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PWR fixtures revealed as Gloucester-Hartpury start title defence against Leicester Tigers

By Martyn Thomas
EXETER, ENGLAND - JUNE 22: Co-Captains Natasha 'Mo' Hunt and Zoe Aldcroft of Gloucester-Hartpury lift the PWR Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby Final Trophy after her team's victory in the Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby Final match between Bristol Bears and Gloucester-Hartpury at Sandy Park on June 22, 2024 in Exeter, England. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)

Gloucester-Hartpury will begin their quest for a third successive Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) title against Leicester Tigers at Kingsholm on Sunday, October 6th.

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The back-to-back champions will get their 2024-25 campaign underway in the final match of the opening round, which begins the previous day, playing for The Slater Cup against Leicester.

StoneX Stadium will host the first match of the season on October 5th, as Saracens play Trailfinders Women, before Harlequins host Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham Stoop and last season’s beaten finalists Bristol Bears travel to Franklin’s Gardens to take on Loughborough Lightning.

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Rosie Galligan | Stronger Than You Think

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Rosie Galligan | Stronger Than You Think

Sale Sharks, meanwhile, have a bye for the opening round and will play their first match of the season on Saturday, October 12th when they welcome Saracens to CorpAcq Stadium for an evening kick-off.

The regular season will be played over 18 rounds and conclude on the weekend of February 22nd-23rd, 2025. The semi-finals will be played on March 1st and 2nd, with the final taking place on Sunday, March 16th.

Gloucester-Hartpury will again be among the favourites to lift the title in March, having lost only three PWR matches across the past two seasons, but attack coach Andrew Ford is taking nothing for granted.

“I don’t think we are putting any pressure on ourselves; we are fully aware that the league is getting stronger which is exactly what we want,” Ford said.

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“We want competitive games every weekend and I think that is exactly what you are going to get this year with the PWR.

“We have had two very good seasons, we understand that we are going to have some tough games this year, we will probably lose a few games this year but ultimately our goal is to finish in that top four and we would love for another home semi-final at Kingsholm.”

On the opening weekend, Gloucester-Hartpury and Leicester will play for The Slater Cup, the trophy named in honour of Ed Slater, the former men’s captain of both clubs who is suffering from Motor Neurone Disease.

“It’s a very meaningful fixture for the whole of Gloucester and it’s something the girls and the lads will really get behind,” Gloucester-Hartpury attack coach Andrew Ford said.

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“Ed is a fantastic character and the way that Gloucester gets around something like this really brings us together.

Fixture
England Premier 15s
Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC
07:45
6 Oct 24
Leicester Tigers Women
All Stats and Data

“We really want to grow our attendances this year and want to help make sure that people come down and watch because we think we play an exciting brand of rugby and everyone who comes to watch us always says how much they have enjoyed it, whether it’s their first time or their 20th time.”

Another early date to add to the diary comes on Saturday, October 19th when Bristol Bears host Saracens at Ashton Gate in a double-header with the clubs’ men’s teams.

Bears head coach Dave Ward said: “We’d love to be [playing at Ashton Gate more often]. We’re playing a double header with the men which is incredible. The men want to support us, and we want to support them.

“We want to get to Ashton Gate as much as possible, but we want to do it in the right environment. We also love Shaftesbury Park, it’s our home, we got 1,000 people there a couple of times last season which is incredible for a ground like that. For us, it’s getting the balance right for when to be at Ashton Gate.”

PWR 2024-25 opening round fixtures (all times BST)

Saturday, October 5th

14:00 – Saracens v Trailfinders Women, StoneX Stadium
15:00 – Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs, Twickenham Stoop
15:00 – Loughborough Lightning v BristolBears, Franklin’s Gardens

Sunday, October 6th

TBC – Gloucester-Hartpury v Leicester Tigers, Kingsholm Stadium

For the full 2024-25 PWR fixture list, click here.

The Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 is coming to England. Register now here to be the first to hear about tickets.

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N
NS 1 hour ago
The All Blacks' backline is to blame for Robertson's unflattering record

We need big bodies to match European and South African Team. NZ got them in heaps. The end of the year Northern Hemisphere tour is coming and it is the perfect time to realign and makes changes.


Firstly, a few pointers for Razor. BB and DMAc are not 1st Fives. As long as these two start all blacks will never win big games. Pick only one in the reserve for big games as cover for FB. Richie Moanga is ok and better than BB and DMAc at 1st five. If Richie is available BB and Dmac should never be picked.


Secondly, Rico has to go. Rico is the reason why all blacks did not win the world cup. It was lost in the quarter final when he sledged departing Irish player. Perhaps if he had performed a haka and bring him to tears rather than derail him in his last day, Rugby Gods will be smiling at AB. It is karma. Like Gregans "wait 4 more years" Sledge and Australia lost the final to England


On the other hand, you see the South African players will never ever do such acts and go down that low. They are very respectful and good people and they will keep winning. Rugby Gods will make South Africa win and they will keep winning unless Scott makes these changes


Thirdly, Don't let Sam Cane go. All Blacks have to keep him for big games. All Blacks Maul Defense is good because of him. Just keep him at test level and no other Rugby or very minimal club Rugby. Young loosies should hang around with Cane and learn about humility and respect


A message to BB, Dmac, Rico, Ardie Savea and TJ. Please make yourselves unavailable for 2 years. Ardie you are good but not a Back Row. You are too light.


That out of the way, now let’s select the team.


Front row sorted out by Jason Ryan. Won’t talk about it.


Locking sorted out with Tupou, Scott, Darry, Pat Tuipulotu and Josh Lord


Loosies. Do away with Ardie for a while. Go with Siti, Sotutu, Cane, Ethan, Jacobson, Papalii and Finau

Young stars like Satiti and Finau have to be grounded and train hard in the gym and bulk up for the next world cup. Sotutu has to work harder off the ball.


Half Backs: TJ out.  Cam Roigard [has to learn to scream and communicate game time], Ratima and Noah Hotham


Back Line:        


    1st Five: Harry Plummer [Inside center Cover]

                                2nd five: JB [Fullback and first five cover]

                                Outside Centre: Billy Proctor

                                Wings: Clarke and Will Jordon [Fullback Cover]

                                Fullback: Ruben Love [1st Five Cover], Zarn Sullivan

Wings: Shaun Stevson [Fullback Cover], Talaea and Narawa


Centre: Quinn Tupaea, Umaga Jenson Brothers - need big boys, ALB


Messaage to BB, DMac, Ardiae, Rico and  TJ. If you want All Backs to evolve and be world leaders again, please make yourselves unavailable for 2 years. Please just do it for your country. You will come back stronger in 2 years.


New Zealand team reminds me of NSW State of Origin. They always had the best players in their positions but never selected them in their position until Madge came and now NSW will be untouchable.

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