Trailfinders need more 'ego' to take next step after Final defeat

Departing Trailfinders Women captain Kate Zackary called for her side to have more ego after their PWR Final defeat to Saracens. 

The USA Eagle announced she was leaving in the build-up to the West London’s side first-ever showpiece, which they lost 52-14 to their crosstown rivals. 

And Zackary admitted that her now former side could follow their opponents' lead when it comes to how they present themselves going forward. 

“You saw confidence throughout the season in our kicking game. We have got a great back three,” the back row said. 

“We have got a great centre pairing as well as our 10, we have got diverse options, we are a great running pack as well. 

“Moving on to that next year, it is probably playing with more ego. That is what you saw at half-time. 

“We said Saracens have had consistency, they play with an ego, their media shows they have got an ego, it is not a bad thing to be proud and confident in yourselves.  

“At times, I think we are too nice and it is taking what is already really good and special and having a bit more ego and be a bit more edgy about it.” 

Saracens have defined their brand as the ‘Original Club of North London’ while Trailfinders were the new kid on the finals block at The Stoop. 

They put up a fight early on, but failed to go ahead, and Sarries took their chances, and then the game, from Trailfinders.

Zackary’s side were much improved in the second half after she had called for them to go back to what had got to them to the final. 

She added: “Today was a testament to the resilience we have seen in the team, we have seen all season, even last week.  

“We didn’t expect to be here probably last Christmas. We wanted to be here, but we probably didn’t expect it based on performances.  

“As the season went on you saw the resiliency and the ability to bounce back and that was a testament again today in the second half, we were so much better.  

“We stopped focusing on what Sarries do and focussed on what we can do well, getting after them, starving them of possession, playing front foot ball, all the things that we love. 

“One of the things I like the most is the ability of the girls to bounce back in the most adverse times.” 

While Zackary said to follow her Instagram to find out her next club move, she laid out why others should choose Trailfinders next season. 

“It is a team who is diverse, it is a team who is exciting and it is a team that are going to grow and become one of the best because now we have got a target on our backs,” she said. 

“We are no longer growing and building from seventh place, we are walking away in second place, which is an amazing place to be and we are at the top of the mountain now and people want to take us down, so why not be a part of that?”