Gloucester-Hartpury and Saracens chase PWR history

Gloucester-Hartpury vs. Saracens Rugby Final: Premiership Women’s Rugby

Location: StoneX Stadium Sunday, March 16th, 2019 Kick-off: 00 GMT

As Gloucester-Hartpury prepare to defend their record-setting third-straight title on Sunday, they have named an unchanged starting XV for the Premiership Women’s Rugby final against Saracens.

With club co-captain Natasha “Mo” Hunt at scrum-half and fellow Red Roses Tatyana Heard, Alex Matthews, and Maud Muir at center, number eight and prop, respectively, England captain Zoe Aldcroft takes the second row.

In the only change from the side that defeated Harlequins in their semi-final, Saracens have made Canadian international Gabrielle Senft and Louise McMillan switch to blind-side flanker.

The London club, which finished second behind Gloucester-Hartpury, is aiming for a record-breaking fourth league title overall, their first since 2022.

Gloucester-Hartpury head of rugby Sean Lynn will leave to become the head coach of Wales women before Sunday’s game at StoneX Stadium.

Emma Sing, the PWR’s leading scorer, plays full-back for Gloucester-Hartpury in a squad full of internationals, including Wales captain Hannah Jones at centre and Ireland prop Neve Jones, who scored a try and kicked 11 points in the 36-20 semi-final win against Bristol Bears on March 2.

Kathryn Buggy, a club legend, has been chosen to make her final appearance before retiring, and Millie Hyatt will be replaced by fly-half Ellie Green, who has made the only other change to the 23.

With 15 internationals in their matchday 23, Saracens’ squad is equally talented.

Jess Breach, an unchanged back three, starts at 15 when he starred in the semi-final victory after recovering from injury. At inside center is center Sophie Bridger, who shared the 2023 title with Gloucester-Hartpury.

It might be the “biggest final” the league has ever seen, Aldcroft claimed.

She continued, “We want to go there on Sunday and we want to make that history.”

“Getting this week right is what I believe is most crucial, and how can we re-connect as a Gloucester-Hartpury team and prepare for the challenges we face this week.

Saracens have a very fast pace out wide, which is very similar to what we do. Who will determine the outcome, in my opinion, depends on how much momentum the game can generate.

Lynn, who has played a significant role in shaping the Gloucestershire club for the past five years, said he was more concerned with making sure we can reach the PWR final and win it.

Saracens won 49-38 in their previous meeting earlier in the season, which was also at the StoneX, despite Gloucester-Hartpury defeating them 47-31 in their previous meeting in December.

We’ve changed a few things to make it easier for Saracens, who have a very physical side, and get excited about it, Lynn told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

Although The StoneX is the home of the Saracens, it is considered a neutral venue this weekend and Gloucester-Hartpury are the top seeds.

However, Saracens rugby director Alex Austerberry said his team still wants to make the most of their deep knowledge.

According to the players, “I’ve said to them that this is a neutral venue that we know very well, that it will have the North London crowd and that it will have the Sarries fans singing and shouting,” said Aubrey.

We’re pretty confident because we have a fantastic chance to run out at home in a final, which is pretty special.

Players will not feel threatened by Gloucester-Hartpury, according to Bridger, and they want to play these games.

We are aware of their dangers, but if you ignore them, they become concerns, according to Bridger.

Boag, Carson, Buggy, Else, Brock, Davies, Green, and Lund are the replacements.

Saracens: Corrigan, Hardy, Bridger, Sharp (c), Harrison, Wyrwas, Gondwe, Campbell, Clifford, Galligan, Evans, Senft, Packer (c), P. Cleall.