Round 17 in Numbers

After an eight-week international break, Premiership Women’s Rugby returned for a thrilling Round 17 of the 2025/26 season. With three semi-final places already secured, Trailfinders Women, Harlequins, Sale Sharks, and Loughborough Lightning were all battling for the final spot.

The weekend began on Friday 29th May at Trailfinders Sports Club, where Trailfinders Women hosted Gloucester Hartpury. Their previous meeting had been a tight contest, with the reigning champions edging a 1-point win. Trailfinders struck first in the 3rd minute through Georgia Ponsonby, with Niamh Gallagher adding the conversion. Gloucester responded in the 8th minute through Emma Sing, before adding two more tries in quick succession. But the home side hit back, scoring 2 tries before half-time, followed by 3 converted tries and a penalty after the break. Gloucester pushed hard late on, but Trailfinders held on for a 41-39 victory, ending Gloucester’s 14-game unbeaten run.

Bristol Bears welcomed Exeter Chiefs to Shaftesbury Park on Saturday 30th May. The visitors made an immediate impact, with Claudia Moloney-MacDonald scoring after just 2 minutes. Alex Tessier converted and Exeter struck again soon after through Maisy Allen. Bristol’s only try came from Reneeqa Bonner, but Exeter remained in control and ran in 7 more tries to secure a dominant 5-57 bonus-point win.

The weekend’s 3rd fixture took place at The Stoop, where Harlequins hosted Leicester Tigers in an entertaining contest. Lucy Packer scored the opening try, with Ella Cromack adding the conversion. Leicester responded with a penalty goal, but Harlequins stayed on top and added 3 more tries before the Tigers hit back again. Harlequins led 38-15 at half-time, and both sides crossed 2 more times in the 2nd half. Jemima McCalman scored the final try in the 78th minute as the match finished 50-29.

The final fixture of the weekend saw Loughborough Lightning host Saracens at cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday 31st May. Fresh from her Six Nations campaign, Red Rose Sadia Kabeya scored the opening points to put Lightning ahead. Paige Farries replied for Saracens, setting the tone for a back-and-forth contest, with just 7 points separating the sides at half-time. Saracens then took control after the break, scoring 7 tries while restricting Loughborough to 2. Amelia Williams scored in the 80th minute to secure Lightning a losing bonus point in a 24-62 defeat.

Sydney Gregson of Saracens was the round’s top try-scorer and points-scorer, crossing 5 times from 5 initial breaks. Harlequins’ Kayleigh Powell led the round for both defenders beaten (9) and metres made (131).

For the full rundown, head over to the Stats Hub where you’ll find up-to-date player and club statistics and rankings!

Other standout performances included:

• Zoe Harrison (Saracens) created 3 try assists (1st in round) while converting 5 successful goals (2nd in round).
• Lucy Packer (Harlequins) contributed 3 try assists in the latest round (joint 1st) and has assisted 11 this season (2nd).
• Jemima McCalman (Leicester Tigers) topped the latest round with 3 turnovers won (1st) and scored 2 tries (joint 3rd).
• Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester Hartpury) was the best tackler of the round, making 24 during her time on the pitch (1st).

Team of the Week, as per Oval Insights:

• Liz Crake (Saracens)
• Georgia Ponsonby (Trailfinders Women)
• Maud Muir (Gloucester Hartpury)
• Julia Omokhuale (Saracens)
• Sam Monaghan (Gloucester Hartpury)
• Haidee Head (Trailfinders Women)
• Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning)
• Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs)
• Lucy Packer (Harlequins)
• Ella Cromack (Harlequins)
• Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs)
• Sydney Gregson (Saracens)
• Meg Jones (Trailfinders Women)
• Paige Farries (Saracens)
• Kayleigh Powell (Harlequins

To read the Oval Insights Review of Round 17, click here.