PWR Preview: The ultimate guide to Premiership Women's Rugby as new season kicks off tomorrow

Thursday, 23 October 2025 at 09:27

byMegan Carthew

The 2025/26 Premiership Women's Rugby season gets underway this weekend, with the top stars of the global game set for another exhilarating season in the world's greatest women's club competition. The defending champions are Gloucester-Hartpury, who are led by Red Roses' World Cup winning skipper Zoe Aldcroft and dynamic scrum half Natasha Hunt as co-captains.

Gloucester-Hartpury completed an unprecedented 'three-peat' this past season, which saw the PWR title retained for a third consecutive season by the 'Circus'. Gloucester-Hartpury would love nothing more than to extend their run of league dominance to a fourth season on the bounce, whilst the chasing pack of Saracens, Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins will all look to end their reign upon the Women's top flight.

So, with a fresh season set to dawn this coming weekend, we've put together a quick fact-file about the PWR, to get you up to speed ahead of kick-off. With all the details on the coaching staff, recent form and the top stars to watch, here's a quick-fire preview for the campaign ahead.

What is the PWR?

Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) is the top flight of elite women's rugby in England.

The league consists of 9 teams who compete for the title.

Regular Season

Each team play every other team twice (once at home and once away) in what is classed as the regular season. The teams are then ranked by total points and the top 4 teams after the conclusion of the regular season then play post-season playoffs.

The points system for the regular system consists of 4 points for a win, and 2 points for a draw. However, you can also get bonus points. You can get a bonus point for scoring 4 or more tries, and/or losing by 7 points or less.

Post-season Playoffs

The top ranked team plays the 4th ranked team and then the 2nd and 3rd ranked teams play each other in a semi-final to earn their spot to fight for the PWR title.

The two winners of the semi-finals then play each other in the final which determines the PWR champions

This years final is set to be on Sunday 28th June 2026 at Harlequins' home ground Twickenham Stoop.

Which teams play in the PWR?

Bristol Bears

Last year finish: Semi-Finalists

Homeground: Ashton Gate

Head Coach: Dave Ward

Captain: Abbie Ward

Key Player: Hannah Botterman

Botterman is one to watch having had an incredible summer winning the World Cup, making countless key turnovers and big tackles and carries and now is set to continue her form into the new season.

Exeter Chiefs

Last year finish: 5th

Homeground: Sandy Park

Head Coach: Steve Salvin

Captain: Poppy Leith

Key Player: Alex Tessier

Having captained Canada to a World Cup final she played a key part in throughout Canada's World Cup campaign, she now returns to club rugby where chiefs look to push into the top 4.

Gloucester-Hartpury

Last year finish: 1st

Homeground: Kingsholm

Head Coach: Dan Murphy

Co-Captains: Zoe Aldcroft and Natasha 'Mo' Hunt

Key Player: Alex Matthews

Having played a vital part in the Red Roses World Cup, scoring two tries in the final, she now changes focus back to club rugby, where Gloucester-Hartpury, under new leadership, search for their fourth consecutive title.

Harlequins

Last year finish: Semi-Finalists

Homeground: Twickenham Stoop

Head Coach: Ross Chisholm

Co-Captains: Jade Konkel and Sarah Bonar

Key Players: Ellie Kildunne and Aoife Wafer

The superstar that is Ellie Kildunne, returns to Quins after a superb performance at the World Cup, and now looks to help Harlequins fight for the PWR title.
New signing, Aoife Wafer looks to start her journey with the Quins with a bang after a disappointing World Cup campaign for Wafer due to injury.

Leicester Tigers

Last year finish: 8th

Homeground: Welford Road

Head Coach: Tom Hudson

Captain: Tess Feury

Key Player: Georgie Lingham

Having previously Saracens and Loughborough Lightning in the PWR and featured heavily in the sevens circuit represented GB she now looks to tear up defences with her speed and agility with her new club.

Loughborough Lightning

Last year finish: 6th

Homeground: Franklin's Gardens

Head Coach: Nathan Smith

Captain: Daisy Hibbert-Jones

Key Player: Sadia Kabeya

Having played a key part in the World Cup with England, earning herself Player of the Match in the Final against Canada, she now is set to play a vital part in Loughborough Lightning's push for a spot in the top 4.

Sale Sharks

Last year finish: 9th

Homeground: Heywood Road

Head Coach: Tom Hudson

Captain: Georgie Perris-Redding

Key Player: Amy Cokayne

A powerhouse for both club and country, she returns to club rugby after a super summer now looks to use her vast amounts of experience to elevate and push sale sharks further up the table.

Saracens

Last year finish: 2nd

Homeground: StoneX Stadium

Head Coach: Alex Austerberry and Lewis Sones

Co-Captains: Marlie Packer and Lotte Sharp

Key Player: Sophie de Goede

This year's World Rugby's Player of the Year, who has a great World Cup playing a vital part in Canada's campaign, now looks to help Saracens continue to push forward and fight for the PWR title.

Trailfinders Women

Last year finish: 7th

Homeground: Trailfinders Sports Ground

Head Coach: Barney Maddison

Captain: Kate Zackary

Key Player: Megan Jones

After an incredible summer, where she became a world champion and was nominated for World Rugby's Player of the Year, she looks to continue her good form with her new team where she is sure to continue being a nightmare for the oppositions defence.

Which games should you definitely watch this weekend?

Harlequins vs Loughborough Lightning

24th October 2025 at 7:30pm

Available to watch on BBC iplayer

The PWR opener - This game opens the season and with previous results between the two sides, the game is set to be tight.

Trailfinders Women vs Exeter Chiefs

25th October 2025 at 3pm

Available to watch on Youtube

Both teams look to push into top 4 positions and make it to post-season playoffs so need to start the season off well, however with multiple new signings for Trailfinders will they have had enough time to gel as a team?

Sale Sharks vs Leicester Tigers

25th October 2025 at 7pm

Available to watch on Youtube

Last year's bottom two teams face off in the opening weekend, with both looking for a strong start to the season in order to rise up the ranks, this game is set to be exciting.

Gloucester-Hartpury vs Saracens

26th October 2025 at 3pm

Available to watch on TNT Sports

Opening Weekend Rematch - This game is set to be a spectacle as last year's finalists face each other in the first game of the season. Who will leave with the upper hand, Gloucester-Hartpury who look to start their title defence strong, or will Saracens, the current PWR Cup holders, take the 4 points home?