New season set to be explosive
The Rugby Paper|November 12, 2023
Ben Jaycock looks at contenders ahead of next weekend's kick-off to the Women's Premiership season
Ben Jaycock
New season set to be explosive

With just nine teams but a TNT Sports broadcast contract in place, the rebranded Women's Premiership gets underway next weekend.

The women's top flight, formerly known as the Premier 15s, has been reduced due to Worcester Warriors' recent financial demise and suspension from the league. Newcomers Ealing Trailfinders and Leicester Tigers will play their first seasons at this level and have recruited experienced talent in an attempt to compete.

The usual suspects Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs, Saracens and Gloucester-Hartpury impressed in the early season Allianz Cup, all qualifying for the semi-finals. Sean Lynn's Gloucester-Hartpury will be looking to secure back-to-back domestic titles after winning the final back in June 34-19 against Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm.

With an uneven number of teams, Gloucester-Hartpury are handed the first bye week of the season and Lynn, who says his squad aren't feeling the weight of their champions tag, is itching to get going in their opening game at home to Leicester.

Lynn, below, told The Rugby Paper: "We're not feeling any added pressure going into this season, last season was a really successful one and we'd love to back that up with another stellar campaign. It'll be a difficult league and a real competitive one but I'm confident going into it with the squad we've put together.

"It's a shame we're not playing on the opening weekend but the girls are all ready to go in the league after a successful Cup campaign where we've blooded in new talent."

Gloucester-Hartpury had seven players away in England's WXV squad, with last season's Premier 15s player of the year Natasha Hunt earning herself an international recall after missing out on the 2021 World Cup. Scrum-half Hunt was a key figure in England's victorious tournament in New Zealand and Lynn is looking forward to welcoming back his internationals.

Esta historia es de la edición November 12, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición November 12, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE RUGBY PAPERVer todo
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
The Rugby Paper

Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy

TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
South America look to keep on building
The Rugby Paper

South America look to keep on building

AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
Scarratt excited by new pathway
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt excited by new pathway

ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
Baxter: I want to make things better
The Rugby Paper

Baxter: I want to make things better

ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
The Rugby Paper

Pearce walks in his father's footsteps

PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
New England group will cause uncertainty
The Rugby Paper

New England group will cause uncertainty

SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
Galthie turns his sights to the future
The Rugby Paper

Galthie turns his sights to the future

FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
The Rugby Paper

Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson

CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
The Rugby Paper

Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath

BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
The Rugby Paper

New faces take the plaudits for Saints

NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 03, 2024