The new PWR season looks set to be the biggest and best yet. To get ready for all of the action to come, here is a quick guide to the 9 teams that will be taking part.

Bristol Bears

Last season's finish: 4th (semi-finalists)

Head coach: Scott Lawson

Captain(s): Amber Reed and Abbie Ward

Star player: Jasmine Joyce-Butchers

Expectation: playoffs

The Bristol Bears made headlines last season with the addition of Ilhona Maher mid-way through the season and went on to make the playoffs where they then lost to the eventual champions, Gloucester Hartpury. This season they'll have to compete without the American, but she is not their biggest loss. Sale have begun to invest more in their women's team and have done so by signing England World Champion Holly Aitchison. The Bears have a continuous DNA throughout the club of attacking rugby with ball-in-hand being favoured over the kicking game. Aitchison was crucial to that so losing her will hurt massively.

However, the Bears still have plenty of strengths. Their tight 5 is a match for any in the world. The front row is made up of 3 Red Roses: Hannah Botterman, Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern. Behind them, the team's captain, Abbie Ward, leads the pack and that provides the platform for Bristol's back line to impose their style of play on their opposition. 

The back line will need the experience of the Welsh duo of Keira Bevan and Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, but it's success will be down to its young players. Emma Orr is just 22-years-old and is already a mainstay in the Scotland team in midfield. Her attacking presence will be the focal point of Bristol's team. Outside of her, Millie David and Reneeqa Bonner are 2 young players that are already showing great potential in limited game-time so far in their careers. The departure of Maher opens up a spot for one of them to grab and make their own. 

This season could go any number of ways for the Bears. Their pack is still a big point of difference, but playing without Holly Aitchison, who many believe to be the best in the league at her position, is absolutely not going to be easy. I expect them to be firmly within a pack of teams chasing playoff glory. The league looks very close this season but, as I said, it's very difficult to replicate the pure power that the Bears possess.

SQUAD

Loosehead Prop: Aisha Jah, Darcy Reed, Ellian Clarke, Hannah Botterman, Maisie Davies, Stella Orrin

Hooker: Heidi Pashaei-Tarighoun, Holly Phillips, Izzy Jaques, Jess Sprague, Lana Skeldon, Lark Atkin-Davies, Rosie Carr

Tighthead Prop: Danyelle DInapoli, Elizabeth Cook, Izzy van der Straaten, Sarah Bern, Simi Pam

Lock: Abbie Ward, Delaney Burns, Hollie Cunningham, Christiana Balogun, Nicola Beet

Back row: Alisha Joyce-Butchers, Chiara Pearce, Demelza Short, Emily Hawkins, Evie Gallagher, Gwennan Hopkins, Jenny Herring, Lucy Isaac, Rownita Marston-Mulhearn

Scrum-half: Keira Bevan, Rhea Clarke, Seren Singleton, Tilly Ryall

Fly-half: Lucie Skuse, Meryl Skuse, Natalee Evans

Centre: Emma Orr, Gabby Radziejowski, Isla McMullen, Jenna De Vera, Lauren Bailey, Meg Varley, Phoebe Murray, Savannah Picton-Powell

Wing: Amy Coles, Jamsine Joyce-Butchers, Josie Harris, Millie David, Mollie Wilkinson, Reneeqa Bonner

Fullback: Ella Lovibond, Jenny Hesketh

Exeter Chiefs

Last season's finish: 5th

Head coach: Steve Salvin

Captain: Emily Robinson

Star player: Alex Tessier

Expectation: playoffs

The Exeter Chiefs narrowly missed out on the playoff places last season, finishing 5th. This resulted in a change of leadership which has seen Steve Salvin come in as the new head coach. Exeter are still a strong team, and are a difficult team to beat at Sandy Park, but the competition looks much stiffer this time around. There is a lot of potential for this season, but it could also turn into a transition year.

The real strength of this team is the pack. The front row, in particular, is stacked with international talent. At loosehead prop, Hope Rogers is a mainstay for the Chiefs and is also a key player for her country. Rogers is the most-capped American female rugby player of all time with 59 caps and has represented her country at 4 World Cups. She is joined in the front row by a couple of Canadians that will now be much more familiar names to English audiences, having both made the World Cup Final in September. Emily Tuttosi will start at hooker whilst DaLeaka Menin will start at tighthead prop. Menin stood out throughout the World Cup and was a popular inclusion in team-of-the-tournament selections. The depth of this front row is also a considerable strength. Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald is former English (and current Irish) international whilst Amy Rule, a Black Fern, is a new signing this season at prop. 

The back row is also home to a couple of big names, as well as the team captain. Edel McMahon is an Irish international, who played a big part in a unit that was a huge strength for the Quarter-finalists. The team's no.8 is Maddie Feaunati who regularly appeared off the bench throughout the World Cup for the Red Roses and brings a unqiue physicality to proceedings. She is the final piece in a huge pack that can cope with any in the league.

The Chiefs often play in wet and windy weather at Sandy Park and the formula for achieving success in those conditions is fairly simple on paper. Step one: have a dominant pack. Step two: win the territory battle with the boot. The first step was explored above, the second will be realised by another Canadian international, Alex Tessier. She can play at fly-half or at centre, which is where she often played for Canada during the World Cup. Her kicking ability will be well remembered by those who watched Canada's semi-final against New Zealand in which she dominated with her attacking kicks that kept the Black Ferns at bay. Their other big threat is in the back three. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald is a powerful speedster that can line up across the back 3 and create chaos for opposing defences. She is also dangerous in the air, combining with Tessier to create a real threat with cross-field-kicks to opposition defences. 

Exeter are built to win at home, but it is their away form that will determine their success this season. If they are able to travel well, they have the team to make some real noise in the 2025/26 season.

SQUAD

Loosehead Prop:  Abby Middlebrooke, Hope Rogers, Hannah Sams, Alessia Skeates, Demi Swann

Hooker: Sofia Bekir Fuente, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Kayleigh Priest, Emily Tuttosi

Tighthead Prop: DaLeaka Menin, Lilly Plowman, Amy Rule, Lucy Ward

Lock: Kate Smith, Linde van der Velden, Dorothy Wall, Lola Whitley, Ellie Wood

Back row: Maisy Allen, Taz Bricknell, Zoe Dare, Maddie Feaunati, Edel McMahon, Gabriella Nigrelli, Emily Robinson, Anna Wood

Scrum-half: Charlotte Heath, Lucy Nye, Flo Robinson, Sammy Wong

Fly-half: Maddie Flutey, Liv McGoverne, Alex Tessier

Centre: Hannah Bluck, Naomi Brennan, Gabby Cantorna, Sophie Langford, Nancy McGillivray, Daniella Preece, Eva Sterritt

Wing: Francesca Granzotto, Eleanor Hing, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Sabrina Poulin, Eilidih Sinclair

Fullback: Katie Buchanan, Merry Elworthy, Sammie Harris

Gloucester Hartpury

Last season's finish: 1st (Champions)

Head coach: Dan Murphy

Captain(s): Zoe Aldcroft and Natasha Hunt

Star player: Alex Mathews

Expectations: win the league

Gloucester Hartpury have won this title in each of the last 3 titles and are generally considered to be the favourites to lift the trophy once again. They will have to cope with the departure of Sean Lynn, who is now the Wales head coach, but that is unlikely to halt their charge. 

The pack is as strong as ever with Irish international Neve Jones being joined in the front row by the 2 Red Roses, MacKenzie Carson and Maud Muir. Carson showed in the World Cup that she has a real knack for scoring tries whilst Maud Muir possesses the kind of power that very few in the women's game can match. Behind them there is an abundance of experience. Sam Monaghan, Alex Mathews and Zoe Aldcroft are all massively experienced internationals that provide a strong base for this team to build from. 

Natasha "Mo" Hunt is the most experienced player in this squad and is now a 2-time World Champion with England. She will partner with Lleucu George in the half-back duo. George is one of several Welsh internationals in this squad alongside the likes of Tuipulotu at prop and Metcalfe at fullback. Metcalfe is an exciting youngster that looks like the future of Welsh rugby. She will be part of a dangerous back 3 with Mia Venner and Red Rose Emma Sing. Inside of those 3 is a midfield group that includes 2 more World Champions. Tatyana Heard has been a consistent starter for England over the past few years and Jade Shekells is her deputy for both club and country. 

This is a powerful team that is packed full of stat power, but will face a much bigger challenge this season. The gap is shrinking and it will be down to their experienced stars to get them over the line once again.

SQUAD

Loosehead Prop: MacKenzie Carson, El Perry, 

Hooker: Neve Jones, Kelsey Jones, Lucy Simpson, 

Tighthead Prop: Maud Muir, Ranni Samuda, Sisilia Tuipulotu

Lock: Gwenn Crabb, Steph Else, Sam Monaghan, 

Back row: Zoe Aldcroft, Sarah Beckett, Georgia Brock, Tabitha Copson, Bethan Lewis, Alex Mathews, Kate Williams

Scrum-half: Bianca Blackburn, Meg Davies, Natasha Hunt(C), Sian Jones, 

Fly-half: Lleucu George, Lizzie Goulden, Ellie Green, Millie Hyett, 

Centre: Molly Bunker, Hannah Dallavalle, Tatyana Heard, Pip Hendy, Rachel Lund, Jade Shekells

Wing: Daisy Aspinall, Abi Pritchard, Ellie Rugman, Mia Venner

Fullback: Nel Metcalfe, Emma Sing

Harlequins

Last season's finish: 3rd (semi-finalists)

Head coach: Ross Chisholm

Captain: Jade Konkel

Star player: Ellie Kildunne

Expectation: make the final

Harlequins made the top 4 for the first time in 4 seasons last time out and look to be in a good space to do so once again in 2025/26. They have an incredibly talented group that is headlined by Ellie Kildunne, the 2024 World player of the year and World Cup-winning Red Rose. They were already a strong team, but the last-minute additions of 2 Black Ferns, Layla Sae and Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, will massively help to bolster a pack that is sometimes found to be a little bit too light. They will be with the Londoners until March when they will return to New Zealand.

The Harlequins pack has obviously been massively improved by the 2 new additions, but it was already home to some familiar stars. Sarah Bonnar is a pillar of this pack in the second row and a crucial player for Scotland. As was Jade Konkel, who remains captain of the club in a back row with Alex Callender who has long-been a key leader for her country. Before the Kiwi additions, there was already an exciting new name at Harlequins this season - Aoife Wafer. The young Irish international is already a star for her country has already been named 6 nations player of the tournament in her young career. Wafer often plays at no.8 but is comfortable across the back row and will combine with Callender, Sae and Konkel to make a back-row unit that is hard to match.

The pack is exciting, but the back line is where the fireworks are. Kayleigh Powell and Ella Cromack will resume their battle for the 10 shirt with the former generally starting and the latter coming on in the second half to secure the game with her ridiculous goal-kicking talent. Their half-back partner will be England's Lucy Packer. In midfield, Tuima provides the hard-carrying focal point for the team that allows Spain's Claudia Pena to roam free at 13 and combine with Ellie Kildunne for some devastating attacks. They also have some strong options on the wing with Wales international Lisa Neumann and GB sevens star, Grace Crompton who regularly leads the World Series try-scoring charts for her country with her devastating pace.

This Harlequins team looks to have taken another step forward and is ready to be a legitimate contender this season. The pack is stronger and the back-line brings the X-factor; there is plenty to like about this Harlequins squad.

SQUAD

Loosehead Prop: Sheree Cooper, Laura Delgado, Hannah Duffy, Hannah Sims, Silvia Turani

Hooker: Amy Henwood, Maja Mueller, Maddy Page, Carys Phillps, Connie Powell

Tighthead Prop: Zara Green, Lizzie Hanlon, Jessie Spurrier, Ruby Winstanley

Lock: Sarah Bonar, Lauren Brooks, Abbie Fleming, Grace Keel, Danelle Lochner, Natasha Logner, Fi McIntosh, Tyla Shirley, Sophie Tansley, Louisa Ward, Emma Wedervang, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u

Back row: Iley Bailey, Lauren Brooks, Alex Callender, Izzy Hannay, Amelia Kolev, Joy Okechukwu, Sara Svoboda, Aoife Wafer, Nicole Wythe, Jade Konkel, Layla Sae

Scrum-half: Freya Aucken, Tess Braunerova, Lucy Burgess, Lucy Packer, Millie Pearce, Emma Swords

Fly-half: Ella Cromack, Kayleigh Powell

Centre: Emily Blackburn, Summer Charlesworth, Lauren Fisher, Izzy Mayhew, Sarah Parry, Claudia Pena, Orla Proctor, Lagi Tuima

Wing: Aimee Bush, Heather Cowell, Grace Compton, Coreen Grant, Amy Layzell, Lisa Neumann, Kate Shillacker, Lauren Torley, Jojo Vosakiwaiwai, Beth Wilcock

Fullback: Ellie Kildunne, Jade Mullen, Solana Shaw de Leon

Leicester Tigers

last season's finish: 8th

Head coach: Ross Bundy

Captain: Tess Feury

Star player: Kristin Bitter

Expectation: finish mid-table

Leicester are in a tricky position going into this season, Their last campaign was rather underwhelming and saw the Tigers finish 8th with a total of 3 wins from 16 games. That disappointment has been further compounded by the news that Meg Jones has left the Leicester and headed to North London to play for the Ealing Trailfinders. That hammer-blow makes it very difficult to be positive about the prospects for this team in the coming season.

Their life has also been made more difficult by the goings on up North. Simon Orange has recently sold his business for a total that is thought to be worth over £1,000,000,000. There are currently rumours swirling about a big recruitment drive for the men's team for next season, but some of that money has already been used to invest in the women's side of the club. The Tigers can only dream of that kind of investment and will have to compete against 8 teams that all seem to have much bigger budgets this season. As well as they Meg Jones, they have lost Amy Cokayne to the Sale Sharks and Francesca McGhie to Ealing.

So, how will they do it? Well, USA international Tess Feury has been bullish about their chances this season and she'' have to play a big part from fullback if this team are to do anything this season. They are already employing an underdog mentality but still need some serious talent to make it count. Feury's USA teammate, Kristin Bitter, will also have to be at the top of her game all season behind a pack that will often struggle. She is an excellent kicker and will have to use her boot well to give her side an edge in the territory battle. 

The Tigers are defiant, and clearly up for the fight, but still look like the favourites to finish at the bottom of the table this season. 

SQUAD

Loosehead Prop: Zainab Alema, Ella Mae Fereday, Ellie Smith, Nadine Vincent

Hooker: Alana Bainbridge, Micke Gunter, Lauren Poole, Jordan Russell, Alicia Watkins

Tighthead Prop: Clodagh Dunn, Amber Schonert. Danielle Solly, Samantha Williams

Lock: Emerson Allen, Ali Coleman, Beth Cregan, Deni Ross, Olivia Tallon, Beth Taylor, 

Back row: Amelie Anstead, katherine Braverstock, Hermoine Farmer, Tiana Gordon, Leah Henrich, Summer Reeves, Rowann Sinclair, Kat Turner, 

Scrum-half: Eneka Labeyrie, Jenny Maxwell, Zarah Pickwick, Morgan Richardson, Lucy Weaver

Fly-half: Kristin Bitter, Sarah Nicolas, Ellie Turner,  

Centre: Grace Dean, Abbie Lamb Georgie Lingham, Jemima McCalman, Abileigh Priestnall

Wing: Charlotte Daley, Zoe Evans, Karolina Kacirkova, 

Fullback: Tess Feury, 

Loughborough Lightning

Last season's finish: 6th

Head coach: Nathan Smith

Captain: Daisy Hibbert-Jones

Star player: Helena Rowland

Last season's finish: finish in the top half

Loughborough Lightning had a disappointing season in 2024/25. They finished 6th in the league but were out of playoff contention earlier than that finish would suggest. They have also lost Emily Scarratt, who has just retired and will take up a coaching role in this team. Having said that, this is still a team with some serious talent that will be expecting to push a lot harder than it did last season.

The pack contains a couple of Red Roses in Lilli Ives-Campion and Sadia Kabeya. They are both hugely physical players who will bring the boom to a team that will rely on some magic from its backs. The pack does also have a few more internationals such as: Kathryn Treder (USA), Grace Clifford (England) and Elis Martin (Scotland). Their job will be to maintain parity with their opposition to provide a platform for some very exciting backs.

The half-back duo is made up of two Scots, Leia Breber-Holden and Helen Nelson. Nelson, in particular, was incredibly impressive throughout the World Cup and actually made my team of the tournament. The other fly-half option is the versatile Helena Rowland. The 12 shirt will likely be filled by Alev Kelter, and the wing options are very strong, so Rowland could spend most of her time in the 15 jersey where she has performed incredibly well for club and country. Those strong wing options are made up of a couple of North American internationals and a young English player that has the talent to break into the national side on a more permanent basis. Bermudez, from Canada, and Mataitoga, from the USA, are both very talented runners that will benefit greatly from playing alongside 2 play-makers like Nelson and Rowland.

Loughborough clearly have the potential to challenge at the top of this league, but it will all come down to consistency. If they can properly get their act together, this league will be wide open.

SQUAD

Loosehead Prop: Isla Curphey, Churchy Knight, Amelia Williams, Anne Young

Hooker: Lucy Calladine, Elis Martin, Polly Peterson, Kathryn Treder

Tighthead Prop: Tiwaah Adjei-Ansere, Christine Belisle, Grace Clifford, Catherine Wells

Lock: Tasmin Baynes, Becky Boyd, Keevy Fitzpatrick, Lilli Ives-Campion

Back row: Lucy Finch, Daisy Hibbert-Jones, Sadia Kabeya, Haineala Lutui, Ellie Roberts, Kendall Waudby

Scrum-half: Ashton Adcock, Leia Brebner-Holden, Megan Davey

Fly-half: Lia Green, Helen Nelson, Helena Rowland

Centre: Alev Kelter, Molly Luthayi, Carmella Morrall, Ellie May Tromans

Wing: Fancy Bermudez, Bulou Mataitoga, Ellen Scantlebury, Bo Westcombe-Evans

Fullback: Abbie Brown, Lucia Scott

Sale Sharks

Last season's finish: 9th

Head coach: Tom Hudson

Captain: Charlotte Fray

Star player: Holly Aitchison

Expectation: finish mid-table

Last season's winners of the wooden spoon are coming into this season with a renewed enthusiasm and team that looks much more capable of competing with the rest of their competition. As I wrote above during the Leicester preview, Sale have begun to invest much more in their women's team and have made some big signings that could seriouslt transform their fortunes.

The big name in the front row is new signing, Amy Cokayne. The Red Rose will be joined by Gwen Pyrs of Wales and Leah Bartlett of Scotland in a front row that looks more solid this season.  The second row is where things really start to get exciting. Morwenna Talling will be well known to England fans and she will partner with America's Erica Jarrell-Searcy. The American was one of her country's star players during the World Cup and scored a spectacular try in the first half of the opening game up in Sunderland against England. These 2 will give the Sharks a serious physical edge, and a strong line-out with Amy Cokayne now throwing the ball in. Jarrell-Searcy's fellow American international, Georgie Perris-Redding, who will head the back row that is also a very promising unit.

The American influence continues in the backs with Olivia Ortiz at scrum-half. The experienced international is a real danger around the ruck and will always look for a quick run in behind if she catches the opposition napping. She will be joined by Sale's star signing, Holly Aitchison. The former Bristol Bear is one of England's 2 star fly-halves and helped to cultivate the Bristol style of play that is now synonymous with the club. She will likely try to bring that expansive style to Sale where she will have to contend with the elements a bit more often. Rhona Lloyd will be the threat out wide and could well be on the end of some signature Aitchison cross-field-kicks over the course of this season.

Sale do look a lot stronger this season, but it's important to manage expectations given where they are starting. A strong, mid-table finish would be enough for a successful season.

SQUAD

Loosehead Prop: Gwen Pyrs, Leah Bartlett, Evie Roach, Tysh Harper

Hooker: Amy Cokayne, Annie Roue, Amelia Hyndman, Molly Wright, Scarlett Fielding

Tighthead Prop: Sophie Benavent, Nick James

Lock: Sophie Blakemore, Eva Donaldson, Erica Jarrell-Searcy, Polly Bowman, Morwenna Talling, Iona Antwis, Molly Morrissey

Back row: Sharifa Kasolo, Katie Childs, Carmen Castelucci, Trudy Cowan, Alba Capell, Katie Moore, Kay Jarrell-Searcy, Georgie Perris-Redding, 

Scrum-half: Izzy Green, Amy Relf, Olivia Ortiz, Alicia Calton, Willow Bell

Fly-half: Holly Aitchison, Lizzie Duffy, Robyn Wilkins

Centre: Evie Wills, Courtnet Keight, Rachel Philipps, Beatrice Rigoni, Katana Howard, Laura Perrin,

Wing: Rhona Lloyd, Nikita Prothero, Eva Wood, Holly Thorpe, 

Fullback: Vicky A Irwin, Shona Campbell

Saracens

Last season's finish: 2nd (runners-up)

Director of rugby: Alex Austerberry

Captain(s): Marlie Packer 

Star player: Zoe Harrison

Expectation: win the league

Last season's beaten finalists are in a good place to make another push for the ultimate crown this season and certainly have the team to do it. This is a team stacked with internationals that looks set to compete with the best.

Kelsey Clifford made a name for herself with some try-scoring whenver Hannah Botterman wasn't playing in the World Cup and she is joined in the front row by another Red Rose in May Campbell. The back five is home to a bunch of World Cup finalists from both teams. Canada's World player of the year winner, Sophie de Goede, is back once again alongside Gabrielle Senft. Rosie Galligan, Marlie Packer and Poppy Cleall will all bring the experience to this Saracens unit, as well as some serious heft.

Zoe Harrison won out in the fly-half battle within the England camp during the World Cup and will bring her quality back to her club team. Her biggest weapons reside in the Saracens back 3. Jess Breach has just signed a new contract with the club and made a big impact at the end of last season, after returning from a lengthy injury break, and then went on to secure her place in the England squad and be one of the tournament's top try-scorers. On the other wing, Canada's Alysha Corrigan has proven that she is world-class at both sevens and fifteens. The fullback will be America's experienced backfield marshal, Lotte Sharp. 

Saracens are built with plenty of experience that is ready to win a title in the near future before the cornerstones of the team eventually move on. They are up against some stiff competition, but definitely have the talent to come out on top.

SQUAD

Loosehead Prop: Akina Gondwe, Chloe Flanagan, Donna Rose, Kelsey Clifford

Hooker: Bryony Field, Daisy Fitzgerald, May Campbell

Tighthead Prop: Kaylee McHugh, Carmen Tremelling, Liz Crake

Lock: Georgia Evans, Jemima Moss, Jodie Verghese, Laetitia Royer, Louise McMillan, Roshini Turner, Rosie Galligan, Sophie de Goede

Back row: Charlotte Wright-Haley, Erin Delea, Gabrielle Senft, Jess Taylor, Joia Bennett,Julia Omokhuale, Licia MacCutchan, Lucy Walford-Wilby, Marlie Packer, Morgan Freeman, Poppy Cleall

Scrum-half: Ella Wyrwas, Maisy Herbert, May Goulding, Tori Sellors

Fly-half: Amelia MacDougall, Macy Twine, Zoe Harrison

Centre: Beth Blacklock, Emma Hardy, Hannah Casey, Sarah McKenna, Sophie Bridger, Sydney Gregson

Wing: Alysha Corrigan, Amelia Tutt, Deborah Wills, Jess Breach, Lotte Sharp, Paige Farries

Fullback: Jemma Jo-Linkins, Ellie Cunningham

Ealing Trailfinders

Last season's finish: 7th

Director of rugby: Giselle Mather

Captain: Kate Zackary

Star player: Meg Jones

Expectation: push for playoffs

The Ealing Trailfinders  suffered a poor season in 2024/25, finishing 7th in the league after registering only 5 wins in 16 games. The team has also since lost Abby Dow in the summer, so has had to regroup massively.

The front row now includes Black Fern, Georgia Ponsonby, but the key to their success comes in the back row. England's Abi Burton and Grace Moore are both sizeable back-rowers whilst  36-year-old Kate Zackary will bring the experience to the room. There will also be more experience in that unit with Scotland's Rachel Malcolm being a key piece of this pack. If the tight five can hold up, Ealing will be a force to be reckoned with this season.

The back line in this team will rely upon some very big names. Meg Jones is a huge signing from the Tigers and will no-doubt transform this team's back-line with her quality, presence and leadership abilities. Out wide, Francesca McGhie and Julia Schell are both incredible athletes that can score from anywhere, and they'll probably need them too if they are to have any success this season. One theme that will be interesting to watch will be the progress of a couple of GB sevens stars. Emma Uren will be one to watch whilst Ellie Boatman made her name on the circuit with her incredible pace and power that allowed her to take over games for her country on a regular basis. If she can replicate that form in the 15-a-side form of the game, this back 3 will be absolutely electric.

All things considered, it is very difficult to see where the Trailfinders will be come next summer. They have some huge superstars and some promising talents, but also have some glaring weaknesses that could easily hold them back.

SQUAD

Loosehead Prop: Alivia Leatherman, Mikiela Nelson, Flo Long, Mica Evans

Hooker: Cristina Blanco, Georgia Ponsonby, Amanda McQuade, Hayley Jones, Niamh Swailes

Tighthead Prop: Cana Williams, Cassandra Tuffnail, Kira Leat

Lock: Alana Borland, Emma Wassell, Amelia Buckland-Hurry, Emma Taylor

Back row: Abi Burton, Grace Moore, Kate Zackary, Rachel Malcolm, Sara Seye, Annabel Meta, Cara Brincat, Charlie Holland, Haidee Head, Manon Johnes, Sally Williams, Shannon Ikahihifo, Shya Pinnock

Scrum-half: Caity Mattinson, Brooke Bradley, Ella Amory, Sophie Molton

Fly-half: Claire Gallagher, Sam Shiels

Centre: Carys Cox, Lisa Thomson, Meg Jones, Ellie Lennon, Jess Cooksey

Wing: Francesca McGhie, Celia Quansah, Ellie Boatman, Grace White, Isla Norman-Bell, Kim Grundy, Victoria Laflin

Fullback: Julia Schell, Emma Uren, Niamh Gallagher, Rosie Inman