Bristol and Gloucester-Hartpury for the Allianz PWR final; The line-ups for the upcoming Allianz PWR Final have been confirmed, with Gloucester-Hartpury naming an unchanged team from their semi-final side and Bristol Bears making three changes.
Gloucester-Hartpury head coach Sean Lynn has named an unchanged starting XV from their semi-final win over Exeter Chiefs. A front row of Mackenzie Carson, Neve Jones and Maude Muir will lead the pack, supported in the engine room by Sarah Beckett and Sam Monaghan.
Bristol and Gloucester-Hartpury for the Allianz PWR final. Vice-captain Joe Aldcroft will start at number 8 alongside Georgia Brock and Bethan Lewis. Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt will start at scrum-half with Lleucu George outside her. The midfield combination of Tatiana Heard and Hannah Jones remains intact in a backfield of Pip Hendy, Mia Venner and Emma Singh.
Bristol and Gloucester-Hartpury for the Allianz PWR final.
The substitutes’ bench includes Amy Dale, Ellie Perry, Cecilia Tuipulotu, Kate Williams and Steph Else covering forwards, while Bianca Blackburn, Millie Hite and Rachel Lund are available as replacement backs.Gloucester-Hartpury have won 11 of their last 14 Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby matches against Bristol Bears, including each of their last six, but three of their last four wins against the Bears have come by less than 10 points.
In contrast Bristol Bears made three changes to their line-up from the semi-final against Saracens. The return of England star Sarah Byrne from long-term injury bolsters their forward line, joining international team-mates Hannah Boaterman and Lark Atkin-Davies.Courtney Keith replaced the injured Deborah Wills, and Scotland international Merrill Smith was named full-back, with Ella Lovibond dropping to the bench.
Bristol and Gloucester-Hartpury for the Allianz PWR final.
.This is a great opportunity for us to make history and we are relishing the challenge ahead of us. We have a lot of respect for Gloucester-Hartpury and what they have achieved, but after two close games against them this season, we come here today confident that we can be the team to lift the trophy for the rest of the season.”
Gloucester: 15 Emma Sing; 14 Mia Venner, 13 Hannah Jones, 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Pip Hendy; 10 Leuca George, 9 Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt (CC); 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Nave Jones, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Sarah Beckett, 5 Sam Monaghan, 6 Georgia Brock, 7 Bethan Lewis and 8 Zoe Aldcroft (cc)Replacements: 16. Amy Dale, 17. Ellie Perry, 18. Cecilia Tuipulotu, 19. Kate Williams, 20. Steph Els, 21. Bianca Blackburn, 22. Millie Hite, 23. Rachel Lund
Bristol: 15. Merrill Smith; 14. Renica Bonner, 13. Phoebe Murray, 12. Holly Aitchison, 11. Courtney Keith, 10. Amber Reid, 9. Keira Bevan; 1. Hannah Boaterman, 2. Lark Atkin-Davies, 3. Sarah Byrne, 4. Delaney Burns, 5. Abby Ward, 6. Alisha Butchers, 7. Evie Gallagher, 8. Ronita Marston-Mulhearn.Replacements: 16. Jess Sprague, 17. Simi Palm, 18. Elian Clarke, 19. Holly Cunningham, 20. Gabriella Nigrelli, 21. Lucy Burgess, 22. Ella Lovibond, 23. Jenny Hesketh.
Match Official: Sarah Cox.
Assistant Referees: Harry Walbaum and Holly W TMO: Nicky O’Donnell
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