PWR Round 17 Preview: Bears, Chiefs and Saracens fight for final play-off places

Premiership Women's Rugby enters its penultimate round of fixtures with the battle for play-offs fiercer than ever.

Harlequins welcome Bristol Bears to the Stoop on Friday night, with Bears looking to get their paws on a place in the top four.

Trailfinders Women play Leicester Tigers on a bumper Saturday, with Saracens taking on Exeter Chiefs later in the day in another pivotal match in the play-off race.

Gloucester-Hartpury then travel to Sale Sharks to round off the weekend on Saturday evening.

Friday 14 February

Harlequins v Bristol Bears, Twickenham Stoop – 7.45pm – Live on TNT Sports and BBC iPlayer

Bristol Bears travel to London targeting a win from their final match of the regular season against Harlequins.

Quins have already booked their play-off spot and Bears will be determined to join them, but know they will likely need a result on Friday night in order to do so.

There will be no love lost between the pair on Valentines Day, with Quins eyeing top spot in the table and a home semi-final despite having already wrapped up their top four place.

Valentine's Day plans sorted 💐

It's going to be an unmissable match tomorrow night between @HarlequinsWomen and @BristolBearsW 👊

Watch LIVE on @BBCSport and @rugbyontnt 📺#PWR #PoweredDifferently pic.twitter.com/Fn6lV2xu3T

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) February 13, 2025

Quins boss Ross Chisholm has made five changes to his side, with captain Jade Konkel returning to the pack at No.8, with Sarah Bonar and Danelle Lochner also starting in the forwards. Kayleigh Powell and Beth Wilcock come into the backs.

Bristol Bears make a sole change, with Hannah Botterman returning to the front row alongside England colleagues Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern.

Ilona Maher and Reneeqa Bonner start on the wings, with Amber Reed co-captaining the side from the centres.

Team News

Harlequins: 15. Ellie Kildunne, 14. Beth Wilcock, 13. Clàudia Pẽna, 12. Lagi Tuima, 11. Lisa Neumann, 10. Kayleigh Powell, 9. Lucy Packer; 1. Silva Turani, 2. Connie Powell, 3. Lizzie Hanlon, 4. Abbie Fleming, 5. Danelle Lochner, 6. Sarah Bonar, 7. Maddy Grant, 8. Jade Konkel ©

Replacements: 16. Carys Phillips, 17. Jessie Spurrier, 18. Laura Delgado, 19. Tyla Shirley, 20. Maja Mueller, 21. Freya Aucken, 22. Sarah Parry, 23. Isa Prins

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

Replacements: 16.⁠ ⁠Holly Phillips, 17.⁠ ⁠Simi Pam, 18.⁠ ⁠Elliann Clarke, 19.⁠ ⁠Delaney Burns, 20.⁠ ⁠Gabriella Nigrelli, 21.⁠ ⁠Ffion Lewis, 22.⁠ ⁠Meg Varley, 23.⁠ ⁠Millie David

Match Officials

Referee: Richard Gordon

Assistant Referees: Holly Wood and Veryan Boscawen

Oval Insights

Harlequins

• Ellie Kildunne scored another two tries in Round 16; she has scored nine in her last five appearances. She also made a round-high 151 metres and beat eight defenders.
• Harlequins won the most turnovers (13) in Round 16; Lisa Neumann won three (2nd).
• Harlequins are the only team to have had an average ruck speed below 3s (2.97) so far this season. Their ruck success rate is 96.3% (2nd).

Bristol Bears

• Lark Atkin-Davis scored a hattrick last weekend. She has scored ten tries this season, including six in her last three appearances.
• Sarah Bern made more dominant collisions than any other player last weekend (eight), beat the most defenders (nine), and made the most post-contact metres (36).
• Courtney Keight made 17 carries (2nd) for 94 metres (1st) last weekend. She also made four offloads - more than any other player.

Ready to go for the penultimate round of the regular season 🙌

Four big fixtures as the race for the play-offs reaches boiling point 🔥#PWR #PoweredDifferently pic.twitter.com/wB34nvX6VR

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) February 12, 2025

Saturday 15 February

Trailfinders Women v Leicester Tigers, Trailfinders Sports Club - 3pm - live on YouTube

Leicester Tigers make the trip south to face Trailfinders Women as both sides look to end their seasons strongly.

Katie Childs returns for Tigers, packing down in the back row alongside captain Roisin McBrien and Tahlia Brody.

Team News

Trailfinders Women: 15. Chloe Rollie, 14. Vicky Laflin, 13. Jess Cooksey, 12. Lisa Thomson, 11. Liz Musgrove, 10. Julia Schell, 9. Ella Amory; 1. Alivia Leatherman, 2. Lindelwa Gwala, 3. Rori Wood, 4. Tyson Beukeboom, 5. Grace Moore, 6. Rowena Burnfield, 7. Abi Burton, 8. Kate Zackary (c)

Replacements: 16. Paige Stathopoulos, 17. Kie Tamai, 18. Cassandra Tuffnail, 19. Shya Pinnock, 20. Sara Seye, 21. Caity Mattinson, 22. Rosie Inman, 23. Grace White

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 (c), 7 Katie Childs, 8 Tahlia Brody

Replacements: 16 Jordan Russell, 17 Ellie Smith, 18 Nadine Vincent, 19 Julia Omokhuale, 20 Morgan Richardson, 21 Jenny Maxwell, 22 Tess Feury, 23 Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele

Match Officials

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys

Assistant Referees: Simon Adams and Melanie Sutton

Oval Insights

Trailfinders Women

• Julia Schell scored more points than any other player last weekend (18), including ten from two tries.
• Abi Burton made more carries (18) and dominant tackles (three) than any other player last weekend. She also scored a try.
• Grace White made 86 carry metres (2nd), beat five defenders, and scored a try last weekend.

Leicester Tigers

• Charlotte Fray made the joint-most tackles (20) in Round 16. She had the best tackle success rate (95.2%) among the top ten tacklers of the weekend.
• Meg Jones made the most carries (16) for Leicester Tigers in Round 16; she made more offloads (three) than any other player.
• Leicester Tigers have won the most scrums (120) so far this season; their scrum success rate is 93.8% (2nd). They have won seven penalties against the feed (2nd).

Hot potato 🥔

A sensational team effort from @TrailfindersW sets up Grace White for this try 🔥#PWR #PoweredDifferently pic.twitter.com/r4wH0a8Ms4

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) February 11, 2025

Saracens v Exeter Chiefs, StoneX Stadium - 5.30pm - live on YouTube

Exeter Chiefs travel to Saracens with both sides gunning for a play-off place.

Saracens can seal their spot with victory at home, while Chiefs are targeting a win ahead of the final day of the season next weekend.

Saracens welcome Jess Breach back to their side from injury, with the Red Rose starting at full back.

Zoe Harrison and Marlie Packer also return, with May Campbell switching to hooker to accomodate Packer in the pack.

Chiefs name Kanako Kobayashi at centre to replace the injured Alex Tessier, while DaLeaka Menin and Emily Robinson make starts in the pack after recovering from their injuries.

Team News

Saracens: 15. Jess Breach, 14. Sydney Gregson, 13. Emma Hardy, 12. Sophie Bridger, 11. Lotte Sharp, 10. Zoe Harrison, 9. Ella Wyrwas; 1.⁠ ⁠Akina Gondwe, 2.⁠ ⁠⁠May Campbell, 3.⁠ ⁠⁠Kelsey Clifford, 4.⁠ ⁠⁠Rosie Galligan, 5.⁠ ⁠⁠Louise McMillan, 6.⁠ ⁠⁠Georgia Evans, 7.⁠ ⁠⁠Marlie Packer (Co-captain), 8.⁠ ⁠⁠Poppy Cleall

Replacements: 16.⁠ ⁠⁠Bryony Field, 17.⁠ Carmen Tremelling, 18.⁠ ⁠⁠Maya Montiel, 19.⁠ ⁠⁠Bryony Cleall, 20.⁠ ⁠⁠Gabrielle Senft, 21.⁠ ⁠⁠Tori Sellors, 22.⁠ ⁠⁠Beth Blacklock, 23.⁠ ⁠⁠Sarah McKenna

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Merryn Doidge, 14 Claudia MacDonald, 13 Kanako Kobayashi, 12 Nancy McGillivray, 11 Katie Buchanan, 10 Liv McGoverne, 9 Flo Robinson (vc); 1 Hope Rogers, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Poppy Leitch (c), 5 Linde van der Velden, 6 Maddie Feaunati, 7 Emily Robinson, 8 Rachel Johnson

Replacements: 16 Clara Nielson, 17 Demi Swann, 18 Charli Jacoby, 19 Dorothy Wall, 20 Niamh Orchard, 21 Taz Bricknell, 22 Sabrina Poulin, 23 Georgina Tasker

Match Officials

Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe

Assistant Referees: Darryl Chapman and James Pidding

Oval Insights

Saracens

• May Campbell scored the only hattrick of Round 16, taking her total to 15 tries in 14 appearances this season.
• Beth Blacklock made 300 kick metres (2nd) and two retained kicks (1st) in Round 16, despite playing just 33 minutes. She kicked one of only two 50/22s last weekend.
• Saracens conceded just 13 turnovers in Round 16, the second-fewest, but conceded the most penalties (12).

Exeter Chiefs

• Claudia MacDonald won four turnovers (1st) last weekend. Teammate, Emily Robinson, won three in 30 minutes on the pitch.
• Maddie Feaunati made 25 tackles last weekend - more than any other player. Exeter Chiefs have had the second-best tackle success rate (82%) so far this season.
• Flo Robinson made three line breaks in Round 15, no player made more. She made 73 carry metres (3rd) and scored a try.

The numbers 🔢

Check up on the results and table after our two rescheduled matches 🙌#PWR | #PoweredDifferently pic.twitter.com/ffbgje9wFM

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) February 8, 2025

Sale Sharks v Gloucester-Hartpury, CorpAcq Stadium - 7pm - live on GlobalYo

Gloucester-Hartpury will look to strengthen their grip on top spot when they travel to Sale Sharks on Saturday evening.

Sharks welcome Sofia Stefan back to the starting side at scrum-half, while Robyn Wilkins completes a new half-back pairing at fly-half.

Sean Lynn has made 10 changes for The Circus, including a start at full back for Mia Venner.

Gillian Boag starts in the front row alongside Kathryn Buggy and El Perry, with Red Roses captain Zoe Aldcroft at No.8.

Team News

Sale Sharks: 15. Nikita Prothero, 14. Sophie Hopkins, 13. Rachel Philipps, 12. Beatrice Rigoni, 11. Holly Thorpe, 10. Robyn Wilkins, 9. Sofia Stefan, 1. Catie Benson, 2. Scarlett Fielding, 3. Detysha Harper, 4. Iona Antwis, 5. Erica Jarrell, 6. Jo Brown, 7. Niamh Swailes, 8. Morwenna Talling ©

Replacements: 16. Molly Wright, 17. Amber Schonert, 18. Nick James, 19. Molly Morrissey, 20. Polly Bowman, 21. Willow Bell, 22. Katana Howard, 23. Laura Perrin

Gloucester-Hartpury: 15 Mia Venner, 14 Ellie Rugman, 13 Pip Hendy, 12 Millie Hyett, 11 Rachel Lund, 10 Lleucu George, 9 Meg Davies; 1 El Perry, 2 Gillian Boag, 3 Kathryn Buggy, 4 Sarah Beckett, 5 Beth Stafford, 6 Steph Else, 7 Bethan Lewis, 8 Zoe Aldcroft

Replacements: 16 Neve Jones, 17 Ranni Samuda, 18 Lisa Cockburn, 19 Gwen Crabb, 20 Alex Matthews, 21 Natasha 'Mo' Hunt, 22 Ellie Green, 23 Nel Metcalfe

Match Officials

Referee: Nikki O'Donnell

Assistant Referees: Peter Allan and Gregg Dawson

Oval Insights

Sale Sharks

• Robyn Wilkins made three retained, and four contestable kicks last weekend; 40% of her kicks were contestable (1st).
• Nikita Prothero made 15 carries, 56 metres, and 14 post-contact metres last weekend. She also assisted a try.
• Lizzie Duffy is Sale Sharks’ top point-scorer (22) so far this season. She has assisted nine line breaks, three tries, and scored one.

Gloucester-Hartpury

• Neve Jones made three dominant tackles (1st) and won two turnovers in Round 16.
• Gloucester-Hartpury made 17 visits to the 22m (1st) in Round 16. However, they scored a try or won a penalty in just 35% of their entries (7th).
• Gloucester-Hartpury have made the most dominant carries (441) and the most dominant tackles (106) so far this season. Their gainline success rate is 53.9% (2nd).