PWR Final: Saracens vs Trailfinders Preview - Title on the line in London derby

Both semi-finals went to the wire, however it was the two London clubs that came out on top. Saracens beat Exeter Chiefs 40-38 and Trailfinders defeating reigning three-time champions, Gloucester Hartpury by three points.

Reflecting on Saracens’ semi-final Sophie Bridger, Saracens inside centre, said: “It was a very close game. We had a lot of things that were great, but we have a lot of things that we need to put right, and we made that game a lot harder for ourselves than we needed to.”

Trailfinders second rower, Emma Wassell topped the tackle stats for the semi-final round with 26 tackles. She was joined by seven of her teammates who also made it into the top ten tacklers for the round.

The Scotland international, on the Trailfinders’ semi-final performance said: “It was just one of those games. We probably went into the game with very little pressure on us, but every sense of belief that we could win, and that’s a real nice space to be in. I think we knew the potential of how we could play.”

Trailfinders came into their semi-final against Gloucester Hartpury having beaten them just a few weeks prior in the regular season, before ending the champions time in the spotlight with the semi-final win.

Emma Wassell added: “I think beating Gloucester Hartpury just a few weeks before put us in a good stead. But I mean that first half felt like a perfect half of rugby, the second half less so, and that’s probably when the tackle stats really came into their own.”

For many it was no surprise to see Saracens in the knockout rounds once again, with a vast history of success behind the North Londoners. However, this is not the case for their fellow PWR finalists.

For Trailfinders Women on the other hand, this will be a first final for the team since their inception into the PWR three seasons ago back in 2023.

On this history making moment for Trailfinders, Abi Burton said: “This final is so important for the club. I think we’ve got a very well decorated men’s side within the championship, and we’ve just been waiting for that point where we can show our colours as well.”

She adds: “Being one of the OGs and being able to ride the wave that has been the past 3 years and finally feel like where we are meant to be and where we belong is super special. I’m excited to make history,”

Unlike Trailfinders, Saracens have made it to multiple finals, most recently last season in a game which didn't end up going their way. Sarries lost to Gloucester Hartpury 34-19 at their home ground, the StoneX Stadium.

Saracens winger, Jess Breach reflects on the 2025 final: “In last year’s final, the first half we were phenomenal and the second half we just lost it, and I think that was what was disappointing. It did definitely motivate us to get into this year’s final.”

Looking forward to this year's final, the Red Rose adds: “Obviously this final, we’re playing a different opposition that haven’t played in a PWR final before. Like some of their players have experience in big finals, but I think a lot of ours do too. So maybe we can take that as a bit of an advantage.”

Saracens’ Director of Women’s Rugby, Alex Austerberry said: “We go in confident, but we're not deluded. It is going to be a very big challenge. We know what we've done. We know the work we've put in. We know the work that we need to put in to make sure we’re in the best place possible. And we also understand that Trailfinders are a very good team. You know, they've got a lot of high-quality players in there.”

Barney Maddison, Trailfinders Women head coach said: “We recruited pretty hard this year, and we naturally kind of got a fair few leaders in, as such, and they've been fantastic for us all season, for example, Meg Jones spoke really well after the game last Sunday, against Gloucester, and spoke about what kind of narrative we were looking to push

“Saracens are a world class team. They've got loads of experience. They've been there, kind of done that, and stuff. But we're really looking forward to the experience.”

The PWR final marks the last time Marlie Packer will walk out in a Saracens jersey after having spent nine years with the club, where she played key roles in bringing Saracens three Premiership Women's Rugby titles.

Marlie Packer, on her final run out for the wolfpack. said: “I think for now it's just about putting the team’s best foot forward for this final, and actually, it'd be the fairy tale ending, but you can talk all you want about the fairy tale end, but you've got to do the job, and that's what we need to do, come next Sunday.”

The 2026 Premiership Women’s Rugby final will take place at The Stoop, home of Harlequins, on Sunday 28^th June 2026. Kick off will be at 3pm and the final will be available to watch live on TNT Sports.