2020–21 Premier 15s explained

2020–21 Premier 15s
Date:10 October 2020 – 30 May 2021
Champions:Harlequins Women
Count:1
Runnersup:Saracens Women
Matches:83
Top Point Scorer: Zoe Harrison (Saracens) (105 points)
Top Try Scorer: Lark Davies (Loughborough) (20 tries)
Website:www.premier15s.com
Prevseason:2018–19
Nextseason:2021–22

The 2020–21 Premier 15s is the 4th season of the Premier 15s (22nd including editions of the previous Women's Premiership), of the top flight of English domestic women's rugby union competition and the first to be sponsored by Allianz.

Teams

ClubDirector of Rugby/Head CoachCaptainKit supplierStadiumCapacityCity/Area
Bristol Bears Women Kim Oliver[1] Daisie Mayes[2] UmbroShaftesbury Park200Bristol
DMP Durham SharksAug - Dec Gordon Brett, Jan - May Rob Vickers Kenny Thomas[3] Macron (sportswear)Northern Echo Arena25,500Darlington
Maiden CastleN/ADurham
Exeter Chiefs Women Susie Appleby Linde van der Velden[4] Samurai SportswearSandy Park13,593Exeter
Gloucester-Hartpury Women Sean Lynn Natasha HuntElite Pro SportsALPAS Arena600Gloucester
Harlequins Women Gerard Mullen[5] Rachael BurfordAdidasTwickenham Stoop14,800Twickenham, Greater London
Surrey Sports ParkGuildford, Surrey
Loughborough Lightning Rhys Edwards Rachel MalcolmKukri SportsLoughborough University Stadium3,330Loughborough, Leicestershire
Sale Sharks Women Darren Lamon[6] Beth StaffordSamurai SportswearCorpAcq Stadium3,387Sale, Greater Manchester
Saracens Women Alex Austerberry Lotte ClappNikeStoneX Stadium15,000Hendon, Greater London
Wasps Ladies Giselle Mather Kate AlderUnder ArmourTwyford Avenue Sports GroundActon, London
Worcester Warriors Women Joanne Yapp Lyndsay O'Donnell[7] VX3Sixways Stadium11,499Worcester

Rule Changes

To reduce covid infection risk and close contact, several laws were introduced to reduce the number of scrums. These variations were reviewed after nine rounds and subsequently remained in place until the end of the season.[8] These were:

Fixtures

Fixtures for the season were announced by the Premier 15s on 6 October 2020.[9]

Regular season

Round 18

Playoffs

Final

FB 15 Sarah McKenna
RW 14
OC 13
IC 12 Holly Aitchison
LW 11 Lotte Clapp (c)
FH 10 Zoe Harrison
SH 9
N8 8 Poppy Cleall
OF 7 Marlie Packer
BF 6
RL 5
LL 4 Sophie de Goede
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Substitutions:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
WG 23
Coach:
Alex Austerberry
FB 15 Chloe Rollie
RW 14 Heather Cowell
OC 13 Lagi Tuima
IC 12 Rachael Burford (c)
LW 11
FH 10 Emily Scott
SH 9 Leanne Riley
N8 8 Sarah Beckett
OF 7 Katy Mew
BF 6
RL 5 Fiona Fletcher
LL 4
TP 3 Shaunagh Brown
HK 2
LP 1 Victoria Cornborough
Substitutions:
HK 16
PR 17 Tove Viksten
PR 18 Chloe Edwards
LK 19 Alex Eddie
FL 20
SH 21 Lucy Packer
FH 22 Ellie Green
WG 23
Coach:
Gerard Mullen
Player of the Match:
Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins)
Touch judges:
Nikki O'Donnell
Katherine Ritchie
Television Match Official:
Craig Maxwell-Keys

Leading scorers

Most points

RankPlayerClubPoints
1 Zoe HarrisonSaracens105
2 Megan JonesWasps103
3 Lark DaviesLoughborough100
4 Ellie GreenHarlequins97
5 Gabby CantornaExeter93
6 May CampbellSaracens85
7 Emily ScarrattLoughborough84
8 Poppy CleallSaracens80
9 Jessica BreachHarlequins75
10 Abigail DowWasps70

Most tries

RankPlayerClubTries
1 Lark DaviesLoughborough20
2 May CampbellSaracens17
3 Poppy CleallSaracens16
4 Jessica BreachHarlequins15
5 Abigail DowWasps14
6 Jasmine JoyceBristol12
Amy CokayneHarlequins
8 Sioned HarriesWorcester11
9 Shaunagh BrownHarlequins9
Abbie WardHarlequins
Maud MuirWasps
Rhona LloydLoughborough

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kim Oliver appointed head coach of Bristol Ladies. 20 November 2017. Bristol Bears Women. 9 October 2020.
  2. Web site: 'It's been a long wait'–Mayes. 5 August 2020. Bristol Bears Women. 9 October 2020.
  3. Web site: Thomas to Captain Sharks for 2020/21. Tom. Bulder. DMP Sharks. 6 October 2020. 9 October 2020.
  4. Web site: Linde van der Velden to captain newly-formed Exeter Chiefs. Jennie. Powell. 4 The Love Of Sport. 4 October 2020. 9 October 2020.
  5. Web site: Mullen names team to face DMP Durham Sharks. Harlequins. 9 October 2020. 9 October 2020.
  6. Web site: Sale Sharks Women confirm playing squad and captain for the 2020/21 season. Sale Sharks. Sam. Diamond. 8 October 2020. 9 October 2020.
  7. Web site: Sale Sharks Women confirm captain for the 2020/21 season. Worcester Warriors. 27 August 2020. 27 August 2020.
  8. Web site: Law variations for 2020–21 Premier 15s. Rugby World. Sarah. Mockford. 6 October 2020. 6 October 2020.
  9. Web site: Fixtures and Results. Premier 15s. 9 October 2020.