Trailfinders Women - Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club

PWR Press Conference: Barney Maddison and Niamh Gallagher

Ahead of Round Eleven in the PWR, Head Coach Barney Maddison and fullback Niamh Gallagher answered questions from the press.

Trailfinders Women face Sale Sharks Women this weekend in Round Eleven of the PWR. Maddison and Gallagher spoke to the press ahead of the Valentine’s Day fixture.

When asked about how he thought the season was unfolding so far for Trailfinders, Maddison said:

‘What the results show is exactly how competitive this league is and I think on anyone’s day, everyone can beat each other. We’ve had a couple of really close results and a couple of them could have swung the other way. The results just shows how competitive this league is and that’s probably why it’s the best women’s rugby league in the world in my opinion.’

Niamh Gallagher added:

‘You can see how the league has become tighter over the last few years, especially this season. It’s way more competitive now than it ever has been.’

When asked about the upcoming game against seventh place Sale Sharks this weekend, Maddison said:

‘Obviously we’ve had a couple of really close games. Every game is going to count massively now and picking up any kind of point whether it’s home or away is huge.

‘It’s another massive game against Sale. They’ve had some really close results as well over the past couple of weeks. Again, they obviously played in really tough conditions last Saturday as well against Gloucester-Hartpury. It’s going to be a massive game.’

Last weekend, Niamh Gallagher slotted the conversion that levelled the result against Bristol and gave Trailfinders a draw after clawing back a first half deficit. The fullback offered her thoughts on her performance against the Bears:

‘We had a lot to do to come back in the second half against Bristol. I was proud of the kick in performance in that game against Bristol to make sure we got the three points in the end. We came out fighting and just going into Sale, we need to bring that fighting from when the whistle goes at the beginning of the game.’

Ahead of this weekend’s game against Sale, Gallagher added:

‘I think just sticking to the game plan, playing heads up rugby, seeing what’s in front will be important in this game. You don’t know what they’re going to bring. But it’s just about playing in the right areas of the pitch.’

Women's News

Pitch-side dining: Win a Valentine’s Day experience!

Win the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Experience – Pitch-Side Dining with Rugby’s Best!

This Valentine’s Day, we’re offering one lucky couple an exclusive matchday experience they’ll never forget. One couple will enjoy an intimate pitch-side dinner for two at the Trailfinders Women vs Sale Sharks Women rugby match on 14th February.

The competition offers a front-row view of the field and an atmosphere you can only experience on match-day. Enjoy your meal as the excitement builds for kick-off, and celebrate love and rugby in style.

The competition can be entered through our Instagram: Trailfinders Women (@trailfinderswomen) • Instagram photos and videos

Tag your Valentine in the comments
Entries close on 12th February at 3pm, so don’t miss your chance to create unforgettable memories this Valentine’s Day.

Match Round-up: Bristol Bears v Trailfinders Women

Trailfinders Women draw with Bristol Bears after a second half comeback.

Claire Gallagher kicked off the Round Ten match with a clean gather from Bristol. The home side kicked away the ball for Trailfinders to regather and find attacking flow. However, the ball came loose from the hands of Trailfinders leading to the first opening scrum.

The Bears held the scrum and the ball was passed out wide to the Bristol backline. The women in blue etched towards Trailfinders’ 22 but the visitors remained strong in defence.

Bristol were awarded a penalty by referee Tarsh Ganley as Trailfinders failed to roll away. With a five metre line out, Bristol mauled towards their tryline with little success and opted for the phase play. But with consistent carries, Sarah Bern eventually reached the line for the opening score for the home side. Keira Bevan was successful with the conversion.

Trailfinders looked to bounce back quickly after Bristol’s opening score. The women in yellow found some attacking space. Vicky Laflin broke down the wing but with few numbers in support, Bristol were successful in securing a turnover ball when Laflin was tackled to the ground.

Bears continued to play with fast and flat attacking ball, but a forward pass gave Trailfinders an attacking scrum. Trailfinders held the scrum and went through the phases in their own half until Brooke Bradley put boot to ball.

With ball in hand for Bristol, Trailfinders slowed down Bears’ attacking flow until Bevan put boot to ball and secured a 50:22. Yet, the Black Fern Maia Roos stole the lineout ball to secure Trailfinders another scrum.

Bristol disrupted a Trailfinders line out, giving Bern the platform for a line break and secured her side territory. A kick out to the wing found the touch line for a Trailfinders line out. But once again, Bears disrupted the line out in Trailfinders’ 22. The women in yellow continued to apply the pressure in defence and Bristol spilt the ball forward. Yet, the Bears were resilient in attack and Scottish international Evie Gallagher scored the home side’s second try from short range. Bevan added the extras.

Bevan scored a try of her own after taking a quick tap and go in Trailfinders’ 22. Bevan converted her own score.

Determined to strike back, Trailfinders went through phases of play until they found themselves in Bristol’s 22. Niamh Gallagher decided to put boot to ball, putting the ball in open space where Vicky Laflin gathered and scored the first try for Trailfinders. N.Gallagher converted.

With attacking momentum on their side, Trailfinders continued to press against the Bears’ defence. Haidee Head made a break through the centre of the field until she was brought down by the Bristol defence. The home side secured a turnover by the hands of Evie Gallagher but Trailfinders secured their own turnover seconds later.

In the Bristol 22, Trailfinders continued with phase play. Playing with advantage, Trailfinders played a tap and go but Bristol were awarded a scrum after the ball went forward from Claire Gallagher.

With five minutes left of the first half, both teams fought hard in Bristol’s half until Bevan kicked the ball into touch and Ganley blew the whistle for half-time.

Half-time: Bristol Bears 21-7 Trailfinders Women

With the rain lashing down at Shaftesbury Park, Bristol found attacking phases in their half until the ball spilt forward from Lana Skeldon for a Trailfinders scrum.

Bristol were awarded a line out after Kate Zackary knocked the ball on, but the Bristol ball was overthrown and gathered by Georgia Ponsonby, giving Trailfinders another attacking platform. Playing with a penalty advantage, Bradley tapped and went, sending the ball out to Ponsonby.

Bristol continued to give away penalties for offside infringement. Trailfinders decided to go wide to Grace White who scored in the right hand corner. N. Gallagher slotted the extras from a difficult angle to narrow the deficit on the scoreboard.

With the pressure on Bristol with their penalties racking up and Scottish international Rachel Malcolm making the picture clear to the referee, Trailfinders found themselves with an attacking line out. The short throw into the driving maul gave the women in yellow a few yards but the maul hit the deck and Bristol were awarded the scrum.

Bristol found a break down the left wing but with Trailfinders in defence, they eventually secured the penalty from the counter ruck into the turnover.

Trailfinders had a scrum but were defending five metres out from the try area. Yet, the ball was whipped into touch, giving Bristol an attacking line out in Trailfinders’ 22.

Bristol once again went through the short range phases, etching towards the try line. The visitors held strong in defence, pushing Bristol back inch by inch. But the home side went back to the backline and Reneeqa Bonner broke through the line to score the bonus-point try for the Bears. Bevan missed the conversion.

Trailfinders were not to be put away. Putting the pressure on Bristol, they formed a maul and drove forward. Ball in hand, Rachel Malcolm dove over the line for Trailfinders’ third try.

With the hour mark passed and only one score differentiating the two sides, Trailfinders had another scrum on the halfway line. Bristol conceded another penalty for not properly releasing Vicky Laflin after she was taken to ground in the tackle.

Cris Blanco’s throw found the hands of Zackary for Trailfinders to go into another driving maul. However, the ball was lost forward in the attack.

Handling errors from Bristol gave Trailfinders the ball in Bristol’s half. Broken play ensued and eventually, Claire Gallagher put boot to ball for another 50:22.

With ten minutes to go, Trailfinders put the pressure on in their own half. Bern knocked the ball on just outside of Bristol’s 22, giving Trailfinders another scrum but a collapse on the tighthead side gave Bristol the ball.

The home side spilt the ball from the line out leading to yet another Trailfinders scrum. Playing with advantage, Trailfinders carried the ball into contact, securing metres. The back line broke free with Jess Cooksey finding a gap in Bristol’s defence and Cooksey passed the ball out wide to Emma Uren for Trailfinders’ bonus-point score. Niamh Gallagher converted the try to level the scoreboard with ninety seconds to go.

Bristol attempted to run the ball through the phases but Trailfinders dragged the home side into touch with the scoreboard all square at full-time.

Full-time: Bristol Bears 26-26 Trailfinders Women

Player of the Match: Sarah Bern

Bristol Bears –

Tries: Sarah Bern 6, Evie Gallagher 21, Keira Bevan 24, Reneeqa Bonner 58

Conversions: Keira Bevan 7 22 24

Trailfinders Women –

Tries: Vicky Laflin 28, Grace White 45, Rachel Malcolm 60, Emma Uren 79

Conversions: Niamh Gallagher 29 46 79

Match Preview, Women's News

Match programme: Trailfinders Women vs Harlequins Women

Trailfinders Women return for the Friday Night Lights!

The West London derby is here. Trailfinders Women host Harlequins Women in Round Nine of the PWR.

Read everything you need to know ahead of the game in our match programme.

Team Lineup, Women's News

Lineup: Trailfinders Women vs Harlequins Women

Barney Maddison has named his squad to face Harlequins Women under the Friday Night Lights in the return of the PWR.

Maddison has made seven changes to his Trailfinders squad after the month-long break from the PWR. .

Kate Zackary skippers the side and is joined in the back row by Rachel Malcolm and Abi Burton.

Alivia Leatherman, Georgia Ponsonby, and Maya Montial pack out the front row.

In the engine room is the Black Fern duo Maia Roos and Alana Borland.

Brookie Bradley starts at scrum-half to link up with Claire Gallagher in the half-back pairing to face Harlequins.

Welsh international Carys Cox starts at inside centre with Emma Uren on the outside.

Vicky Laflin and Grace White start on the wings with Rosie Inman at fullback in an unchanged back three after Round Eight.

Maddison names a 5-3 bench split including Annabel Meta, Haidee Head, and Ellie Boatman.

Kick-off is at 19:30 on Friday 30 January at Trailfinders Sports Club.

Watch live on BBC iPlayer.

Starting XV:

15. Rosie Inman

14. Grace White

13. Emma Uren

12. Carys Cox

11. Vicky Laflin

10. Claire Gallagher

9. Brooke Bradley

1. Alivia Leatherman

2. Georgia Ponsonby

3. Maya Montiel

4. Maia Roos

5. Alana Borland

6. Rachel Malcolm

7. Kate Zackary (c)

8. Abi Burton

Replacements:

16. Cristina Blanco

17. Annabel Meta

18. Cassandra Tuffnail

19. Emma Taylor

20. Haidee Head

21. Isla Norman-Bell

22. Jess Cooksey

23. Ellie Boatman

Feature, Women's News

Carys Cox on the West London derby, her love of the outdoors and nursing

Welsh international Carys Cox previews the West London derby, discusses her love of the outdoors and why she trained to become a nurse.

The PWR returns this weekend after a month-long break. Trailfinders Women welcome West London rivals Harlequins Women for a Friday Night Lights fixture at Trailfinders Sports Club.

International centre Carys Cox offered her thoughts ahead of the Round Nine match.

“I think it’s going to be super competitive,” Cox said.

“This match is going to have quite a big influence on the rest of the season. So there’s quite a lot of pressure going into it, but I think we’ve had a few really good performances in the league this season. So hopefully that comes through on Friday.

“I think we’ve got quite a few experienced individuals in the team right now, so quite a lot of them know how to deal with pressure and deal with really big games.

“I think everyone’s really excited and it being a Friday night game also gives it a bit more of a buzz with a different atmosphere. I’m hoping for a big crowd for sure.”

In the history of the league, Harlequins have won three out of four of their fixtures against Trailfinders Women. This weekend, Trailfinders will be looking to narrow that head-to-head deficit and climb the PWR league table.

“My previous experience of playing Quins have always been big games. They’re always competitive and super tight. Harlequins play a really exciting brand of rugby: really fast, and they’ve got some very talented players as well.

“I like fast ball so hopefully it will be a fast game, and there’s gonna be some really tight matches out there as well.”

Cara Brincat, Carys Cox, Vicky Laflin

The last time out for Trailfinders Women was against Loughborough Lightning at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens over a month ago. Cox discussed how the break has helped her and her teammates recover and rebuild towards Round Nine of the PWR.

“If I’m honest, the break was probably really needed. It was a massive year last year in terms of the Six Nations into the World Cup, and then sort of back-to-back games pre-Christmas in the PWR. So I think everyone was actually pretty excited for the break, and I think it’s probably done a few bodies some favours, just to rest, and have that mental break as well.

“With the support from the Club, everyone’s kept their training up, and I think we’re gonna be in a really good place going into Friday.”

Trailfinders Women Head Coach Barney Maddison is keen for his players to have ample opportunities to bond on and off the pitch. Cox is one of the social secretaries for Trailfinders Women and has been pivotal in organising socials for the wider team.

“We’ve organised the socials a bit differently this year, so we’ve got five social teams with social secs in each team. Each team has or is planning a social for the rest of the year.

“We’ve had three socials already: an intro social, a bingo lingo social, and then we had our Christmas social. We’ve got another one coming up in a few weeks. But yeah, it’s a really good occasion to get all the girls together and have that bonding time off the field.

“I think getting to know someone off the field is only going to help your game on the field in terms of understanding how people play, how people react to situations and someone’s mindset.

“The socials are definitely important and we get quite a good buy in, so it’s great.”

The Welsh international is not only a starting player for both her club and country, she is also a qualified nurse.

“I actually tried to avoid nursing my whole life because we’ve got so many nurses in my family: my mum’s a nurse, my auntie’s a nurse, and my cousin was an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP). My other cousin’s a nurse too, so I tried to avoid it for as long as I could.

“I did a sport and exercise science degree, and then halfway through that first degree, I kind of was like, oh, I think I’ve got a real passion for healthcare.

“I applied for my nursing degree, and then I did another undergraduate degree straight away. I loved it, absolutely loved it.

“I did about eight months of work post that in a high care neuro ward alongside playing here at Trailfinders.

“Nursing is definitely something that I’m going to go back to post-rugby. It’s definitely still a passion of mine and something that I want to succeed in, but it was really quite challenging to try and succeed in both rugby and nursing at the same time.”

Cox had previously travelled between the hospital in Cardiff and Trailfinders Sports Club regularly. She emphasised how well she had memorised the roads between the two locations.

“I was nursing in Cardiff and then playing at Trailfinders. The M4 was my best friend.

“It was a really challenging time, but I wouldn’t change it because it hopefully sets me up for life post rugby.

“For a lot of the girls, we have to consider what life is post-rugby because it’s not something that’s obviously gonna set you up for a long time at the moment. So girls at the moment are trying to find careers that are around rugby, but also doing something we’re passionate about alongside our passion for rugby.”

It’s clear from Cox’s social media feeds that a life in the outdoors is one that appeals to her. With plenty of national landscapes in her home country and across the UK, Cox gave her verdict on her favourite outdoors locations.

“I love Brecon in Wales. You’ve got the waterfalls there as well. I normally do that route a few times a year when I’m back in Wales. And the beaches there are gorgeous as well, so I’ll normally visit them post training days when I’m back there. It is completely different to London.

“I would definitely say that I prefer to be in the outdoors, but I do enjoy London at the moment, and it’s definitely somewhere that has given me a lot of opportunities when living here. But being back to mountains and beaches, post-rugby is where I’d like to be.”

Women's News

Six Trailfinders Women selected for England training camp

Six Trailfinders Women have been selected for the first Red Roses camp of 2026.

World Cup Winners Abi Burton and Meg Jones have been selected alongside uncapped players Jasmine Adonri, Hayley Jones, Annabel Meta and Haidee Head for the Red Roses’ 47-player training camp.

Since joining Trailfinders for the 2025/26 season, Meg Jones has made six starts for the Red Roses, receiving her 33rd cap in the Rugby World Cup Final. Abi Burton has also made six starts for Trailfinders this season, securing four caps in 2025 after making her Red Roses debut against Wales in the women’s Six Nations last year.

Jasmine Adonri and Annabel Meta have previously featured in England U20s. Young hooker Hayley Jones has played for England at U18s age-grade level, whilst Haidee Head featured in England’s U21s Squad back in December.

As students at Trailfinders Women’s partner university, Adonri, Meta, and Jones have represented Brunel University in Women’s BUCS Super Rugby as well as in Trailfinders colours in the PWR Cup.

Meta also got herself on the scoreboard after coming off the bench in Trailfinders’ win over Leicester Tigers in Round Seven of the PWR.

It will be the first time a Red Roses squad has come together since winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup in September. The squad will assemble today at Pennyhill Park (Monday 12 January).

Trailfinders Women Head Coach Barney Maddison said:

‘It’s great to see so many Trailfinders being represented in the Red Roses camp this week.

‘For the younger girls it will be a great experience for them. It’s an opportunity for them to learn and grow and also see what it takes to compete at the highest level.’

Red Roses Head Coach John Mitchell said:

‘2025 was a memorable year for everyone involved with the Red Roses, and one that will go down in history for rugby in this country.

‘As we enter a new cycle, this camp will focus on aligning our communication and resetting our culture to win.’

Women's News

Match Round-up: Loughborough Lightning v Trailfinders Women

Trailfinders Women secure a draw against Loughborough Lightning in a physical festive fixture.

A scoreless opening ten minutes saw both sides battle for the ball in the centre of the field.

Lightning held onto the attack but Trailfinders remained strong in defence.

Trailfinders went wide to break up the play in the centre of the field. Meg Jones made an initial break to get Trailfinders on the front foot.

The women in yellow were awarded the first scrum, got the ball out quickly. Lightning gave away another penalty. Trailfinders kicked to the corner for a line out but a knock-on in the set-piece gave the home side possession.

Both sides battled hard in the middle of the pitch with handling errors and penalties giving both teams opportunities to attack and defend.

From another scrum, Trailfinders went out wide and Abi Burton carried through defenders and got over the line for the first score after fourteen minutes.

Lightning struck back from short range from the hands of Sadia Kabeya to level the scoreboard after the first quarter.

On the left hand channel, Trailfinders found ground and Georgia Ponsonby stretched to secure the second try for the women in yellow. Rosie Inman slotted the extras.

Lightning were not to be deterred and Kabeya scored a second try from short range. Helen Nelson slotted the conversion to level the score once more in a game of cat and mouse.

Half-time: Loughborough Lightning 12-12 Trailfinders Women

Lightning came out the blocks strong after half-time and scored a third try from the driving maul from the hands of Kathryn Treder. Nelson missed the conversion giving the home side a five point lead.

Momentum stayed with Lightning who went through the phases and got the ball out wide to Lucia Scott who scored in the righthand corner for their bonus-point try.

But Trailfinders quickly bounced back and found their attacking flow. Kate Zackary stormed through and scored Trailfinders’ third try on the left channel. A composed Inman slotted the conversion on the angle.

Lightning ran loose with their discipline, conceding a penalty in front of the posts. Trailfinders opted for the points and Inman scored the penalty to level to twenty-two all with less than ten minutes to go.

Inman shone as she backed herself to score the fourth and bonus-point try. She slotted the conversion.

In a final effort to level, Lightning capitalised on running the ball after Trailfinders kicked the ball straight into touch. Fancy Bermudez backed herself to the line to score a fifth try for the home side. With the conversion on the angle, Nelson remained composed as she slotted the extra two points to level the score at full-time.

Full- time: Loughborough Lightning 29-29 Trailfinders Women

Loughborough Lightning:

Tries – Sadia Kabeya 17 36, Kathryn Treder 51, Lucia Scott 63, Fancy Bermudez 79

Conversions – Helen Nelson 36 79

Trailfinders Women:

Tries – Abi Burton 14, Georgia Ponsonby 24, Kate Zackary 66, Rosie Inman 77

Conversions – Rosie Inman 24 66 78

Penalties – Rosie Inman 72

Team Lineup, Women's News

Lineup: Loughborough Lightning v Trailfinders Women

Barney Maddison has named his squad to face Loughborough Lightning in Round Eight of the PWR.

There are eleven changes from last week’s squad after the Round Seven win against Leicester Tigers.

Maddison names eight internationals in the forward pack.

Kate Zackary skippers the side and is joined in the back row by Rachel Malcolm and Abi Burton.

Alivia Leatherman, Georgia Ponsonby, and Maya Montial pack out the front row.

In the engine room is the Black Fern duo Maia Roos and Alana Borland.

Ella Amory links up with Claire Gallagher in the half-back pairing to face Loughborough.

In the centres, Carys Cox and Meg Jones return to action this weekend.

Vicky Laflin and Grace White start on the wings with Rosie Inman at fullback.

Maddison names a 6-2 bench split including Spanish international Cris Blanco and Irish international Grace Moore.

Kick-off is at 14:00 on Sunday 21st December at Cinch Stadium.

Watch live on PWR YouTube.

Starting XV:

15. Rosie Inman

14. Grace White

13. Meg Jones

12. Carys Cox

11. Vicky Laflin

10. Claire Gallagher

9. Ella Amory

1. Alivia Leatherman

2. Georgia Ponsonby

3. Maya Montiel

4. Maia Roos

5. Alana Borland

6. Rachel Malcolm

7. Kate Zackary (c)

8. Abi Burton

Replacements:

16. Cristina Blanco

17. Annabel Meta

18. Cana Williams

19. Shya Pinnock

20. Cara Brincat

21. Grace Moore

22. Isla Norman-Bell

23. Niamh Gallagher

News

Collect your favourite Trailfinders!

Introducing our 25-26 official collectible cards – the essential collector’s piece for every supporter.

Each pack contains 7 random cards featuring players from across the Ealing Trailfinders and Trailfinders Women squads, with a shiny card guaranteed in every pack!

…and for the first time, own a special one of one version of select players!

Swap, collect, and find the stars in packs now!

Packs are available for the first time in our club shop on match day against Leicester Tigers on Saturday 13^th December.

Featured Shiny Cards