Harrison relishing top-of-the-table clash

Zoe Harrison hopes Saracens can build on their thrilling fightback against Gloucester Rugby when they take on fellow high-flyers Exeter Chiefs this weekend.

The 26-year-old’s first match back since her WXV triumph with England in Canada ended with her picking up the Player of the Match award after converting all of her side’s tries and orchestrating their fightback from 12 points down at half time to win 49-38.

They are now preparing for a tantalising clash against the only other unbeaten side in the competition at Sandy Park on Saturday (1pm) and Harrison is relishing the challenge.

She said: “We put a stamp on Bristol, now we have put a stamp on Gloucester and now we want to go and put a stamp on Exeter and carry that on throughout the year.

“It is a short season and a lot is going to be thrown at us quickly.

“We are going to get tired bodies but it is now going to be about how we can keep up the level.”

Leading the charge 🫡@Clinique_UK GameFace Player of the Match for Round 4 is @SaracensWomen's Zoe Harrison 👏#PWR | #PoweredDifferently pic.twitter.com/527HRhUhDd

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) October 27, 2024

Saracens are in search of their first PWR title since 2022 and their opening four matches have marked statements of intent.

The victory over the reigning champions was perhaps the biggest of those as the hosts’ strength in depth came to the fore, with Marlie Packer among those to come off the bench.

“As great as Marlie was, I would say it was the whole bench,” Harrison said.

“The front row, Beth [Blacklock] who came on at the centre, Lotte Sharp [nee Clapp] who came on at the wing and Ella [Wyrwas] at nine shifted the game.

“That is what we have worked on, having strength through our whole team.

“Even the girls who did not play today, there is massive strength in them.”

Saracens were trailing with 12 minutes to go until tries from Jemma-Jo Linkins and co-captain May Campbell swung the momentum to secure both the win and a bonus point.

The match was also scrum-half Leanne Infante’s 100th and final match for Saracens as the 31-year-old announced her retirement to focus on her career in finance.

Infante earned 57 caps for England during her career and has won the Premiership with each of the five sides that she has played for.

Harrison and Infante have been an integral duo in the Saracens side since Infante returned to North London in 2022 and Harrison knows her presence will be missed on and off the pitch.

“As a 10, she has always been great to have around because you know there is that control from her side as well but it is really sad to see her go,” she said.

“If you know Leanne, you know she is a little terror – if she reads this, she knows what I am talking about!”