Round 5 in Numbers

Round 5 of the 2025-26 Premiership Women’s Rugby season was filled with plenty of action and dominating performances! Exeter Chiefs travelled up North to face Sale Sharks in an action-filled 80 minutes. Sharks led from the 5th minute, continually adding to their scorecard, but a late try from Hope Rodgers in the 75th minute saw the Chiefs grasp a 26-26 draw.

Up next was a Midlands Derby, where Loughborough Lightning hosted Leicester Tigers. Georgie Lingham made an impressive run, opening the scoring and putting Tigers ahead. Though, it was Loughborough who came out victorious, securing their largest victory this season, with a 50-15 home win.

Trailfinders Women hoped to ride the high of their win against Bristol Bears in Round 4, as they faced Saracens in a London Derby. Francesca McGhie opened the scoring for Saracens, giving them an early lead, but Saracens immediately struck back. The North London side showed their talent, scoring an impressive nine tries, winning 5-57.

The weekend closed at Ashton Gate Stadium, where Bristol Bears hoped to cause upset for the title holders, Gloucester Hartpury. However, Gloucester immediately made their mark, scoring 35 points in the first half, and keeping the Bears scoreless. Evie Gallagher scored Bears’ first try in the 55th minute, hoping to begin the bounce back, but the other side were too strong. The game ended 14-54 to Gloucester Hartpury.

Loughborough Lightning’s Bo Westcombe-Evans was the top points scorer of the round, earning a total of 20 points from four tries, while also making 3 initial breaks (1st in round). Erica Jarrell-Searcy of Sale Sharks was the best tackler of the round, making 24 against Exeter Chiefs.

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

Other key performances included:

• Natasha Hunt (Gloucester Hartpury) tops the season rankings with 9 try assists (1st in league) while delivering 3 more in the latest round (1st in round).

• Emma Sing (Gloucester Hartpury) won 3 turnovers in the latest round (1st in league) while covering 152 carry meters (2nd in round).

• Zoe Harrison (Saracens) dominated the kicking game with 565 kick meters and 8 bounced kicks in the latest round (both 1st in round).

• Meg Jones (Trailfinders Women) made 5 offloads and beat 7 defenders in the latest round (both 1st in round).

 

Team of the Week, as per Oval Insights:

• Hope Rodgers (Exeter Chiefs)
• May Campbell (Saracens)
• Amy Rule (Exeter Chiefs)
• Linde van der Velden (Exeter Chiefs)
• Sarah Beckett (Gloucester Hartpury)
• Marlie Packer (Saracens)
• Kendall Waudby (Loughborough Lightning)
• Poppy Cleall (Saracens)
• Olivia Apps (Saracens)
• Kristin Bitter (Leicester Tigers)
• Bo Westcombe-Evans (Loughborough Lightning)
• Shona Campbell (Sale Sharks)
• Georgie Lingham (Leicester Tigers)
• Sydney Gregson (Saracens)
• Emma Sing (Gloucester Hartpury)

 

To read the Oval Insights review of Round 5, click here.