Premiership Women's Rugby 2024: Schedule, how to watch on BBC & results
- Published
Exeter Chiefs were runners-up in the competition last season
Gloucester-Hartpury v Exeter Chiefs |
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Venue: Kingsholm Stadium Date: Saturday, 2 March Kick-off: 15:05 |
Coverage: Watch live on BBC Sport website, app and BBC iPlayer from 14:55-16:55 GMT, plus live commentary on BBC Radio Gloucestershire from 15:00 GMT |
Premiership Women's Rugby is back on the BBC, starting with reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury against last season's runners-up Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.
Nine teams play across 18 rounds between November 2023 and June 2024, which culminates in semi-finals and a final at the end of the season.
Here's everything you need to know as round 13 gets under way in England's top tier of women's domestic rugby union.
What's happening in Premiership Women's Rugby?
Formally known as Premier 15s, the competition was rebranded in 2023 to Premiership Women's Rugby and features new teams and global stars.
There is a new logo and a 'Powered Differently' campaign, external which aims to change perceptions of women's rugby.
The nine-team league also features two new sides - Leicester Tigers and Trailfinders Women.
DMP Durham Sharks and Wasps Women are no longer involved after conceding more than 1,000 points each last season.
Who are the teams to look out for?
Gloucester-Hartpury are the current champions, breaking the London monopoly of Saracens and Harlequins.
Last season, the side won 16 games out of 18 and they currently sit at the top of the table, having won all 11 games.
Their squad features several players from England's 2021 Rugby World Cup final squad, including Zoe Aldcroft, who is currently injured, Maud Muir and Alex Matthews.
Saracens are second, with their solitary defeat coming against Gloucester-Hartpury. Last year's runners-up, Exeter Chiefs, are third in the table, winning seven games out of nine.
The Chiefs won their second Allianz Cup in 2023 and are captained by former England international Poppy Leitch.
Bristol Bears signed England pair Holly Aitchison and Hannah Botterman from Saracens at the beginning of the season while Sale Sharks recruited England internationals Morwenna Talling and Jo Brown as well as Italy centre Beatrice Rigoni.
How can I watch?
BBC Sport will be broadcasting Gloucester-Hartpury v Exeter Chiefs on Saturday, 2 March from 14:55 GMT. You can watch it live on the BBC Sport website, app and BBC iPlayer.
Premiership Women's Rugby March fixtures (all times GMT)
Saturday, 2 March
Gloucester-Hartpury Women v Exeter Chiefs Women (15:05)
Trailfinders Women v Bristol Bears Women (16:00)
Sunday, 3 March
Saracens Women v Leicester Tigers Women (13:00)
Loughborough Lightning v Sale Sharks Women (15:00)
Friday 8 March
Gloucester-Hartpury Women v Harlequins Women (19:45)
Saturday 9 March
Exeter Chiefs Women v Loughborough Lightning (14:30)
Sale Sharks Women v Trailfinders Women (15:00)
Sunday 10 March
Bristol Bears Women v Saracens Women (15:00)