The Red Roses star returns from injury

VaselineJune 23, 2024

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Bristol Bears Women welcome back Reds star Sarah Bern for Saturday’s Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby Final as one of three changes to face defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury at Sandy Park.

Berna returns from a long-term injury layoff and joins international team-mates Hannah Botterman and Lark Atkin-Davies in a star-studded front row as one of three changes from the side that beat Saracens at the StoneX Stadium in the semi-final. . Courtney Keight replaces the injured Deborah Wills – who suffered a knee injury last time out – on the wing, while Scotland international Meryl Smith is named at full-back, with Ella Lovibond moving to the bench.

Bristol Head Coach Dave Ward said: “We are both proud and excited to compete in the Allianz PWR Final on Saturday. It is a fantastic opportunity for us to make history and we relish the challenge ahead.

“We have great 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 at full-time.”

Meanwhile, Gloucester-Hartpury head coach Sean Lynn has named an unchanged starting XV since their semi-final win over Exeter Chiefs and his full international side head into the final as favorites having won 11 of their last 14 matches of Allianz Premiership women’s rugby against Bristol. Bears, including each of their last six.

The final will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and BBC iPlayer and kicks off at 3pm.

Team news

Gloucester-Hartpury: 15 Emma Sing; 14 Mia Venner, 13 Hannah Jones, 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Pip Hendy; 10 Lleucu George, 9 Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt (CC); 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Neve Jones, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Sarah Beckett, 5 Sam Monaghan, 6 Georgia Brock, 7 Bethan Lewis and 8 Zoe Aldcroft (CC)

Substitutes: 16. Amy Dale, 17. El Perry, 18. Sisilia Tuipulotu, 19. Kate Williams, 20. Steph Else, 21. Bianca Blackburn, 22. Millie Hyett, 23. Rachel Lund

Bristol Bears Women: 15. Meryl Smith; 14. Reneeqa Bonner, 13. Phoebe Murray, 12. Holly Aitchison, 11. Courtney Keight, 10. Amber Reed (cc), 9. Keira Bevan; 1. Hannah Botterman, 2. Lark Atkin-Davies, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Delaney Burns, 5. Abbie Ward (cc, top left), 6. Alisha Butchers, 7. Evie Gallagher, 8. Ronita Marston-Mulhearn .

Substitutes: 16.⁠Jess Sprague, 17.⁠Simi Pam, 18.⁠Elliann Clarke, 19.⁠Hollie Cunningham, 20.⁠Gabriella Nigrelli, 21.⁠2.Lovilla.⁠2.Lovilla.⁠ 3 .⁠ ⁠ Jenny Hesketh.