Gloucester Hartpury make six changes for 'Queensholm' semi-final with Trailfinders

Gloucester Hartpury will be hoping to ditch their recent form ahead of this weekend’s Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-final clash with Trailfinders Women.

A fortnight ago the West London club ended the three-time English champions’ 18 month win streak. One week later, against Bristol Bears, Dan Murphy’s team lost to Bristol Bears at Kingsholm Stadium.

Re-christened Queensholm Stadium with Vodafone for this weekend’s knockout tie, the Circus have made six changes to their starting team as they attempt to make a fourth consecutive final.

This includes Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Jones and Maud Muir’s introduction as the front-row, Sam Monaghan starts at lock and Steph Else has joined the back-row.

Waled playmaker Lleucu George replaces Ellie Green at fly-half and Rachel Lund gets the nod on the left wing ahead of Abigail Pritchard. It will be Lund’s final home match for the club before retirement.

Trailfinders have made 14 changes to the team that lost 80-14 to Saracens last weekend in the final round of the PWR regular season.

These changes by Barney Maddison, who was named the league’s Director of Rugby of the Season at this week’s Rugby Awards, include the return of England Red Roses captain Meg Jones to the midfield.

England internationals Abi Burton and Haidee Head are also restored to the team, Wales’ Carys Cox is named on the wing, Canada internationals Claire Gallagher and Maya Montiel, Black Ferns pair Georgia Ponsonby and Alana Borland, USA Women’s Eagles duo Alivia Leatherman and Kate Zackary, while Emma Wassell starts in the second row too.

Gloucester Hartpury: Nel Metcalfe, Mia Venner, Hannah Dallavalle, Tatyana Heard, Rachel Lund, Lleucu George, Sian Jones; Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Jones, Maud Muir, Sam Monaghan, Sarah Beckett (C), Steph Else, Bethan Lewis, Georgia Brock

Replacements: Neve Jones, El Perry, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Jorja Aiono, Alaw Pyrs, Bianca Blackburn, Molly Bunker, Lizzie Goulden

Trailfinders Women: Niamh Gallagher, Carys Cox, Meg Jones, Emma Uren, Grace White, Claire Gallagher, Isla Norman-Bell; Alivia Leatherman, Georgia Ponsonby, Maya Montiel, Alana Borland, Emma Wassell, Haidee Head, Kate Zackary (C), Abi Burton

Replacements: Cristina Blanco, Annabel Meta, Cassandra Tuffnail, Emma Taylor, Sally Williams, Sophie Molton, Celia Quansah, Rosie Inman