Embarking on a New Era: Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby Fixtures Unveiled for Exciting Autumn Season
England’s women’s rugby landscape is set to enter a thrilling new chapter this Autumn, as the eagerly anticipated fixtures for the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby competition have been officially confirmed. With the participation of ten formidable teams, including two fresh faces in the league, namely Leicester Tigers and Trailfinders Women, the elite division of English women’s rugby is poised for an exhilarating start.
Trailfinders Women, led by the seasoned and accomplished coach Giselle Mather, will make their debut in the reimagined Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby with a captivating London derby. Harlequins will journey to Ealing for a tantalizing clash during the opening weekend scheduled for November 17-19. Meanwhile, Leicester Tigers will kick off their campaign at home against last season’s runners-up, Exeter Chiefs.
Commencement of Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby Round One Weekend of 17-19 November
- Bristol Bears vs. Sale Sharks
- Leicester Tigers vs. Exeter Chiefs
- Saracens vs. Loughborough Lightning
- Trailfinders Women vs. Harlequins
- Warriors Women vs. Gloucester-Hartpury
For the complete fixture list, please visit link.
Giselle Mather, a distinguished figure with over two decades of experience in coaching, expressed her immense excitement for the upcoming league campaign. A former Rugby World Cup champion as a player for England in 1994, Mather enthused, “The upcoming season is a profoundly exciting journey for us. The current state of the women’s game is truly inspiring, and the club’s unwavering commitment to it is truly remarkable. Leading this program is a thrilling opportunity.”
Mather continued, “What’s truly remarkable is that everything is new—from the gear and equipment to the players, staff, environment, and the league itself. As a coach, this unique chance to build from scratch is exhilarating. I relish the process of creating and constructing a high-performance atmosphere out of nothing. With the extraordinary support from Trailfinders and the exceptional club facilities, we are poised for success.”
Trailfinders Women’s inaugural match holds great significance, aiming to draw an impressive crowd and marking a momentous day in the club’s history. Mather shared her aspirations, stating, “With two London teams facing off, we’re hopeful for a substantial turnout from a commercial perspective. Our goal is to have 2,000 attendees at our inaugural game, underscoring the remarkable progress of the women’s game within a short span.”
In a compelling twist, Giselle Mather’s coaching prowess will be pitted against her former player, Vicky Macqueen, now the head coach of Leicester Tigers. Macqueen echoed the prevailing excitement in women’s sports, asserting, “The atmosphere is electric. That’s the word that keeps coming up, and it encapsulates the sentiments shared by everyone. While we understand that scrutiny awaits us, we embrace the anticipation.”
Both Mather and Macqueen are resolute in their ambitions, emphasizing their determination to make a strong impact. Macqueen affirmed, “Year one isn’t about just participating. We intend to make a resounding statement. The league is brimming with experience, but we’re poised to leverage our strengths and capitalize on our unique capabilities.”
Beyond the field of play, Leicester Tigers have unveiled a series of exciting developments for their nascent women’s club. Macqueen revealed, “We’ve exceeded expectations by selling nearly 5,000 season tickets ahead of the forthcoming season. This achievement more than doubles our initial target for our inaugural season at the elite level of women’s rugby—an incredible testament to the unwavering support from Tigers fans.”
The elite women’s rugby scene is undergoing a transformation with numerous high-profile signings, adding to the anticipation of the forthcoming Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby season. More about these signings can be found here.
Defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury kick off their title defense against Warriors Women at Sixways, reminiscing about their monumental victory in the previous season. With a formidable roster, Sean Lynn’s side aims to build on their success and continue their reign.
As the scene shifts to Ashton Gate, Bristol Bears will clash with Sale Sharks, while Loughborough Lightning embarks on a journey to north London to challenge 2022 winners Saracens in the opening weekend.
Carolyn Rich, Head of Brand Marketing and Social Responsibility at Allianz, expressed excitement about the sponsorship’s evolution, stating, “After three years of supporting the Allianz Premier 15s, we eagerly anticipate the growth and reach of the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby, as it captivates new audiences and propels the game forward. This is a promising juncture for women’s sports, particularly in rugby, and we are honored to contribute to its advancement.”
The Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-finals are slated for the weekend of June 7-9, with the grand final scheduled two weeks later on June 22. The elite women’s rugby season commences in September with the Allianz Cup, and the cup fixtures will be unveiled on August 9.
