With a visit from the reigning back-to-back Premiership Women's Rugby champions and current table-toppers imminent, Leicester Tigers are preparing for a 'test against the best'.
Looking to bounce back from a defeat on derby day, Tigers will take inspiration from last season's home match against Gloucester-Hartpury, one that saw the hosts collect a try and losing bonus point from a thrilling encounter that was just edged by the visitors.
Speaking ahead of the game, Head Coach Tom Hudson said: "Tests don't come much tougher than Gloucester-Hartpury which presents an opportunity to show we can be competitive with the best."
Returning to the starting XV is Canadian international Julia Omokhuale, the only change to last week's side and the same team that took a try bonus point from Ashton Gate two weeks ago.
Amongst the replacements, both Nadine Vincent and Morgan Richardson are back on the bench, joined by experienced internationals like Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, Jenny Maxwell and Tess Feury.
For the visitors, the league's top points scorer Emma Sing starts at full back and England's reigning player of the year Alex Matthews begins the match at No. 8.
"It's another big game at home for us, the final double header of the season and we want to ensure we're giving our supporters plenty to cheer," said Hudson.
"We are looking forward to another great crowd as part of the Double Header. Last week's crowd was the best crowd we have had in the two years as part of PWR and we are so grateful for all who braved the cold and looking forward to seeing them and many more fans back again on Saturday."
Leicester will be looking to get fans on their feet in both attack and defence and certainly have the personnel to do so.
With Omokhuale's return to the starting fold, Tigers possess both the first and second most dominant tacklers in this year's PWR, with Charlotte Fray and Julia Omokhuale having made 16 and 12 dominant tackles respectively.
Supporters who relish the physical aspects of the sport will be looking forward to this, as Gloucester-Hartpury pack their own firepower in defence - the champions have the best tackle success rate (82.2%) of any side so far this season while 3.9% of their tackles have been dominant, the best of any side.
If there is any player in the league who can break such a staunch defence, you would put your money on Meg Jones - the centre is Tigers, top try scorer, this season with eight) thus far, with Jones having beaten 30 defenders and assisted 11 line breaks.
"We're well aware of the variety of threats they possess," added Hudson.
"With just three matches left in our season we want to ensure we leave it all out there and kick off the Double Header day with a bang."
This match forms part of a Double Header, with the men's team taking on Northampton Saints in the Premiership Rugby Cup following the conclusion of the women's fixture.
Not only that, big screens around the ground will be showing the Guinness Six Nations matches between Scotland and Italy (2.15pm) as well as Ireland and England (4.45pm).
Tomorrow's match against Gloucester-Hartpury (12pm) is the penultimate home match of this year's Premiership Women's Rugby season!
Get your tickets now for tomorrow's Double Header or our final match of 2024/25, when we welcome Exeter Chiefs on Friday, February 21 (7.45pm).
