When Leicester Tigers make their maiden voyage into Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby in less than two months time, they will not be the only debutants seen in the 2023/24 season.
Trailfinders Women will also begin writing a new history, based on foundations built by Director of Rugby Giselle Mather, formerly of Wasps.
Tasked with preparing for life in the top life and building a sustainable model in the process, the two teams have likely share the most parallels across both their playing side and infrastructure
From a playing perspective, both have looked to strengthen their sides with new signings but have gone about it in different ways; whereas Tigers have used last year’s Championship North 1 winning squad as a strong base to build from and add a ‘sprinkle of stardust’, Trailfnders have made over 35 signings over the summer in a bid to completely reshape their existing structure.
The kinds of players brought in bear several similarities also.
Both sides have opted for USA internationals; Tigers with Keia Mae Sagapolu, Tahlia Brody and Tess Feury whilst Trailfinders have signed Eagles captain Kate Zackary and Meya Bizer.
Both sides have signed European captains; Tigers with Amanda Swartz, the captain of Swden, whilst Trailfinders have Cristina Blanco, captain of Spain.
Both sides have looked to the Seven's circuit; Tigers with Olympians Celia Quansah and Meg Jones, Co-Captain of Great Britain while Trailfinders have recruited flyers Ellie Boatman, Abi Burton, Emma Uren and Amy Wilson-Hardy.
The teams that are being built are likely to share stylistic similarities also.
Tigers Senior Coach Tom Hudson has made no secret in his beliefs in the virtues of ball-in-hand, running rugby, whilst Giselle Mather’s Wasps side were often praised for their fluid interplay as they consistently reached the Premiership semi-finals, the team landing on a final tally of 647 points in 2020/21 season.
Away from the first team, Tigers and Trailfinders also mirror one another when it comes to a focus on the future.
Both sides have been keen to establish a pathway to the first team for younger players.
Tigers have been quick to expand their partnership with Lichfield over the summer, establishing a second partnership club in Kenilworth Rugby as well as furthering building the Girl’s Pathway programme at Brooksby college.
Ealig, meanwhile, have focused on BUCS University rugby, establishing key links with Brunel University as well as the likes of Henley College.
Both teams know that if they are to really make themselves known at the top of the women’s game, it will require a stream of talent passionate about the club, who know what it means to wear the shirt, as much as it will require exceptional scouting to have the right players to compete in the now.
The opening three rounds of Premiership Women’s Rugby will feature Tigers taking on headline names that have been there, done that, when it comes to reaching the play-offs of the top flight of women’s rugby. Trailfinders Women in Round 4 will represent the first time Tigers tackle someone on a similar upward trajectory. It is sure to make for a fascinating battle.
