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'We've had a mixed bag of results, this weekend is crucial for our season'
Only five sleeps until Christmas and one day until our final game of 2024 in Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR).
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Bristol Bears are heading to Stone X Stadium to see out the year in what is set to be a Christmas cracker!
With the big news of Ilona Maher joining the PWR, it is only right to start this column highlighting the impact she has had for Bristol already. With their first league game of 2025 in January already reaching over 5,000 ticket sales and the match being moved to Ashton Gate, Maher will look to make her PWR debut in the new year as she sets her sights on making the USA 15s World Cup squad come the summer.
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My team Saracens have had a mixed bag of results over the last few games. A rough result against Harlequins followed by a hard fought win against Loughborough, we’ve put ourselves in a position where this weekend is crucial for our season.
As a player it can be really frustrating when results don’t go your way. It’s not a case of not trying hard or not wanting to win, it’s just small errors that lead to negative consequences and shifts in momentum that can really stunt your performance. Having said that the vibes at the club are still good and players such as Canadians Gabby Senft and Fancy Bermudez are great fun and bring lots of energy to the group.
Bristol are always a physical team. With a stacked Red Roses front row, and fly-half Holly Aitchison pulling the strings, we know that they like to play out from the back. They will use their big ball carriers to pull the defence around whilst playing width to width up the pitch.
As a Saracens team it will be crucial for us to learn from our mistakes against Gloucester-Hartpury. From the tackle to spacings, our defence this week will be pivotal. Catch the match live on YouTube at 2pm on Saturday.
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There is also another top of the table clash this weekend with Gloucester-Hartpury heading down to Sandy Park to take on Exeter Chiefs. Chiefs have found their mojo again this season, sitting top of the table, with the Cherry and Whites still finding their feet after a few losses earlier in the year.
It will be a battle of the best as Gloucester look to secure a win on the road to keep within the top four. Make sure to tune into this game on YouTube at 3pm.
And lastly we can’t forget Big Game. As a former Harlequins player, playing in Big Game is an incredible experience. Not many people get to play at Twickenham (Allianz Stadium), so to be able to play there in your club colours is extra special.
This year Quins will be taking on Leicester Tigers. Although Tigers aren’t in the top four running, I do love how they play around Meg Jones. She’s cemented herself as one of England’s best players in the past 12 months and I’m excited to see what she can do on the big stage and I’m sure she’ll put on a show for the fans regardless of the result!
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Next year is a massive year for women’s rugby and all internationals will be striving to perform in the PWR to ensure they stand a chance of selection in their respective World Cup squads. I know a lot of players chose to come to Saracens to make sure they’re in the best place going into the World Cup.
I’ll be planning to switch off fully over Christmas and then we’re back training on New Year’s Eve as our first game back is the following weekend against Loughborough and we need to start coming away with points, as we’re aiming for a top four finish.
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