PWR Round 9 Preview: Big clash at Ashton Gate, champions travel to Lightning and home games for Tigers and Trailfinders

In a big week for Premiership Women’s Rugby, there is plenty to play for across four intriguing matches.

Leicester Tigers play host to Saracens in Saturday’s early game, looking to back up last week’s first win of the season, before Trailfinders play host to Sale Sharks.

All eyes will be on Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon, with the TNT cameras in town, as is new signing Ilona Maher. The main attraction will see Bristol Bears host unbeaten Exeter Chiefs in a game that will have huge ramifications for the play-off battle.

Then on Sunday, Gloucester-Hartpury will look to get back to winning ways when they travel to Loughborough Lightning.

SATURDAY 7 December – Leicester Tigers v Saracens – Mattioli Woods Welford Road – 12.30pm 

Leicester Tigers picked up their first win of the campaign away to Sale Sharks last time out and will now look to back that up against Saracens.

Tigers face a tall challenge against a Sarries team who saw off Loughborough Lightning last weekend after successive defeats to Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins.

They have made just one change from the team that saw off Sale, with Katie Childs coming into the midfield where she will partner Evie Wills.

Saracens, meanwhile, have mixed things up from the team that beat Lightning, as Canada standout Fancy Bermudez makes her first start for the club.

Poppy Cleall comes into the side at No.8, while Akina Gondwe takes her place in the starting line-up at loosehead prop.

And on the bench, Leanne Infante takes the No.21 jersey after coming out of retirement.

Match officials

Referee: Alex Thomas

Assistant Referees: Jenny Burrows & Fiona Brunt

Julia Omokhuale on Sunday:
2️⃣2️⃣ Tackles
1️⃣4️⃣ Carries
2️⃣2️⃣ Attacking Breakdown Clearouts
1️⃣ Try

𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 💪 pic.twitter.com/hbrzZCNRjK

— Leicester Tigers Women's (@TigersWomens) December 3, 2024

Team News:

Leicester Tigers

15 Claire Gallagher, 14 Emily Henrich, 13 Evie Wills, 12 Katie Childs, 11 ⁠⁠Tess Feury, 10 Natasha Jones, 9 Amy Relf; 1 Leah Bartlett, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Sophie Benavent, 4 Eva Donaldson, 5⁠ Charlotte Fray, 6 Julia Omokhuale, 7 Roisin McBrien (c), 8 Tahlia Brody

Replacements: 16 Alana Bainbridge, 17 Abbey Constable, 18 Nadine Vincent, 19 Morgan Richardson, 20 Nikki Simpson, 21 Jenny Maxwell, 22 Amelia Tutt, 23 Amanda Swartz

Saracens

15 Lotte Sharp (cc), 14 Alysha Corrigan, 13 Sydney Gregson, 12 ⁠⁠Emma Hardy, 11 ⁠⁠Fancy Bermudez, 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Ella Wyrwas; 1 Akina Gondwe, 2 ⁠⁠May Campbell (cc), 3 ⁠⁠Kelsey Clifford, 4 Louise McMillan, 5⁠ Georgia Evans, 6 Gabrielle Senft, 7 ⁠⁠Joia Bennett, 8 Poppy Cleall

Replacements: 16 Bryony Field, 17 Maya Montiel, 18 Carmen Tremelling, 19 ⁠⁠Rosie Galligan, 20 Marlie Packer, 21⁠ ⁠⁠Leanne Infante, 22 ⁠⁠Amelia MacDougall, 23 ⁠⁠Coreen Grant

Oval Insights

Leicester Tigers

Leicester Tigers made the most carry metres (642) and second-most metres per carry (3.8) in Round 8. However, just 13.8% of their carries were dominant (8th).

Meg Jones made four clean breaks (2nd), assisted two more, and made 166 carry metres (1st). She was one of two players to score a brace in Round 8.

Leicester have conceded 67 penalties so far this season (3rd), but 125 turnovers (8th) - 92 of which were unforced (8th).

Saracens

Zoe Harrison made the most kicks (12) in Round 8 – for a total of 478 kick metres (1st). Two were contestable (1st) and two were retained (1st); Saracens retained the most kicks overall (four).

Saracens had the third-best gainline success rate (55.3%) in Round 8. They averaged the most metres (4.6) and post-contact metres (1.5) per carry.

Saracens made the joint-most 22m entries (17) in Round 8 and conceded the fewest (six). They also had the quickest average ruck speed (2.4s) - 45.4% of them were in the opposition 22m (1st).

📝 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸, 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲.

Saracens Women can confirm that @leanneriley189 has returned to the club as short-term injury cover, with Tori Sellors ruled out of action for an extended period.

Welcome back Leanne! 👏#YourSaracens💫 pic.twitter.com/bIeUmKb8zR

— Saracens Women (@SaracensWomen) December 6, 2024

SATURDAY 7 DECEMBER – Trailfinders Women v Sale Sharks – Trailfinders Sports Ground – 3pm 

Trailfinders Women will hope to get back to winning ways when they play host to Sale Sharks, who are still searching for their first win of the PWR season.

Barney Maddison has made two changes from the team that lost to Harlequins last time out, with Abi Burton coming into the back row in the only change in the pack.

In the backline, Jess Cooksey will start at outside centre, which sees Lisa Thomson shift inside one, while wingers Grace White and Abby Dow will swap positions.

Sale have also made changes following their defeat to Leicester Tigers last weekend, with Vicky A Irwin coming in at outside centre to partner Beatrice Rigoni.

Detysha Harper will captain the side as she swaps sides in the front row, starting at loosehead prop, while Olivia Ortiz starts at scrum-half.

Match officials

Referee: Charlie Gayther

Assistant Referees: Simon Adams & Melanie Sutton

📺 𝗔𝗮𝗮𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲!

🦈 Our game against Sale Sharks on Saturday will be streamed live on YouTube!

🔗 Click the link to watch along: https://t.co/w2D28g621w#FollowTheTrail 💚 pic.twitter.com/18fxrQwjWV

— Trailfinders Women (@TrailfindersW) December 4, 2024

Team News:

Trailfinders Women

15 Chloe Rollie, 14 Grace White, 13 Jess Cooksey, 12 ⁠⁠Lisa Thomson, 11 ⁠⁠Abby Dow, 10 Julia Schell, 9 Caity Mattinson; 1 Alivia Leatherman, 2 Kat Evans, 3 Cassandra Tuffnail, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5⁠ ⁠⁠Shya Pinnock, 6 Emma Taylor, 7 Abi Burton, 8 Kate Zackary (c)

Replacements: 16 Paige Stathopoulos, 17 Kie Tamai, 18 Sara Seye, 19 Grace Moore, 20 Rowena Burnfield, 21⁠ ⁠⁠Ella Amory, 22 Rosie Inman, 23 Niamh Gallagher

Sale Sharks

15 Nikita Prothero, 14 Sophie Hopkins, 13 Vicky A Irwin, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 11 ⁠⁠Eva Wood, 10 Lizzie Duffy (cc), 9 Olivia Ortiz; 1 Detysha Harper (cc), 2 ⁠⁠Scarlett Fielding, 3 ⁠⁠Nick James, 4 Trudy Cowan, 5⁠ ⁠⁠Erica Jarrell, 6 Niamh Swailes, 7 Alba Capell, 8 Lucie Sams

Replacements: 16 Amelia Hyndman, 17 Sophie Lewis, 18 Catie Benson, 19 Molly Morrissey, 20 Jasmine Hazell, 21⁠ Sofia Stefan, 22 Robyn Wilkins, 23 Rachel Phillips

Oval Insights

Trailfinders Women

- Trailfinders Women conceded the fewest turnovers (eight), but the most penalties (14) in Round 8.

- Trailfinders Women had the second-highest tackle success rate (83.1%) in Round 8. However, they made no dominant tackles (8th) and 73 negative tackles (8th).

- Trailfinders Women have scored 2.66 points per 22m entry (2nd) so far this season - 57% of their entries have resulted in a try or penalty won (2nd). However, they have made the second-fewest entries per game (10.6).

Sale Sharks

- Sale Sharks beat the joint-most defenders (33) in Round 8 - an average of 0.23 per carry (2nd). Beatrice Rigoni beat eight (1st) and Sophie Hopkins beat seven (3rd).

- Sale Sharks made 21 kicks in play (2nd) in Round 8 - six were contestable (1st).

- Sale Sharks have won the joint-most tackle turnovers (13) so far this season. However, they have also missed the most tackles (210).

𝟬𝟭.𝟭𝟮.𝟮𝟰

Our first double header. Thanks for joining us #SharksFamily 🙏#SharksAreCircling🦈 pic.twitter.com/zOSogKncup

— Sale Sharks 🦈 (@SaleSharksRugby) December 5, 2024

SATURDAY 7 DECEMBER – Bristol Bears v Exeter Chiefs – Ashton Gate –3.05pm 

The game of the weekend looks to be at Ashton Gate where table-toppers Exeter Chiefs travel to take on in-form Bristol Bears.

Dave Ward’s side earned a statement win last weekend against champions Gloucester-Hartpury, and followed that up by announcing the arrival of USA Sevens superstar Ilona Maher.

She will be in attendance on Saturday, although Bears fans will have to wait a little longer for her playing debut.

Instead, Ward has named an unchanged team to take on unbeaten Chiefs, unsurprisingly given the performance in the final rematch last week.

Chiefs come into this game off the back of a bye, looking to become the first team to win after a bye this season.

They welcome back Emily Tuttosi on the bench for the game, while Flo Robinson and Liv McGoverne will continue in the half-backs as Chiefs try to make it eight wins from eight to start their campaign.

Match officials

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron

Assistant Referees: Nikki O’Donnell & Kevin Williams

See @ilona_maher on Saturday! 🇺🇸

Our new signing will be in the Bears Den for a Q&A before delivering the match ball for the Wild West Country derby at @ashtongatestad.

Don't miss out! 🎟️👇

— Bristol Bears Women 🐻 (@BristolBearsW) December 4, 2024

Team News:

Bristol Bears

15 Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, 14 Courtney Keight, 13 Phoebe Murray, 12 Jenna de Vera, 11 ⁠⁠Millie David, 10 Holly Aitchison, 9 Lucy Burgess; 1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Lark Atkin-Davies, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Hollie Cunningham, 5⁠ Abbie Ward (c), 6 Alisha Joyce-Butchers, 7 Evie Gallagher, 8 Rownita Marston-Mulhearn

Replacements: 16 Jess Sprague, 17 Simi Pam, 18 Holly Phillips, 19 Delaney Burns, 20 Gabrielle Nigrelli, 21⁠ ⁠⁠Tilly Ryall, 22 Amber Reed, 23 Jenny Hesketh

Exeter Chiefs

15 Merryn Doidge, 14 Sabrina Poulin, 13 Nancy McGillivray, 12 Alexandra Tessier, 11 ⁠⁠Katie Buchanan, 10 Liv McGoverne, 9 Flo Robinson; 1 Hope Rogers, 2 Cliodhna Moloney, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Poppy Leitch (c), 5⁠ ⁠⁠Dorothy Wall, 6 Ebony Jefferies, 7 Maddie Feaunati, 8 Rachel Johnson

Replacements: 16 Emily Tuttosi, 17 Mikiela Nelson, 18 Charli Jacoby, 19 Linde van der Velden, 20 Niamh Orchard, 21⁠ ⁠⁠Lucy Nye, 22 Gabby Cantorna, 23 Lori Cramer

Oval Insights

Bristol Bears

- Sarah Bern made the most carries into contact (17), dominant carries (six), and post-contact metres (30) in Round 8. She also made four offloads (1st).

- Bristol had the best tackle success (85%) in Round 8. They made 147, and yet missed the fewest tackles (16).

- Evie Gallagher made the most dominant tackles (three) and won the joint-most turnovers (three) in Round 8.

Exeter Chiefs

- Exeter Chiefs have had the best gainline success rate (59.4%) so far this season. They have made the third-most metres per carry (3.8) and the fewest negative carries (2.7) per game.

- Liv McGoverne is the Chiefs’ top point scorer (30) so far this season. She has also beaten the most defenders (25), made the most carries (63) and the second-most post contact metres (72) for the Chiefs

- Flo Robinson has made ten dominant tackles so far this season - more than any other player. She has won one tackle turnover.

Chiefs Women play our 100th game this weekend against @BristolBearsW!

8 players remain from our first season in 2019, with over 100 players wearing the Chiefs badge over the years 🖤

Read the full story 🗞 https://t.co/jdLXCCMOdr#SheInspires pic.twitter.com/edSx6hyHky

— Exeter Chiefs Women (@ExeChiefsWomen) December 5, 2024

SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER – Loughborough Lightning v Gloucester-Hartpury – cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens – 3pm 

Reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury currently find themselves outside the play-off places after eight rounds of the season so will be desperate to make up ground away to Loughborough Lightning.

The Circus lost at home to Bristol Bears last weekend and have made five changes from that side with Pip Hendy coming into the centres while Ellie Green takes over at fly-half and Mia Venner gets the start on the wing.

In the pack Kathryn Buggy and Maud Muir will start in the front row, while there is also a positional switch as Sarah Beckett moves to lock and Kate Williams shifts into the back row.

Lightning, meanwhile, have given Sadia Kabeya a first start of the season as she continues her return from injury, having come off the bench at Saracens last weekend.

Helen Nelson moves from full-back to fly-half for this one, while Laura Keates comes into the pack at tighthead prop.

And there are two changes in the back three where Lia Green starts at full-back and Bulou Mataitoga comes onto the wing.

Match officials

Referee: Nikki O’Donnell

Assistant Referees: Iain Kiy & Darryl Chapman

Back with a 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗚 💥 pic.twitter.com/JjDJrRejh3

— Loughborough Lightning Rugby ⚡️ (@LightningRugby) December 4, 2024

Team News:

Loughborough Lightning

15 Lia Green, 14 Bulou Mataitoga, 13 Emily Scarratt, 12 Alev Kelter, 11 Krissy Scurfield, 10 Helen Nelson (cc), 9 Megan Davey; 1 Anne Young, 2 Kathryn Treder, 3 Laura Keates, 4 Abby Duguid, 5 Lilli Ives Campion, 6 Sadia Kabeya, 7 Kendall Waudby, 8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones (cc)

Replacements: 16 Elis Martin, 17 Isla Curphey, 18 Christine Belisle, 19 Issy Winter, 20 Hallie Taufoou, 21 Leia Brebner-Holden, 22 Carmela Morrall, 23 Evelyn Clarke

Gloucester-Hartpury

15 Emma Sing, 14 Nel Metcalfe, 13 Pip Hendy, 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 ⁠⁠Mia Venner, 10 Ellie Green, 9 Mo Hunt (cc); 1 Kathryn Buggy, 2 Neve Jones, 3 maud Muir, 4 Sarah Beckett, 5⁠ Zoe Aldcroft (cc), 6 Kate Williams, 7 Bethan Lewis, 8 Alex Matthews

Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Ranni Samuda, 18 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 19 Steph Else, 20 Tabitha Copson, 21⁠ Sian Jones, 22 Millie Hyett, 23 Lucia Scott

Oval Insights

Loughborough Lightning

- Helen Nelson beat seven defenders (3rd) in Round 8. Lightning beat the third-most among the teams (29) - an average of 0.24 per carry (1st).

- Lightning had the lowest gainline success rate (35.8%) in Round 8. They made the fewest metres per possession (9.1) but the second-most post-contact metres per carry (1.3).

- Lightning have averaged the third-quickest ruck speed (3.1s). However, they lose an average of six rucks per game (9th) - their ruck retention rate is the lowest (93.6%) amongst the teams.

Gloucester-Hartpury

- Gloucester-Hartpury made the most tackles (207) in Round 8. Zoe Aldcroft and Kate Williams made 22 apiece - more than any other player. Neve Jones made 21 and missed none.

- Gloucester-Hartpury made the fewest metres (380) and beat the fewest defenders (16) in Round 8. However, no player made more clean breaks than Ellie Rugman (five).

- Gloucester-Hartpury won nine turnovers (2nd) in Round 8 - six were jackals (1st). Zoe Aldcroft also won more lineout steals than any other player (two).

Back to work 😤#LOUvGLO | ⚡️🍒 pic.twitter.com/PCMmulLTgW

— Gloucester-Hartpury (@gloshartpury) December 4, 2024