Premiership Women's Rugby Resumes with High Stakes and Tight Competition
The Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) league makes its highly anticipated return this weekend after a six-week hiatus, with Gloucester-Hartpury aiming to extend a remarkable winning streak that has captivated fans. The West Country team enters the fray unbeaten since a November 2024 loss to local rivals Bristol Bears, having secured 18 consecutive victories in the PWR, including a third successive final triumph. This impressive run sets the stage for a thrilling climax to the season as teams vie for coveted semi-final positions.
Top of the Table Tussle: Gloucester-Hartpury vs Saracens
Gloucester-Hartpury face a crucial match against Loughborough at Kingsholm on Sunday, where a win would propel them past Saracens to claim the top spot. Saracens currently lead the table despite a defeat to the champions earlier this season and have a bye this weekend, adding intrigue to the standings. The top two teams enjoy a significant 12-point advantage over the rest of the league, with both securing home advantage for the semi-finals. This raises the question of whether finishing first holds extra significance when second place offers the same benefit.
Saracens second row Georgia Evans emphasises the importance of leadership, stating, "We want to be top all of the time. This league has stepped up, you've seen how competitive and close some of the games are. Top of the table means a lot." Her comments underscore the heightened intensity and quality within the PWR, reflecting a league that continues to evolve and challenge its participants.
Fierce Battle for Semi-Final Spots
Beneath the top two, a tightly contested race unfolds between third and sixth place, with only three points separating the clubs fighting for the remaining semi-final berths. Trailfinders, positioned sixth, kick off the league's return on Friday night by hosting Harlequins. This match marks a significant moment for Scotland international Emma Wassell, who is set to make her club rugby comeback after a two-year absence due to injuries and a chest tumour.
Wassell, who joined Trailfinders before the season began, has not played at club level since January 2024. Expressing her eagerness, the 31-year-old said, "I am genuinely desperate to get on the pitch. Being able to represent Trailfinders, all of the girls have been so great and coaches and staff. I have really enjoyed being at the club. I have felt very valued." She added, "Now I am getting so close I have butterflies in my stomach about competing for a spot. I think just playing in the league I am excited about. I have been watching it for far too long now from the sidelines."
Struggles at the Bottom and League Structure Debates
A notable gap of eight points exists between the top-six clubs and the lower half of the table, with Leicester Tigers and Bristol Bears facing particular challenges this season. Leicester have managed just one point, while Bristol are on a six-game losing streak. However, relegation remains off the table for now, as the PWR is not yet considering introducing promotion and relegation, sparking discussions among players about the future structure of the league.
Wassell highlighted the disparities in resources, noting, "I do think the setups and resources for every team are not equal and that is tricky. Until you have a better consistency across all clubs [we can't] bring that [promotion/relegation] in because it can feel slightly unfair." In contrast, Evans sees potential benefits, saying, "When you know you are safe, sometimes you can get stuck in a rut. As players it's the same thing, you can get stuck and just go through the motions because 'oh we will be here next year and we will keep building'. It's an exciting thing to think about because it does add that jeopardy."
No Expansion Planned for 2026/27 Season
In further league news, the PWR board has confirmed there will be no expansion in the 2026/27 season, maintaining the current nine-team format that has been in place since Worcester Warriors women's demise in 2023. Genevieve Shore, the PWR's executive chair, explained the decision, stating, "We looked at it and our biggest inhibitor at the moment is player pool. When we have looked across the size of squads, breadth and depth of squads and Championship clubs and universities, we feel like everyone is in a really solid place. But if we were to now throw in a 10th team or an 11th or 12th team then we are putting a bit too much pressure on the system."
Since its relaunch in 2017, the PWR has undergone two retendering processes, leading to clubs like Richmond and Firwood Waterloo being replaced by Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks. The last such process occurred just before the 2023/24 campaign, with no further changes anticipated in the near future, ensuring stability as the league continues to grow and showcase elite women's rugby union.
