Three talking points from Round 10 of the 2025/26 PWR season

We can safely say that we saw it all in Round 10 of the 2025/26 Premiership Women’s Rugby season.

Just to recap it quickly; there were two draws, Gloucester Hartpury have continued their unerring brilliance and Saracens have picked up exactly where they left off before the break.

While that may be a brief assessment of two days of pulsating action, please do read on. Because when you see it all, there is plenty to dissect BEFPRE teams begin their preparation for another weekend.

Here are three talking points from Round 10…

More draws offer high drama

It is astonishing how many draws there have been this season. As of last weekend there have been 10 games that have finished honours even, with Exeter Chiefs ending a third 80 minute contest of the season level with their opposition on Sunday when they visited Harlequins.

Even though it was Exeter that coughed up a 12 point lead in the final moments, it will feel more like a win for Steve Salvin’s team.

With the clock in the red they saw Amy Rule, Dorothy Wall and Maddie Feaunati all sent to the sin bin. They held the ball up over the line twice and cheered loudest when Claudia Pena’s conversion of Lagi Tuima’s try drifted wide.

Throughout the game Chiefs played some of the better rugby, as displayed by Alex Tessier’s pair of tries and Francesca Granzotto’s effort, while the hosts clung on thanks to some Ellie Kildunne brilliance and Freya Aucken’s impressive assist for Sarah Parry.

Ross Chisholm could walk away pleased with the heart and determination from his team’s fightback but can probably not escape the crushing agony of watching a conversion to win it miss its mark.

For both sides leaving the Stoop with two points each is probably the fairest representation of the contest and will go a long way to both teams’ ambition of making the top four.

Speaking of Trailfinders, their 26-26 draw with Bristol Bears at Shaftesbury Park can leave Barney Maddison with plenty to be pleased about.

At one stage 21-0 down in the West Country, tries from Vicky Laflin, Grace White, Rachel Malcolm and Emma Uren kept their side in the contest.

There must also be recognition for the work of Niamh Gallagher. Recently called into Scott Bemand’s Ireland setup, the 20-year-old full-back has truly come into her own with a regular starting slot and no doubt has a full cap in her headlights.

Giving up a three-try lead will frustrate Bears boss Scott Lawson beyond belief.

 

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Just a week ago his team had picked up their first win since October and now they have squandered command over a Trailfinders side yet to find firm consistency this campaign.

Sometimes draws can be this annoying thing in rugby. You go through 80 minutes of pure drama and chaos just for both teams to shake hands before going home.

But in the case of this PWR season it is a reminder of how competitive the competition is. Literally nothing can separate some of these teams. Nothing has separated teams 10 times this season. Best league in the world? Probably.

Now to check whether this is some form of record…

Saracens return with faultless East Midlands display

Saracens’ 13 tries were unlucky for Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

 

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Their first game back after the winter break, Alex Austerberry’s North Londoners had wrapped up the try scoring bonus point with just 14 minutes on the clock and saw Jess Breach cross the whitewash four times.

No doubt envious of every other team returning to action last week, it was the perfect return to for the club that topped the table at Christmas.

It was also a good opportunity to see some of the team’s depth. Just two months ago Jodie Verghese made her debut in PWR and on Sunday put out a comprehensive performance as the only uncapped player in her team’s pack.

There was also a chance for Tori Sellors to impress with Olivia Apps away with the Canada sevens setup. In total the 22-year-old got 66 minutes on the turf. When she left the field Saracens were 76-0 up. Not a bad day at the office.

There can be little doubt that sterner challenges will come for Saracens. This starts next week they host a resurgent Bristol Bears at StoneX Stadium.

In the weeks to come encounters with Exeter Chiefs, Harlequins and Gloucester Hartpury will come in this pivotal part of the season.

 

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Gloucester Hartpury exit mud bath with another bonus point win

It was a frankly horrid afternoon at Morson Stadium as Gloucester Hartpury picked up a 22-7 win over Sale Sharks. Both teams finished the contest caked in Cheshire mud and each had their reasons to be happy with the excursion.

England Red Roses fly-half Holly Aitchison even went as far to describe the pitch as the “worst” she had ever played on.

Dan Murphy’s side were able to maintain their perfect start to this season with their ninth try scoring bonus point victory. But this time they did it without any fanfare as Mia Venner, Kelsey Jones, Emma Sing and Rachel Lund all went over the whitewash.

It was the most and the least that Gloucester Hartpury could have asked for. Especially with clashes against top four hopefuls Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs and Saracens coming across the next five weeks.

So far as Sale can be concerned, they managed to keep things close from start to finish. Much like their Round 8 clash with Saracens, Tom Hudson’s side hung in the contest from start to finish and were not blown out of the water.

In many ways for Sharks, who scored their try through Amelia Hyndman in the 17th minute, it was the perfect preparation for their trip to London and Trailfinders Women next Saturday for a contest which, on their day, could end in North West delight.