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Gloucester-Hartpury dismantle Saracens to claim PWR three-peat

Players of Gloucester-Hartpury spray drinks as they celebrate with the Premiership Women's Rugby Trophy in the Gloucester-Hartpury dressing room after the Premiership Women's Rugby Final match between Gloucester-Hartpury and Saracens at the StoneX Stadium on March 16, 2025 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)

Sometimes finals can be torrid, tense affairs without much to get your teeth stuck into. This final however, did not lack for points on the board, ferocious defence or scintillating tries- nine of them altogether.

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With Red Roses head coach John Mitchell watching on, two sides packed with international talent left nothing on the pitch for the last time this season.

Ultimately, despite a strong first half performance from Saracens, Gloucester provided the composure and class they have become known for, sending new Wales head coach Sean Lynn into his first Six Nations championship with a piece of history- leading the first Premiership Women’s Rugby side to three league titles on the bounce.

In the first five mins at the StoneX Stadium, Gloucester kept the ‘home’ supporters quiet by getting on the score board early. Winger Mia Venner who had a stand out performance, ran a great line, and with a perfectly timed inside pass, Kate Williams scored for the Cherry and Whites, with the conversion from Emma Sing missed.

However, the silencing of the crowd didn’t last long. Barely two minutes later, another beautiful inside pass from Poppy Cleall found fellow England team mate Jess Breach on a fantastic line, who ran from 30 metres out to score, with a successful conversion from Zoe Harrison to claim the lead.

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And this was the beginning of a purple patch for the women in black. The pressure they were putting on the Cherry and Whites began to show as a pass to floor from fly-half Lleucu George in the middle of the field was claimed by Sarries and resulted in a penalty to them.

Harrison kicked to the right hand corner, which saw a lineout driving maul, and a penalty try awarded as Natasha Hunt was given ten minutes in the bin.

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And with the beating heart of their opposition sat on the side lines, Saracens took advantage. Lock Rosie Galligan made good metres, alongside Marlie Packer who forged forward with ball in hand and with a hand off to the face of Wales captain Hannah Jones, the ball was worked to the other side of the pitch, and with Gloucester’s defence in sixes and sevens, Breach passed to Lotte Sharp on the left wing and the American international touched down, giving Saracens an unexpected 14 point advantage with only a quarter of the game played.

However, a mark of a champion side is one who thrives in adversity and after a knock on and high tackle from Saracens, Gloucester received a penalty and a precision kick from George earned territory in the opposing 22. With Venner acting as scrum-half, she found Hannah Jones in space, who sailed a pass out wide to Sing who went over in the corner. Despite the conversion being missed, the gap was closing.

With Hunt back on, Gloucester’s forwards did the talking, until the ball once again found Venner on the right wing, who stepped two defenders to dot down. If someone is putting their hand up for an England starting position this Six Nations, it’s Venner.

Again, the conversion missed, but only four points separated the teams going into half-time at 15-19. Despite the slim lead it was obvious Gloucester-Hartpury were rattled by the ferocity Saracens had brought from minute one to 40.

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The second half started in the same manner for Gloucester-Hartpury with an early score after Zoe Aldcroft found player of the match Maud Muir who raced through from ten metres out unopposed to go in under the posts. The conversion saw Gloucester go 22-19 ahead, taking the lead for the first time since the seventh minute.

And there was more to come from the West Country team as the ball was worked up the pitch and a five metre lineout saw Gloucester rumble over with hooker Neve Jones claiming the five points and extending their lead to 27-19.

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However, with Saracens defending their own line Alex Matthews was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Cleall in the 52nd minute, leaving her side a woman down for the second time in the match.

Despite the player advantage, Saracens were not able to capitalise and Gloucester continued to show why there are double reigning champions, managing the spell with composure, continuing to knock on Saracens’ try line.

Eventually the break through came when Hunt dotted down from the base of a ruck after going through the phases and Gloucester-Hartpury were able to build off a dominant scrum platform.

Despite a few clean breaks down the wings for Saracens, they didn’t look as much of a threat in the second half and were unable to add to the scoreline in their favour. At this point it was all Gloucester, flying high at 34-19.

In final ten minutes the match became more stop start as replacements were made and the game lost its sting, with Gloucester fans preparing to see their team lift the trophy for the third time in a row.

And that they did in front of  7,848 fans, with departing head coach Sean Lynn and retiring club legend Kathryn Buggy ending their Gloucester-Hartpury careers on a high.

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Amelia Jonathan 3 hours ago
Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

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JW 5 hours ago
Crusaders vs Force takes: Let's talk about Sevu Reece, forgotten All Black returns

I think Reece has bulked up too much and now doesn’t have the pace to perform to his previously high standards. He’s making himself less of a winger but I’m not really sure he’s filling another role succinctly either. I think criticism at the AB level has seen him try to redevelop his game, I’m really not sure he can be continued to be used at the highest level. Definitely becoming the wing version Richie Mo’unga is possible (if not already attained) at Super Rugby level however. I loved watching him play when he first broke through.

The Force are undeniably much improved this season, but it’s going to take some reps to prove to themselves that they really can hang with the big dogs.

Yeah they’re still well off in the quality personal front.

It was the 21-year-old’s first appearance of the season, and he certainly made the most of it, with 13 carries accounting for 50 running metres – each of them passing by in a blur as Springer made his may to the try line time and time again.

Will Jordan was playmaking superbly to assist the youngster’s points tally, but it was all individual brilliance in the 53rd minute when Springer tiptoed down the sideline before collecting his own chip kick and outpacing the final two defenders to score under the posts.

After pre-season I said that I wanted Springer to cement the starting jersey, and that (well I’ve not no idea exactly which sides they play) another new wing recruit, Kunawave, would replace Reece as the Fijian Flyer in the team by season end. Reece might be making that tough, but unfortunately it looks like there wasn’t a full squad spot for the young fella and he has since made his AB7s debut instead. Watch this space though as he and Saifoloi look to have the X factor👍


That Jordan pass to Springer aside it was otherwise a very lackluster game for him as he looks to be struggling with processing his option taking in this new style he’s trying. Still have to think a man of that talent and ingenuity is going to make it click sooner or later though!

t’s a congested position, and after Ennor shot down talk of him being swept up by a Top 14 outfit this week, it looks as if the Crusaders have some selection headaches to solve in the coming weeks.

That’s great news. I can’t remember if it was because he actually made his return in pre-season or not but for some reason I was liking how Ennor looked like he might be providing the right options for Saders and even ABs when back. Very pleased to see him fit straight in though there was plenty of space on offer but he almost looked as if he was more dangerous with no space. Could be the long looked for option at 13?

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