PWR Press Conference: Barney Maddison and Meg Jones
Read the update ahead of Trailfinders Women’s first 2025/26 away fixture against Sale Sharks
Ahead of Round Three of the PWR, Head Coach Barney Maddison and Red Roses centre Meg Jones answered questions from the media after a bye week in Round Two.
When asked about how the team energy levels are managed during a bye week, Maddison said:
“The bye week probably came at a good time for us. We’ve had a fair few new faces coming into Trailfinders. The bye week has allowed us to have a couple more sessions together and get to know each other.
“We went bowling last week as part of a team social and had some really good training sessions together.
“A big thing for me at the Club is having good connections off the pitch.”
Against Exeter Chiefs, tighthead prop Sara Seye had to leave the field due to injury. When asked about an injury update for Seye, Maddison said:
“She’s still waiting for a couple of scans before we know the full picture. The injury was to her neck and shoulder. We will be able to give a better update next week onwards.
“Sara is back around the Club and she’s in good spirits.”
When asked about this weekend’s opposition, Maddison said:
“I think Sale is going to be a difficult game. They have recruited lots of new players. We’ve watched their last couple of games and we are a different team to them, so it will be a difficult game.”
Meg Jones added:
“There have been personnel changes at Sale and they’ve brought in a lot of really good players. It’ll be a tough game.
“I think Rhona Lloyd on the wing is an exciting prospect to play against, and Evie Wills in the back line as I know her from my time at Leicester. Amy Cockayne was another big signing for Sale that I played with at Tigers. Looking forward to playing them.”
When asked about how it feels to transition back into club rugby after a Rugby World Cup win, Jones said:
“It’s been good to get back to reality. I’ve gone from not doing any chores for a long time. It’s actually been nice to wash the dishes and things. But I still don’t have to wash my training kit as that gets done for us at the Club which is ideal.
“I think some of the England girls are still riding the high. We said we should have a group call at some point to catch up but we’ll see if that happens.”
On the other new signings in the group this season, Jones said:
“Alana Borland governs the line out area well. She’s been great.
“Francesca McGhie, who I know from my time at Leicester, is one to watch. I don’t think we’ve unleashed her fully yet.
“Claire Gallagher, another player I’ve worked with from previous clubs, she’s been great.
“We have great ambition as a side and we want to do as well as we can in the league.”
