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.
Barney Maddison names an unchanged squad ahead of Bristol Bears clash.
Head Coach Barney Maddison has named his squad ahead of Round Four of the PWR. There are no changes in the squad after last weekend’s win over Sale Sharks.
Kate Zackary leads the side after last weekend’s ten try win. She is part of a forward pack including eight internationals.
In the front row, Alivia Leatherman, Georgia Ponsonby, and Maya Montiel all 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. 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.
Haidee Head, Brooke Bradley, and Niamh Gallagher all feature on the bench in a 5-3 split.
Kick-off is at 15:00 on Saturday 15 November at Trailfinders Sports Club.
Watch live on BBC iPlayer.
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. Niamh Swailes
17. Cana Williams
18. Miça Evans
19. Emma Taylor
20. Haidee Head
21. Brooke Bradley
22. Niamh Gallagher
23. Rosie Inman
Read the update ahead of Trailfinders Women vs Bristol Bears in Round Four of the PWR.
Ahead of Round Four of the PWR, Head Coach Barney Maddison and Black Fern Georgia Ponsonby answered questions from the media after a win on the road in Round Three.
When asked about this weekend’s opponents, Maddison said:
“It’ll be a tough game. It’s the first time we’ve had back to back games with the structure of the season, with the Prem Cup and the World Cup. And then our bye week as well, we haven’t actually had chance to play back to back games. So this will be the first time since February. It’ll be interesting.
“We’re coming off the back of a good win against Sale, but again, completely different kettle of fish in Bristol Bars. So it’ll be a very tough game.”
When asked about her move to Trailfinders from New Zealand, Ponsonby said:
“I feel like the main reason is because the girls have gone into their off season now, so they don’t have a test match until the Pacific Four Series in April 2026. Obviously, the Black Ferns will have training camps leading up to that but aside from that, there’s no rugby until then for the Kiwis.
“I guess that was a big reason why I came over as well as just wanting to try something a bit different.
“I’ve been in New Zealand for a long time and did the same routine and things. I was just excited to immerse myself in a different rugby culture and rub shoulders with amazing athletes over here and learn a few new things and just get some more game time because we don’t really play a heck of a lot of rugby back home.
“We have our Super Rugby competition, but it’s only six or seven weeks compared to what the seventeen round competition that we’ve got here, not including semis and finals.
“I definitely like playing more rugby.”
When asked about who she’s looking forward to playing against in the Bristol Bears side, Ponsonby said:
“Sarah Bern in the front row, obviously Hannah Botterman is injured at the moment, but they’ve got a really powerful forward pack. I think scrum time will be a real battle.
“Abbie Ward at line out time will be exciting to go up against. And then we’re up against some of the best jacklers with like Evie Gallagher. I think that’s one of the biggest reasons why I’m so excited to be here because we’re playing against the best players in the world.
“Our game against Bristol is going to be epic. It’s going to be another tough battle. But you look at this competition and I just feel like you don’t know where it’s going to go.
“The results with each team so far have swayed back and forth, potentially to the teams that you didn’t think were going to go. Every single weekend you have to show up and play your very best rugby because every single team is really quality.”
After one win and one loss in the league this season, Barney Maddison was asked what he’d like his team to tick off the wish list. He said:
“It’s just a performance. I’ll back these girls to the hills in that sense and we’ve got some fantastic players and as long as we go out there, put a performance together, I’ve got no doubt we’ll be in a good place at the end of the 80 minutes.
“But it’s about our performance, and focussing on us. Bristol will be a very tough game. They’ve got a hell of a team, so again, we’ll have to be at our best at the weekend.”
Scottish international Francesca McGhie overs her thoughts ahead of Round Three in the PWR and discusses life outside of rugby.
After an epic World Cup debut for Scotland, Francesca McGhie joined Trailfinders Women ahead of the 2025/26 season.
McGhie made her Club debut in Round One of the PWR against Exeter Chiefs. She discussed how she’s settled into life at Trailfinders Sports Club and some of the main reflections from Round One.
“It was definitely quite overwhelming coming back in. I think all of the new signings on the first few days were like, oh my goodness,” she said. “Everything was new, everyone was new.
“But I’ve settled in really easy. All the girls are so friendly and I think over the seasons playing, you always know a familiar face and things, which is lovely.
“It’s nice to get back into the rhythm of rugby, being back in the flow of doing your job again after a couple weeks off.”
McGhie started on the wing against Exeter Chiefs. Whilst the result was not the one Trailfinders were hoping for, having a bye week in Round Two of the PWR has helped the squad regroup ahead of their first season away game.
McGhie offered some reflections from the Round One performance.
“I think for so many of the team to be new signings, I think some of the cohesion that we had was very exciting for the season coming ahead. It takes time to bond, to know what your inside or outside is going to do.
“I think the training in the last few weeks has gone really well, so we’re looking forward to putting it to the test this weekend.”
The PWR is littered with international stars. Trailfinders face Sale Sharks in Round Three of the competition who—like Trailfinders—have signed several international players including Red Roses Amy Cockayne and Holly Aitchison. Scottish internationals Evie Willis and Rhona Lloyd also play for Sale.
McGhie offered her thoughts about playing against some of her Scottish teammates and friends.
“I think with most of my friends at Sale, we don’t talk about rugby anyway. Although we’re friends through rugby, I think our friendship is outside of it, which is really nice.
“I did get asked about what the back line was like and having to talk about some of your best friends, it’s so weird and you’re like, I can’t say that they just have nice hair and stuff like that.
“I think those sorts of questions will go both ways this weekend. They know a lot about some of our players and we know a lot about some of their players. It will be an interesting matchup.
“Sale have a lot of new signings this season, which is similar to us. They have Holly Aitchison – she’s a fantastic ten. I think she drives a lot of the game. She is a fantastic kicker. We’ll need to cover our bases with those threats.
“Sale have a great forward pack too. I think they’ll bring a mixture of pace and physicality.”
Prior to her rugby career, Francesca was a trained ballerina. She still enjoys watching dance and there’s no better place than London to be involved in arts and culture.
“I absolutely love watching dance. It was a Christmas tradition of mine and my mum’s to go and watch the ballet. We haven’t done it in recent years due to be being based in Leicester previously.
“But I think we’ll get some ballet shows under our belt this Christmas.”
McGhie grew up in the east of Scotland and spent much of her time in Edinburgh.
“London is very different to Edinburgh. It’s a lot faster here. Like with the train. You could miss one and then another one will arrive five minutes later.
“I think Edinburgh is a beautiful city and I forget that not every city looks like it. Going home is always a nice change. But I am enjoying living in London – it’s a city well-suited to me.”
Barney Maddison makes three changes to the matchday squad ahead of Round Three in the PWR.
Head Coach Barney Maddison has named his squad ahead of Round Three of the PWR.
Kate Zackary leads the side after being named as Club Captain earlier on in the week. She is part of a forward pack including eight internationals, with only one change at tighthead. Maya Montiel comes into the starting XV for Sara Seye. USA prop Alivia Leathermen starts at loosehead with Black Fern Georgia Ponsonby starting at hooker.
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. Abi Burton retains her place at eight.
In the backs, both Ella Amory and Claire Gallagher get their first starts in the PWR this season at scrum-half and fly-half respectively.
The rest of the backline remains unchanged from Round One of the PWR.
Carys Cox starts at inside centre with Women’s World 15s Player of the Year Nominee Meg Jones at outside centre.
Francesca McGhie and Grace White start on the wings, adding electric pace to the backs. Canadian international Julia Schell retains her place at fullback.
Emma Taylor, Brooke Bradley, and Rosie Inman all feature on the bench in a 5-3 split.
Kick-off is at 15:00 on Saturday 8 November at Heywood Road.
Watch live on BBC iPlayer.
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. Niamh Swailes
17. Cana Williams
18. Miça Evans
19. Emma Taylor
20. Haidee Head
21. Brooke Bradley
22. Rosie Inman
23. Niamh Gallagher
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.”
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.”