One Month to Go: The PWR Returns on October 24

It’s officially one month until the 2025-26 season of Premiership Women’s Rugby kicks off…whilst we wait, let’s have a look back at what's been a blockbuster year for PWR and the women's rugby!

The 2024-25 season began at StoneX stadium on Sunday 5th October 2024, where Saracens secured a 38-29 win over Trailfinders Women. The opening weekend also saw victories for Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs, setting the tone for a thrilling season.

In November, Ellie Kildunne was named World Rugby’s Women’s 15s Player of the Year. Following an unbeaten run with the Red Roses and a stellar season with Harlequins, she also picked up Six Nations player of the year and was named Harlequins’ Supporters player of the season.

In December, two-time Olympian Ilona Maher made headlines after signing a three-month deal with Bristol Bears. She made her debut for the club on 6th January 2025, in front of an impressive 9,240 fans.

Harlequins set a new world record attendance for a women’s club rugby match during Big Game 16 against Leicester Tigers at Allianz Stadium. A crowd of 18,055 witnessed the action, with Kayleigh Powell earning the Player of the Match award in a dominant 42-17 win.

The semi-finals of the PWR took place on the first weekend of March 2025, with tight battles between Saracens vs Harlequins and Gloucester Hartpury vs Bristol Bears. Both matches delivered high drama, with Saracens and Gloucester Hartpury earning their spots in the final.

On 16th March, Saracens hosted the 2025 PWR Final at the StoneX stadium, hosting a crowd of 7,848 people. But it was Gloucester Hartpury who claimed the title, defeating Saracens 34-19 to secure their third consecutive league title.

In the 2025 Women’s Six Nations, the Red Roses secured their fourth Grand Slam in a row, with a dramatic 43-42 win over France at Allianz Stadium on Saturday 26th April. It marked their seventh consecutive Six Nations title and extended their unbeaten streak to 25 matches.

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup kicked off at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. England battled the USA, where Ilona Maher faced many familiar faces from her time with Bristol Bears. In an impressive opening performance, The Red Roses dominated with a 69-7 win, showing the nation that the best was yet to come.

They continued their unbeaten run through the tournament, beating Samoa and Australia in the pool stage, and overcoming Scotland and France in the knockouts. Now, they prepare to face Canada in the Rugby World Cup Final on Saturday 27th September at 4pm, hoping to lift the trophy in front of their home fans at a sold-out Allianz Stadium.

Following the World Cup, internationals will return to their clubs in preparation for the highly anticipated 2025-26 Premiership Women’s Rugby Season.

It all begins on Friday 24th October at Twickenham Stoop, with Harlequins hosting Loughborough Lightning in the season opener.