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PWR Round 6 Preview: Sunday double-header as Chiefs seek sixth straight win in front of TNT Sports cameras
Exeter Chiefs will bid to make it six wins on the spin in front of the TNT Sports cameras in the final game of Round 6 in Premiership Women’s Rugby.
Chiefs take on Loughborough Lightning at Sandy Park on Sunday, with Australia international Lori Cramer set to make her first start since returning to the club while Red Roses star Helena Rowland is back in action for Lightning.
The weekend begins with Leicester Tigers taking on Bristol Bears before Trailfinders host Gloucester-Hartpury. The Sunday double-header starts in South-West London, with Harlequins hosting Sale Sharks.
Unparalleled entertainment 🎉
— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) November 8, 2024
The unbeaten @ExeChiefsWomen will welcome @LightningRugby to Sandy Park this Sunday 🏟️
You can watch the match live on @rugbyontnt from 3pm 🎆#PWR #PoweredDifferently pic.twitter.com/uaSilXMUNc
SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER
Leicester Tigers v Bristol Bears – Mattioli Woods Welford Road – 12pm
Leicester Tigers are hunting their first win of the season in the weekend opener against away-day specialists Bristol Bears.
Both Bears wins so far this season have come away from Shaftesbury Park – against Loughborough Lightning and Sale Sharks – and last season’s beaten finalists will be determined to pick up another five points on the road as they aim to make ground on the top four.
Tigers are at home for their third game in a row and after putting up encouraging displays against Harlequins and Trailfinders will be hopeful of clinching an all-important first win.
🎶 🎶
— Leicester Tigers Women's (@TigersWomens) November 7, 2024
Jordan Russell is providing the Pre-Match Playlist on Saturday, ahead of taking on Bristol, thanks to PPL PRS. pic.twitter.com/75xByy5fEz
Bears are buoyed by the return of Sarah Bern following suspension, with Delaney Burns and Jenny Herring also coming into the starting lineup.
Jenny Hesketh is named at full-back, with Jasmine Joyce-Butchers switching to the wing in place of Reneeqa Bonner, who is away with GB Sevens.
For the first time this season, Tigers head coach Tom Hudson is able to name an unchanged starting XV from the side that started last week's clash against Trailfinders.
The squad's singular change comes amongst the replacements, where Olympian and Red Rose star Meg Jones returns for her first minutes in a Tigers shirt in eight months.
Match officials
Referee: Jonathan Cook
Assistant Referee: Rebecca Rees and Simon Adams
Team News
Leicester Tigers
15 Tess Feury, 14 Emily Henrich, 13 Evie Wills, 12 Katie Childs, 11 Francesca McGhie, 10 Claire Gallagher, 9 Amy Relf; 1 Leah Bartlett, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Sophie Benavent, 4 Julia Omokhuale, 5 Catha Jacobs, 6 Eva Donaldson, 7 Morgan Richardson, 8 Charlotte Fray (c)
Replacements
16 Nikki Simpson, 17 Abbey Constable, 18 Nadine Vincent, 19 Leah Heath, 20 Jordan Russell, 21 Jenny Maxwell, 22 Natasha Jones, 23 Meg Jones
Bristol Bears
15. Jenny Hesketh, 14. Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, 13. Emma Orr, 12. Phoebe Murray, 11. Millie David, 10. Amber Reed (cc), 9. Keira Bevan; 1. Hannah Botterman, 2. Lark Atkin-Davies (vc), 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Hollie Cunningham, 5. Delaney Burns, 6. Alisha Joyce-Butchers, 7. Jenny Herring, 8. Row Marston-Mulhearn.
Replacements
16. Lana Skeldon, 17. Simi Pam, 18. Danyelle Dinapoli, 19. Christiana Balogun, 20. Gabriella Nigrelli, 21. Lucy Burgess, 22. Jenna De Vera, 23. Ella Lovibond
Oval Insights
Leicester Tigers
- Francesca McGhie made 154 metres last weekend - more than any other player. She beat nine defenders (2nd), made four clean breaks (1st), and scored two tries.
- Charlotte Fray made six dominant tackles in Round 5; no player has made as many in a match so far this season.
- Leicester had the quickest average ruck speed in Round 5 (2.8s); their ruck retention rate was 96.7% (2nd).
Bristol Bears
- Jasmine Joyce-Butchers made more carries (22) and beat more defenders (ten) than any other player in Round 5. In her two appearances this season, her match ratings have been 9.1 and 8.9 respectively.
- Rownita Marston-Mulhearn made as many tackles as any other player last weekend (21), two of which were dominant. She also won two turnovers.
- Bristol have made the most clean breaks (46) so far this season; 52% of which have been converted to a try in the same possession (1st). Amber Reed, Jenna de Vera, and Phoebe Murray have assisted the most breaks: nine, eight, and six, respectively.
Trailfinders Women v Gloucester-Hartpury – Trailfinders Sports Ground – 3pm
Trailfinders and Gloucester-Hartpury clash with both sides coming off the back of a win in Round 5.
Trailfinders won at Tigers last time out while Gloucester-Hartpury bounced back from consecutive defeats with a victory over Sale Sharks.
The corresponding fixture last year proved a tough one for Sean Lynn’s side, who held off a spirited Trailfinders comeback for a 33-27 victory.
Barney Maddison has made three changes to his side with Liz Crake restored at loosehead, Ella Amory returning at fly-half and Rosie Inman promoted to start on the wing.
The champions have a fresh look this weekend with nine changes in all, headlined by the return to starting XV of Ellie Rugman following her first appearance in over 400 days last weekend.
Our Moment of the Week 🥰
— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) November 5, 2024
After missing over a year of rugby due to injury, @EllieRugman14 made her long-awaited return to the pitch for @gloshartpury 🎪#PWR #PoweredDifferently pic.twitter.com/CK2nQzby1U
Welsh Captain, Hannah Jones makes her return to the team and is set for her first appearance for the club since this summer's Premiership final, while Millie Hyett comes into the lineup at fly-half.
Match officials
Referee: Mike Hudson
Assistant Referee: James Cornell and Darryl Chapman
Team News
Trailfinders Women
15. Chloe Rolliem 14. Rosie Inman, 13. Julia Schell, 12. Lisa Thomson, 11. Grace White, 10. Ella Amory, 9. Caity Mattinson; 1. Liz Crake, 2. Cristina Blanco, 3. Sara Seye, 4. Tyson Beukeboom, 5. Shya Pinnock, 6. Emma Taylor, 7. Grace Moore, 8. Kate Zackary
Replacements
16 Lindelwa Gwala, 17 Alivia Leatherman, 18 Cassandra Tuffnail, 19 Kat Evans, 20 Annabel Meta, 21 Jess Cooksey, 22 Kendra Cousineau, 23 Niamh Gallagher
Gloucester-Hartpury
15 Emma Sing, 14 Charlotte Woodman, 13 Hannah Jones, 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Ellie Rugman, 10 Millie Hyett, 9 Natasha 'Mo' Hunt; 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Neve Jones, 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 4 Kate Williams, 5 Zoe Aldcroft, 6 Carmen Castellucci, 7 Bethan Lewis, 8 Alex Matthews
Replacements
16 Lucy Simpson, 17 Lisa Cockburn, 18 Ranni Samuda, 19 Beth Stafford, 20 Gillian Boag, 21 Sian Jones, 22 Pip Hendy, 23 Nel Metcalfe
Oval Insights
Trailfinders Women
- Emma Taylor scored a round-high 16 points last weekend, including ten from her two tries. She has scored 49 points in four appearances so far this season (2nd).
- Of Grace White’s 40 carries into contact so far this season, 22 have been dominant (1st) and none ineffective. She has also made the second-most carry metres (484) and beat the third-most defenders (23).
- Trailfinders have averaged the most points per 22m entry (3.2) so far this season; 61% of their visits have resulted in a try or penalty won (2nd).
Gloucester-Hartpury
- Gloucester won the second-most turnovers (nine) in Round 5. Neve Jones won two - no player won more.
- Gloucester had the joint-best lineout success (93.8%) in Round 5. They also mauled more than any other team (11), driving 60 metres (1st), and scoring a maul try.
- Emma Sing has beaten more defenders (38), made more carry metres (682), and scored more points (54) than any other player so far this season.
SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER
Harlequins v Sale Sharks – Twickenham Stoop – 2pm
In-form Harlequins welcome Sale Sharks to the Stoop in Sunday’s early game searching for a first consecutive win.
After two defeats to open their season, Quins have won three on the bounce to climb into the top four.
The moment Alex Callender sealed the victory 😱#COYQ #BRIvHAR pic.twitter.com/5o0HKukB66
— Harlequins Women 🃏 (@HarlequinsWomen) November 5, 2024
Sharks, meanwhile, are without a win so far this season but will be roused by their 27-14 defeat to Gloucester-Hartpury in Round 5.
Wallaroo Kaitlan Leaney comes into the Harlequins second row alongside Abbie Fleming, partnering up in the engine room for the first time this season.
Having all made the PWR team of the week for Round 5, Nicole Wythe, Alex Callender and Captain Jade Konkel make up Harlequins’ back-row. Konkel will lead the team out on the occasion of her 50th cap in the Quarters.
Lucy Packer and Kayleigh Powell partner up at scrum half and fly half, with Lagi Tuima and Sarah Parry outside them in the centres. Returning from injury to make her PWR debut, Clàudia Peña is the only other change to the Starting XV as she starts on the wing alongside Lisa Neumann and Ellie Kildunne in the back three.
Meanwhile, Rachel Taylor has shuffled her pack for the trip to the capital, with Niamh Swailes starting at 6 and Lucie Sams moving to No.8. On the bench Sharks fans will be buoyed by the return of home-grown talent Lizzie Duffy. After a month on the sidelines the fly half will be keen to make an impact as a substitute this weekend.
Match officials
Referee: Harry Walbaum
Assistant Referee: Mike Woods and James Pidding
Team News
Harlequins
15. Ellie Kildunne 14. Clàudia Peña 13. Sarah Parry 12. Lagi Tuima 11. Lisa Neumann 10. Kayleigh Powell 9. Lucy Packer (vc) 1. Silvia Turani 2. Connie Powell 3. Lizzie Hanlon 4. Abbie Fleming 5. Kaitlan Leaney 6. Nicole Wythe 7. Alex Callender 8. Jade Konkel (c)
Replacements
16. Carys Phillips 17. Jessie Spurrier 18. Laura Delgado 19. Sarah Bonar 20. Danelle Lochner 21. Freya Aucken 22. Beth Wilcock 23. Harriet Millar-Mills
Sale Sharks
15. Nikita Prothero, 14. Sophie Hopkins, 13. Vicky A Irwin, 12. Beatrice Rigoni, 11. Holly Thorpe, 10. Robyn Wilkins, 9. Sofia Stefan, 1. Catie Benson, 2. Scarlett Fielding, 3. Detysha Harper, 4. Iona Antwis, 5. Erica Jarrell, 6. Niamh Swailes, 7. Alba Capell, 8. Lucie Sams
Replacements
16. Amelia Hyndman, 17. Amber Schonert, 18. Nick James, 19, Trudy Cowan, 20. Marion Ridgway, 21. India Perris-Redding, 22. Lizzie Duffy, 23. India Perris-Redding
Harlequins
- Harlequins had the most rucks in the opposition 22 (69) and the second-quickest average ruck speed (2.8s) in Round 5. They had more territory (81%) than any other team.
- Harlequins made the most carries (170) and metres per possession (16.3) in Round 5. They also had the best gainline success rate (63.5%).
- Among Harlequins players in Round 5, Alex Callender made the second-most carries (17) and tackles (13) - missing none. She also won a turnover and scored a try.
Sale Sharks
- The Sharks retained four kicks and made no kick errors in Round 5 - no team retained more. Sofia Stefan and Robyn Wilkins kicked the most with two apiece.
- The Sharks have had the second-lowest tackle success rate (74.2%) so far this season. Per 80 minutes, no team has missed more tackles (30) and conceded more clean breaks (10.5).
- The Sharks have made the fewest 22m entries (42) and averaged the fewest points per visit (1.3) so far this season.
Exeter Chiefs v Loughborough Lightning – Sandy Park – 3pm
High-flying Exeter Chiefs will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the PWR table when they take on Loughborough Lightning.
With second-placed Saracens not in action and Chiefs holding a six-point buffer over Gloucester-Hartpury, Susie Appleby’s side know they will finish the weekend in top spot regardless of how they get on against Lightning.
Chiefs did the double over Lightning last season, chalking up a 43-7 win on home soil which saw Kanako Kobayashi register a hat-trick.
Lightning’s performances have improved in recent weeks, however, with their first win coming over Sharks before a narrow three-point defeat away to Quins.
This will be the first game Lori Cramer has started since returning to the club after heading back to Australia to play for the Queensland Reds in the Super W competition in February last season.
"𝘋𝘳𝘰𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘰𝘱𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯" 🍿
— Exeter Chiefs Women (@ExeChiefsWomen) November 7, 2024
Don't miss a minute of the action at Sandy Park because Chiefs are on the march!
🎟: https://t.co/Nz2dMicB9C#SheInspires | @ThePWR | @rugbyontnt pic.twitter.com/ZazyeahnQN
Since then, she has also played for her country in the WXV2 tournament and came off the bench for Chiefs in the last two PWR games.
Other changes to the team see Dorothy Wall swap into the second row for the suspended Linde van der Velden, which means Ebony Jefferies returns to the back row, alongside Maddie Feaunati at open-side flanker.
Red Roses international Helena Rowland will make her first Loughborough Lightning appearance of the season against Exeter Chiefs this weekend.
Rowland is one of three personnel changes from Lightning’s last outing against Harlequins as Rachel Malcolm (ankle) and Bo Westcombe-Evans (knee) miss out due to injuries.
Bulou Mataitoga, who impressed from the bench in the narrow loss to Harlequins in Round 4, comes into the side on the right wing and Abby Duguid returns from her suspension and partners Lilli Ives Campion in the second row.
Match officials
Referee: Alex Thomas
Assistant referees: Iain Kiy and Jonathan Healy
Team News
Exeter Chiefs
15 Lori Cramer, 14 Eilidh Sinclair, 13 Nancy McGillivray, 12 Gabby Cantorna, 11 Sabrina Poulin, 10 Liv McGoverne, 9 Flo Robinson; 1 Hope Rogers, 2 Cliodhna Moloney, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Poppy Leitch (c), 5 Dorothy Wall, 6 Ebony Jefferies, 7 Maddie Feaunati, 8 Rachel Johnson
Replacements
16 Clara Nielson, 17 Demi Swann, 18 Charli Jacoby, 19 Niamh Orchard, 20 Emily Robinson, 21 Lucy Nye, 22 Gabby Cantorna, 23 Taylor Black
Loughborough Lightning
15 Fran Goldthorp, 14 Bulou Mataitoga, 13 Emily Scarratt, 12 Helen Nelson, 11 Krissy Scurfield, 10 Helena Rowland, 9 Megan Davey; 1 Isla Curphey, 2 Elis Martin, 3 Laura Keates, 4 Abby Duguid, 5 Lilli Ives Campion, 6 Hallie Taufoou, 7 Kendall Waudby, 8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones
Replacements
16 Kathryn Treder, 17 Amelia Williams, 18 Christine Belisle, 19 Issy Winter, 20 Becky Boyd, 21 Lucy Weaver, 22 Ellie Tromans, 23 Carmela Morrall
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