WELCOME FROM RHYS EDWARDS

RHYS EDWARDS DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

Welcome back to the Cinch Stadium at Franklins Gardens, for what is another special moment for us a team. Today we play our 1st Home fixture of the 2022-23 Premier 15s season. Last year was a special moment for the team playing at the Cinch Stadium at Franklins Gardens. It is such a high-quality venue and arguably the best pitch in the country.

Our two fixtures here last year were incredibly exciting games and showcased the women’s game at its best. Harlequins return today, having been the last game we played here in the final game of the season, in what turned out to be our most complete performance. More of what we hope to see today.

The season has started later than normal due to the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. We as a club had 18 players, representing England (7), Scotland (7), Canada (2), USA (1) and Wales (1). It was fantastic tournament, with England agonisingly losing in the final to New Zealand in one of the greatest finals we have seen at any World Cup (including men’s). During this competition it was great to see Sarah Hunter become the most capped England international of all time with 140 caps. A phenomenal achievement for one of the best players who’s ever played the game.

Over the next few weeks, we will see these players return to the AP15s following their well-deserved rest periods. This week sees Club Captain Rachel Malcolm return to the starting XV and Leah Bartlett and Christine Belisle to the reserve bench. Having their experience available will only strengthen the squad this weekend.

It was great to see the impact the game is having globally, and the support the players are starting to receive from their respective National Governing Bodies. The game is going through a positive transition and is on a professionalisation journey. Players are now starting to be able to prioritise their rugby by being supported by their clubs, through dual career opportunities or financial support.

The AP15s season started last week. We played Saracens Away, losing in the last stages of the game 33 – 21. We started extremely well, scoring a try off 1st phase, but then we conceded a number of scores in the middle 3rd of the game. We managed to get ourselves back into the game with two more score from debutant Lauren Bolger, who claimed her Hat-Trick, but a late score from Saracens took away our losing bonus point. 6 players made their debut, following a strong Premiership cup campaign which ran during the World Cup period.

Today’s game is set up for a thriller, with us both looking for our first win of the season. Harlequins, the visitors, will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Worcester.

We are excited to play here again, and the support that we have had from Northampton Saints has been hugely appreciative. We aim to continue our fantastic run at the gardens and make it a real fortress.

Thanks again for all your support today. We hope that you all enjoy this occasion.