Green: Winning the title is incredibly special

Saracens stalwart Sonia Green will never forget winning a hat-trick of Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby titles, writes Mohamed Hamza.

The 40-year-old is synonymous with Saracens and was ever-present throughout the club’s most iconic moments; from consecutive final wins against local rivals Harlequins in 2018 and 2019 to dominating Exeter Chiefs in the 2021 final to make it three titles in six years.  

Green racked up more than 300 appearances for Saracens, as well as captaining England 7s, over a 22-year career.

In her final season at the club, she helped Saracens to Allianz Cup glory, but it is a narrow victory over Harlequins in the first season of Premiership Women’s Rugby that stands out when Green reflects on everything she has achieved.

She said: “Playing against Quins in that first year of the PWR was special because it really went down to the wire.

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“I can remember the last play of the game because their number 9 at the time who now plays for us made a mistake and that sealed it.  

“It was a really tight game and the tighter games are always better.

“But the game where we played against Exeter at Sixways in 2022 was also a big year because the crowd was bigger and playing in front of that, you get that extra energy.

“It’s like having an extra player on the pitch when you’ve got a huge crowd. I really do think the crowds make it and that particular season, I had played my 300th game.

“It had been a special season for me anyway but to play that game and then go on to win the final was pretty cool and to beat Exeter in front of a big crowd was great.  

“It’s special having that rivalry with Exeter, there’s always been a huge rivalry there on the men’s side and it has created one between the clubs.”

Green called time on her two decade long playing career at the end of this season, but is still an integral part of the Saracens family, serving as the vice principal of the Saracens High School.

She was part of the side that beat Bristol Bears in the Allianz Cup final, with the squad paying tribute to her contributions, albeit in a rather unconventional manner.

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🐻 Reneeqa Bonner, @BristolBearsW
🎪 Pip Hendy, @gloshartpury
💫 Coreen Grant, @SaracensWomen
🎪 Sisilia Tuipulotu, @gloshartpury

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— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) June 11, 2024

She said: “The girls have been brilliant. I’ve been really well looked after. We had a big celebration after the cup final, everyone dressed up as me. It was a bit scary, probably the scariest thing I’ve ever seen, 50 people dressed up as me with brightly coloured wigs! They made my last game in the cup really special.”

As well as Saracens and England, Green has also played with the Barbarians squad, getting an opportunity to play against some of her biggest club rivals over the years.

And while Saracens have battled hard against fellow Londoners Harlequins, and more recently Exeter Chiefs, Green enjoyed the opportunity to line up alongside some her long-time opponents.

She added: “I’ll miss those opponents. I feel very fortunate and honoured to have played alongside some incredible players, and likewise without the amazing players on the other sides, we wouldn’t have those incredible games. It was great to play alongside some of them for the Baabaas, they are worthy rivals and it’s important to respect them.”

Tickets from £10 are now on sale for the Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby Final 2024 at Sandy Park on 22 June, kick off 3pm. All details from https://www.thepwr.com/.