PWR Round 7 Preview: Sarries and Quins ready for The Duel

Saracens and Harlequins will go head to head in The Duel, live on TNT Sports, to cap off an enticing Round 7 of Premiership Women's Rugby.

Derby day in the capital is the last of four fixtures over a weekend that also sees East Midlands neighbours Loughborough Lightning and Leicester Tigers go to battle on Saturday.

Bristol Bears welcome Trailfinders Women to the West Country on Saturday before Sale Sharks take on Exeter Chiefs at lunchtime on Sunday.

SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER - Bristol Bears v Trailfinders Women, Shaftesbury Park - 2pm

Fifth plays sixth at Shaftesbury Park as Bristol Bears host Trailfinders Women. 

Bears are riding high after an emphatic 62-7 victory over Leicester Tigers last time out as Millie David crossed on four occasions. 

Trailfinders, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency so far this season, losing to Gloucester-Hartpury in Round 6. 

Bears won both fixtures last season, running out 41-17 winners at home before a 38-10 victory on the road in March. 

Trailfinders have made two changes to the 23 that played Gloucester-Hartpury two weeks ago.

Alivia Leatherman, Lindelwa Gwala and Cassandra Tuffnail all move from the bench to start in the front row. 

Tyson Beukeboom and Shya Pinnock pack down in the second row once again.

Abby Dow returns to the side, while Freya McGinlay is amongst the replacements and in line to make her debut.

Meanwhile for the Bears, Evie Gallagher returns from injury as Jenny Hesketh comes in at full-back with Lucy Burgess replacing the injured Keira Bevan in the number nine shirt. On the bench, Tilly Ryall could make her league debut for the club this weekend.

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 🐻

👊 Here's how we lineup to face Bristol Bears tomorrow!

Full team news 🔗 https://t.co/g3JaHYORhy#BRIvTFW | #FollowTheTrail 💚 pic.twitter.com/ZPyau3GyEQ

— Trailfinders Women (@TrailfindersW) November 22, 2024

Match officials

Referee: Tom Foley Assistant referees: Simon Adams & Fiona Brunt

Team News:

Bristol Bears

15.⁠ ⁠Jenny Hesketh, 14.⁠ ⁠Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, 13.⁠ ⁠Emma Orr, 12.⁠ ⁠Phoebe Murray, 11.⁠ ⁠Millie David, 10.⁠ ⁠Amber Reed (c), 9.⁠ ⁠Lucy Burgess; 1.⁠ ⁠Hannah Botterman (vc), 2.⁠ ⁠Lana Skeldon, 3.⁠ ⁠Sarah Bern, 4.⁠ ⁠Hollie Cunningham, 5.⁠ ⁠Delaney Burns, 6.⁠ ⁠Alisha Joyce-Butchers, 7.⁠ ⁠Evie Gallagher, 8.⁠ ⁠Rownita Marston-Mulhearn

Replacements

16.⁠ ⁠Lark Atkin-Davies, 17.⁠ ⁠Simi Pam, 18.⁠ ⁠Danyelle Dinapoli, 19.⁠ ⁠Christiana Balogun, 20.⁠ ⁠Jenny Herring, 21.⁠ ⁠Tilly Ryall, 22.⁠ ⁠Jenna De Vera, 23.⁠ ⁠Ella Lovibond.

Trailfinders Women

15. Chloe Rollie, 14. Abby Dow, 13. Julia Schell, 12. Lisa Thomson, 11. Grace White, 10. Ella Amory, 9. Caity Mattinson; 1. Alivia Leatherman, 2. Lindelwa Gwala, 3. Cassandra Tuffnail, 4. Tyson Beukeboom, 5. Shya Pinnock, 6. Emma Taylor, 7. Annabel Meta, 8. Kate Zackary (c)

Replacements

16. Kat Evans, 17. Liz Crake, 18. Sara Seye, 19. Grace Moore, 20. Freya McGinlay, 21. Jess Cooksey, 22. Kendra Cousineau, 23. Rosie Inman

🆙 THE BEARS! 🐻#BRIvTFW | @huboofulfilment | #PoweredDifferently pic.twitter.com/QAPTcyRQST

— Bristol Bears Women 🐻 (@BristolBearsW) November 22, 2024

Oval Insights

Bristol Bears

Millie David scored the highest match rating of the season in Round 6 (9.5). She scored four tries (1st), made 179 metres (1st), five clean breaks (1st), and beat ten defenders (1st).

Rownita Marston-Mulhearn has made a league-high total of 125 post-contact metres so far this season, an average of over two per carry.

Amber Reed has assisted 16 breaks so far this season – double that of any other player. Teammates Jenna de Vera (eight) and Pheobe Murray (seven) sit in second and third.

Trailfinders Women

Grace White has made more dominant carries than any other player this season (24). She has also beaten the second-most defenders (30).

Trailfinders have made the second-most clean breaks so far this season, a total of 56 and an average of 11.2.

Trailfinders have the highest tackle dominance in the league (4.7%) and average the most dominant collisions per 80 minutes (42).

Loughborough Lightning v Leicester Tigers – cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens – 2pm

The midfield battle at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens should be worth the price of admission alone as Loughborough Lightning welcome Leicester Tigers on Derby Day.

For the home side, USA star Alev Kelter is set to make her Lightning debut, lining up alongside Emily Scarratt in a formidable centre duo.

But they will have their work cut out against Tigers, for whom Meg Jones will be making her first start since her return from injury, partnering Evie Wills.

The two sides currently find themselves towards the bottom of the PWR table, with Lightning in seventh, one spot clear of their local rivals.

Lightning coach Nathan Smith saw his charges beaten 40-19 away to leaders Exeter Chiefs last time out, but believes there were enough positives from which to build during that encounter.

He said: “We’re delighted to let Alev loose on the PWR. She is a world class operator and has already brought so much to our environment,” said head coach Nathan Smith. 

“There was so much for us to be proud of from our performance at Sandy Park. We’re locked in on delivering an 80-minute performance against Tigers in front of our fans at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.”

Tigers, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win of the campaign, but boss Tom Hudson has backed his team to perform in the derby encounter.

He said: “Everyone recognises the difference with a derby fixture; the physicality, that spice, the extra noise from supporters. That kind of challenge really excites us.”

💪 Team news for 𝑫𝒆𝒓𝒃𝒚 𝑫𝒂𝒚!!

- Roisin McBrien to captain the side
- Meg Jones starts
- Charlotte Fray 30th appearance/Abbey Constable first start

ℹ️https://t.co/UUCsLtxyT2 pic.twitter.com/M8SVY3KKOU

— Leicester Tigers Women's (@TigersWomens) November 22, 2024

Match officials

Referee: Jack Makepeace

Assistant Referees: Jenny Burrows & Emily Hope

Team News:

Loughborough Lightning

15.⁠ ⁠⁠Helen Nelson (co-captain), 14.⁠ ⁠⁠Fran Goldthorp, 13.⁠ ⁠⁠Emily Scarratt, 12.⁠ ⁠⁠Alev Kelter, 11.⁠ ⁠⁠Krissy Scurfield, 10.⁠ ⁠⁠Helena Rowland, 9.⁠ Megan Davey; 1.⁠ ⁠Anne Young, 2.⁠ Kathryn Treder, 3.⁠ Laura Keates, 4.⁠ Abby Duguid, 5.⁠ Lilli Ives Campion, 6.⁠ Hallie Taufoou, 7.⁠ ⁠⁠Kendall Waudby, 8.⁠ Daisy Hibbert-Jones (co-captain)

Replacements

16.⁠ Elis Martin, 17.⁠ Amelia Williams, 18.⁠ Isla Curphey, 19.⁠ Issy Winter, 20.⁠ Bekcy Boyd, 21.⁠ Leia Brebner-Holden, 22.⁠ Carmela Morrall, 23.⁠ Bulou Mataitoga

Leicester Tigers

15.⁠ ⁠Tess Feury, 14.⁠ Emily Henrich,⁠ 13.⁠ Meg Jones, 12.⁠ ⁠Evie Wills, 11.⁠ ⁠Francesca McGhie, 10.⁠ Claire Gallagher, 9.⁠ Amy Relf, 1.⁠ Leah Bartlett, 2.⁠ Amy Cokayne, 3.⁠ Abby Constable, 4.⁠ Julia Omokhuale, 5.⁠ Charlotte Fray, 6.⁠ Eva Donaldson, 7.⁠ Roisin McBrien (c), 8.⁠ Tahlia Brody

Replacements

16. Nikki Simpson, 17. Ellie Smith, 18. Nadine Vincent, 19. Catha Jacobs, 20. Leah Heath, 21. Jenny Maxwell, 22. Natasha Jones, 23. Katie Childs

💜⚡️🩷

Here is your Lightning team to take on @tigerswomens on Saturday (kick-off: 2pm) at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens in Round 7 of @ThePWR. Tickets are still available priced from £7.50*//£3*.https://t.co/yYP4RkklRH#LOUvLEI | #PoweredDifferently pic.twitter.com/yKLBSvRhRp

— Loughborough Lightning Rugby ⚡️ (@LightningRugby) November 22, 2024

Oval Insights

Loughborough Lightning

• Kendall Waudby made 28 tackles in Round 6 - the second-highest total in a match so far this season. She also made two clean breaks.
• Lightning have conceded both the fewest turnovers (72) and the fewest penalties (44) so far this season.
• 59.1% of Lightning’s touches this season have been passes – the second-most in the league.

Leicester Tigers

• Caroline Fray has made more dominant tackles than any other player so far this season (nine).
• Tigers have the best scrum success rate in the league (94.3%). They have also had the most scrums so far this season, a total of 53.
• Tigers have the highest rate of carry dominance (27.2%) and have averaged the most post-contact metres per carry this season (1.3).

SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER

Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs – CorpAcq Stadium – 12pm

Sunday’s action begins in the North West as Sale Sharks welcome league leaders Exeter Chiefs.

Chiefs made it six wins from six with their victory over Loughborough Lightning last time out while the hosts remain on the lookout for their first win of the campaign after being beaten at Harlequins in Round 6.

Sharks are boosted by the return of Eva Wood, who will line up on the wing after a long-term absence. Fly-half Lizzie Duffy also starts as she makes her first home appearance of the campaign.

The visitors welcome back winger Katie Buchanan for her first PWR match of the season following her recovery from a wrist injury, while Mikiela Nelson, Clara Nielson and Charli Jacoby line up in a reshuffled front row.

Niamh Orchard starts at No.8 and Merryn Doidge returns at full-back after being away with GB sevens training. 

𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 |🦈 v ❌

After months of resilience and determination Eva Wood is back in the 14 jersey 🔥

Duffy returns back on home soil for the first time in the PWR season!

🎟️ Tickets on sale at the gate and online.
📺 Watch the game live on the Global Yo app. pic.twitter.com/ZhFhciapJD

— Sale Sharks Women (@SaleSharksWomen) November 22, 2024

Match Officials

Referee: Hamish Grant

Assistant Referees: Neil Chivers & James Pidding

Team News

Sale Sharks

15 Nikita Prothero, 14 Eva Wood, 13 Beatrice Rigoni, 12 Laura Perrin, 11 Holly Thorpe, 10 Lizzie Duffy, 9 Sofia Stefan; 1 Catie Benson, 2 Scarlett Fielding, 3 Detysha Harper ©, 4 Trudy Cowan, 5 Erica Jarrell, 6 Niamh Swailes, 7 Alba Capell, 8 Jasmine Hazell

Replacements

16 Amelia Hyndman, 17 Sophie Lewis, 18 Nick James, 19 Iona Antwis, 20 Kay Searcy, 21 Robyn Wilkins, 22 Rachel Philipps, 23 Sophie Hoskins

Exeter Chiefs

15 Merryn Doidge, 14 Sabrina Poulin, 13 Nancy McGillivray, 12 Gabby Cantorna, 11 Katie Buchanan, 10 Liv McGoverne, 9 Flo Robinson (vc); 1 Mikiela Nelson, 2 Clara Nielson, 3 Charli Jacoby, 4 Poppy Leitch (c), 5 Dorothy Wall, 6 Ebony Jefferies, 7 Emily Robinson, 8 Niamh Orchard

Replacements

16 Cliodhna Moloney, 17 Demi Swann, 18 Flo Long, 19 Kate Smith, 20 Eilidh Sinclair, 21 Lucy Nye, 22 Taylor Perry, 23 Kanako Kobayashi

𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠'𝗦 𝗨𝗣 💥

Here's your 23 taking on @SaleSharksWomen on Sunday!

👊Buchanan back from injury
🇯🇵 Kobayashi's first Chiefs outing this season
🔄 Smith back in the mix

🗞️ https://t.co/FYqKk1X0i8#SALvEXE | #SheInspires | RGB Recruitment pic.twitter.com/21cQFJtvpl

— Exeter Chiefs Women (@ExeChiefsWomen) November 22, 2024

Oval Insights

Sale Sharks

Niamh Swailes was the only player who made four dominant tackles at the weekend; she also won a turnover.

33% of the Sharks’ possessions this season have ended with a kick – more than any other team.

The Sharks have attempted a league-high average of 227 tackles per 80 minutes this season.

Exeter Chiefs Women

Cliodhna Moloney won the joint-most turnovers in Round 6, a total of four.

Emily Robinson and Poppy Leitch lead the league for successful tackles this season, having made 84 and 80 respectively.

Liv McGoverne has made 66 kicks in play so far this season (1st) and is the only player who has made more than 2,000 kick in play metres.

Saracens v Harlequins – StoneX Stadium – 3pm

StoneX Stadium is the stage for the latest edition of The Duel, as Saracens welcome Harlequins to north London for a mouth-watering meeting.

Both sides have enjoyed strong starts to the season, with Quins arriving off the back of four wins in a row while Saracens will be looking to return to winning ways after a first defeat of the season to Exeter Chiefs last time out.

Saracens boss Alex Austerberry has pulled no surprises ahead of derby day, with co-captain Marie Packer leading the pack alongside Poppy Cleall and Sharifa Kasolo.

They are joined by Rosie Galligan and Georgia Evans in the second row, while Ella Wyrwas and Zoe Harrison continue in the half-backs.

May Campbell and Gaby Senft are amongst those on the replacements bench alongside Fancy Bermudez, who is set for her Saracens debut.

Harlequins head coach Ross Chisholm has named an unchanged pack, with Red Rose Connie Powell retaining her place at hooker alongside Siliva Turani and Lizzie Hanlon in the front row.

There is just one change in the backs, with wing Beth Wilcock coming in for Ellie Kildunne and Clàudia Peña moving to full-back.

🚨𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠'𝗦 𝗨𝗣💥

3️⃣ changes from last time out.⁠
🔙 @Sharifa_Kasolo returns.
🌏️ 17 internationals in the match day 23.⁠

Full team news. 👇#YourSaracens💫 | @stonex_official

— Saracens Women (@SaracensWomen) November 22, 2024

Match officials

Referee: Richard Gordon

Assistant Referees: Holly Wood & Calum Howard

Team News:

Saracens

15.⁠ ⁠⁠Jemma-Jo Linkins, 14.⁠ ⁠⁠Alysha Corrigan, 13.⁠ ⁠⁠Sydney Gregson, 12.⁠ ⁠⁠Sarah McKenna, 11.⁠ ⁠⁠Lotte Sharp (Co-captain), 10.⁠ ⁠⁠Zoe Harrison, 9.⁠ ⁠⁠Ella Wyrwas; 1.⁠ ⁠McKinley Hunt, 2.⁠ ⁠⁠Bryony Field, 3.⁠ ⁠⁠Kelsey Clifford, 4.⁠ ⁠⁠Rosie Galligan, 5.⁠ ⁠⁠Georgia Evans, 6.⁠ ⁠⁠Sharifa Kasolo, 7.⁠ ⁠⁠Marlie Packer (Co-captain), 8.⁠ ⁠⁠Poppy Cleall

Replacements

16.⁠ ⁠⁠May Campbell, 17.⁠ ⁠⁠Akina Gondwe, 18.⁠ ⁠⁠Carmen Tremeling, 19.⁠ ⁠⁠Bryony Cleall, 20.⁠ ⁠⁠Louise McMillan, 21.⁠ ⁠⁠Gaby Senft, 22.⁠ ⁠⁠Amelia MacDougall, 23.⁠ ⁠⁠Fancy Bermudez

Harlequins

15.⁠ ⁠Clàudia Peña 14.⁠ Beth Wilcock⁠ 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.⁠ ⁠Kaitlan Leaney 6.⁠ ⁠Nicole Wythe 7.⁠ ⁠Alex Callender 8.⁠ ⁠Jade Konkel (c)

Replacements

16. Carys Phillips 17. Laura Delgado 18. Babalwa Latsha 19. Sarah Bonar 20. Danelle Lochner 21. Freya Aucken 22. Ella Cromack 23. Harriet Millar Mills

Your Quins side for Sunday’s London Derby 👊

📺 Live on @rugbyontnt

📲 https://t.co/7olsYDVZ9c

Delivered by @DHLRugbyUK #COYQ #SARvHAR pic.twitter.com/7eRjccm0qc

— Harlequins Women 🃏 (@HarlequinsWomen) November 22, 2024

Oval Insights

Saracens

• May Campbell has scored more tries than any other forward this season and the second-most overall (six). She has also won the joint-most turnovers (nine).
• Leanne Infante has assisted the most tries so far this season (six), all with passes.
• Saracens are the only team in the league who have caught all of their defensive high balls.

Harlequins

• Jade Konkel-Roberts (23) and Alex Callender (20) made the most carries in Round 6; they made six dominant carries apiece.
• Ellie Kildunne made more offloads than any other player (five), two clean breaks, and assisted a try in the last round.
• Harlequins and Saracens are the only teams who have scored five maul tries this season.