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What to watch in women’s rugby: PWR pace-setters Saracens host champions

203 days ago

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: May Campbell of Saracens runs with the ball during the Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby match between Bristol Bears Women and Saracens Women at Ashton Gate on October 19, 2024 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

Fresh from their first home Premiership Women’s Rugby defeat since June 2023, champions Gloucester-Hartpury face a daunting test in round four as they head to Saracens, the only team to beat them last season.

Saracens sit top of the nascent standings having made it three wins from three with an impressive 41-24 defeat of Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate last Saturday.

May Campbell and Sydney Gregson each crossed the whitewash twice, while full-back Jemma-Jo Linkins finished the match with 12 points as Saracens ran in six tries in total.

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By contrast, the Circus fell to a narrow 21-15 defeat at Kingsholm as Mikiela Nelson’s second-half try for Exeter Chiefs ultimately proved the difference between the teams.

It was the first time that Gloucester-Hartpury had lost a league match on home soil since the Chiefs triumphed 58-19 at Hartpury University Stadium on the final day of the 2022/23 regular season.

The champions will be determined to bounce back but chasing a first top-flight title since 2022, the Londoners could be an even more intimidating proposition on Sunday if they are bolstered by their England contingent.

Red Roses captain Marlie Packer, lock Rosie Galligan and fly-half Zoe Harrison could all return for the visit of Gloucester-Hartpury, although winger Jess Breach has been ruled out through injury.

Fixture

PWR

Saracens Women

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Full-time

Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC

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The Circus, though, could also welcome back their WXV 1 winners. Zoe Aldcroft, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Mackenzie Carson, Georgia Brock, Natasha Hunt and Tatyana Heard were all part of the triumphant squad in Canada and sat out the defeat to the Chiefs.

Should we see those players in opposition at StoneX Stadium it will only add to what already feels like a pivotal early season encounter.

You can watch the action unfold live and for free via RugbyPass TV, except in the UK, Ireland, Canada and the USA.

Sunday, October 27th

12:45 GMT – Saracens v Gloucester-Hartpury, StoneX Stadium – WATCH LIVE HERE

Culling’s rise from amateur to professional

British marathon runner Anya Culling joins Ashleigh Wilmot and Jodie Ounsley in the studio for the latest episode of Stronger Than You Think.

Culling first ran the London Marathon in 2019, as a running novice, completing the course in four hours and 34 minutes.

Three years later, she knocked two hours off that time and became an elite runner, going on to represent England at the Copenhagen Marathon.

In conversation with Wilmot and Ounsley, Culling outlines the role the pandemic played in her remarkable transformation and discusses how her life has changed since dedicating herself to running.

Watch Stronger Than You Think HERE

Comments

1 Comment

BC 200 days ago

Fortunate win for Sarries, Referee didn't give a Gloucester try when replays showed it was grounded, The TMO was no better. It would have put Gloucester 17 points ahead into the last 10 minutes. We saw Cleal laugh afterwards, she knew she got away with it.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 2 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

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RedWarriors 2 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

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JM 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

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RedWarriors 2 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

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OJohn 2 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

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Carlos 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

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Solenn Bonnet 3 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

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Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

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BC 3 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍