Rowena Burnfield joins Trailfinders Women

Trailfinders Women are delighted to announce the signing of international Red Rose Rowena Burnfield to our squad ahead of our entry into the Premier 15s next season.

The second-row has 50 caps for her country, first making her debut back in 2015 and most recently being named in the Six Nations squad for the Championship last year.

Rowena started her rugby at her local club in Andover, before moving over to Richmond aged just 17. She saw the inception of the Premier 15s while at the London club, as they entered into the top division. In her final year at the club she was named captain of the side as they achieved their best ever finish.

In 2019 she moved over to fellow Londoners Wasps, helping them reach the playoffs during the 2020/21 season, before they lost 25-14 to eventual champions Harlequins in the semi-final.

She remained in Acton for three years, before moving to Harlequins mid-way through this season, when Wasps’ financial issues surfaced.

Away from rugby, Rowena is completing her studies on an agricultural degree at Sparsholt College through the University of Portsmouth, and lives and works on her family’s agricultural dairy farm.

On moving to the club, Rowena said: “I’m really looking forward to go and play for a new team with new players and new staff over at Trailfinders.

“It’s a great club and I think there’s a unique chance for us to build our own ethos and culture as a squad and I’m looking forward to the new opportunity as we look to make a statement within the league.”

On the signing, Director of Women’s Rugby Giselle Mather said: “I’m thrilled to have someone of Ro’s quality and experience joining Trailfinders for our first year in the Premier 15s.

“The example Ro sets by always leading from the front on the pitch has earned her 50 caps for her country, but the leadership she has displayed in every environment she has been in and the knowledge she has gained will also be invaluable to the whole squad, as we bond as a group and install our own culture and standards among the team.

“Ro’s incredible work ethic and dedication to still being the best she can be after such an incredible career will be inspirational to our younger athletes. We are delighted to have her on board.”

Rowena is the third international to join the squad for next season, and there will be more being announced in the coming days…