Breach, Cleall and Packer enjoy reversal of emotions with Saracens PWR semi-final win

Jess Breach cried tears of relief as it was confirmed her return from injury will culminate in a Premiership Women’s Rugby Final. 

The fullback scored her first try of the season in Saracens’ 32-24 win over Harlequins to return to the final for the first time since 2022. 

The tears shed by Sarries were a far cry from the emotions felt after they let a lead slip against Bristol Bears in the semi-final last season. 

“Last year was really horrible to lose in a semi-final and I think to come out here today on our home turf and win, we really fought for that win,” Breach said. 

“I am just really proud of the girls. It has been a long season for me to get back onto the pitch and I feel like I really performed back to the best of my abilities today and I am really pleased that it was in a semi-final and to help the team to get to the final.

💫 @SaracensWomen are in!

Grab your chance to see Saracens in the Final! 😍

🎟️ Tickets on sale now: https://t.co/f0tep6TcLa#PWR #PoweredDifferently pic.twitter.com/uFsk4UtTEH

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) March 1, 2025

“This means everything. Credit to Quins, they played really well, they put everything at us in the second half and they really fought hard and they are an amazing team. 

“Well done to Ross and all the staff for putting out their best performance in today.  

“I’m just super proud of all the girls and the staff and we get two more weeks of training here at StoneX, what more could you want?” 

Breach’s sentiments were echoed by the Clinique Game Face Player of the Match Poppy Cleall. 

The Saracens No.8 impressed in a physical encounter with their local rivals Quins at the StoneX as she booked her place in a fifth final. 

Sarries are chasing a record-extending fourth title but Cleall is searching for even more history. 

She said: “We knew quite early on that the final was going to be in the StoneX and we so desperately wanted to be in that.

🏆 @SaracensWomen secure a home final with a pulsating London derby win over Harlequins 👏#SARvHAR | #PWR pic.twitter.com/J89PFXfF8Y

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) March 1, 2025

“We are hoping that history can repeat itself and the home team can win in two weeks.  

“We lost the last two semi-finals on the bounce and I thought ‘Am I going to get back to a final in my career?’ and this is a special group to do it with.  

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to get into the finals. I’ve lost finals we shouldn’t have lost and I’ve won finals we shouldn’t have won.  

“To lose in that semi last year hurt more than losing a final and I’m so glad we’ve made it back there and we can sit back, put our feet up and watch the next one and just really rip into the next two weeks.” 

Sunday’s rematch of last year’s final sees defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury go up against Bristol Bears. 

Gloucester are searching to do something even Saracens have never done and win three in a row while Bears are on the hunt for their first title.

"A big final here at Stone X, can't be much better can it?"

Marlie Packer looks ahead to @ThePWR the final and tomorrow's @SaracensWomen team social 🍾 pic.twitter.com/rnG8ZPtpbM

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) March 1, 2025

Either team will face a rejuvenated opponent in Saracens, with co-captain Marlie Packer already dissecting where her side can do better with the full-time whistle still ringing. 

“Our discipline let us down that last 15 minutes to be honest,” she said. “We obviously picked up the yellow card but we knew that Harlequins were going to come out fighting not just the first 20 minutes but the full 80 and they definitely did that.  

“It was about the way we played, being direct and being physical. 

“There was a time where in the last 10-15 minutes before the end where we need to get our foot back on the throat and be disciplined.  

“We need to keep ball and we need to play and with that we don’t need to give cheap penalties away.  

“We lost one player to the bin but that is a massive learning curve that if you are coming off the bench, we need energy we need you to bring something, but it needs to be positive.  

“We didn’t win that game ugly, we won it well, I don’t think at any time we were stressed, it is about making smart decisions.  

“Especially in that green zone, it is about playing as a team and not as individuals.”