Allianz Premier 15s: Round 15 Preview
Team news ahead of the weekend's action in the Allianz Premier 15s.
There are just two rounds to go before the women's top flight breaks for the TikTok Women's Six Nations, as we move into the final quarter of what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory. As ever, the Allianz Premier 15s will live stream two matches, with Saturday's Loughborough Lightning v Gloucester-Hartpury match shown live on premier15s.com, followed by Sunday's top-of-the-table Bristol Bears vs Saracens clash live on BBC Sport, BBC iPlayer and premier15s.com. With all 10 match day squads confirmed, here’s a look at how the teams line up.
13:00 Loughborough Lightning vs Gloucester Hartpury
After their enthralling victory over Exeter Chiefs at Franklin's Gardens last weekend, Loughborough Lightning welcome Gloucester-Hartpury as they look to cut the gap between them and the top four. Lightning will be imbued by the return of England international Emily Scarratt to the squad, who returns from an injury sustained on the opening day of the campaign. In terms of the starting XV, however, Director of Rugby Rhys Edwards makes just a single change from the side that faced the Chiefs as Canadian international Abby Duguid replaces Lilli Ives Campion in the second row.
Gloucester-Hartpury travel to Loughborough having last played almost three weeks ago, due to last weekend’s fixture against Saracens being postponed due to damage to StoneX Stadium caused by the weather. Two changes in the front row see props Cara Hope and Cerys Hale start with Connie Powell in between them at hooker. In the back row, Gwen Crabb moves from openside to blindside flanker to accommodate Tabitha Copson at seven. In the backline, Lisa Neumann makes her debut for the Cherry and Whites on the wing, which moves Hannah Jones into the midfield alongside Rachel Lund.
Last time: Gloucester Hartpury 31 - 33 Loughborough Lightning
Live stream: premier15s.com
14:00 DMP Durham Sharks vs Harlequins
DMP Durham Sharks gave an improved performance against Worcester Warriors last weekend, and will hope to build on that as they welcome reigning champions Harlequins to The Darlington Arena. Jess Wiesheu make her first appearance in the second row since December, and Trudy Cowan moves across the backrow from six to seven, to make room for Kat Hobson. Mackenzie Thomas-Roberts is in line for her 50th Premier 15s appearance at full back, while Dani Phan is joined on the wings by Amy Layzell. Abi Evans rounds off the changes, moving to the centres from the wing, alongside Linzi Taylor.
After facing Sale last weekend, Harlequins take another swim with the sharks this week as they travel to the North East, looking to close the gap on Bristol Bears and Saracens. Gerard Mullen makes five changes to the starting XV from last weekend, including a completely new front row of Hannah Duffy, Rosie Dobson and Chloe Edwards. Sarah Beckett, who played at eight against Sale, reverts to lock and also takes the captaincy, leading the squad out for the first time as a Harlequin. The final two changes are in the backline, where Ella Amory starts on the wing, and Jade Mullen gets the nod at fullback.
Last time: Harlequins 69 - 7 DMP Durham Sharks
14:00 Exeter Chiefs vs Worcester Warriors
After an agonising late defeat at the hands of Loughborough Lightning, Exeter Chiefs will hope that home advantage will help them get back to winning ways as Worcester Warriors travel to Sandy Park. There are numerous changes to the starting XV, beginning with Emily Tuttosi at hooker. McKinley Hunt starts in the second row, which moves co-captain Poppy Leitch from lock to blindside flanker, which in turn sees Linde van der Velden switch from six to eight, and USA international Kate Zackary from eight to seven. In the backs, Jennine Detiveuax changes wings as Elidh Sinclair replaces Olivia Jones. Kanako Kobayashi, who played excellently against Loughborough, starts once again, moving from 12 to 13 as Nancy McGillivray comes in at inside centre.
Worcester Warriors ended a run of three games without a win last weekend as they beat DMP, and will be eager to stay on the winning trail as they face a tough game away at Exeter this week. They are bolstered by the return of Laura Keates. The experienced England prop has been out for four months with a knee injury and is one of six changes to last week’s starting XV. There is a fresh second row pairing of Jo Brown and Alycia Washington. England international Alex Matthews starts at blindside flanker, packing down next to Alex Callender and Sioned Harries who returns to the side after injury. Carys Cox, who has missed her side’s last four matches through injury, partners Meg Varley in the centres, and Abi Kershaw slides from wing to fullback as Lydia Thompson starts at wing.
Last time: Worcester Warriors 12 - 29 Exeter Chiefs
14:00 Sale Sharks vs Wasps
Sale Sharks make just two changes to the starting XV that faced Harlequins last Saturday. England Sevens star Jodie Ounsley returns to the fray after injuring her leg last October. She slots straight into the side at wing. Anya Richmond starts at lock, replacing Nicola Howat for her first appearance this season. And a positional change in the backrow means that Vicky E. Irwin dons the six jersey whilst Daisy Hibbert-Jones takes the number eight role.
Wasps narrowly lost to Bristol Bears last Saturday in a game dominated by the conditions, and they make just two changes to the side this week for the trip north. Heather Kerr replaces Bryony Cleall, meaning that Maud Muir swaps loosehead for tighthead prop. The rest of the forward pack remains the same, and the only other change is at scrum-half, where Lucy Nye takes the nine jersey ahead of Sammy Wong.
Last time: Wasps 22 - 8 Sale Sharks
14:30 Bristol Bears vs Saracens
Bristol Bears return to Shaftesbury Park this weekend, making just a single change to the side that won a gritty game against Wasps last Saturday. Welsh international Kiera Bevan starts at scrum-half, replacing Leanne Infante. Amber Reed remains at fly-half in the absence of Elinor Snowsill, and Reed shares the captaincy with Abbie Ward.
League leaders Saracens haven’t played since their win over Harlequins on 5 February, and Alex Austerberry’s side will be mightily strengthened by the return of Poppy Cleall. The World Player of Year Nominee suffered a quadricep injury in the win over Loughborough Lightning back in mid January. Elsewhere, Holly Aitchison remains at fly-half with Zoe Harrison recovering from injury. Also on the injury list is Hannah Botterman, who is replaced by Kelsey Clifford. Austerberry will field a strong and experienced backrow of Cleall at eight, with Vicky Fleetwood and Marlie Packer either side of her. USA international Alev Kelter, who has made a barnstorming start to life in North London, retains the 12 shirt, with Cara Wardle partnering her in midfield.
Last time: Saracens 17 - 12 Bristol Bears
Live stream: BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport, premier15s.com