Trailfinders Women Face Local Rivals in Final Showdown
Women's Rugby title to be decided in match against Saracens
Trailfinders Women defeated reigning PWR Champions to reach their first ever league final
June 25, 2026
Trailfinders Women will play for the Premiership Women’s Rugby title for the first time this weekend, capping a rapid rise through the league since joining the competition only three seasons ago. The Ealing side booked their place in the final after a dramatic 29–26 victory over reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury, ending the holders’ three-year grip on the trophy.
The semi-final at Kingsholm delivered one of the tightest contests of the season. Trailfinders surged to a 24–7 lead by half-time, but Gloucester-Hartpury fought back strongly, setting up a tense closing spell before Trailfinders held on to secure the win. The result sparked celebrations among travelling supporters and set up a London derby final against Saracens at The Stoop on Sunday 28 June.
Head coach Barney Maddison said the squad’s progress this season had exceeded expectations. He described the campaign as one the club would remember regardless of the outcome of the final, praising the players’ resilience and consistency across the year. Maddison also highlighted the significance of reaching the final so soon after joining the league, attributing the achievement to the work done in training and on matchdays.
The final will see Trailfinders face a Saracens side with extensive big-match experience, adding an extra layer of intrigue to a fixture already shaped by local rivalry. For Trailfinders, the match represents both an opportunity to claim a first PWR title and a marker of how quickly the club has established itself among the league’s leading contenders.
Kick-off at The Stoop is on Sunday 28 June, with both clubs expecting strong support for what is likely to be one of the standout fixtures of the women’s rugby calendar.
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