There was plenty of Women’s Six Nations interest this weekend as the Tyrrells Premier 15s got underway in England, and Irish Interprovincial Series sides played their second fixtures of the season.
We round up all the action from what was exciting set of games across both leagues.
Premier 15s enjoys flying start
There were scores galore in the first round of Tyrells Premier 15s matches on Saturday, with three of last season’s play-off teams recording wins and a plethora of Six Nations stars on show.
Last year’s champions Saracens Women had England international Poppy Cleall to thank for their dominant start in a 38-5 victory at Firwood Waterloo Ladies.
Cleall, who scored three tries in the 2018 Women’s Six Nations, grabbed the first two of Sarrries’ six scores, setting the foundation for her side’s bonus-point win.
Last season’s runners-up Harlequins Ladies also got their season off to a winning start, defeating Gloucester-Hartpury Women 38-24 in an exciting contest.
England stalwart Rachael Burford was among the scorers as Quins came from behind to secure the win.
Loughborough Lightning summer signing and England fly-half Katy Daley-McLean was on target with the boot for her new side as they edged out Richmond 22-19 in a thrilling affair.
Her fellow international and England captain Sarah Hunter was also on the scoresheet, as she went over from close range to help close out a narrow victory.
Elsewhere, Darlington Mowden Park Sharks held off a late comeback from Worcester Valkyries to seal a 27-24 win, whilst Wasps Ladies ran out 32-17 victors at Bristol Bears Women.
Leinster set up grand finale in Inter-Pro
Traditional heavyweights Munster and Leinster will go head to head for the Women’s Interprovincial Series title after both sides recorded their second successive wins.
There were several Irish internationals on show as Connacht hosted Leinster, with Laura Feely and Nichola Fryday both on impressive form for the home side, whilst Hannah Tyrrell was imperious at full-back for the side from Dublin.
Leinster crossed the whitewash on seven occasions as the match finished 47-0 and are yet to concede a point thus far.
Munster were made to work hard for their 40-20 win over an improved Ulster side at Portadown RFC as they look to defend their Inter-Pro title.
Ireland’s 2015 Six Nations winning captain Niamh Briggs was on impressive form with the boot, while Eimear Considine and Chloe Pearse both continued their scoring form from last week’s win over Connacht.
The results mean that Munster’s trip to Leinster this weekend will be a straight showdown for a title that has regularly changed hands between the sides over the last seven seasons.
