Everything you need to know ahead of Trailfinders Women vs Exeter Chiefs
The PWR returns and the Round One action comes to Trailfinders Sports Club. We face Exeter Chiefs in the first leg of the competition.
Read everything you need to know ahead of the match here.
Eleven internationals start ahead of our Round One fixture against Exeter Chiefs.
Head Coach Barney Maddison has named his squad ahead of the first PWR fixture for the 2025/26 season.
Kate Zackary leads the side after being named as Club Captain earlier on in the week and she is part of a forward pack including eight internationals.
In the front row USA prop Alivia Leathermen starts at loosehead with Italian international Sara Seye at tighthead. Black Fern Georgia Ponsonby starts at hooker.
In the engine room, Irish international Grace Moore is accompanied by Black Fern Alana Borland.
A wealth of leaders make up the back row. Scotland’s most capped captain Rachel Malcolm is at blindside flanker, with skipper Zackary on the openside. Red Rose and World Cup winner Abi Burton starts at eight.
In the backs, Brooke Bradley and Isla Norman-Bell accompany one another at nine and ten.
A Welsh-English centre pairing of Carys Cox and Meg Jones is supported by the pace of Francesca McGhie and Grace White on the wings. Canadian international Julia Schell starts at fullback.
On the bench are Canadian international Maya Montiel and GB7s star Emma Uren in a 5-3 split.
Kick-off is at 15:00 on Saturday 25 October at Trailfinders Sports Club.
Starting XV
15. Julia Schell
14. Grace White
13. Meg Jones
12. Carys Cox
11. Francesca McGhie
10. Isla Norman-Bell
9. Brooke Bradley
1. Alivia Leatherman
2. Georgia Ponsonby
3. Sara Seye
4. Grace Moore
5. Alana Borland
6. Rachel Malcolm
7. Kate Zackary (C)
8. Abi Burton
Replacements:
16. Niamh Swailes
17. Cana Williams
18. Maya Montiel
19. Emma Taylor
20. Haidee Head
21. Ella Amory
22. Niamh Gallagher
23. Emma Uren
Trailfinders Women are delighted to announce that Kate Zackary has been named as Club Captain.
After joining the Club in the inaugural season in 2023, Kate Zackary has consistently proven herself as a fantastic leader both for Trailfinders as an USA international player. This will be her second year leading the side.
She has been the Eagles skipper at the 2021 and 2025 Rugby World Cups and brings that knowledge to her role at Trailfinders.
On and off the field, Zackary is a natural leader and will bring her experience to the squad ahead of the Club’s third year in the PWR.
On being named as Club Captain, Zackary said:
“I’m incredibly honoured to be named Club Captain for a second season. As we head into our third year, I expect our team to build on the foundations we’ve laid and push to new heights in the PWR.
“This season promises to be even more competitive, and I hope we can carry on the momentum from the incredible showcase that was the Rugby World Cup. Most importantly, I hope our journey continues to inspire the next generation—especially those in our Trailfinders Girls Rugby programme.”
Barney Maddison, Head Coach, added:
“Kate has been a massively influential player on the squad since signing with us two years ago. She did a great job as Club Captain last campaign, and we’re excited for her to carry on the role this season.
“She’s a hugely well respected member of the group, and you can see already the impact she’s had on the squad since returning from the World Cup.”
Read the update ahead of Trailfinders Women’s first PWR match against Exeter Chiefs
Ahead of Round One, Head Coach Barney Maddison and Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm spoke in the PWR pre-match press conference.
On whether there have been major changes to tactics ahead of this season, Maddison said:
“No, not necessarily. Obviously, we play a brand of rugby where we like to throw the ball around. That’s not going to change.
“There’s obviously elements of our defence that needed to be tweaked based off the past two seasons. We’ve put a little bit more of a focus on that. Probably more so in preseason. But again, no, nothing’s changes as such.”
On being asked about the new signings for this season and how Trailfinders went about recruitment, Maddison said:
“Again, they [Megan Jones and Francesca McGhie] came down and I think a big persuasion tactic we look to use here as such is we get them down to the ground, we get them to have a look around and the facilities here at the minute are fantastic. And again, it’s kind of where we see women’s rugby’s going in that kind of professional setup. So again, that helps.
“From a coaching point of view, myself, Stephen Shingler, Kim Oliver, all of us spoke with them and yeah, that’s how we moved forward from there.
“The Canadian and New Zealand internationals bring a lot. The way that the Canadians are in the world at the minute, they’re going to to keep kicking on as such. We’ve got a pretty strong Canadian connection here. So they spoke with a few of the girls who have been here previously and the ones that are still here as well.
“The Black Ferns are two fantastic players. And again with where the game is over in New Zealand at the minute, they’re just desperate to play rugby and we kind of gave them that opportunity.”
After moving from Loughborough Lightening to Trailfinders ahead of the 2025/26, Rachel Malcolm was asked what it was that motivated the move to West London. She said:
“For me, at the point in my career, it was a case of trying to find an environment which I felt like I could, one, add value to, but two, align with my values as a player. And also three, the move gave me that energy to keep going at the latter stages of my career.
“What I saw at Trailfinders was a real family environment and a club which valued their players. They’ve got a really good social aspect off the pitch, which is important to me, but also they play a really exciting brand of rugby and a really attacking style of rugby. And that’s an area of my game I want to work on.
“So it was kind of an obvious choice for me to join this club because in terms of where I want to take my rugby, I think they can keep pushing me on. It’s definitely added a little bit of energy. I’ve absolutely loved coming into the group. The values of the players, the coaches and everyone involved definitely align with mine.”
On being asked about the other international players in the squad and if she’s looking forward to playing with the wider squad, Malcolm said:
“I obviously know the Scots who have signed here. We tend to travel in packs as Scots. We like to play with our own. So I obviously know a fair bit about those girls and I think, you know, the likes of Francesca McGhie, Lisa Thompson and Emma Wassell also are probably three of the strongest Scottish players and three of the players I like playing with the most. I’m definitely very excited to play alongside them.
“Julia Schell is obviously someone I know well but haven’t necessarily played alongside. I have played against her and I’m definitely looking forward to having her on my side.
“Barney touched on it, at Trailfinders we play a very attacking brand of rugby. And I think to play alongside the likes of Jules [Julia Schell], Claire Gallagher, Meg Jones, all these players who I think will kind of set our attack on fire and give me the opportunity to drive my attacking game forward as well is something I’m excited about.
“I’ve always been a traditionally defence-focussed player, so I hope I can drive that side of the game while they pull me up on in the attack side of it. But like from 1 to 15, 1 to 23 and beyond that, I think it’s just full of players who I’m definitely excited to play alongside.”
When asked about what Trailfinders might expect from Exeter in Round One of the PWR, Maddison said:
“Well, I’d probably say different to what it has been for the past couple years. Obviously they’ve had a change at helm. We’ve probably seen more so in the Cup as well.
“Their brand of rugby has change slightly. They do throw it around a fair bit. They’ve obviously got Oli Bishop who was our defence coach here last year, running the attack down there and there’s a lot of stuff that looks pretty similar as such. With the kind of the squad they’ve got and the players have gone out and got this year. It’ll be be slightly different to what it was last year but again it always kind of have that traditional strong set piece forward kind of game as well.
“I think the big thing for us is we need to focus on ourselves. We’ve had a fair few new signings. So it’s about trying to make this team, this squad gel together as quickly as we can in a very short period of time.
“It’s been a pretty difficult six to eight weeks probably for a lot of teams in the PWR just trying to get these girls back from the World Cup, drip feed them back into training, getting them up to speed with the other players, patterns, shapes etc so that’s probably going to be the most challenging thing moving forward and for most PWR teams I think.”
Trailfinders Women are delighted to announce the signing of Canadian international prop Maya Montiel.
The 26-year-old joins Trailfinders after representing Canada at the recent Rugby World Cup.
Prior to her move to West London, Montiel spent four years at the StoneX with North London club Saracens.
Known for her strength and athleticism, Montiel will bring power in the scrum, physicality in the loose and knowledge of the set piece to the front row.
On signing for the Club, Montiel said:
“Dreams keep growing. I am honoured to sign with Trailfinders Women and excited to continue building with this incredible group of women.
“I am grateful for the opportunity and ready to give my all. This season is going to be nothing short of electric!”
Head Coach, Barney Maddison, said:
“We are very happy to be able to add Maya to our squad. She is a proven PWR and international rugby player and I’m really looking forward to working with her.
“Her set piece is very solid and her ability to play both loosehead and tighthead prop will add huge amount of versatility to our pack.”
Grace Moore returns to Trailfinders after making her RWC debut this year and getting on the scoreboard against Spain
Irish international Grace Moore featured in every match during the Rugby World Cup 2025. She made her World Cup debut in Ireland’s match against Japan.
“I feel like every rugby player’s dream is to go to the Rugby World Cup,” Moore said. “Or make it to the Olympics if you’re a sevens player.
“It was such an honour and a huge privilege to get to play. It’s a dream that’s been achieved.
“There were points where it didn’t even feel real until we flew over after the training camp. Then it started to sink in.
“When we played in the quarter-final against France at Sandy Park, I was on the bench. I have played at Sandy Park many times in my career with the PWR and other matches. But until that match, I had never seen Sandy Park like that. It was really cool.
“We faced New Zealand in Brighton which is like a home a way from home for me because I went to university there. It felt like a full circle moment which was cool.
“During the anthems, it really hit me as to how far the women’s game has come. We’re getting the recognition we deserve. It was also great to see big brands getting involved with the World Cup and seeing all the tournament branding around the different cities.”
Not only did Moore play in every match for her country during the RWC, she also got on the scoresheet with two tries in Ireland’s match against Spain.
“The first one I score, I was just like, oh my God, because I’d ran that line a few times a bit further out in the pitch on other occasions, but that one, the ball from Claire Boles was a brilliant pass and I could just see the try-line right in front of me.
“I committed to carrying the ball. It was incredible. The celebrations after you’ve scored as a team is brilliant. It’s a team effort but it is nice to get on the end of a score sometimes.
“I didn’t expect to score the second try and it felt more casual than the first one. They’re great memories to have.”
Moore commented on the fantastic atmosphere throughout the World Cup, but placed particular emphasis on when the players were walking through to the stadium, surrounded by fans and their cheers.
“It was incredible to see the crowds outside of the stadiums as the players walked in. A lot of us have our headphones on during walk ins just generally as it’s part of the pre-match process. But a lot of us started taking them out just to absorb the atmosphere.
“There were people playing the drums, blasting music. There were all our family and friends supporting as well. It should be like that for every game – it’s the way forward.”
Ahead of the 2025/26, Trailfinders Women have signed several internationals. The strong recruitment this season has added to the already competitive environment at the Club.
“I think we’ve made some incredible signings,” Moore said.
“We have also retained quite a lot of players. I love the girls and the environment here; the team are incredible. And it does feel like a family environment, but at the same time, we are all pushing each other to get better. There is that real competitive edge, which is what you want, especially as an international as well.
“I’m only going to get better by learning from other internationals and the coaches as well. The standards are just being pushed up constantly and you want to be fighting for your jersey every week.
“I’m excited to be working with all of the girls. As a back row, I’m looking forward to working with Rachel Malcolm. To be learning from her and her leadership and skills that she has is just incredible. I think Fran McGhie and Meg Jones will be incredible to play with as well.
“I think we are going to be very dangerous this year. We were starting to touch the iceberg last year. This year will be even better.”
Outside of rugby, Grace is passionate about giving back. Not only is she an ambassador for the rugby mental health charity LooseHeadz, she is involved in guest speaking and coaching with the Mintridge Foundation.
“My work with Mintridge is more focussed on guest speaking, coaching, and public events. The organisation got in touch with me a couple of years ago and I absolutely love the work I do with them.
“It is a privilege to do those sorts of public events with Mintridge, whether it’s at a school or at a business.”
Moore makes sure to spend time away from work by reading, socialising with friends and family, and walking her dog.
“I do switch off a rugby. I have a dog, I love to walk and play with him. I like to watch a bit of rugby outside of playing, I can’t lie.
“I started getting into reading in the past year. I’m slowly easing myself into it. The Six Nations helped me with that as it’s nice to read when you’re travelling. It’s a positive distraction and eases my mind.
“I enjoy connecting with other people, meeting up with friends and family, and going for drinks with the girls or just doing some other activities. We’re quite the creative bunch.
“I was social secretary for Ireland and sometimes it’s hard trying to cater for what everyone wants to do. So it’s nice when other people organise the activity for you.”
Grace will be attending the welcome back event for Trailfinders’ Rugby World Cup Stars on Thursday 30 October. You can secure your tickets here.
Irish international Grace Moore discusses her involvement with rugby mental health charity LooseHeadz and why she wants to give back
Friday 10 October is World Mental Health Day. The theme for 2025 – ‘Mental health in humanitarian emergencies’ – emphasises the need for readily available mental health support in times of crises.
This international day is for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.
Irish international and Trailfinders Women forward Grace Moore discussed her own mental health journey and her involvement with LooseHeadz, rugby’s mental health charity.
“I’m a LooseHeadz ambassador,” Moore said. “I got into it because there was a time when I was struggling with my mental health.
“There was a time in my life where I was depressed, and I didn’t want to live anymore. I was really struggling.
“Rugby was basically my saving grace. If I didn’t have rugby, I don’t know where I’d be today.”
Moore commented on how the support network within rugby alongside her family and friends helped her during that time.
“Rugby really did help me get out of that dark hole, and my friends and family were a huge part of my journey.
“Rugby is an escape for me. It’s a safe place. Sure the highs in sports can be really high and the lows can be really low. It’s not always smooth sailing. My career has not been linear at all.
“There have been times where I did want to give up rugby, where I felt that was my option. But I’m a fire – I don’t give up, and I’ll keep coming back.
“I’m not anywhere near where I want to be in my career yet from a rugby perspective, so I feel like the only way for me is up and I just keep pushing towards that.
“I got involved with LooseHeadz because of my journey. I feel like mental health is such a huge thing and sometimes it’s overlooked. There used to not be enough support out there. There probably could still be a bit more support out there.”
Moore added that at Trailfinders Women, Kim Oliver has helped her and many of the other players with any mental health related questions or struggles.
“We have Kim at the Club. We can rely on her and the wider services she can offer us. She supports us through anything we might need. She’s great. I even reached out to her during the Rugby World Cup to talk.”
Kim Oliver, Assistant Coach at Trailfinders Women
“Kim is an amazing person. She also has huge experience in rugby as well from both a player and coaches’ perspective.
“I want to be like that and give back to the younger generation as well as people who are my age and beyond.
“A huge part of my why with rugby is to inspire others and to leave the jersey in a better place than I found it.”
If you or someone you know needs mental health support, click here.
For more information on LooseHeadz and the work they do, click here.
Spanish international Cris Blanco discusses surreal Rugby World Cup moments and returning to the Club for her third season.
As one of the inaugural players in the Trailfinders Women squad, Cristina Blanco returns to the Club after representing her country at the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Blanco featured in every pool match in the RWC, made 44 tackles, and score two tries for Spain.
The hooker recalled the surreal feelings of representing Spain at the biggest event in world rugby.
“I think every athlete will say that reaching the top tournament of your sport is already a favourite moment. But if I have to pick one, I’ll say just being on in the pitch in the first game. I knew it was going to be big and it’s been a very hard three last years to just get in there and being able to say to yourself like, oh, I’ve made it.
“Of course, it’s a team sport and I am here for the team and I love that this is a team sport, but also you’re an athlete and you do sometimes have to motivate yourself especially during times of injury.
“So just being able to say, oh, I’m here and I made it.”
Cristina Blanco scoring in Spain vs Japan RWC25
“It’s a weird one because when you are there, you’re trying to make the most of it and you’re trying to enjoy it. You’re trying to like make the best hits, have the best training sessions, be the good teammate. But then it goes by so fast and it’s like, oh, it’s already gone. You have to ask yourself, have I enjoyed it? It is weird, such a surreal feeling and it goes by really quickly.”
Blanco scored two tries in her three World Cup appearances for Spain. One of those tries was scored in the final minutes of the pool stage match against Ireland. She commented on the resilience of her nation and how those attributes are emulated at Trailfinders.
“If you see how Spain plays, the determination is something that is very consistent. We never stop playing.
“In the New Zealand game, we scored in the final five minutes. In the Ireland game, we scored in the final minute. One of our tries was ruled as no try but we went again and we scored. We know it’s an 80 minute game so we’re not going to just play like 75 minutes because that’s not how we play and that’s not who we are. That’s something that we always try to keep in mind.
“I think that resilient attitude is already in the Club but I think we can like still explore it a little bit more. We’ve had matches in the past where that full 80 minute performance can be improved or play didn’t unfold in the way we expected it to. There’s always room for progress and everyone in the Club is aware of that.”
Ahead of the 2025/26 season, Trailfinders have signed a wealth of internationals, including Rugby World Cup Winner Meg Jones, and two bronze medallists from the Black Ferns.
Trailfinders Women now boasts seventeen international players in the squad, adding to the depth of the Club. As one of the seventeen international stars at Trailfinders, Blanco discussed her thoughts on the new signings and the development of the squad since the inaugural season.
“I guess seeing the club develop and grow from zero to what we are now is quite impressive. I knew since the beginning it was like a four or five years project, so to say.
“But I think since the beginning we’ve been able to demonstrate what and who we are. We are still finding our feet of what culture we have, what values and everything.
“But it’s quite nice to be part of starting something new. I experienced at Wasps how the end of what it was to be a club, and I’m experiencing the beginning of another club. So it’s quite nice seeing both sides.”
With the multitude of signings ahead of the 2025/26 season, Blanco praised the breadth of leaders in the squad, whether new signings or old faces at the club.
“I think we have loads of good leaders in here. I don’t see myself as a leader. I just like lead by example. I’m not a person that is going to be talking loads or a person that is going to be out there saying all their opinions and everything, because I do think we have like loads of knowledgeable players right now and really good leaders.”
The final takeaways for Blanco from the RWC that she is bringing into the new club season is the importance of the team bond and the wider friendships within a squad that can determine success on and off the pitch.
“The team bond is sometimes more important than the team performance. We always try and do activities weekly.
“I know it’s not the same because you’re not spending the whole time together, but we still like to spend a decent amount of time together.
“I always find that the closer you are in the team, the better you perform. Not only because you get to know the squad outside rugby but you also get to know how a person reacts in different scenarios. So if you’re frustrated, I will know how to cheer you up. Or if you are mad, I will know how to bring you up.
“Knowing who a person is outside of rugby is equally as important as knowing who they are on the pitch.”
Trailfinders Women name their lineup to play Exeter Chiefs in the PWR Cup.
Head Coach Barney Maddison makes three changes to the starting XV that played Harlequins a fortnight ago.
Emma Taylor and Brooke Bradley remain as co-captains for Saturday’s Round Three clash.
Charlie Holland and Annabel Meta keep their places in the back row, with Haidee Head coming back into the side.
Ella Amory and Vicky Laflin move from the replacements to start at fly-half and fullback, respectively.
Cana Williams, Niamh Swailes and Cassandra Tuffnail all keep their places in the front row. Cara Brincat partners Taylor in the second row.
Niamh Gallagher shifts into the centres alongside Jess Cooksey. Rosie Inman and Grace White remain unchanged on the wings.
Trailfinders Rugby Academy players Hayley Jones, Isla Pomroy, Scarlet Down, Sophie Molton and Immy Wilcox are amongst the replacements.
Kick-off is at 13:00 on Saturday 20th September at Sandy Park.
Starting XV:
15. Vicky Laflin
14. Grace White
13. Niamh Gallagher
12. Jess Cooksey
11. Rosie Inman
10. Ella Amory
9. Brooke Bradley (cc)
1. Cana Williams
2. Niamh Swailes
3. Cassandra Tuffnail
4. Emma Taylor (cc)
5. Cara Brincat
6. Charlie Holland
7. Annabel Meta
8. Haidee Head
Replacements:
16. Hayley Jones
17. Miça Evans
18. Isla Pomroy
19. Amelia Buckland-Hurry
20. Scarlet Down
21. Sophie Molton
22. Immy Wilcox
23. Ellie Lennon
We are thrilled to announce the signing of Red Roses vice-captain, Megan Jones ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Jones, highly accomplished as both a centre and fly-half, brings a wealth of knowledge to the pitch, along with a distinguished career in both 15s and 7s rugby.
Previously impressing for both Bristol Bears and Wasps, she joined Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2023/24 season, where she further enhanced her reputation as one of England’s top centres.
Jones made her international debut for England at just 18 years old, when she faced New Zealand in 2015. Since then, she has accumulated 24 caps for the Red Roses, playing a key role in some of the team’s most successful campaigns.
An integral part in England’s title-winning performance at the inaugural WXV tournament in New Zealand, Jones was named in John Mitchell’s squad for the 2024 Six Nations, which resulted in a Grand Slam victory. Jones was then named vice-captain ahead of this year’s edition and has recorded 3 tries and 3 assists for the Roses in the competition so far.
Beyond her 15s career, Jones has excelled in 7s rugby as well, winning gold with Team GB at the 2023 European Games in Poland. In June 2024, she was named in the British squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics, showcasing her versatility and commitment to the game at the highest level.
Speaking on her signing, Jones said:
“I’m really looking forward to joining Trailfinders Women and challenging myself in a new environment. The Club has that community feel which I love, and there’s a passion and ambition to push on that really excites me. I really like the way the team play, and I can’t wait to join up with the group and get going.”
Barney Maddison, Head Coach, added:
“Megan is a world-class player with a remarkable rugby pedigree. Her experience both at the domestic and international levels will bring invaluable leadership to our squad.
“We’re thrilled to have her join the club and look forward to seeing her elevate our game both on and off the pitch.”