Abi Burton insists Trailfinders will be fearless in final

Abi Burton insisted there is ‘not one ounce of fear’ in the Trailfinders Women’s dressing room ahead of the PWR final against Saracens on Sunday.

Two Isla Norman-Bell tries helped the West Londoners hold off Gloucester-Hartpury 29-26 in the semi-finals, rendering the hosts’ 14-match unbeaten run at the start of the season futile.

And in her third year at the club, Burton believes they can spring another surprise in their first-ever PWR final.

The back row said: “We're not scared. We've played them twice and the scoreline hasn't gone our way, but there's not one ounce of fear in this room with that team that's going to play on Sunday. 

“We truly believe that we can win. What do you play for before if you don't believe that? You bear in mind what's happened in the past but ultimately, there’s no fear going into it.”

Burton and her side suffered an 80-14 defeat to Sarries in the final game of the regular season, but still qualified for the play-offs in fourth spot, while their opponents progressed in second.

But Trailfinders come into the final in a buoyant mood, having entered the play-offs for the first time since their league debut in 2023, and running away to a 24-7 lead against firm favourites Gloucester Hartpury at Queensholm.

Final opponents Saracens have won the PWR three times before and were runners-up last season, while Trailfinders would be the first team to lift the trophy after finishing in fourth position in the regular season.

She said: “The fact that it is at Twickenham Stoop and an all-London final, you'll be Queens of the PWR and Queens of London by the end of this. So it will be such a spectacular occasion. 

“You see all of Sarries’ branding - the original club of North London - and I think it's incredibly done but it also lights a bit of a fire as well. We want to be a dominant force within the entirety of PWR, but I feel like if you're the best in London, you get the bragging rights.

“But I think the rivalry and the competitiveness are already through the roof.”

The 26-year-old has become a stalwart for Trailfinders Women after signing in 2024.

Making the switch from GB Sevens back to XVs, the back row has become one of the premier ball carriers in the league and went on to earn her England debut in 2025 against Wales.

Now with four caps under her belt Burton earned a Six Nations Team of the Tournament selection in this year's championship, bringing years of PWR experience to a young side and she is well aware of her duty to help others come through. 

She said: “Against Gloucester the other week, when Annabel Meta came on the pitch, I grabbed hold of her and I told her exactly what I thought and how confident I was in her.

“I was quite passionate and Annabel said she was scared of me a little bit in that moment but I think that in those moments when I was that age, if one of those older girls came up to me and just told me how confident they were in me, I felt like I could take on anybody. Because you're so young, you have no fear either.” 

That core of younger players includes Niamh Gallagher and Grace White, both of whom have proved electric at the youth international level.

But the Saracens squad looks formidable on paper, boasting seasoned England internationals such as Marlie Packer, Zoe Harrison, and Jess Breach, as well as starlets Tori Sellors and Amelia MacDougall.

Only time will tell who will take home the PWR Title on Sunday.