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.
This story is from the November 12, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 12, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Edwards gives Gatland a little to think about
A TERRIFIC effort from Ospreys should have seen victory and it was rough justice that high-flying Cardiff escaped with an undeserved draw.
Cowan-Dickie: I'm back and buzzing
LUKE Cowan-Dickie's journey back to the pinnacle of rugby is nothing short of extraordinary.
Clow keeps Rams in touch at the top
RAMS inward approach is paying dividends with the club involved in another title race thanks in part to free scoring flyer Zachary Clow.
Powell powers over to take Quins home
PLAYMAKER Kayleigh Powell powered past four defenders to score the eighth Harlequins try and narrowly edge out a spirited Trailfinders side to secure a late comeback win in a 15-try derby thriller.
Hathaway can follow Zam Skivington
GEORGE Skivington has backed Josh Hathaway to continue to go from strength to strength as the young winger attempts to follow in the slipstream of Louis Rees-Zammit and be a big hit for club and country.
Hybrid Hash will tie Borthwick in knots
THE description 'Hybrid Central Contracts' does not inspire confidence. Hybrid usually means a bit of this, and a bit of that — and 'Hybrid Hash' would be a more apt term for the RFU contracts given to 17 England players just before the autumn series slump.
Quins leave it late to power past Falcons
MARCUS Smith showed his class on Friday night, being an imperious creator and finisher as Harlequins romped to an emphatic five-try victory on Tyneside.
We need to see a complete shake-up
A NEW year and change is on the way across many aspects of the game, not least with the possibility of an SGM creating a complete change at the RFU.
Cool McBryde steals it for RGC
BILLY McBryde held his nerve to land a last kick of the match conversion to snatch a stunning 4139 win for RGC over leaders Ebbw Vale at Parc Eirias.
Century of highs for La Rochelle
AN IMPRESSIVE milestone at Stade Marcel Deflandre was reached last night, where La Rochelle hosted their 100th sell-out match in a row – either side of the period of pandemic restrictions – a run stretching back to January 2, 2016.
