PWR Round 5 Preview

Derby weekend descends on the Premiership Women's Rugby for Round 5, with local bragging rights on the line.

Trailfinders Women take on Saracens as they look to stake their claim to be London's best team, while Gloucester-Hartpury travel down to Bristol Bears in a repeat of last season's semi-final.

Leicester Tigers will go in search of their first win of the season as they take on Loughborough Lightning in the East Midlands Derby, while the south west takes on the north west as Exeter Chiefs visit Sale Sharks.

Massive Matchups! 👊

Derby Weekend is just around the corner! 🤩#PWR pic.twitter.com/r1BKoBd5MC

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) November 26, 2025

SATURDAY 29 NOVEMBER 

Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs – Morson Stadium – 2pm – live on YouTube 

The two teams farthest apart by distance open Round 5 of the PWR as Exeter Chiefs make the 230-mile trip up to Sale Sharks. 

Both clubs arrived into the PWR at the same time back in 2020, but Sharks have always played second fiddle to their south west counterparts, and that includes their performances so far this season. 

The hosts will go in search of just their second win of the season when they welcome Chiefs, who sit six points ahead of Sale with an extra win and a draw to their name as they occupy the third of four semi-final spots. 

However, the manner of Sharks’ defeats provide hope with bonus points from each of their games so far. 

Georgie Perris-Redding makes her first start of the season for the home side as one of six changes for Sale, while Liv McGoverne makes her 50th appearance for Chiefs who have made changes to their forward pack. 

Team News 

Sale Sharks: 15 Lizzie Duffy, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 13 Laura Perrin, 12 Katana Howard, 11 Shona Campbell, 10 Holly Aitchison, 9 Amy Relf; 1 Gwen Pyrs, 2 Amelia Hyndman, 3 Nick James, 4 Eva Donaldson, 5 Erica Jarrell-Searcy, 6 Georgie Perris-Redding, 7 Katie Childs, 8 Sharifa Kasolo 

Replacements: 16 Leah Bartlett, 17 Tysh Harper, 18 Evie Roach, 19 Morwenna Talling, 20 Charlotte Fray, 21 Olivia Ortiz, 22 Evie Wills, 23 Trudy Cowan 

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Merryn Elworthy, 14 Katie Buchanan, 13 Nancy McGillivray, 12 Alex Tessier, 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 10 Liv McGoverne, 9 Flo Robinson; 1 Hope Rogers, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 Amy Rule, 4 Linda van der Velden, 5 Abby Duguid, 6 Emily Robinson, 7 Maisy Allen, 8 Gabriella Nigrelli 

Replacements: 16 Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, 17 ⁠Abby Middlebrooke, 18 Alessia Skeates, 19 ⁠Dorothy Wall, 20 ⁠Zoe Dare, 21 Lucy Nye, 22 Naomi Brennan, 23 Maddie Flutey 

Referee: Daniel Rowlands 

Assistant Referees: Jason Garrick & Simon Park 

Oval Insights 

Sale Sharks 

• Sale Sharks Women recorded the highest retained kick percentage (19.0%) and most retained kicks (4) in the latest round. 
• Amy Cokayne leads the Premiership in turnovers won (6) and ranks second for lineout throws won (30). 
• Erica Jarrell made the most dominant tackle contacts in the latest round (3) and averages 2.1 post-contact meters per carry (6th in league). 
•  Sale Sharks Women are tied for most maul tries scored (4) while Rhona Lloyd has contributed 4 tries (joint-most in league). 

Exeter Chiefs 

• Exeter Chiefs Women lead the league in successful tackles (738) and recorded the most in the latest round (294). 
• Maisy Allen made 28 successful tackles in the latest round (most in round) and has scored 4 tries this season (joint-most in league). 
• Claudia Moloney-MacDonald leads the Premiership in meters made (372) and initial breaks (7). 
• Exeter Chiefs Women have won the most scrums (34) from the most total scrums (40), while Hope Rogers won 4 turnovers in the latest round (most in round). 

Round 5 here we come! 🔥#PWR pic.twitter.com/TzWLI1RUWT

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) November 26, 2025

Trailfinders Women v Saracens - Trailfinders Sports Club, 3pm - live on YouTube

Trailfinders host bitter London rivals Saracens at Trailfinders Sports Club in Round 5 of the PWR. 

The West London club are searching for their first win over Saracens in their history, entering the weekend in fine form. 

They have made just two changes from the side that swept Bristol Bears aside last round, as Cristina Blanco and Isla Norman-Bell come onto the bench having missed out in the previous week. 

Conversely, Sarries have made eight changes to their starting XV after beating Leicester Tigers 79-5 last time out. 

Five extra World Cup winners return to the starting side to join Rosie Galligan including captain Zoe Harrison and star full-back Jess Breach.

Trailfinders Women: 15. Julia Schell 14. Grace White 13. Meg Jones 12. Carys Cox 11. Francesca McGhie 10. Claire Gallagher 9. Ella Amory 1. Alivia Leatherman 2. Georgia Ponsonby 3. Maya Montiel 4. Grace Moore 5. Alana Borland 6. Rachel Malcolm 7. Kate Zackary © 8. Abi Burton

Replacements: 16. Cristina Blanco 17. Cana Williams 18. Miça Evans 19. Emma Taylor 20. Haidee Head 21. Brooke Bradley 22. Isla Norman-Bell 23. Rosie Inman

Saracens: 15. Jess Breach 14. Alysha Corrigan 13. Sydney Gregson 12. Emma Hardy 11. Lotte Sharp 10. Zoe Harrison © 9. Olivia Apps 1. Kelsey Clifford 2. May Campbell 3. Donna Rose 4. Rosie Galligan 5. Laetitia Royer 6. Julia Omokhuale 7. Marlie Packer 8. Poppy Cleall

Replacements: 16. Bryony Field 17. Liz Crake 18. Carmen Tremelling 19. Louise McMillian 20. Georgia Evans 21. Gabrielle Senft 22. Beth Blacklock 23. Sarah McKenna

Referee: Matt Sharpe

Assistant Referees: Michael Maple, Melanie Sutton

Oval Insights:

Trailfinders Women

- Trailfinders Women retain the highest percentage of kicks at 20.7% and have the most retained kicks (12) in the Premiership.

- Georgia Ponsonby has scored 4 tries this season (joint-most in league) and won 13 lineout throws in the latest round (most in round).

- Carys Cox leads the league with 3 tackle turnovers won this season and recorded 2 in the latest round (joint-most).

- Trailfinders Women are tied for most maul tries scored (4) while Meg Jones achieved a 71.4% goal kick success rate in the latest round (2nd highest).

Saracens

- Saracens Women lead the Premiership in points scored (173) and tries scored (27) this season.

- Poppy Cleall recorded the most tries in the latest round with 3, while also making a round-high 6 offloads.

- Olivia Apps has created 4 try assists this season (2nd in league) and made 4 initial breaks in the latest round (most in round).

- Saracens Women lead the league with 88 offloads and 37 initial breaks, complemented by Zoe Harrison's 92.3% goal kicking success rate (best in league).

Loughborough Lightning v Leicester Tigers - cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens - 3pm - Live on BBC iPlayer

Leicester Tigers will be aiming to use the occasion of the East Midlands derby to claim their first win of the season at the cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens.

The visitors have struggled for form this season and will meet a Lightning side who have enjoyed a full complement of results so far this term.

After two weeks without action, Lightning will aim to go one better than their 33-33 draw with Exeter Chiefs last time out.

To that end, Canada international Fancy Bermudez is handed her first start for the club on the right wing while Bo Westcombe-Evans will make her 50th appearance on the left.

After defeat to Saracens on the road last time out, Tigers have made four changes in search of better fortunes in Northampton.

Alana Bainbridge and Clodagh Dunne come into the front row as Eneka Labeyrie and Charlotte Daley also come into start.

Loughborough Lightning: 15 Bulou Mataitoga, 14 Fancy Bermudez, 13 Alev Kelter, 12 Carmela Morrall, 11 Bo Westcombe-Evans, 10 Helen Nelson, 9 Lis Maude; 1 Amelia Williams, 2 Kathryn Treder, 3 Mae Sagapolu, 4 Lilli Ives Campion, 5 Becky Boyd, 6 Tahlia Brody, 7 Kendall Waudby, 8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones

Replacements: 16 Lucy Calladine, 17 Isla Curphey, 18 Grace Clifford, 19 Keevy Fitzpatrick, 20 Rachel Ehrecke, 21 Sadia Kabeya, 22 Megan Davey, 23 Lucia Scott

Leicester Tigers: 15 Tess Feury, 14 Charlotte Daley, 13 Jemima McCalman, 12 Georgia Lingham, 11 Emily Henrich, 10 Kristin Bitter, 9 Eneka Labeyrie; 1 Ellie Smith, 2 Alana Bainbridge, 3 Clodagh Dunne, 4 Hermione Farmer, 5 Emerson Allen, 6 Jordan Russell, 7 Morgan Richardson, 8 Tiana Gordon

Replacements: 16 Alicia Watkins, 17 Beth Cregan, 18 Nadine Vincent, 19 Leah Heath, 20 Rowann Sinclair, 21 Jenny Maxwell, 22 Abileigh Priestnall, 23 Amelie Anstead

Referee: Samuel Yates

Assistant referees: Ian Farrell and Jenny Burrows

Oval Insights

Loughborough Lightning

- Loughborough Lightning recorded the league's highest goal kick success rate at 85.7% and best percentage of restarts retained (5.9%).

- Haineala Lutui leads the Premiership in carries (67) and dominant contacts (20).

- Alev Kelter has beaten 23 defenders this season (most in league) while averaging 2.6 meters per carry (10th in league).

- Loughborough Lightning posted the most post-contact meters (206.0) per match in the latest round, with Helen Nelson contributing 1,046 kick meters (2nd in league) and 5 retained kicks (joint-most in league).

Leicester Tigers

- Leicester Tigers Women recorded the highest post-contact meters per carry (1.9) in the latest round.

- Sam Monaghan recorded a lineout steal in the latest round and ranks second in the league for lineout steals (2).

- Tiana Gordon is tied for most turnovers won in the league (6) and made 8 defensive ruck entries in the latest round (4th most).

- Leicester Tigers Women lead the Premiership in kick meters per kick (28.8), while Georgie Lingham has made 8 offloads (5th in league) and won 2 tackle turnovers in the latest round (joint-most).

Ruahei Demant can't wait to get going in the PWR! 🤩#PWR pic.twitter.com/PY2VgMkvvt

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) November 27, 2025

Sunday 30 November

Bristol Bears v Gloucester Hartpury – Ashton Gate – 12.30pm – live on TNT Sports

Reigning champions Gloucester Hartpury make the short trip to Ashton Gate, as they look to continue their perfect start to the season against Bristol Bears.

The Circus have won all four games this season to sit on a maximum 20 points at the top of the PWR standings.

They face a Bears side with just one win from their opening three matches but with plenty of talent to return to winning ways after a 45-19 defeat to Trailfinders Women last time out.

New signing Ruahei Demant goes straight into the starting XV at inside centre where she partners Emma Orr, while Ella Lovibond moves to full back.

Amy Dale comes in at hooker, with Simi Pam and Sarah Bern either side of her in the front row.

Christina Balogun also comes into the pack in the back row, while Hannah Botterman is amongst the replacements as she is named in the squad for the first time this season.

Gloucester Hartpury welcome Kelsey Jones and Maud Muir back to the front row ahead of Sam Monaghan and Sarah Beckett in the second row.

Lizzie Goulden comes into the side at fly-half alongside Natasha Hunt, while Tatyana Heard and Hannah Dallavalle form an unchanged partnership in midfield.

Nel Metcalfe starts on the wing and joins Mia Venner and Emma Sing in the back three.

Bristol Bears: 15 Ella Lovibond, 14 Reneeqa Bonner, 13 Emma Orr, 12 Ruahei Demant, 11 Millie David, 10 Lucie Skuse, 9 Keira Bevan; 1 Simi Pam, 2 Amy Dale, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Hollie Cunningham, 5 Abbie Ward (c), 6 Delaney Burns, 7 Christiana Balogun, 8 Evie Gallagher

Replacements: 16 Heidi Pashaei-Tarighoun, 17 Hannah Botterman, 18 Aisha Jah, 19 Talia John, 20 Gwennan Hopkins, 21 Tilly Ryall, 22 Savannah Picton-Powell, 23 Jasmine Joyce

Gloucester Hartpury: 15 Emma Sing, 14 Mia Venner, 13 Hannah Dallavalle, 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Nel Metcalfe, 10 Lizzie Goulden, 9 Natasha Hunt (C); 1 El Perry, 2 Kelsey Jones, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Sam Monaghan, 5 Sarah Beckett, 6 Kate Williams, 7 Bethan Lewis, 8 Georgia Brock  

Replacements: 16 Neve Jones, 17 Ranni Samuda, 18 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 19 Steph Else, 20 Zoe Stratford, 21 Lleucu George, 22 Molly Bunker, 23 Rachel Lund 

Referee: Harry Walbaum

Assistant Referees: Mike Hudson & Holly Wood

Oval Insights

Bristol Bears

- Bristol Bears Women lead the Premiership with 4.8 meters per carry and have won the most jackals (15).

- Sarah Bern made 10 dominant contacts in the latest round (most in round) and ranks second for post-contact meters this season (101).

- Evie Gallagher leads the league with 5 jackals and recorded the most defensive ruck entries (12) in the latest round.

- Millie David has accumulated 297 meters made (3rd in league) with 340 carry distance (7th in league).

Gloucester-Hartpury

- Gloucester-Hartpury Women boast the league's best lineout with an 86.4% success rate and lead in total lineouts (59).

- Lleucu George has accumulated 1,500 kick meters (most in league) and recorded the highest kick meters per kick in the latest round (49.7).

- Zoe Stratford leads the Premiership with 3 lineout steals while contributing 52 successful tackles (8th in league).

- Gloucester-Hartpury Women have the most dominant carry contacts (136) and post-contact meters (776) in the league, with Tatyana Heard adding 6 dominant contacts in the latest round (3rd highest).