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PWR Round 5 Preview: Sunday double header as Leicester host Trailfinders live on TNT Sports
Round 5 of Premiership Women's Rugby sees a blockbuster four games across three days.
Action kicks off as Bristol Bears host Harlequins in a Friday Night Lights showdown at Shaftesbury Park before a top of the table clash sees Exeter Chiefs face Saracens on Saturday.
The weekend wraps up with a mouth-watering double header as Gloucester-Hartpury take on Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers welcome Trailfinders Women to Mattioli Woods Welford Road, live on TNT Sports.
FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER
Bristol Bears v Harlequins - Shaftesbury Park - 7pm
Bristol Bears and Harlequins will both be chasing their third win of the season in a mid-table battle on Friday.
The two sides sit on the same number of points, with Bears a game in hand as they head into a Friday night lights clash.
Hosts Bristol will be led out by co-captains Abbie Ward and Amber Reed.
Reed will be joined by Kiera Bevan in the half back partnership with a strong back three of Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Reneeqa Bonner and Millie David.
Bears will also boast a powerful forward row of Lark Atkin-Davies, Hannah Botterman and Delaney Burns as they chase a second consecutive win.
Planning a Friday night thriller 🎃
— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) October 31, 2024
Plenty of crowd favourites on display tomorrow for @BristolBearsW 💥#PWR | #PoweredDifferently https://t.co/c1utBXXiOZ
Silvia Turani starts at loosehead for Harlequins after a strong performance on both sides of the ball last time out against Loughborough.
Abbie Fleming moves into the second-row with Scotland’s Sarah Bonar accompanying her at lock whilst Alex Callender features again at openside.
England’s Lucy Packer and Wales' Kayleigh Powell make up the half back partnership, with Powell returning to face her former club for the first time since joining Quins over the summer.
Match Officials
Referee: Dan Jones
Assistant Referees: Darryl Chapman & Jonathan Healy
Your Quins side for Friday night in Bristol 🌃
— Harlequins Women 🃏 (@HarlequinsWomen) October 31, 2024
🐻 On a bear hunt
💪 Wythe returns
🇬🇧 Torley on the wing
📲 https://t.co/LGaZvldSj4
Delivered by @DHLRugbyUK#COYQ #BRIvHAR pic.twitter.com/3J7QOelb3T
Team News
Bristol Bears
15 Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, 14 Reneeqa Bonner, 13 Emma Orr, 12 Phoebe Murray, 11 Millie David, 10 Amber Reed (CC), 9 Keira Bevan; 1 Simi Pam, 2 Lark Atkin-Davies, 3 Hannah Botterman, 4 Delaney Burns, 5 Abbie Ward (CC), 6 Gabriella Nigrelli, 7 Alisha Joyce-Butchers, 8 Row Marston-Mulhearn
Replacements
16 Lana Skeldon, 17 Issy Jaques, 18 Danyelle Dinapoli, 19 Hollie Cunningham, 20 Christina Balogun, 21 Lucy Burgess, 22 Jenna de Vera, 23 Courtney Keight
Harlequins
15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Lauren Torley, 13 Sarah Parry, 12 Lagi Tuima, 11 Lisa Neumann, 10 Kayleigh Powell, 9 Lucy Packer (vc); 1 Silvia Turani, 2 Connie Powell, 3 Lizzie Hanlon, 4 Abbie Fleming, 5 Sarah Bonar, 6 Nicole Wythe, 7 Alex Callender, 8 Jade Konkel (c)
Replacements
16 Carys Phillips, 17 Laura Delgado, 18 Babalwa Latsha, 19 Kaitlan Leaney, 20 Danelle Lochner, 21 Freya Aucken, 22 Izzy Mayhew, 23 Harriet Millar-Mills
SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER
Exeter Chiefs v Saracens - Sandy Park - 1pm
A tasty top of the table battle heads up Saturday's action as second place Exeter Chiefs take on leaders Saracens at Sandy Park.
Clara Nielson is due to make her 50th appearance for the club as she starts on the bench at home.
Eilidh Sinclair is back on the wing, Hope Rogers and DaLeaka are in the front-row, and Dorothy Wall will get her first start in a Chiefs jersey.
Emily Robinson has moved to open-side flanker following Maisy Allen’s ankle injury with Rachel Johnson at number eight.
Here is your 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳𝘀 𝟮𝟯 to take on @SaracensWomen tomorrow 💥
— Exeter Chiefs Women (@ExeChiefsWomen) November 1, 2024
5️⃣0️⃣th appearance for Clara Nielson!
Let's make some noise for our 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳𝘀 ⚔#EXEvSAR | #SheInspires pic.twitter.com/F6n2cm70cR
A shuffled Saracens side sees Akina Gondwe come in at loosehead prop alongside Bryony Field and Kelsey Clifford.
Rosie Galligan continues in the second-row with Poppy Cleall shifting in from number 8 to join her as May Campbell moves to six, with co-captain Marlie Packer coming in for her first start of the season at openside flanker.
Ella Wyrwas will make her first start of the season at scrum-half, alongside Zoe Harrison.
The centres see Sarah McKenna link up with Sydney Gregson, whilst co-captain Lotte Sharp starts on the left wing, with Alysha Corrigan shifting to the right wing and Jemma-Jo Linkins at fullback.
Match officials
Referee: Charlie Gayther
Assistant Referees: Ian Kiy & Veryan Boscawen
🚨𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠'𝗦 𝗨𝗣💥
— Saracens Women (@SaracensWomen) November 1, 2024
5️⃣ changes to starting XV.
©️ @marliepacker and @lotteclapp named as co-captains.
🎯 @BryonyField continues at hooker.
Full team news. 👇#YourSaracens💫 | @StoneX_Official
Team News
Exeter Chiefs
15 Merryn Doidge, 14 Eilidh Sinclair, 13 Nancy McGillivray, 12 Alexandra Tessier, 11 Sabrina Poulin, 10 Liv McGoverne, 9 Flo Robinson (vc); 1 Hope Rogers, 2 Cliodhna Moloney, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Poppy Leitch (c), 5 Linde van der Velden, 6 Dorothy Wall, 7 Emily Robinson, 8 Rachel Johnson
Replacements
16 Clara Nielson, 17 Mikiela Nelson, 18 Charli Jacoby, 19 Niamh Orchard, 20 Maddie Feaunati, 21 Lucy Nye, 22 Gabby Cantorna, 23 Lori Cramer
Saracens
15 Jemma-Jo Linkins, 14 Alysha Corrigan, 13 Sydney Gregson, 12 Sarah McKenna, 11 Lotte Sharp (CC), 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Ella Wyrwas; 1 Akina Gondwe, 2 Bryony Field, 3 Kelsey Clifford, 4 Rosie Galligan, 5 Poppy Cleall, 6 May Campbell, 7 Marlie Packer (CC), 8 Gabby Senft
Replacements
16 Bryony Cleall, 17 McKinley Hunt, 18 Donna Rose, 19 Georgia Evans, 20 Sharifa Kasolo, 21 Tori Sellors, 22 Beth Blacklock, 23 Isla Alejandro
SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER
Gloucester-Hartpury v Sale Sharks - 4ED Hartpury Stadium with Vodafone - 2pm
Gloucester-Hartpury will be looking to secure their third win of the season with victory over Sale Sharks.
Ellie Rugman makes her long-awaited return to the matchday 23, in over a year for Gloucester-Hartpury.
Emma Sing makes her fifth consecutive start at fullback, with Nel Metcalfe on the right wing and Charlotte Woodman back in for her first appearance since Round 2.
A new halfback combination of Sian Jones and Ellie Green are named, with Welsh International Jones set for her first start.
Mackenzie Carson, Neve Jones, and Sisilia Tuipulotu are selected in an all-international front row.
𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🎪
— Gloucester-Hartpury (@gloshartpury) November 1, 2024
Here is your Gloucester-Hartpury team to face @SaleSharksWomen in PWR Round 5 🙌
🤩 Rugman back in the 23!
🏉 First starts of the season for Jones, Tuipulotu, and Castellucci
🫡 Heard and Else with the armbands
🤝 @cotswoldraw @vodafoneuk
🍒🦈 |… pic.twitter.com/yOynh1Pl6b
Sharks started strongly against Leciester Tigers last week but are still searching for their maiden win of the 2024 season.
The northern side have made just one change from last week's loss, with Detysha Harper returning to the side to join Catie Benson and Niamh Swailes in the front row.
Captain Morwenna Talling stays at number eight with Robyn Wilkins and Sofia Stefan working in the half back partnership.
Match officials
Referee: Andy Wigley
Assistant Referees: James Cornell & Ben Simpson
𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🍒 v 🦈
— Sale Sharks Women (@SaleSharksWomen) November 1, 2024
Tails makes one change to our starting XV with Detysha Harper starting in the front row 👊
On the bench Rachel Philipps is set to make her Sale debut 🦈#HARvSAL #NorthernRugbyMatters pic.twitter.com/Q1H3y1mtFe
Team News
Gloucester-Hartpury
15 Emma Sing, 14 Nel Metcalfe, 13 Pip Hendy, 12 Tatyana Heard (CC), 11 Charlotte Woodman, 10 Ellie Green, 9 Sian Jones; 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Neve Jones, 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 4 Beth Stafford, 5 Kate Williams, 6 Steph Else (CC), 7 Georgia Brock, 8 Carmen Castellucci
Replacements
16 Gillian Boag, 17 Lisa Cockburn, 18 Ranni Samuda, 19 Bethan Lewis, 20 Tabitha Copson, 21 Meg Davies, 22 Millie Hyett, 23 Ellie Rugman
Sale Sharks
15 Nikita Prothero, 14 Sophie Hopkins, 13 Vicky A Irwin, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 11 Holly Thorpe, 10 Robyn Wilkins, 9 Sofia Stefan; 1 Catie Benson, 2 Niamh Swailes, 3 Detysha Harper, 4 Iona Antwis, 5 Erica Jarrell, 6 Lucie Sams, 7 Alba Capell, 8 Morwenna Talling (C)
Replacements
16 Scarlett Fielding, 17 Amber Schonert, 18 Nick James, 19 Trudy Cowan, 20 Kay Searcy, 21 India Perris-Redding, 22 Laura Perrin, 23 Rachel Philipps
Leicester Tigers v Trailfinders - Mattioli Woods Welford Road - 3pm
Leicester Tigers take on Trailfinders Women live on TNT Sports to round off the weekend.
Internationals Amy Cokayne, Claire Gallagher and Emily Henrich start in their returns to action for the club, while fellow internationals Eva Donaldson, Francesca McGhie and Tess Feury are included in the starting side after appearing off the bench a fortnight ago at home against Harlequins.
Charlotte Fray captains the team in the back-row and summer signing Abbey Constable is in line for her Leicester Tigers debut from the bench.
𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 🗞️
— Leicester Tigers Women's (@TigersWomens) November 1, 2024
The matchday squad has been named for this Sunday’s @thepwr home match against Trailfinders Women!
ℹ️ https://t.co/Vl5ihEwPsn#COYT 🐯 pic.twitter.com/gGxG1IPQ4r
There are eight changes to the starting XV for Trailfinders Women, as Kie Tamai and Sara Seye join Cristina Blanco in the front row.
Tyson Beukeboom makes her first start of the season alongside Shya Pinnock in the second row.
Emma Taylor swaps the engine room for blindside flanker, joining Captain Kate Zackary and Grace Moore, who is making her first start for Trailfinders, in the back row.
Lisa Thomson and Chloe Rollie will also make their first start in the midfield and back three respectively.
Match officials
Referee: Holly Wood
Assistant Referees: Neil Chivers & Simon Park
📺 𝘼𝘼𝘼𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙄𝙏𝙎 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀!
— Trailfinders Women (@TrailfindersW) November 1, 2024
🔥 Here's how we line up to face Leicester Tigers at Welford road on Sunday, live on @rugbyontnt!
Click the 🔗 for all the team news: https://t.co/3WXucLF8oQ#LEIvTFW | #FollowTheTrail 💚 pic.twitter.com/KeVqPiOs9N
Team News
Leicester Tigers
15 Tess Feury, 14 Emily Henrich, 13 Evie Wills, 12 Katie Childs , 11 Francesca McGhie, 10 Claire Gallagher, 9 Amy Relf; 1 Leah Bartlett, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Sophie Benavent, 4 Julia Omokhuale, 5 Catha Jacobs, 6 Eva Donaldson, 7 Morgan Richardson, 8 Charlotte Fray (C)
Replacements
16 Nikki Simpson, 17 Abbey Constable, 18 Nadine Vincent, 19 Leah Heath, 20 Jordan Russell, 21 Jenny Maxwell, 22 Natasha Jones, 23 Elin Beaver
Trailfinders Women
15 Chloe Rollie, 14 Rosie Inman, 13 Jess Cooksey, 12 Lisa Thomson, 11 Grace White, 10 Julia Schell, 9 Caity Mattinson; 1 Kie Tamai, 2 Cristina Blanco, 3 Sara Seye, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Shya Pinnock, 6 Emma Taylor, 7 Grace Moore, 8 Kate Zackary (C)
Replacements
16 Kat Evans, 17 Alivia Leatherman, 18 Cassandra Tuffnail, 19 Megan Barwick, 20 Annabel Meta, 21 Ella Amory, 22 Vicky Laflin, 23 Niamh Gallagher
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