2025/26 Premiership Women's Rugby preview: Predictions, key players and more

Tomorrow night the latest season of Premiership Women’s Rugby will begin.

It all starts with Harlequins hosting Loughborough Lightning beneath the Friday night lights, just a stone’s throw from Allianz Stadium and a month shy of England’s Red Roses’ 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup final win.

The sheer excitement of England crowing themselves world champions in front of a world record crowd of 81,885 has meant that the anticipation for the latest campaign of top flight domestic English women’s rugby has never been higher.

Before the first whistle of a season that will rage on until late June, here is the RugbyPass guide to the 2025/26 PWR season…

Bristol Bears

Like several other teams in the league Bristol Bears have seen change at the top. After Dave Ward’s departure the club opted to bring in ex-Scotland international Scott Lawson to fill the void.

His coaching experience has been varied since his retirement from playing, and has seen him coach at St Andrews University, the Stirling Wolves, Scotland Women, Glasgow Warriors A and, most recently, as Scotland Men’s U20s as defence coach.

The side have seen Holly Aitchison and Courtney Keight move on from the West Country and only added a quartet of name to their roster. But with such a settled squad you can expect the side to hit the ground running.

Key player: Millie David

It is not often that a 20-year-old wing can be regarded as a significant figure for a team. But David is just that.

Last season, on her way to claiming PWR Breakthrough Player of the Season, the flying wing scored 17 tries and tied only with Saracens’ May Campbell at the top of the try-scoring charts.

With Bristol likely to have a more set-piece oriented game under Scott Lawson, David will look to reap the rewards of a rock-solid forward pack.

What they said: “I just think it’s really exciting. There’s been a lot of change but I think we’ve seen in their Cup campaign that loads of new players that have come in and have done really well. We play a slightly different brand of rugby at Bears as well, so getting stuck into that will be really cool.” – Lark Atkin-Davies

RugbyPass prediction: 5th

Exeter Chiefs

Last season’s fifth-place finish would have come as a major disappointment to the Exeter Chiefs faithful. In the weeks after last campaign their head coach of six years, Susie Appleby, left her role and assistant coach Steve Salvin took the top job.

A reshuffle is no bad thing and much the same has happened in the playing staff. Black Ferns prop Amy Rule has come on board to form a formidable front-row triumvirate with Hope Rogers and Emily Tuttosi.

Italy international Francesca Granzotto will also call Devon home from this season, while the addition of goal-kicking No.8 Gabriella Nigrelli is an exciting prospect.

Witch such a wealth of experience with the likes of Cliodhna and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, DaLeaka Menin, Maddie Feaunati, Edel McMahon, Alex Tessier and Gabby Cantorna in the squad, you can be sure they will thrill on the pitch.

Key player: Alex Tessier

Just to sum up the past 12 months (or so) of Tessier’s rugby career: 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup runner-up with Canada, nominated for World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year and was named fourth on the RugbyPass Top 50 list.

We can safely say that the 32-year-old brings a star quality to Exeter Chiefs and will be relied upon by first-year head coach, Steve Salvin, to get the Devon side back into the knockout rugby conversation.

What they said: “It’s going to be different. It’s been great seeing the girls, hearing how everything has been going. We’ve got a new (attack) coach in Oli Bishop who will, from my understanding, brought some real excitement to the team. I think he’s got some fresh ideas which probably we needed. I think (that) was needed to drive us to the next level. We’ve obviously been up there and competing the last several years, made it to a couple of finals, but never actually won the Premiership. I think that’s probably becoming harder and harder every year. I don’t think we need to change too much to remain competitive and hopefully we’ll put our best foot forward.” – Claudia Moloney-MacDonald

RugbyPass prediction: 7th

Gloucester Hartpury

It feels like a long time since Gloucester Hartpury have experienced any form of change. The three-time champions waved goodbye to head coach Sean Lynn at the end of last season as he joined Wales and assistant coach Dan Murphy step into to the top job in the West Country.

While Murphy will maintain many of the same cultural standards which Lynn instilled in his side, you could see a more forward-first style of play from the club as they look to go four from four.

There is also a new assistant coach in the form of Matt Banahan who has joined the side after a spell with the Scotland programme.

Throw in a fair few Women’s Rugby World Cup winners into the mix, in the form of Zoe Aldcroft, Natasha Hunt, Mackenzie Carson, Maud Muir, Alex Matthews, Tatyana Heard and Emma Sing into the action and it is a squad more than capable of lifting silverware again thanks to its embarrassment of riches.

Key player: Emma Sing

Over the past two seasons no one has scored more points or beaten more defenders in PWR than Emma Sing. While the Red Roses full-back is a scarcely used commodity by her country, in the West Country she reigns supreme.

Honestly, there is very little that the 24-year-old does wrong. She kicks her goals, breaks the gainline, links up play and knows how to win games. She is the most important figure in Dan Murphy’s dressing room.

What they said: “We’ve been really lucky to build up this tight knit group of players. This year we’ve kept the majority of our players, we’ve got quite a lot of stability. Then the coaching roles within that have shifted. Obviously we are familiar with Dan (Murphy), we’re familiar with him, he’s been there for a long time. That change, it comes quite easily, and that doesn’t mean he’s going to come in and change a few things. He has to. Things have to change. But I think we’re quite lucky that we’ve managed to grow that tightknit environment.” – Mia Venner

RugbyPass prediction: Runners-up

Harlequins

Beaten semi-finalists in 2024/25 Harlequins have lots to prove this season. Among other things Ross Chisholm’s side have made a star signing with the addition of all-star Ireland back-row Aoife Wafer and the retention of their key performers.

There are sprinklings of stardust wherever you look, whether that be Ellie Kildunne at full-back or the bruising consistency of their captain, Jade Konkel.

Likely to announce more arrivals before opening the season up against Loughborough, motivation is high in West London for success. It is something they have not seen since 2021. And the time for patience has gone.

Key player: Ellie Kildunne

At the end of last season it was Kildunne’s performances that went a long way to Harlequins locking up a top four spot. In moments of need it is the 26-year-old’s knack for beating defenders or finding the whitewash that her club and the Red Roses turn to.

It should not be an issue for the Keighley-born back to slot back into the No.15 jersey and take Quins back to the semi-finals at least.

What they said: “We want to go one step further. I think last year was a big step from the season before, and we want to carry on with that momentum. We want to go on and win it, ultimately. The start of the season is going to be massive. We want to have a big impact at the start and carry that through.” – Lucy Packer

RugbyPass prediction: Semi-finalists

Leicester Tigers

No side has seen more players arrive or depart in PWR than Leicester Tigers. With a new head coach in the form of Ross Bundy, it will be interesting to see exactly what the East Midlands side put out on the pitch this season.

The side contains a number of unknown quantities. Some have been plucked from English club rugby sides below, others that spent last season on the peripheries of PWR matchday 23s, with the likes of Jemima McCalman, Kristin Bitter, Katherine Baverstock and Micke Gunter arriving with some international experience.

When Fraser Goatcher was appointed as Director of Women’s Rugby and Bundy was named head coach in April, it was clear that the side were prioritising player development. With that core idea at the heart of everything that the side aims to do, some diamonds could well emerge in Leicestershire.

Key player: Jenny Maxwell

In a squad with such varied experience, Jenny Maxwell’s backlog of knowledge and leadership credentials makes her a key figure in Ross Bundy’s side. With so many departures and arrivals in the East Midlands the Scotland international’s presence will provide plenty of calm.

RugbyPass prediction: 9th

Loughborough Lightning

It is truly mindboggling to consider that Loughborough Lightning have only reached the Play-Offs twice. A hotbed for some of the country’s top talent, Nathan Smith will be on the lookout for a strong start should the club want to revisit knockout rugby.

There outgoing have been minimal, with Emily Scarratt’s recent retirement and Rachel Malcolm’s move to Trailfinders Women the headlines. Lightning have brought in USA Women’s Eagles trio Tahlia Brody, Keia Mae Sagapolu and Rachel Ehrecke offer some muscle up front and Fancy Bermudez’s arrival provides firepower on the wing.

Last season the side left it too late to mount a serious charge for the top four, a fast start this campaign could take the side back to the big time.

Key player: Sadia Kabeya

At the Women’s Rugby World Cup, Kabeya was a endless ball of energy for the Red Roses on their way to glory. Because of injury and international windows, the 23-year-old has not been seen enough in a Loughborough Lightning jersey of late.

She can be the lynchpin for Nathan Smith’s defence in the East Midlands. With endless energy on both sides of the ball, should Lightning look to end their top four drought then Kabeya may hold the key.

What they said: “I just think that we’ve got to start the season strong, then we’ll be fine. I think that is what we have potentially missed previously because it has been like we haven’t had all out players back at the start of the season or something along those lines for the first couple of games. I think it’s good for us that we’ve got everyone and we can start pretty strong. Hopefully.” – Lilli Ives Campion

RugbyPass prediction: 8th

Sale Sharks

As summers of change go Sale Sharks’ may just be the most significant. This offseason the side have had a complete overhaul of their coaching staff, with Tom Hudson joining as head coach from Leicester Tigers, with Luke Stratford and Charlie Beckett joining as assistant coaches.

Add to that a series of high-profile internationals, including Women’s Rugby World Cup winners Amy Cokayne and Holly Aitchison,

Scotland’s Evie Wills, Rhona Lloyd and Leah Bartlett, and Wales’ Couurtney Keight. Fit-again skipper Georgie Perris-Redding will also feel like a new signing after she missed all of last season with a knee injury.

This flurry of activity can only lead you to believe that there are brighter for the side that finished rock bottom last season and no higher than seventh.

Key player: Holly Aitchison

Among a raft of key arrivals in the North West, Aitchison may just be the most important. The England playmaker arrives after two years of leading the charge with Bristol Bears and will hope to bring her quiet assuredness to Hudson’s side.

With her astute goal-kicking, ability to manage a game and calm consistency, Aitchison is the figurehead of a Sale side shooting for a first-ever top four finish.

RugbyPass prediction: 6th

Saracens

It seems almost implausible that Saracens have not won a league title in three years.

Yes, they have won the past two editions of the PWR Cup, but there is something about being the champions of England that satiates the appetite more wholly.

As you come to expect from Alex Austerberry’s squad, it is by far one of the most talent-rich in the competition.

Sophie de Goede is back after her year away recovering from an ACL injury and is newly crowned World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year and has brought Canada teammates Laetitia Royer and Julia Omokhuale along for the ride.

Add to that the six England internationals that helped themselves to glory on the world’s biggest stage and you have to think that 2026 could be the year that Saracens’ drought ends.

Key player: Sophie de Goede

After a one year hiatus De Goede is back in PWR. A month ago the 26-year-old was named World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year after Canada’s Women’s Rugby World Cup final loss to England at Allianz Stadium.

Any droplet of the form that the versatile forward has shown since her return from a 13-month layoff with an ACL injury could power Saracens to a first English domestic title in three years. Expect unwavering work-ethic and great goal kicking.

RugbyPass prediction: Champions

Trailfinders Women

There was a lack of cutting edge to Trailfinders Women last season. A side that looked like they could claim a place in the top four, they failed to do so and ended up seventh.

So for his second full season in charge head coach Barney Maddison has been able to add plenty of talent to the squad.

Whether that be England’s Meg Jones, Scotland’s Francesca McGhie, Rachel Malcolm and Emma Wassell, and Black Ferns duo Alana Borland and Georgia Ponsonby, it is abundant where the Londoners have their sights set.

Key player: Meg Jones

This calendar year Jones has played some of the best rugby in her career. She has won a World Cup. Was named last season’s PWR Player of the Year. She has been nominated for World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year.

There is no universe in which she does not make Trailfinders better. She brings a world class ability to break the gainline, skills honed by rugby sevens and a winning mentality.

What they said: “Even without these signings this season, the goal would have always stayed the same. We want to win a Premiership and that’s not going to change until we do it. And when we do that we’re going to want to win another one. We want to be in the top four, we want to upset some big teams and I think we have the power and capability to do that.” – Abi Burton

RugbyPass prediction: Semi-finalists

Round 1 fixtures

Friday 24 October – Harlequins v Loughborough Lightning

Saturday 25 October – Trailfinders Women v Exeter Chiefs, Sale Sharks v Leicester Tigers

Sunday 26 October – Gloucester Hartpury v Saracens

Bye week – Bristol Bears