Women's News - Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club

Lineup: Gloucester-Hartpury v Trailfinders Women

Barney Maddison has named his squad to face Gloucester-Hartpury in Round Six of the PWR.

Six changes have been made to the squad ahead of Round Six with new and familiar faces making their first appearance in the matchday squad in the league this season.

Vicky Laflin and Jess Cooksey both get their first starts in the league for 2025/26 and Black Fern Maia Roos is named on the bench for the first time since joining Trailfinders as injury cover.

Rachel Malcolm skippers the side as co-captain with fellow co-captain Kate Zackary who is on the bench.

In the front row, Cris Blanco comes in at hooker alongside Alivia Leatherman and Maya Montiel who retain their starting places from Round Five.

In the engine room, Emma Taylor joins Alana Borland.

Alongside Malcolm in the back row is Haidee Head and Abi Burton.

Brooke Bradley and Claire Gallagher are selected as the starting half-back pairing for Round Six.

Cooksey is alongside Meg Jones in the centres. Jones gets her fifth consecutive start for Trailfinders this season.

Grace White accompanies Laflin on the wing with Rosie Inman at fullback.

Cassandra Tuffnail, Maia Roos, and Shya Pinnock are named on the bench in a 6-2 split.

Kick-off is at 15:05 on Saturday 6 December at Kingsholm.

Watch live on TNT Sports.

Starting XV

15. Rosie Inman

14. Grace White

13. Meg Jones

12. Jess Cooksey

11. Vicky Laflin

10. Claire Gallagher

9. Brooke Bradley

1. Alivia Leatherman

2. Cristina Blanco

3. Maya Montiel

4. Emma Taylor

5. Alana Borland

6. Rachel Malcolm (cc)

7. Haidee Head

8. Abi Burton

Replacements:

16. Georgia Ponsonby

17. Cana Williams

18. Cassandra Tuffnail

19. Maia Roos

20. Shya Pinnock

21. Kate Zackary (cc)

22. Niamh Gallagher

23. Isla Norman-Bell

Women's News

Trailfinders sign Tanya Kalounivale as injury cover

Trailfinders Women are delighted to confirm the signing of New Zealand international prop Tanya Kalounivale as injury cover until 31 March 2026.

The 26-year-old tighthead prop joins Trailfinders after representing New Zealand at the recent Rugby World Cup. She has 27 caps for the Black Ferns and appeared five times during New Zealand’s RWC25 campaign to secure a bronze medal.

She made her Black Ferns debut in the 2022 Pacific Four Series against the Wallaroos in Tauranga and later that year was a part of the winning Black Ferns Rugby World Cup squad.

Kalounivale joins Trailfinders from Chiefs Manawa Rugby in New Zealand as injury cover alongside fellow Black Fern Maia Roos.

On signing for the Club, Kalounivale said:

“I’m really excited to be here, learning and experiencing a different style of rugby to what I’m used to.

“The whole team has been incredibly welcoming from the moment I arrived. I’m excited for what’s to come and for the ways I can grow both as a person and as a rugby player, make new friends, and experience a whole new culture.”

Head Coach, Barney Maddison, said:

“Tanya has been the cornerstone of the Black Ferns pack over the past couple of years. To be able to bring someone like her into the Club to help us out is massive. She’s a fantastic rugby player.

“In the short period of time she has been here, she has already added so much value to the environment. With the long-term injuries to both Rori Wood and Flo Long it provides us with a great level of cover in the front row.”

Women's News

PWR Press Conference: Barney Maddison and Francesca McGhie

Ahead of Round Six in the PWR, Head Coach Barney Maddison and Scottish international Francesca McGhie answered questions from the media.

Trailfinders Women travel to Kingsholm this week for the Round Six fixture against Gloucester-Hartpury. Maddison and McGhie spoke to the media ahead of the clash with the PWR league leaders.

When asked about the Round Five performance against Saracens, Barney Maddison said:

“Saracens are a top team and just from a physicality point of view, we were miles off and that showed in the game. We had two strong performances before that game and last week wasn’t the best.

“Saracens had great speed of ball and that is hard to defend.”

McGhie added:

“As Barney said, Saracens are one of the top teams and it takes time to get there.

“Our errors compounded and I think they probably just exploited that.

“We’re a new team and building trust across the season is important and we’re definitely getting there. We have proved it against Bristol and Sale and we just need to perform against the best teams.”

When asked about playing alongside her fellow back line players, McGhie said:

“Having played with Claire Gallagher and Meg Jones previously at Leicester, not much has changed between the connection there. Playing alongside Julia Schell and Grace White have been great too.

“I think our back line is working pretty well together and I think everyone is enjoying it as well. If you’re having fun and playing good rugby, that’s what matters.”

In response to a question regarding how his side can improve ahead of Round Six, Maddison said:

“In Round Five, we didn’t have much ball. We spent a lot of time defending. We want to keep more of the ball and we have to be more physical. Both Saracens and Gloucester are top teams – that’s the reason they’re at the top of the table. We have to match their physicality.

“Our connection as a side comes with playing together more in our training sessions, which have been great over the last couple of weeks. We’re just looking to bring that into the game this weekend.”

With Black Fern Maia Roos joining the Club as injury cover alongside fellow Kiwis Alana Borland and Georgia Ponsonby, Maddison was asked how the New Zealand approach to rugby has elevated Trailfinders’ training sessions:

“Maia has been class. The way in which the Black Ferns players train is really interesting. They train in smaller numbers before they meet together as a wider Black Ferns team. That means they work on microskills and they focus on the smaller details.

“I can already see that coming through in our training sessions with how they interact with other players. It’s great to see how the influences of other environments are brought into this one.”

Women's News

Match Round-up: Trailfinders Women v Saracens Women

Trailfinders defeated in top four clash against Saracens

Trailfinders quickly found their flow in the back line after kick-off. The ball was stripped out wide onto the left channel. Francesca McGhie put her foot on the gas, running the ball into the try area for the first score of the game.

Saracens hit back quickly after quick ball from a line out. Physical carries gained them territory until Poppy Cleall threw the ball out wide to Sydney Gregson on the right wing.

Trailfinders continued to apply the pressure on Saracens with quick line speed but the visitors held firm. Saracens found attacking phases but a tackle by Grace White on Jess Breach enabled Trailfinders to pounce on the ball and the penalty was awarded to the women in green.

Trailfinders won the scrum but a loose ball allowed Saracens to intercept and push forward. The visitors were awarded a penalty and Zoe Harrison kicked for the corner. Saracens continued with attacking flow and Marlie Packer forced her way to the try line. Zoe Harrison slotted the conversion.

The visitors continued to apply attacking pressure but Trailfinders secured a line out in their 22. Quick ball down the short side gave Trailfinders territory. Lost ball in Saracens’ half gave Sydney Gregson space to run the ball but Julia Schell tackled her into touch.

A penalty to Saracens gave them another attacking opportunity and Alysha Corrigan scored in the corner for Saracens. Zoe Harrison converted.

Saracens continued to play the ball out wide. Lotte Sharp took her opportunity in the right corner and secured a bonus-point try for the visitors.

Trailfinders continued to front up in defence but Saracens opted for their line out drive game once more setting up May Campbell for a try. Harrison converted.

Half-time: Trailfinders Women 5-31 Saracens Women

A change in the backline for Trailfinders after half-time saw Isla Norman-Bell come off the bench to fly-half and Claire Gallagher into the centres for Carys Cox.

Trailfinders strung beautiful attacking phases together at the opening of the second half but handling errors paused their forward momentum.

Saracens secured a sixth try with another driving maul from the line out with Poppy Cleall as the beneficiary. Harrison converted.

Saracens continued to opt for the kicking game and chased the ball into Trailfinders’ 22. McGhie gathered in the try area and offloaded to Julia Schell who ran the ball out of the 22, clashing with Saracens defenders on the way.

Trailfinders stopped a Saracens driving maul fifty minutes in. Brooke Bradley opted for the boot but it was charged down then quickly regathered by the home side.

Trailfinders found space with McGhie breaking through the Saracens defence. She darted up the field, giving Trailfinders territory in the 22. The ball went out wide to Rachel Malcolm who was taken down.

Saracens continued with their attack, breaking into Trailfinders’ 22. Trailfinders remained strong in defence but the Saracens maul secured them another score by May Campbell. Harrison converted the extras.

The waves of Saracens attack continued and the visitors scored after a series of physical carries. Liz Crake got over the line for an eighth try for Saracens. Harrison slotted the conversion.

The scoreline did not defer Trailfinders from going forwards. Emma Taylor carried through midfield and Trailfinders went wide. The home side secured the penalty.

With Trailfinders losing players too, the home side regrouped with Haidee Head moving into the back line and Maya Montiel into the second row. Saracens equally had to rotate their side after losing forwards due to injury.

The Saracens line out went loose and Taylor gathered then got the ball outside to Trailfinders backs. McGhie ran the ball forward but Saracens were successful in securing a penalty at the breakdown after McGhie was tackled.

But Trailfinders had ball in hand once more and broke into Saracens’ 22 with seven minutes to go. Yet the visitors pushed Trailfinders back and loose ball enabled Saracens to find space. Jess Breach scored down the right side.

Trailfinders continued to fight in the final five minutes, showing their resilience and determination despite the scoreline.

Full-time: Trailfinders Women 5-57 Saracens Women

Player of the Match: Olivia Apps

Trailfinders Women –

Tries: Francesca McGhie 3

Saracens Women –

Tries: Sydney Gregson 7, Marlie Packer 17, Alysha Corrigan 26, Lotte Sharp 32, May Campbell 37 60, Poppy Cleall 45, Liz Crake 65, Jess Breach 76

Conversions: Zoe Harrison 17 26 38 45 61 66

Match Preview, Women's News

Match programme: Trailfinders Women v Saracens Women

The PWR returns to Trailfinders Sports Club for Round Five

Read everything you need to know ahead of Trailfinders v Saracens in the match programme. Click here.

Team Lineup, Women's News

Lineup: Trailfinders Women v Saracens Women

Barney Maddison names his side for Restart Week in the PWR as Trailfinders host Saracens

Head Coach Barney Maddison has named his squad ahead of Round Five of the PWR in a top four clash. He names two changes to the squad after Trailfinders’ most recent win over Bristol Bears.

Kate Zackary leads the side for the fourth time this season.

An unchanged front row sees Alivia Leatherman, Georgia Ponsonby, and Maya Montiel start.

In the engine room, Irish international Grace Moore is accompanied by Black Fern Alana Borland.

At blindside flanker is Scotland’s most-capped captain Rachel Malcolm with Zackary on the openside. Red Rose Abi Burton is at eight.

Ella Amory and Claire Gallagher remain as the starting halfback pairing.

Carys Cox starts at inside centre with Meg Jones at outside centre.

Francesca McGhie and Grace White start on the wings with Julia Schell at fullback.

Cristina Blanco and Isla Norman-Bell both feature on the bench in a 5-3 split as the two changes to the matchday squad.

Kick-off is at 15:00 on Saturday 29 November at Trailfinders Sports Club.

Watch live on YouTube.

Starting XV

15. Julia Schell

14. Grace White

13. Meg Jones

12. Carys Cox

11. Francesca McGhie

10. Claire Gallagher

9. Ella Amory

1. Alivia Leatherman

2. Georgia Ponsonby

3. Maya Montiel

4. Grace Moore

5. Alana Borland

6. Rachel Malcolm

7. Kate Zackary (C)

8. Abi Burton

Replacements:

16. Cristina Blanco

17. Cana Williams

18. Miça Evans

19. Emma Taylor

20. Haidee Head

21. Brooke Bradley

22. Isla Norman-Bell

23. Rosie Inman

Women's News

Trailfinders sign Black Fern Maia Roos as injury cover

Trailfinders Women are delighted to confirm the signing of New Zealand international lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos as injury cover until the end of March 2026.

The 24-year-old joins Trailfinders after representing New Zealand at the recent Rugby World Cup.

Roos has 38 caps for the Black Ferns and played five times during the RWC25. She also featured in New Zealand’s World Cup winning squad in 2022.

In 2023 her star continued to rise and her leadership qualities were recognised when she was chosen to Captain the Black Ferns – becoming the youngest Captain in the team’s history and surpassing the previous record held by Dame Farah Palmer.

Roos is known for her explosive power and superior athleticism with a fantastic work ethic on and off the rugby field.

On signing for the Club, Roos said:

“I came to Trailfinders because I saw my friends playing rugby and I wanted to be part of the fun.

“I really like the style of rugby Trailfinders play: they like to play on top and keep the ball alive. It’s a very attacking style of rugby and I think that’s very fun.

“Because I’m only here for a few months, I want to have a big impact while I am at Trailfinders. I want to do as much as I can on and off the pitch to leave the Club in a really good position at the tail end of the season.”

Head Coach, Barney Maddison, said:

“Maia is a world class lock. To be able to bring in her in to help us out is fantastic.

“She is very highly spoken of by her fellow Black Ferns team mates here at Trailfinders so I’m really looking forward to working with her and bringing her into our environment.”

Women's News

PWR Press Conference: Barney Maddison and Kate Zackary

Ahead of Round Five of the PWR where Trailfinders host Saracens, Head Coach Barney Maddison and Club Captain Kate Zackary spoke to the media in a press conference.

After Red Rose and former Trailfinder Abby Dow announced her retirement on Wednesday 26 November, the media asked about her impact at the Club.

In response, Kate Zackary said:

“I really enjoyed having the opportunity to play alongside Abby when I moved to Ealing. Prior to that, I had played against her as with rugby, everyone runs in similar circles.

“I enjoyed getting to know her and how funny she was. She brought a lot of positivity and energy to the team.

“She was a great finisher but also put extra hours working on her kicking game, which was a part of her game that became a huge threat.

“She knew how to put a smile on your face whether you were having a good or bad day.”

When asked about this weekend’s fixture against Saracens, Barney Maddison said:

“It should be a great game. We’ve never beaten Saracens before. So we’re really looking forward to it. We’ve had a couple of good results. It’ll be a really tough game.

“They’ve got a quality team and squad so that’ll be a tough battle on Saturday.”

Zackary added:

“It’ll be a really good matchup for the back row. I’m biased here but I think we’ve got a really great back row. I think it’ll be a really big fight. The set piece is going to be huge and the kicking game as well. It’s part game that Saracens don’t shy away from, but it’s part of the game that we don’t shy away from either.

“We’ve got people like Julia Schell and Meg Jones who have got a boot on them, and Claire Gallagher. There will be a lot of dynamic play from both teams, which I think will be quite exciting.”

Women's News

Match Round-up: Trailfinders Women vs Bristol Bears

Trailfinders secure their first home win of the season with seven tries against Bristol Bears

A physical start from Trailfinders saw them dominant in the opening scrum. Bristol kept their defence tight but conceded an early penalty. Discipline let Bristol down and the referee showed Simi Tam a yellow card after five minutes of the game.

Trailfinders continued to recycle the ball five metres out from the try line. Bristol’s defence remained strong despite conceding penalties.

Trailfinders continued to drive forward towards the try line with great success. It was Scotland Captain Rachel Malcolm to get the ball down and score the first try of the game. Meg Jones narrowly missed the conversion on the angle.

Trailfinders continued to press through Bristol’s tight defence. Georgia Ponsonby secured the second score after Trailfinders mauled towards the line. Jones converted the extras.

The visitors were not to be silenced though. They quickly responded with a try of their own scored by Simi Pam after she’d returned to the field from her sin bin period. Keira Bevan slotted the conversion.

The fierce contest continued in the centre of the field as each side fought for metres. Bristol used the power of their forwards to maul forward and secure territory in the Trailfinders 22.

Bristol made further ground with a final powerful carry by Sarah Bern saw the visitors secure their second try. Bevan successfully converted.

Trailfinders bounced back and secured another penalty. Jones kicked to the corner. Bristol turned the ball over but knocked the ball on two metres out from their try line. Trailfinders won the scrum and took the ball out to the short side. Bristol forced Claire Gallagher into touch.

Trailfinders found turnover ball and pressed forward in attack. With the ball being recycled towards the right wing, Jones picked her line and found some space. An offload to Julia Schell onto Grace White saw Trailfinders secure their third try.

The physical contest continued in the centre of the field. Trailfinders were held up on the try line just before half-time. A goal line drop out was gathered by C. Gallagher.

Trailfinders forwards carried ball down field and it was Borland who broke through and scored the bonus-point try. Jones slotted the conversion giving Trailfinders the lead at half-time.

Half-time: Trailfinders Women 24-14 Bristol Bears

The second half continued as it had left off: fierce and physical. Schell put boot to ball and Grace White chased along the wing. She gathered but was pushed into touch.

Bristol found some ground going through the phases and were rewarded with a scrum. Trailfinders eventually found turnover ball with White making another break down the wing. She offloaded to Francesca McGhie who was tackled into touch by Bristol’s centre Emma Orr.

Bristol were awarded another scrum and the ball was recycled out to the backs with a kick for the 50-22. But the ball went into touch too early and Trailfinders were given a line out in Bristol’s half.

Dominant phases of attack saw Trailfinders secure a five metre line out after Jones kicked to the corner. After conceding several penalties, the referee went to his pocket and sent Bristol’s Delaney Burns to the sin bin.

Trailfinders had another line out thrown by Ponsonby. They drove the maul forward and Ponsonby secured the fifth try. Jones converted

Bristol were undeterred from fighting back. They forced their way down field and Evie Gallagher came fruitful and secured Bristol’s third try. Bevan failed to convert.

The visitors continued to show their strength at the breakdown which helped them to secure turnover ball in their own half even with fourteen players on the field.

With less than twenty minutes to go and a full compliment back on the field for Bristol, both sides went down for a scrum. But fresh legs on the field for Trailfinders saw them dominate the set piece and secure the penalty. Jones kicked the ball towards the corner for a ten metre line out.

A dominant driving maul saw Trailfinders drive forward. The ball was recycled out to Jones who opted for the cross field kick. White gathered and ran in to score a stunning try. Jones successfully converted.

Trailfinders continued their try-scoring run with Emma Taylor getting off the scoreboard from short range. Jones converted.

Both sides continued to fight hard in the final ten minutes of the match with big hits made by both sides, although no more points were scored by either side.

Full-time: Trailfinders Women 45-19 Bristol Bears

Player of the Match: Grace White

Trailfinders Women –

Tries: Rachel Malcolm 8, Georgia Ponsonby 11 52, Grace White 33 64, Alana Borland 40, Emma Taylor 68

Conversions: Meg Jones 11 40 53 65 68

Bristol Bears –

Tries: Simi Pam 18, Sarah Bern 27, Evie Gallagher 58

Conversions: Keira Bevan 18 27

Yellow card: Simi Pam 5, Delaney Burns 51

Match Guide, Women's News

Match programme: Trailfinders Women v Bristol Bears

Everything you need to know ahead of Trailfinders Women vs Bristol Bears

The PWR returns to Trailfinders Sports Club with Round 4. Trailfinders Women face Bristol Bears for the first time this season, after a tight battle in January last season.

Read everything you need to know ahead of the match here.