Bristol are appearing in their first PWR final but will have to make do without 14-try winger Deborah Wills after she suffered a significant leg injury in last weekend's win over Saracens.
Table-toppers Gloucester-Hartpury will go into the final as overwhelming favourites given they've been beaten just once all season, against Saracens by just 33-31 on the final day of the regular season, and finished 16 points clear of third-place Bristol.
However, both previous meetings were closely fought affairs going the way of Gloucester-Hartpury as the visitors won 12-0 at a shudderingly cold Shaftesbury Park in December, while in February's meeting at Kingsholm the scoreline was 24-19.
Bristol head coach Dave Ward is embracing the underdog tag but says his side can take heart from their close contests considering other teams in the PWR have felt the wrath of the champions' power, admitting there's a reason why they are the league's pacesetters once again.
Ward, right, told The Rugby Paper: "The stats speak for themselves, they are a formidable opponent and almost achieved as they reached the big dance courtesy of a 2921 victory at the StoneX against four-time winners Saracens, which was the first ever away semi-final win in PWR history.
However, Ward says it's time for his side to put their groundbreaking win behind them and start to focus on the big job at hand.
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Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
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YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
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A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
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Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.
