Where are England’s World Cup winners playing as PWR returns?

Following England’s victory in the September World Cup at Twickenham, the Premiership Women’s Rugby season begins on Friday.

The 81, 885 fans that watched the World Cup final against Canada were in record for a women’s rugby match, which is the second-highest level of attendance in a men’s or women’s final.

It was also the most-watched women’s rugby match ever on UK television, with a record-breaking peak audience of 5.8 million viewers.

As the stars of England’s all-powerfull squad make their return to action, the Premiership campaign for this season will aim to capitalize on the growth of women’s rugby.

On Friday night, England full-back Ellie Kildunne will play for Harlequins against a Loughborough side that will feature Sadia Kabeya, the World Cup final player of the match.

The BBC will show the match live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, and will feature a live game every week of the season as part of a new coverage deal.

The big names in action on Saturday’s two games include center Meg Jones and prop forward Hannah Botterman.

Next June, England captain Zoe Aldcroft will compete at Twickenham Stoop to defend her title from Gloucester-Hartpury.

The defending champions start their campaign on Sunday against a Saracens side containing Canada’s World Rugby women’s player of year Sophie de Goede.

The return to action is one of those things that you can’t help but toying your mind about, Kildunne said. You want some rest, but I really miss it.

There are 130 players from the World Cup in this season’s PWR, including Ireland back-row star Aoife Wafer, Scotland’s balletic wing Francesca McGhie, New Zealand prop Amy Rule and talented Spanish back Claudia Pena.

Friday, 24 October

(30 BST)): Harlequins v. Loughborough Lightning

Saturday, October 25.

Women Trailfinders v Chiefs of Exeter (15: 00 BST)

Tigers of Leicester vs. Sale Sharks (1900 BST)

Sunday, October 26.

Ellie Kildunne and scrum-half Lucy Packer are the only Harlequins to have won the World Cup.

A crushing semi-final defeat by Saracens came as a disappointment last season after a strong start in coach Ross Chisholm’s first season, which included a 10-game winning streak.

After being defeated by England in the World Cup quarter-final, captain Jade Konkel will step up from the back row with Aoife Wafer, who recently retired from Scotland duty.

One of the best forwards in the world is Ireland’s No. 8 player, Wafer, who won this year’s Women’s Six Nations player of the championship.

Spain back Claudia Pena, 20, is a lethal attacker and one to keep an eye on after signing a new contract in May.

In the first year of the competition, Harlequins reached three finals consecutively, but they haven’t played in the showpiece event since 2021.

Any team is in danger thanks to Kildunne’s skill, who was voted the best player in the world last year and who also scored a stunning try in the World Cup final.

England players:

Lucy Packer

Last season, the Loughborough Lightning finished sixth and out of the play-off spots.

Utility back Helena Rowland impressed when called upon by England in the World Cup, scoring a team-record 27 points against Samoa.

At the age of 23, Flanker Sadia Kabeya, who won the player of the match in the World Cup final, has room for improvement.

Emily Scarratt and Lilli Ives Campion, both of whom played for England in the knockout stages, have announced their retirement this week but will continue to coach for Loughborough.

Given the shortage of front-line internationals, securing a play-off spot for the first time since 2020–21 will be the goal.

England players:

Lilli Ives Campion

Sadia Kabeya

Trailfinders won five games and finished seventh last season.

Head coach Barney Maddison signed a long-term deal in March and despite losing England wing Abby Dow he will be excited to work with centre Megan Jones.

Jones, who joins the Tigers of Leicester, was a star performer at the World Cup and started every game for England, earning a nomination for the World Rugby women’s player of the year award.

Abi Burton made her dream international debut in March against Wales, but she was unable to force her way in as a regular England player.

Having only joined the league in 2023–24, Trailfinders are building nicely as a club and were captained last season by United States skipper Kate Zackary.

The signing of Jones shows obvious intent for a club in decline, even though it may be a season too early for a play-off push.

England players:

Abi Burton

Chiefs of Exeter reached back-to-back finals in 2022 and 2023 and will have expectations of competing at the business end this season.

England flanker Maddie Feaunati came off the bench in the World Cup final and is an explosive ball carrier.

After American number eight Rachel Johnson called it quits from her Exeter career at the end of last season, the 23-year-old’s power will be needed more frequently.

Claudia Moloney-MacDonald is the other member of the England World Cup squad who has won. After recovering from a second neck injury, she will be keen to make up for lost time.

After starting the Six Nations decider in April, the 29-year-old back will be looking to prove a point.

The success of Exeter has been largely due to foreign imports, with both Hope Rogers and Canada’s Alex Tessier, a star-studded World Cup performer, in the lead.

England players

Maddie Feaunati

Sale Sharks won just one game overall and finished last year at the bottom of the PWR.

England lock Morwenna Talling, who scored a try in the World Cup final, and flyhalf Holly Aitchison, who are also top performers this year, are joined by hooker Amy Cokayne, who also scored in the final.

Scotland wing Rhona Lloyd is another signing as Sale aim to climb up the table.

England players:

Amy Cokayne

Morwenna Talling

In April, Fraser Goatcher was named Tigers of Leicester’ director of women’s rugby and Ross Bundy was appointed head coach.

Tigers are on their third boss in as many seasons and have finished ninth and eighth over the past two campaigns.

They are without an England international due to Jones and Cokayne’s absence.

Francesca McGhie, who scored a hat-trick for Scotland against Wales in the World Cup, has also left the team to join Trailfinders.

Although Lynn was instrumental in the champions’ rise in the 2020 season, scrum coach Dan Murphy has kept his position at the top.

Led by England captain Zoe Aldcroft and including scrum-half Natasha Hunt, Gloucester‑Hartpury have eight World Cup winners in their squad – the most of any side – and are favourites to secure another title.

The World Cup final saw the scoring of No. 8 Alex Matthews and Emma sings, who both had top-scoring points last year.

The full-back has consistently performed at a high level PWR level for England despite not being a regular.

England players:

Maud Muir

Mackenzie Carson

Zoe Aldcroft

Alex Matthews

Natasha Hunt

Tatiana Heard

Jade Shekells

England wing Jess Breach scored six tries at the World Cup, while fly-half Harrison, Zoe also played a central role for the Red Roses.

During the tournament, Prop Kelsey Clifford, 23, stepped up and scored five tries to establish herself as the best player.

De Goede, a utility player from Canada, may provide the spark needed for a title-winning campaign. He missed last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Despite Canada losing the World Cup final, the 26-year-old goal-kicking lock was voted the best women’s player on the planet after only returning to action a month before the tournament.

De Goede told BBC Sport, “Hopefully we can put on a performance at club level [in the opening game] that matches the level seen throughout the World Cup.”

Fans transitioning to club rugby can see that it is of high quality and can continue to be excited about the bonds they built through the World Cup.

England players:

Kelsey Clifford

May Campbell

Rosie Galligan

Marlie Packer

Harrison, Zoe

After losing to Gloucester-Hartpury in the semi-finals, Dave Ward, the husband of Bears and England lock Abbie, left the team in April.

Scott Lawson, a former Scotland international, has been replaced by Ward, who won the Bears to reach the 2024 final and four straight semi-finals.

Bears prop Hannah Botterman was at her rampaging best with England during the World Cup, while Ward scored a vital second-half try in the final.

Both Lark Atkins-Davies and Sarah Bern, England’s starting back, were significant bench players who were frequently used.

Ilona Maher, a social media sensation, made her debut at Bristol last year, setting a new record for the league’s 9,240-strong crowd.

The Red Roses stars with Bears will want to carry on the club’s momentum.

England players:

Sarah Bern

Hannah Botterman

Lark Atkin-Davies

Abbie Ward

Abby Dow, an England wing, is still deciding her starting lineup for the upcoming season.

Streamed on the BBC Sport website and iPlayer.

Friday, 24 October

(20-21: 30 BST): Harlequins v. Loughborough Lightning

Saturday, October 25.

Chiefs of Exeter v Gloucester-Hartpury (14:50-17:00 BST)

Saturday, November 8th.

Sale Sharks v. Trailfinders (14:50-17:00 GMT)

Saturday, 15 November

Trailfinders v Bristol Bears (14:50-17:00 GMT)

29 November, Saturday

Loughborough Lightning v Tigers of Leicester (14:50-17:00 GMT)

Sunday, December 7th.

Loughborough Lightning v. Saracens (14:50-17:00 GMT)

Saturday, 13 December

Harlequins v Sale Sharks (17:20-19:30 GMT)

Sunday, December 21.

Tigers of Leicester v Gloucester-Hartpury (14:50-17:00 GMT)