2020–21 Premier 15s explained
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
| Club | Director of Rugby/Head Coach | Captain | Kit supplier | Stadium | Capacity | City/Area |
|---|
| Bristol Bears Women | Kim Oliver[1] | Daisie Mayes[2] | Umbro | Shaftesbury Park | 200 | Bristol |
| DMP Durham Sharks | Aug - Dec Gordon Brett, Jan - May Rob Vickers |  Kenny Thomas[3] | Macron (sportswear) | Northern Echo Arena | 25,500 | Darlington |
| Maiden Castle | N/A | Durham |
| Exeter Chiefs Women | Susie Appleby | Linde van der Velden[4] | Samurai Sportswear | Sandy Park | 13,593 | Exeter |
| Gloucester-Hartpury Women | Sean Lynn | Natasha Hunt | Elite Pro Sports | ALPAS Arena | 600 | Gloucester |
| Harlequins Women | Gerard Mullen[5] | Rachael Burford | Adidas | Twickenham Stoop | 14,800 | Twickenham, Greater London |
| Surrey Sports Park | | Guildford, Surrey |
| Loughborough Lightning | Rhys Edwards | Rachel Malcolm | Kukri Sports | Loughborough University Stadium | 3,330 | Loughborough, Leicestershire |
| Sale Sharks Women | Darren Lamon[6] | Beth Stafford | Samurai Sportswear | CorpAcq Stadium | 3,387 | Sale, Greater Manchester |
| Saracens Women | Alex Austerberry | Lotte Clapp | Nike | StoneX Stadium | 15,000 | Hendon, Greater London |
| Wasps Ladies | Giselle Mather | Kate Alder | Under Armour | Twyford Avenue Sports Ground | | Acton, London |
| Worcester Warriors Women | Joanne Yapp | Lyndsay O'Donnell[7] | VX3 | Sixways Stadium | 11,499 | Worcester |
|
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:
- Free kicks are awarded in place of a scrum for a knock-on or forward pass
- Removal of the option for a scrum at a free kick or penalty
- Scrums advantages were shortened
- In a maul, the ball must be played at the first time of asking if the maul halts
- A maul can only be formed from a lineout if it takes place within the 22 metre areas
- No players who were not in the lineout may join the maul
- Game time is reduced to 35 minutes per half
- Water breaks at the midpoints of each half (players had to remain distanced)
Fixtures
Fixtures for the season were announced by the Premier 15s on 6 October 2020.[9]
Regular season
Round 18
Playoffs
Final
Player of the Match:
Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins)
Touch judges:
Nikki O'Donnell
Katherine Ritchie
Television Match Official:
Craig Maxwell-Keys | |
Leading scorers
Most points
Most tries
Notes and References
- Web site: Kim Oliver appointed head coach of Bristol Ladies. 20 November 2017. Bristol Bears Women. 9 October 2020.
- Web site: 'It's been a long wait'–Mayes. 5 August 2020. Bristol Bears Women. 9 October 2020.
- Web site: Thomas to Captain Sharks for 2020/21. Tom. Bulder. DMP Sharks. 6 October 2020. 9 October 2020.
- 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.
- Web site: Mullen names team to face DMP Durham Sharks. Harlequins. 9 October 2020. 9 October 2020.
- 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.
- Web site: Sale Sharks Women confirm captain for the 2020/21 season. Worcester Warriors. 27 August 2020. 27 August 2020.
- Web site: Law variations for 2020–21 Premier 15s. Rugby World. Sarah. Mockford. 6 October 2020. 6 October 2020.
- Web site: Fixtures and Results. Premier 15s. 9 October 2020.
Gabby Cantorna
Tove Viksten