consistency in selection has been key for Appleby’s side thus far this season, although she is well aware of the size of the challenge facing her side against a star-studded Wasps side.

‘’Their recruitment has been astonishing,’’ states Appleby. ‘’They’ve got the Sevens players and add that to their already current England internationals. They’ve got Claire Malloy, one of the best 7s in the world. I’ve probably missed players out but we will pay them the utmost respect because they are a quality side.

‘‘You treat Wasps as they are, a really solid team, amazing culture but they can deliver really good performances week in week out.’’

Appleby though, retains total confidence in the qualities of her side, especially after the presence of several of the men’s coaches at training.

‘‘It’s been a really good two weeks, really solid. Some of the men’s coaches have been up which has added an extra impetus and an extra bit of ‘je ne sais quoi’ to our training which has been awesome.’

‘’If we stick to what we’ve been working on, I think we can do well and that’s the challenge for us; how do we perform against a team that is full of internationals? I guess Saturday will show us.’’

15. Merryn Doidge
14. Lottie Holland
13. Lauren Cattell
12. Gabby Cantorna
11. Garnet Mackinder
10. Taylor Black
9. Patricia Garcia
1. Michaella Roberts
2. Emily Tuttosi
3. Laura Delgado
4. Poppy Leitch
5. McKinley Hunt
6. Ebony Jefferies
7. Kate Zackary
8. Linde Van der Velden (capt)

16. Daisy French
17. Sachiko Kato
18. Kayleigh Armstrong
19. Alex Powell
20. Abbie Fleming
21. Ffion Lewis
22. Flo Robinson
23. Jennine Duncan

After a break in the Allianz Premier 15s season, Harlequins Women head coach Gerard Mullen has named his side to travel to Gloucester-Hartpury this weekend as Quins look to maintain their lead at the top of the table.

Following back-to-back victories against France, Red Roses stars Shaunagh Brown, Amy Cokayne, Sarah Beckett, Leanne Riley, Lagi Tuima and Jess Breach return to the starting XV, with prop Vickii Cornborough named amongst the Game Changers.

USA international Kristine Sommer makes her first start since returning to the Club, partnering Fi Fletcher in the second row, and Ireland star Anna Caplice makes her first matchday squad of the season as she takes her place amongst the Game Changers,

Ahead of the trip to Gloucester, Mullen said: “We have had a great start to the season, but we’re heading into a really testing period so it’s vital we take each game as it comes and this weekend is no different.

“Gloucester are a very well organised side, with a disciplined set piece and some exciting backs play, so I’m expecting a really good game, and we’ll need to build on our recent performances to make sure we come back with a result.”

HARLEQUINS WOMEN STARTING XV

1. Tove Viksten
2. Amy Cokayne
3. Shaunagh Brown
4. Kristine Sommer
5. Fi Fletcher
6. Sarah Beckett
7. Emily Robinson
8. Jade Konkel
9. Leanne Riley
10. Emily Scott
11. Jess Breach
12. Rachael Burford (Captain)
13. Lagi Tuima
14. Beth Wilcock
15. Chloe Rollie

Game Changers
16. Rosie Dobson
17. Vickii Cornborough
18. Chloe Edwards
19. Alex Eddie
20. Anna Caplice
21. Lucy Packer
22. Ellie Green
23. Izzy Mayhew

London rivals Saracens, dominated in the first half with five tries- Wasps fly half Williams securing their only points from a penalty. Wasps made a huge comeback in the second half, denying Saracens of any further points and taking seventeen of their own to end the game at 33-27.

It was a quick start for the opposition, scoring two tries in the first 5 minutes of play- the first from Evans and the second from Georgia Evans, both converted by Aitchison.

Williams put Wasps on the board after Saracen’s we’re penalised on their own 22m- the successful kick taking the score to 10-3. Saracens went on to score three further tries- Clark, Miell and Fleming all crossing the line to take the half time score to 33-3.

It was a different side that returned to the field – an aggressive start which led to their first try from Molloy who went hunting for the line just three minutes into the half.

Wasps kept the game in Saracen’s territory but it wasn’t until the 60th minute of the game that they capitalised and made their comeback scoring three tries in 10 minutes.

Two tries came from second row Burnfield- the first with quick thinking to clean up from a Saracens exit kick that didn’t go to plan and the second an up front ball to bowl over the line.

Their final try was a cheeky snipe in the 68th minute from replacement scrum half Graham on her first appearance this season.

It was a comeback and a half for Wasps, but a fight left too late to leave with a win- instead they take home two bonus points from a second half performance to be proud of.