The full match preview for this weekend’s clash between Ealing Trailfinders and Cornish Pirates at TFSC.

Ealing Trailfinders vs Cornish Pirates

Trailfinders return home looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the Championship season, a 19-17 defeat to London Scottish at Richmond Athletic Ground.

About the Opposition

Pirates have had an improved start to the season compared to the last, having the league’s second-best defensive record. Their 2023-24 season has started promisingly, having won five of their nine games.

They will be fired after a recent home loss to Doncaster, which stunted their winning streak.

Compared to this point last year, the Pirates are 75 points better in terms of points difference and currently only concede the second least points per game. They will undoubtedly be tough competition come Saturday.

What to Expect

The Pirate’s identity is shown by their try scorers.

As of now, no player has more than half the tries as Hooker Morgan Nelson.

The Welshman has amassed ten tries so far this season in all competitions, with the nearest behind him being Winger Will Trewin on five.

Trailfinders will likely show up more unpredictably than the opposition. The point scoring has been shared across the opening six games as 18 players have crossed the try line, with the highest being Richard Hardwick with four.

Looking at both of last seasons league results, the home side will be buoyant heading into the fixture. When same game last season took place, Trailfinders came away 50-12 winners whilst also coming away with a 25-12 victory away from home earlier in the season.

Looking at last year’s home result, Trailfinders will be hoping for more of the same to get back to winning ways on Saturday.

Match Details

Ealing Trailfinders vs Cornish Pirates

Date: Saturday 16th December

Kick-off: 3pm

Venue: TFSC

Coverage: Live tweets from 3pm

The full match preview for this weekend’s clash between London Scottish and Ealing Trailfinders at Richmond Athletic Ground.

London Scottish vs Ealing Trailfinders

The Championship season couldn’t have started any better for Ealing with five bonus-point victories, including last weekend’s impressive 31-13 defeat of Coventry at TFSC.

About the Opposition

Scottish have had a tough start to the season, losing all their matches in the Premiership Rugby Cup and Championship.

However, there were signs of improvement in last weekend’s away tie at second-place Doncaster, narrowly losing 29-24 in the dying minutes.

What To Expect

Scrum-half Lewis Gjaltema and tighthead prop Ashley Challenger have found themselves in the Championship Rugby Team of the Week after their impressive performances against Doncaster last weekend.

Ex-Newcastle Falcon and Exiles captain Bailey Ransom,is one to watch in the back row, where he will may joined by Will Trenholm, who is currently on loan from Harlequins.

Trailfinders ran out 66-0 and 57-21 victors in last year’s fixtures and will be hoping for more of the same on Saturday in this West London derby.

Match Details

London Scottish vs Ealing Trailfinders

Date: Saturday 2nd December

Kick-off: 3 pm

Venue: Richmond Athletic Ground

Coverage: Live tweets available from 3 pm

The full match preview for Trailfinders Women v Saracens on Saturday.

Trailfinders Women vs Saracens Women

Trailfinders Women are in high spirits as they head into the second game of their inaugural Allianz PWR campaign. They played impressively in a narrow opening-day loss to Harlequins Women.

Can they secure their first win of the season against Saracens Women this weekend?

About the opposition

Saracens Women are one of the most formidable sides Trailfinders will face in the league this campaign. Champions of the Allianz Premier 15s for three seasons out of five before it was revamped to the Allianz PWR, Sarries made a big statement of intent with their opening-day 48-7 win against Loughborough Lightning.

The sides met earlier in the season in the Allianz Cup whilst the WXV was underway, with Saracens winning 45-10 in a dominant display. With the WXV now over, however, both sides have been significantly bolstered by the return of their international players.

What to expect?

Saracens have an abundance of talent, including Red Roses stars Marlie Packer and Poppy Cleall, Canadian international Sophie De Goede, and more. Saracens like to kick the ball when on the front foot, knowing they can rely on their strong defence when necessary.

This will be a tough matchup for Trailfinders. If they can maintain their discipline, the home side will be a match for any team in this league, as they proved last week against Harlequins. They will need to ensure they keep Saracens under pressure and force errors, as discipline was also an area of weakness for them last week.

Match Details

Trailfinders Women vs Saracens Women

Date: Saturday 25th November 2023

Kickoff: 4.45pm

Live Coverage: live tweets from 4:45pm

The full match preview for Friday’s Championship fixture away to Nottingham RFC at The Bay.

Top of the table Trailfinders enter their fourth game of the Championship campaign in red hot form, undefeated and fresh off a dominant 64-7 victory at home to Cambridge.

Playing under the lights this Friday evening, can Trailfinders maintain their perfect start away to Nottingham?

About the opposition

Nottingham sit fourth in the table, winning two and losing one so far in the Championship this season. That one loss came most recently away to Doncaster Knights, and they will be looking to bounce back after a two-week break.

The Archers had a lacklustre 22-23 campaign, finishing ninth and winning only seven games throughout. Trailfinders were able to do the double over them, and ran out 41-21 winners the last time the two sides met at The Bay.

What to expect

In the battle of Green and Whites, Nottingham will be keen to improve on their lack of discipline, having conceded 15 penalties in the game against Doncaster. This proved costly in an 11-point defeat, with key points coming from the boot.

Trailfinders will be brimming with confidence after the convincing victory over Cambridge. They should be feeling fully rested after a full squad rotation and a two-week break, and will be looking to establish their dominance early on.

Match Details

Nottingham RFC vs Ealing Trailfinders

Date: Friday 17th November 2023

Kickoff: 7.45pm

Venue: The Bay

Coverage: Live tweets from 7.45pm