New season set to be explosive

Ben Jaycock looks at contenders ahead of next weekend's kick-off to the Women's Premiership season

- Ben Jaycock

With just nine teams but a TNT Sports broadcast contract in place, the rebranded Women's Premiership gets underway next weekend.

The women's top flight, formerly known as the Premier 15s, has been reduced due to Worcester Warriors' recent financial demise and suspension from the league. Newcomers Ealing Trailfinders and Leicester Tigers will play their first seasons at this level and have recruited experienced talent in an attempt to compete.

The usual suspects Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs, Saracens and Gloucester-Hartpury impressed in the early season Allianz Cup, all qualifying for the semi-finals. Sean Lynn's Gloucester-Hartpury will be looking to secure back-to-back domestic titles after winning the final back in June 34-19 against Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm.

With an uneven number of teams, Gloucester-Hartpury are handed the first bye week of the season and Lynn, who says his squad aren't feeling the weight of their champions tag, is itching to get going in their opening game at home to Leicester.

Lynn, below, told The Rugby Paper: "We're not feeling any added pressure going into this season, last season was a really successful one and we'd love to back that up with another stellar campaign. It'll be a difficult league and a real competitive one but I'm confident going into it with the squad we've put together.

"It's a shame we're not playing on the opening weekend but the girls are all ready to go in the league after a successful Cup campaign where we've blooded in new talent."

Gloucester-Hartpury had seven players away in England's WXV squad, with last season's Premier 15s player of the year Natasha Hunt earning herself an international recall after missing out on the 2021 World Cup. Scrum-half Hunt was a key figure in England's victorious tournament in New Zealand and Lynn is looking forward to welcoming back his internationals.