TRAILFINDERS Women are set to make their highly-anticipated introduction to Premiership Women’s Rugby this Saturday (18) against Harlequins.

Eleven months on from being confirmed as one of two new sides, alongside Leicester Tigers in the revamped PWR, the Ealing side are raring to go.

Leading the newly-founded side into the season is Women’s Director of Rugby and 1994 World Cup winner with England, Giselle Mather.

She moved to Ealing last year after three play-off finishes in five seasons at Wasps Women and is renowned for her exciting brand of rugby.

“We have been exceptionally busy recruiting a very exciting squad over the past few months, with 11 different nations represented in the squad,” she said.

Among the new signings are ex-Quins winger Abby Dow, recently selected in World Rugby’s Dream Team of the Year, and forward Tyson Beukeboom, three-time World Cup veteran for Canada.

Having being defeated 31-21 by Quins in Trailfinders’ historic first-ever match at The Stoop in the Allianz Cup in September, Mather is ready for revenge against the 2021-21 champions.  

“I think we’ll be highly competitive this season,” she said. “We’ve learned a lot about the players and different combinations during the cup, and I can’t wait.”

Mather has ensured that pathways have been reinforced with both Brunel University and Henley College, integrating England U18 players Annabel Meta and Lauren Knowler into the squad.

Lauren Brooks is all too aware of the task ahead on Saturday, with the former Quins forward now wearing the green-and-white stripes of Trailfinders after a summer move.

“We’re trying to pin down our style of play and set-piece in the initial games, as well as hopefully getting an early win under our belt,” she said.

Brooks is an army reservist serving with the Royal Engineers, and her move across West London was eased by a few familiar faces, including Courtney Pursglove. She scored a hat-trick of tries in the Inter-Services Championship final at Twickenham last season.”

TNT Sports announced a multi-year rights deal with Premiership Women’s Rugby last week and Brooks hopes it will be a turning point for domestic women’s rugby.

One match will be broadcast on the streaming service each weekend, amounting to more than 20 games

You can buy on the gate tomorrow or book at https://www.ealingtrailfinders.com/team/get-tickets