PWR Final: Gloucester-Hartpury eye third successive title against home field Saracens
Today at 08:24 AM
By Megan Carthew
Current back-to-back title holders Gloucester-Hartpury take on three-time winners Saracens, with the stage set for a blockbuster finale at Sarries’ home ground. The clash at the StoneX stadium will determine who will be crowned Premiership Women's Rugby champions, for the 2024/25 season.
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Saracens booked themselves a ticket to the final by defeating a strong Harlequins side before Gloucester-Hartpury came out on top after what was thrilling semi-final against a tough Bristol Bears side.
Gloucester, who are searching for their third consecutive title, have been so dominant over recent years, making them the team to beat, to an extent the favourites.
Alex Austerberry, Saracen's Women's Director of Rugby, said at the PWR Final media event: "It's definitely Gloucester who are the team to beat – reigning champions back-to-back and going for the 3-peat so the target is very much on their back.
"They are the ones the league has been chasing this season, and we have an opportunity to hopefully take them down come the final."
Sean Lynn, Gloucester-Hartpury head coach, added; "There is always outside pressure, we've been back-to-back, however we don’t put pressure on ourselves".
Gloucester-Hartpury Centre, Pip Hendy, said: "There's been a target on our back since we won it last year, everyone wants to the be the champions. For us it’s just another rugby game."
Lynn, who leaves Gloucester-Hartpury after this season to take up a full-time role as Wales women’s head coach adds: "The 3-peat has never been mentioned and won’t be mentioned but it would be amazing to go the StoneX and win in Saracens own backyard."
With the final being held at the StoneX, which is the first time London has hosted a PWR final, Sarries will have the home advantage. Alex Austerberry shared his excitement for the home hosted final: "It’s a special place for us; we have been playing there since 2013, so it means a lot to be there.
"The wall of noise when you run out at the StoneX when the fans are in full voice is pretty special and I think that it can’t not be a bit of a motivational factor and a bit of an edge."
Emma Hardy, Saracens Centre, on home turf advantage said: "It's really positive for us and that was kind of the aim of the season, but it’s the cherry on top with it being at home with lots of home fans coming out to support us."
The final is set to be a all-star spectacle of women's rugby.
Watch Gloucester-Hartpury v Saracens in the PWR Final, live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ from 2pm on Sunday 16thMarch
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QUIZ: Can You Name the England XV that Won the 2020 Six Nations?
England last won the Six Nations in 2020, in what was a crowning achievement during the Eddie Jones era. Coming off the back of the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final heartbreak, England bounced back to win their seventh Six Nations title since the competition’s Italian expansion in 2000.
England secured the trophy with a win in Rome, as they handed Italy a one-sided 34-5 bonus point defeat. We are challenging you to remember who started for England that day, as the match was played in front of an empty stadium during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
You have five minutes to provide your answers, good luck!
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