PWR Round 16 Preview: Chiefs host Quins live on TNT Sports on Sunday lunchtime in a must-win for both sides

Harlequins travel to Exeter Chiefs live on TNT Sports in Round 16 of Premiership Women’s Rugby, as the race for the top four hots up.

That contest wraps up a full weekend of action, that begins with leaders Gloucester-Hartpury travelling to Leicester Tigers.

Bristol Bears take on Loughborough Lightning and Trailfinders Women welcome capital neighbours Saracens to west London.

Saturday 1 February

Leicester Tigers v Gloucester-Hartpury – Mattioli Woods Welford Road – 12pm

Gloucester-Hartpury will look to stay at the summit of Premiership Women’s Rugby when they face Leicester Tigers at Saturday lunchtime.

The Circus welcome Emma Sing back to the starting XV, while Rachel Lund also returns to the back three for her first start since Round 4.

There are first starts of the season for scrum-half Meg Davies and prop Lisa Cockburn.

Julia Omokhuale returns to the starting line-up for Tigers in the back row, while Nadine Vincent and Morgan Richardson are back amongst the replacements.

Omokhuale is joined by captain Roisin McBrien and Tahlia Brody in the back row, while Meg Jones pairs with Evie Wills in the centres.

🗣️ “It’s a massive honour to be the Head Coach of your home nation. However, my priority now is making sure I’m putting all my effort into Gloucester Hartpury.” 🎪

Sean Lynn speaks about his pride in being appointed as the Wales Head Coach but says his full focus is on preparing… pic.twitter.com/e5I2xDjeYV

— Gloucester-Hartpury (@gloshartpury) January 30, 2025

Team News

Leicester Tigers

15 Claire Gallagher, 14 Emily Henrich, 13 Meg Jones, 12 Evie Wills, 11 Francesca McGhie, 10 Natasha Jones, 9 Amy Relf; 1 Leah Bartlett, 2 Nikki Simpson, 3 Sophie Benavent, 4 Eva Donaldson, 5 Charlotte Fray, 6 Roisin McBrien, 7 Julia Omokhuale, 8 Tahlia Brody

Replacements: 16 Jordan Russell, 17 Abbey Constable, 18 Nadine Vincent, 19 Morgan Richardson, 20 Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, 21 Jenny Maxwell, 22 Katie Childs, 23 Tess Feury

Gloucester-Hartpury

15 Emma Sing, 14 Mia Venner, 13 Hannah Jones, 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Rachel Lund, 10 Lleucu George, 9 Meg Davies; 1 El Perry, 2 Neve Jones, 3 Lisa Cockburn, 4 Sarah Beckett, 5 Steph Else, 6 Carmen Castellucci, 7 Kate Williams, 8 Alex Matthews

Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Kathryn Buggy, 18 Ranni Samuda, 19 Zoe Aldcroft, 20 Beth Stafford, 21 Natasha 'Mo' Hunt, 22 Ellie Green, 23 Ellie Rugman 

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Simpson

Assistant Referees: Samuel Yates and Rebecca Rees

Oval Insights

Leicester Tigers

· Charlotte Fray and Julia Omokhuale have made the most dominant tackles so far this season: 16 and 12, respectively.

· Meg Jones is Leicester Tigers’ top try scorer (eight) so far this season. She has beaten 30 defenders and assisted 11 line breaks.

· So far this season, Leicester Tigers have contested 20% of their restarts (1st) and retained 16.4% (1st).

Gloucester-Hartpury

· Gloucester-Hartpury have had the best tackle success rate (82.2%) so far this season. 3.9% of their tackles have been dominant (1st) and they have missed just 19 tackles per game (2nd).

· Natasha Hunt has assisted the most tries (ten) so far this season. Teammate, Emma Sing, has assisted the joint-second most (nine).

· Gloucester-Hartpury have had the best ruck success rate (96.7%) and the third-quickest ruck speed (3.2s) so far this season. 41.4% of their rucks have been in the opposition 22m (1st).

𝙉𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙪𝙥 𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 🏡

It's a dynamite double header this Saturday, kicking off with our PWR clash with Gloucester-Hartpury before an East Midlands derby in the Premiership Rugby Cup!

🎟️https://t.co/cf1CY7HnrV pic.twitter.com/QrCIwzs5NO

— Leicester Tigers Women's (@TigersWomens) January 27, 2025

Bristol Bears v Loughborough Lightning – Shaftesbury Park – 2pm

Bristol Bears continue their hunt for a play-off place with the visit of Loughborough Lightning to Shaftesbury Park on Saturday.

Dave Ward welcomes Ilona Maher back to the Bears side, with the American moving to outside centre.

She teams up with Phoebe Murray in midfield, with Millie David and Reneeqa Bonner on the wings.

In the forwards, Evie Gallagher makes her first start for three months at No.8, while Sarah Bern returns to the front row alongside England colleagues Hannah Botterman and Lark Atkin-Davies.

Lightning make three changes, with England Under-20 international Carmela Morrall coming into the centres.

In the forwards, Laura Keates and Lili Ives-Campion come into the side. Campion partners Courtney Holtkamp in the second row in the Canadian's final game for the club.

We ❤️ @Alishabutchers1!

The @WelshRugbyUnion ⭐️ bagged another @ThePWR try last weekend! 👜 pic.twitter.com/Or8o0EXOUv

— Bristol Bears Women 🐻 (@BristolBearsW) January 30, 2025

Team News

Bristol Bears

15.⁠ ⁠Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, 14. Reneeqa Bonner, 13. Ilona Maher, 12. Phoebe Murray, 11. Millie David, 10. Holly Aitchison, 9. Keira Bevan; 1. Hannah Botterman, 2. Lark Atkin-Davies, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Hollie Cunningham, 5. Abbie Ward (c), 6. Christiana Balogun 7. Alisha Joyce-Butchers, 8. Evie Gallagher.

Replacements: 16.⁠ ⁠Holly Phillips, 17.⁠ ⁠Simi Pam, 18.⁠ ⁠Elliann Clarke, 19.⁠ ⁠Delaney Burns, 20.⁠ ⁠Gabriella Nigrelli, 21.⁠ ⁠Ffion Lewis, 22.⁠ ⁠Ella Lovibond, 23. Courtney Keight

Loughborough Lightning

15 Francesca Goldthorp, 14 Bulou Mataitoga, 13 Emily Scarratt, 12 Carmela Morrall, 11 Krissy Scurfield, 10 Helena Rowland, 9 Meg Davey; 1 Anne Young, 2 Kathryn Treder, 3 Laura Keates, 4 Courtney Holtkamp, 5 Lilli Ives Campion, 6 Rachel Malcolm, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones

Replacements: 16 Elis Martin, 17 Amelia Williams, 18 Christine Belisle, 19 Abby Duguid, 20 Hallie Taufoou, 21 Kendall Waudby, 22 Leia Brebner-Holden, 23 Alev Kelter 

Match Officials

Referee: Mike Hudson

Assistant Referees: Ben Wood and Kieron Henry

Last one on the road 🛣️ pic.twitter.com/WZgrHuDAuw

— Loughborough Lightning Rugby ⚡️ (@LightningRugby) January 29, 2025

Oval Insights

Bristol Bears

· Millie David made a round-high 144 metres, three clean breaks, and beat nine defenders in Round 14. She scored one of two Bristol Bears braces.

· Reneeqa Bonner was the only player to make three dominant tackles in Round 14; teammate Christiana Balogun made the joint-second most (two).

· Bristol Bears won the most turnovers (15) in Round 14 - the most in a single game so far this season.

Loughborough Lightning

· Helena Rowland made the most kicks (13) in Round 14; three were contestable (1st) and one was retained - no player made more than one retained kick.

· Loughborough Lightning averaged the most metres per carry (3.7) in Round 14; 29.1% of their carries were dominant (1st).

· Loughborough Lightning conceded just five penalties and 11 turnovers in Round 14 - both fewer than any other team.

Trailfinders Women v Saracens – Trailfinders Sports Club – 3pm - Live on YouTube

Saracens make the short trip across the capital to face Trailfinders Women as they look to tighten their grip on a play-off place.

They face a Trailfinders side buoyant from their 39-38 win over Bristol Bears last week, meaning a tough test awaits Alex Austerberry’s side in west London.

Austerberry has named an unchanged Saracens starting XV, with McKinley Hunt and Gabrielle Senft returning to the replacements.

Trailfinders make six changes by contrast, with Caity Mattinson and Julia Schell teaming up in the half-backs.

Lisa Thomson and Kendra Cousineau start outside them in the centres, with Rosie Inman, Liz Musgrove and Chloe Rollie make up the back three in a new look back line.

Team News

Trailfinders Women

15. Chloe Rollie, 14. Liz Musgrove, 13. Kendra Cousineau, 12. Lisa Thomson, 11. Rosie Inman, 10. Julia Schell, 9. Caity Mattinson; 1. Alivia Leatherman, 2. Kat Evans, 3. Rori Wood, 4. Tyson Beukeboom, 5. Shya Pinnock, 6. Grace Moore, 7. Abi Burton, 8. Kate Zackary

Replacements: 16. Paige Stathopoulos, 17. Liz Crake, 18. Cassandra Tuffnail, 19. Rowena Burnfield, 20. Megan Barwick, 21. Ella Amory, 22. Jess Cooksey, 23. Vicky Laflin

Saracens

15.⁠ ⁠Sarah McKenna, 14.⁠ ⁠⁠Alysha Corrigan, 13.⁠ ⁠⁠Emma Hardy, 12.⁠ ⁠⁠Sophie Bridger, 11.⁠ ⁠⁠Lotte Sharp, 10.⁠ ⁠⁠Amelia MacDougall, 9.⁠ ⁠⁠Ella Wyrwas;** 1.⁠ ⁠Akina Gondwe, 2.⁠ ⁠⁠Bryony Field, 3.⁠ ⁠⁠Kelsey Clifford, 4.⁠ ⁠⁠Rosie Galligan, 5.⁠ ⁠⁠Louise McMillan, 6.⁠ ⁠⁠Georgia Evans,7.⁠ ⁠⁠May Campbell, 8.⁠ ⁠⁠Poppy Cleall

Replacements: 16.⁠ ⁠⁠Carmen Tremelling, 17.⁠ Mckinley Hunt, 18.⁠ ⁠⁠Bryony Cleall, 19.⁠ ⁠⁠Gabrielle Senft, 20.⁠ ⁠⁠Sharifa Kasolo, 21.⁠ ⁠⁠Tori Sellors, 22.⁠ ⁠⁠Beth Blacklock, 23.⁠ ⁠⁠Sydney Gregson

𝐖𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 🙋‍♀️

Join us as we take on Saracens 💫 this Saturday at TFSC!

🎟️👉 https://t.co/NjhCmYypRh#TFWvSAR | #FollowTheTrail 💚 pic.twitter.com/MsObBbjnkl

— Trailfinders Women (@TrailfindersW) January 30, 2025

Match Officials

Referee: Nikki O’Donnell

Assistant Referees: Matthew Sharpe and Melanie Sutton

Oval Insights

Trailfinders Women

· Ella Amory assisted three tries last weekend - more than any other player. She also assisted one clean break and made two herself.

· Trailfinders Women averaged the most metres per possession (14.6) and post-contact metres per carry (1.4). They made 32 dominant carries (2nd).

· Trailfinders Women had the most territory (62%) in Round 14; 49.1% of their rucks were in the opposition 22m (1st). However, their ruck success rate was 91.4% (8th).

Saracens

· May Campbell and Kelsey Clifford made the joint-most dominant carries last weekend: seven apiece.

· Poppy Cleall won three turnovers (1st) in Round 14 - one jackal, one maul turnover, and one tackle turnover

· Lotte Sharp beat eight defenders (2nd), made 124 metres (2nd), and two clean breaks (2nd) in Round 14. She also scored a brace.

"𝐋𝐞𝐠 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡!"#YourSaracens💫 #CraftInCastore@CastoreEngland pic.twitter.com/p5JzkySsdi

— Saracens Women (@SaracensWomen) January 31, 2025

Sunday 2 February

Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins – Sandy Park – 12.45pm - Live on TNT Sports

Harlequins will be hoping to return to winning ways as they travel to Exeter Chiefs on Sunday.

Quins’ winning run came to an end at home to Saracens, but they remain well in contention at the top.

They are six points ahead of Chiefs, who have a game in hand, with the hosts also looking for a positive result after a 12-7 defeat to Sale Sharks last time out.

Quins welcome captain Lagi Tuima back to the side, as she lines up in the centres alongside Sarah Parry.

Ella Cromack also comes into the team at fly-half, with vice-captain Lucy Packer at nine.

Chiefs welcome Liz McGoverne back from injury at fly-half with scrum-half Flo Robinson also back in the starting XV.

Susie Appleby can also call on Hope Rogers at prop, with Katie Buchanan and Nancy McGillivray also returning in the backs.

Team News

Exeter Chiefs

15 Merryn Doidge, 14 Claudia MacDonald, 13 Nancy McGillivray, 12 Gabby Cantorna, 11 Katie Buchanan, 10 Liv McGoverne, 9 Flo Robinson; 1 Hope Rogers, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Poppy Leitch, 5 Linde van der Velden, 6 Dorothy Wall, 7 Edel McMahon, 8 Rachel Johnson

Replacements: 16 Clara Nielson, 17 Demi Swann, 18 Flo Long, 19 Emily Robinson, 20 Maddie Feaunati, 21 Lucy Nye, 22 Alexandra Tessier, 23 Georgina Tasker

Harlequins

15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Claudia Pena, 13 Sarah Parry, 12 Lagi Tuima, 11 Lisa Neumann, 10 Ella Cromack, 9 Lucy Packer; 1 Silvia Turani, 2 Connie Powell, 3 Lizzie Hanlon, 4 Abbie Fleming, 5 Kaitlan Leaney, 6 Maddy Grant, 7 Maja Meuller, 8 Harriet Millar Mills

Replacements: 16 Carys Phillips, 17 Jessie Spurrier, 18 Laura Delgado, 19 Sarah Bonar, 20 Tyla Shirley, 21 Emma Swords, 22 Beth Wilcock, 23 Isla Prins

Last time out against Exeter, it went down to the wire. 😬#COYQ pic.twitter.com/CzGtiaPKdE

— Harlequins Women 🃏 (@HarlequinsWomen) January 30, 2025

Match Officials

Referee: Alex Thomas

Assistant Referees: Neil Chivers and Kevin Williams

TMO: David Rose

Oval Insights

Exeter Chiefs

· DaLeaka Menin made seven dominant carries (joint-first) and 40 post contact metres (1st), despite playing just 39 minutes in Round 14. She also beat eight defenders (2nd).

· Edel McMahon made the most tackles last weekend, a total of 30. Teammate, Dorothy Wall, made the second-most with 28.

· Exeter Chiefs had a ruck success rate of 98.6% (2nd) and an average ruck speed of 2.9s (2nd) in Round 14.

Harlequins

· Harlequins made 200 tackles (3rd) but missed 34 (7th) in Round 14. They made eight dominant tackles (2nd) and conceded just three line breaks (1st).

· Harlequins have averaged the most carries per game (160) so far this season. They have also made 32 dominant carries (1st) and 12 offloads (2nd) per game.

· Jade Konkel-Roberts has made the joint-most dominant carries (59) and the second-most post-contact metres (296) so far this season. She has scored more tries (five) than any other flanker.