Trailfinders are thrilled to announce the signing of Cassandra Tuffnail!

The Canadian International is a product of the Trailfinders Rugby Academy, having represented Brunel University Women’s Rugby.

Tuffnail made her international debut in a 66-7 victory over South Africa in March.

At Brunel, the Prop completed her MSc in Physiotherapy following her BSc in Human Kinetics from the University of Guelph.

After joining Trailfinders, Tuffnail said, “I am so grateful for the opportunity to join Trailfinders. When I moved to the UK to complete my studies at Brunel University, I did not expect to be playing Premiership Rugby by the end of it.”

“I am really looking forward to developing as a player in this environment to become the best player I can be. I’m incredibly excited to be a part of this squad of strong women looking to make their mark in the Allianz PWR in our first-ever season!”

Director of Rugby Giselle Mather said: “Cassie has spent the last three years in our Brunel University pathway under the tutelage of Steve Wagstaff, our Head of Program, who has nurtured her talent to get her to this point.

“Cassie is a modern-day tight-head who scrummages well and is dynamic in the loose with great hands and a wicked turn of pace! We are delighted that she is to continue her journey with Trailfinders Women and hope that several others from our Brunel Pathway will follow suit in the future.”

Trailfinders are very excited to announce the signing of Charlotte Wright-Haley.

The back-row signs from Worcester Warriors, where she had played since the 2020/21 season.

Before her stint at Warriors, Wright-Haley played for Bristol Bears, and represented England 7s at U18 level.

The newest Trailfinder has a degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology from the University of Worcester and has completed her level 2 and level 3 personal training and fitness qualification.

Upon joining Trailfinders Women, Wright-Haley said: “I’m really excited about the opportunity I have here with Trailfinders. It’s a great set up and all the staff and players have been so welcoming and helpful since coming into the set up.

“Giselle has been really supportive of the whole circumstance which has been comforting for me to start this journey. I look forward to the season ahead and and what this new chapter can bring.”

Director of Rugby Giselle Mather said: “We are delighted to welcome Charlotte to Trailfinders Women. She has trained with an exceptional focus and intensity since joining us which is infectious and will drive standards within the group.

“Her knowledge and ability at the breakdown is a definite X factor, evident every time she takes to the pitch and we can’t wait to see that in competition.”

TNT Sports Adds Rights to Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby to Strengthen Live Rugby Offering.

Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby will be shown on TNT Sports in a landmark agreement that will see more than 20 matches broadcast live on linear and digital platforms this season.

Representing an exciting new era in women’s rugby, the multi-year deal kicks off on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ on Saturday 18 November when Sale Sharks visit Bristol Bears (12:30 KO).

TNT Sports’ coverage of Premiership Women’s Rugby will showcase the best of women’s rugby, broadcasting one match each weekend this season, as well as both semi-finals and the final (22 June 2024).

The live action will be complemented by extensive and unrivalled coverage on discovery+ and the TNT Sports App, offering video highlights, match reports, and in-depth interviews, ensuring fans have access to the most up-to-date goings-on in Premiership Women’s Rugby, enabling rugby fans to meet and learn more about the stars of the sport.

The re-launched competition will feature nine sides from across the country for the 2023-24 season – Trailfinders Women, Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs, last year’s champions Gloucester Hartpury, Harlequins, Leicester Tigers, Loughborough Lightning, Sale Sharks and Saracens.

This league will feature the best players in English rugby including Marlie Packer, Abby Dow and Zoe Aldcroft and world stars like Beatrice Rigoni, Kate Zackary and Sophie de Goede.

Belinda Moore, Chief Executive of Premiership Women’s Rugby said: “This is a pivotal moment in the history of women’s club rugby in England, as we will see at least 21 Premiership Women’s Rugby matches broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+ this season.

“For the first time, this ground-breaking partnership with TNT Sports will allow us to create an appointment to view each weekend for our fans and clubs, fundamentally changing the profile of the league. Research from the Women’s Sports Trust shows there are 1.5 million committed women’s rugby fans in the UK, which shows the potential of this partnership.

“We know the standard of rugby played in Premiership Women’s Rugby is exceptional and over the coming season, a huge number of people will enjoy their first taste of the League, to share our passion for the competition.

“We are ambitious to deliver significant growth in women’s rugby in England as we head towards Women’s World Cup 2025 and this partnership with TNT Sports will help us deliver that goal.”

Scott Young, SVP Content & Production at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, said: “We are delighted to able to bring live coverage of arguably the best women’s domestic rugby competition in the world to TNT Sports viewers.

“There are many stories to be told across women’s rugby and we are delighted to partner with Premiership Women’s Rugby to tell these stories with a fresh approach that reflects the family-friendly, competitive nature of the competition.”

Upcoming matches selected for live broadcast coverage beyond the first week of the season will be publicised via the digital and social platforms of Premiership Women’s Rugby and TNT Sports in due course.

The re-branded Premiership Women’s Rugby competition replaces Premier 15s which originally launched in 2017. The contract for the rights to broadcast Premiership Women’s Rugby was agreed between TNT Sports and the Women’s Sport Group and strengthens its rugby portfolio with live Premiership Rugby and European Club Rugby competitions also screened on its platforms during the 2023/24 season.

For the full Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby fixture list click here.

Trailfinders were thrilled to see some of their pathway players selected for the England U18s training camp this weekend.

Five players from the Trailfinders Women Development Pathway were selected for the England U18’s Women’s training squad that took place this weekend at Warwick School.

Zara Green and Sophia MacDonald were selected from Cardinal Newman, along with Emily Lunn, Hayley Jones and Iley Bailey, who were all selected from Henley College.

Their selection follows a strong trend of Trailfinders Women players representing their country at U18 level, with Annabel Meta and Lauren Knowler recently representing England U18s before becoming senior Trailfinders Women players.

Head of U23s Oli Bishop said: “We are excited and very proud of the five talented athletes from the Trailfinders pathway that attended the England U18 training camp this weekend.

“They are members of Cardinal Newman School and Henley College who are our two U18 colleges that are the first major stepping stone of our elite pathway. We are delighted for them that their hard work and talent are being recognised at representative level.”