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PWR Round 18 permutations
The top four places may be decided but there remains plenty to play for on the final day of the PWR regular season.
Reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury were beaten for the first time this campaign by Trailfinders Women at the weekend but are guaranteed top spot, as they enter the weekend with a six-point cushion over Saracens.
Sarries have also wrapped up a home semi-final but neither of the top two know yet which opposition they will face on June 14.
Exeter Chiefs currently sit third and go into Round 18 four points clear of Trailfinders. The Devonians therefore know that a win at home to Sale Sharks will guarantee third spot and a trip to the StoneX in the semi-finals.
They would also get there if they secure two bonus points, while one would be enough should Trailfinders get four or fewer points. Trailfinders need a 102-point swing in their favour to overhaul Chiefs on points difference, meaning there are three scenarios in which they could leapfrog Exeter:
- Trailfinders win with a bonus point, Chiefs get no points against Sale
- Trailfinders win without a bonus point, Chiefs pick up no points, and there is a 102-point swing
- Trailfinders win with a bonus point, Chiefs pick up one point against Sale, and there is a 102-point swing
Sharks make the trip to Sandy Park knowing they could still climb above Harlequins into fifth, though they need a bonus-point win by a margin of more than 24 points to do so.
If Sale lose, they could find themselves overtaken by Loughborough Lightning, should they win at neighbours Leicester Tigers. Just three points separate Sale and Loughborough going into the final day.
Bristol Bears still have a faint chance of finishing in seventh, but they would need to win with a bonus point at leaders Gloucester-Hartpury and hope Lightning do not pick up any points at Leicester - with a 15-point swing added in for good measure.
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