A first ever PWR Semi-Final awaits!
As our supporters look to make the trip to Gloucester this Sunday, we are gauging interest in the club running a matchday supporters coach.
Charged at £35 per person, the coach would depart and return to Trailfinders Sports Club on matchday.
We will be closing the window of interest at 4pm on Wednesday 10th June, so if you’re looking for travel to Gloucester, avoid missing out and let us know before then by filling out the below!
Our fixture details have been released ahead of the 2026/27 PWR Cup, which will start in mid-September and conclude with a final on the weekend of November 7/8.
We will feature in Pool B alongside Bristol Bears, Harlequins, and Gloucester-Hartpury.
Pool A will consist of Saracens, Exeter Chiefs, Sale Sharks, Loughborough Lightning and Leicester Tigers.
The Group B opening weekend sees us head to Bristol Bears. We then host Harlequins on 3/4 October, and travel to Gloucester-Hartpury on 17/18 October.
That is the first of five consecutive weekends of group matches, with a reserve weekend in place on October 17/18. Teams in Pool B will have two ‘bye’ weekends, in Round 2
and Round 4.
The semi-finals will take place on the weekend of October 31/November 1. The winner of Pool A will face the runner-up from Pool B in the first semi-final, with the Pool B winner taking on the Pool A runner-up in the second semi-final. The final will then take place the following weekend.
Fixtures have only been confirmed by which round and weekend they will be played on at this stage. A separate release will follow to confirm all kick-off details (date, time, and venue).
To see the fixture list, click here.
Hello everyone. As we approach the end of the year and our campaigns roll toward exciting and potentially historic ends, I feel it’s really important to take stock of where we have come from to where we are now.
I have been reflecting on the last 12 months especially, and I am extremely proud of our progress right through the whole club. I like to think that our men’s side going 26 wins from 26 in the campaign is testament to that.
Away from the pitch, we’ve brought the same ethos to our efforts to grow our footprint as a club. Earlier this month, joined by Andy Goode and Jim Hamilton from the Rugby Pod, we held our first ever City Lunch event in central London. Bringing together a room full of people at Quaglino’s, we raised money for two brilliant organisations – the Matt Hampson Foundation and our very own Ealing Trailfinders Foundation. It was a fantastic day to host, and we’re looking forward to the next opportunity.
We’re equally proud of the work being done away from the spotlight too. Earlier this year, we launched our ‘Connect Through Sport’ programme, an initiative designed to support our players beyond the game. Being a professional player is an incredible, privileged career, but it comes with uncertainty. We believe it’s our responsibility to equip them with the tools and experiences to succeed long after their playing careers.
The same ambition has been reflected in how we’ve continued to tell the story of our club and our community. Our ‘Follow Your Trail’ campaign has taken the brand across the borough like never before – from stations and high streets to schools, social media feeds and events. Combined with our digital campaigns, we’ve seen extraordinary growth in engagement and reach and introduced the club to more people than ever before.
That connection matters deeply to us, because we want Ealing Trailfinders to be a club and a place for everyone. Whether that’s a young supporter attending their first game, families spending time together on a matchday, students choosing to represent Brunel, or aspiring professional rugby players – we want people to feel a part of something.
That’s why, this season, it’s been really special to see the growing connection between our professionals and our Minis & Youth sections, with the players giving their time on Sundays with the groups coaching, chatting, and simply being part of it. Those moments matter. To see those same children shouting players’ names to bring them out of the changing room, waiting for photos, autographs, or just another chat is just fantastic. Sport is at its best when young people have accessible role models, and I’m so proud that our players have embraced that responsibility so naturally.
That pride has certainly been reflected in performances on the field this season across the whole club too. Firstly, I’d like to congratulate our amateurs’ section, Ealing Trailfinders 1871, on the successes they’ve enjoyed in their leagues, and throughout the season across the men’s and women’s areas. The dedication and enjoyment throughout the groups is superb, and we ourselves have very much enjoyed being part of the journey so far.
Our Brunel men’s side secured promotion to BUCS Super Rugby with a fantastic victory over Newcastle – a huge achievement and testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment shown by players, coaches and staff throughout the campaign. To earn a place at the top level of university rugby is no small feat, and everyone who has given their time and effort should be incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished together.
They’ll now join the women’s side at the apex of university rugby in the country, who themselves, in their first season in the division, reached the playoff final – an unbelievable achievement. Whilst they lost out on the day to an established Loughborough side, the players, staff and everyone involved can be proud of what they achieved this year. Finals are earned, and the group absolutely did just with their performances.
Our U18 pathways continue to grow, and we are genuinely excited about the talent coming though our system. These players have the opportunity to be the future of the club, and we will ensure we continue to support and equip them for the challenge.
We are already seeing the fruits of this work, as the Trailfinders Academy Pathway itself has had a fantastic year. From Brunel, we’ve seen proof of the strength of the environment being created. Annabel Meta, Hayley Jones, Grace White and Jas Adonri were all called up to the England U21 Six Nations camp, along with Isy Twigger and Scarlet Down for Scotland, and Crystal James with Wales. We were also immensely proud to see Niamh Gallagher make her full senior debut for Ireland, alongside Haidee Head making her England debut against Italy. At the start of the year, I spoke about wanting us to become a place that grows our own Red Roses – we’re now seeing that happen and more, and to have it become a reality across multiple nations is a credit to every player and staff member helping it happen. Further still, we’d like to congratulate the Red Roses on their performances on the world stage, securing another Six Nations Grand Slam. To have seen Meg Jones lead the side – alongside Abi Burton – to that honour makes everyone associated with the club very proud.
Our Trailfinders Women continue to be Trailblazers. In what is now their third season, they have earned the opportunity of securing a first ever PWR playoff campaign. It is a monumental achievement and our next game – our last home game this season – against reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury on the evening of Friday 29th will be an outstanding game to watch, and I highly recommend you come down to support the girls.
Our attention now turns to Saturday. Worcester Warriors in a home semi-final. Worcester have been a terrific addition to the league this year, and they’ll come in their droves to Trailfinders Sports Club this weekend looking to book a place in the final. For us, this becomes the next game in an extraordinary campaign. We finished the regular season invincible, breaking record after record and setting a new bar in the division. Whilst we’re proud of that, our focus is now on this game and this game only.
Once again, we’ll look forward to the challenge, the privilege of representing the borough, and hope that you’ll be there behind us. The impact of your support all season has been immeasurable, and for the players, every point scored has felt like you’ve helped score it. We cannot thank you enough for your own efforts this campaign.
Thank you all for a memorable season. Let’s try to make it even more so.
Ben Ward
Managing Director / Director of Rugby
An opportunity has risen for a Men’s Performance Analysis Intern.
This position is suited to current, prospective and graduate students pursuing a degree or career in Sports Performance Analysis or similar. You will join other analysts, coaches and multi-disciplinary staff, providing you with an invaluable insight into the role of an analyst.
We offer differing analyst experiences within the club to give you the best varied and well-rounded experience.
To find out more and apply, click here.
We are recruiting a Women’s and Academy Performance Analysis Intern.
The Performance Department at Trailfinders is looking for an undergraduate or masters work placement student eager to up-skill and develop in the role of analyst at a professional rugby environment.
Click here to find out more and how to apply.
EALING TRAILFINDERS VS AMPTHILL
Ealing Trailfinders extended their run of consecutive Champ Rugby wins to 23, after beating Ampthill 50-12.
Mike Willemse, Elliot Chilvers, Josh Taylor, George Worboys and Matas Jurevicius all crossed for tries, but second row David Bridge led the way with his hat trick, as Trailfinders completed a comprehensive victory over Ampthill.
This victory consolidates Trailfinders place at the top of the Champ Rugby table, with 88 points from 18 games played so far this season.
Trailfinders opened the scoring in the sixth minute, with David Bridge crashing over after several phases on the Ampthill line, and George Worboys added the extras.
Worboys was shown a yellow card just minutes later, after pulling on the shirt of an Ampthill player, but this didn’t stop Trailfinders grabbing their second try just five minutes later. Mike Willemse dove over from the back of a rolling maul, but Michael Stronge couldn’t make the conversion from a tough angle.
Despite some strong attacking play and earning a scrum penalty in the second quarter, Trailfinders were unable to add to their lead before the end of the first half.
Half-time Ealing Trailfinders 12-0 Ampthill
Trailfinders came out the changing rooms firing, and earned a penalty in the Ampthill half. The men in green kicked to the corner, and after a stopped maul and a few picks from the ruck, the ball was spun wide to Elliot Chilvers, who slid over in the corner. We can’t slot the kick from out on the touchline.
Ampthill opened their scoring after breaking from deep, with Efan Jones going over for a try, but Ampthill couldn’t make the conversion.
Trailfinders wrapped up the try bonus point just two minutes later, with Josh Taylor running in our fourth try. Worboys nailed the conversion to extend our lead to 24-5.
Poor Ampthill discipline gifted Trailfinders field position, with the men in green again going to the corner. After a repeated onslaught of the Ampthill line, David Bridge went in under the posts for his second try of the game, with Worboys converting the try.
Just four minutes later Bridge wrapped up his hat trick, running in his third from outside the Ampthill 22, and Worboys again added the extras.
Not to miss out on the try scoring himself, Worboys grabbed a try of his own after a slick Matas Jurevicius offload, before converting his own try from just left of the posts. With ten minutes remaining, Trailfinders had a 40 point lead.
Ampthill grabbed a late second try, with Fraser Strachan going over from the back of a rolling maul, and Louis Grimoldby converted the kick from out to the right.
Ealing Trailfinders had the final say, with Matas Jurevicius carrying multiple defenders over the line as he forced his way over for a try. Trailfinders couldn’t add the conversion, and with the clock in the red the referee blew for full-time.
Full-time Ealing Trailfinders 50-12 Ampthill
Ealing Trailfinders: 50
Tries – David Bridge 6 59 63, Mike Willemse 15, Elliot Chilvers 43, Josh Taylor 47 George Worboys 66, Matas Jurevicius 80
Conversions – George Worboys 7 48 60 64 67
Yellow Cards – George Worboys 10
Ampthill: 12
Tries – Efan Jones 45, Fraser Strachan 79
Conversions – Louis Grimoldby 79
We are recruiting a Head of Men’s Academy Strength and Conditioning
We are seeking a Head of Men’s Academy Strength & Conditioning to lead the provision of strength and conditioning across the entire men’s academy pathway – from our Ealing Trailfinders Elite Player Program through to our university academy based at Brunel University.
