Exeter Chiefs Women's Captain Poppy Leitch to become team's first Centurion in historic match against Gloucester-Hartpury
Today at 06:53 AM
Exeter Chiefs Women's captain Poppy Leitch is set to make history as the team's first-ever centurion when she takes the field against Gloucester-Hartpury in Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) at Sandy Park tomorrow, kicking off at 15:00.
Leitch, who originally stepped away from rugby after her time with Bristol Bears, was drawn back into the sport by head coach Susie Appleby. After attending just one game to watch her partner, Ebony Jefferies, play for the newly-formed Exeter Chiefs Women's team, Leitch was convinced by Appleby to suit up for the Chiefs.
Since then, she hasn't missed a single match and has become an integral figure in the team and beyond, including her role as head coach of the University of Exeter's women's rugby program.
Reflecting on her milestone achievement, Leitch shared: "Every game is really important. You don't know when your last game is going to be; that's the reality of the sport we play.
"Of course, it's (being a centurion) amazing but I suppose I just feel like I want to do what's right for the club at whatever capacity that is. If people come through that are great players and need to play and develop in certain ways and that means someone else gets to play over me, then that's what's right for the club.
"If I play 10 games or play 100 or more than that, as long as the club is getting what it needs and the players are getting what they need, then that's what's more fulfilling."
Head coach Susie Appleby praised Leitch's contributions, saying: "What a workhorse Poppy is! She's been here just about as long as I have. Poppy is a friend for me, a friend I can confide in. She's an amazing coach, a fantastic person, and truly does bleed this black heart we talk about.
“She's been unreal from the off and to go 100 games on the bounce is unbelievable. This game is pretty ferocious, she's not the biggest and yet she takes it all in her stride; she leads from the front and everyone follows her."
The match also marks the return of winger Claudia MacDonald, who is back on the bench after nine months out with a neck injury. "Claudia is back after a long lay-off," said Appleby. "She's been training really well, champing at the bit and everyone is really excited to see her back."
Changes in the pack include Cliodhna Moloney starting at hooker after recovering from a minor injury, Linde van der Velden joining the second row, and Dorothy Wall stepping in at No. 8 for the first time this season. Meanwhile, Edel McMahon and Mairi McDonald are temporarily away competing in the Celtic Challenge.
Exeter Chiefs enter this pivotal Round 11 game on an unbeaten streak, while Gloucester-Hartpury arrives buoyed by a recent victory over Saracens. "It's a huge game for us," Appleby emphasized. "We're halfway through the season and both teams are back to full strength. The girls are buzzing. They're just fantastic; there's excitement running through their veins all the time, I just have to contain them sometimes!"
Fans are encouraged to join the festive atmosphere at Sandy Park by wearing their Christmas outfits. Tickets for the game are included in season ticket packages, with additional admission priced at £11 for adults and free for under-16s.
Appleby added: “We are hoping that loads of families come along. The boys are away so that helps our cause. If Chiefs fans and their friends want to come and watch, that would be brilliant. We are hoping for a good Christmas vibe on Saturday."
Exeter Chiefs Women's team to play Gloucester-Hartpury:
15 Merryn Doidge
14 Sabrina Poulin
13 Nancy McGillivray
12 Alexandra Tessier
11 Katie Buchanan
10 Liv McGoverne
9 Flo Robinson (vc)
1 Hope Rogers
2 Cliodhna Moloney
3 DaLeaka Menin
4 Poppy Leitch (c)
5 Linde van der Velden
6 Ebony Jefferies
7 Maddie Feaunati
8 Dorothy Wall
Replacements:
16 Emily Tuttoi
17 Mikiela Nelson
18 Charli Jacoby
19 Niamh Orchard
20 Rachel Johnson
21 Lucy Nye
22 Taylor Perry
23 Claudia MacDonald
The post Exeter Chiefs Women's Captain Poppy Leitch to become team’s first Centurion in historic match against Gloucester-Hartpury appeared first on Ruck.
