Rugby’s Premier 15s Standouts, Surprises, and Leadership Shake-Ups

The 2023-24 Premier 15s season, England’s top professional women’s rugby competition, concluded with several standout performances and unexpected personnel changes, particularly concerning team captains. While Saracens reclaimed the top spot under shrewd coaching, the league also saw notable individual brilliance and surprising contract decisions impacting established leaders.

Among the most impactful players, Saracens’ No. 9 Liv Apps earned Player of the Season honors, with The Guardian Rugby Union highlighting her crucial partnership with fly-half Zoe Harrison as central to the team’s impressive campaign. Apps’ ability to dictate play from scrum-half consistently made Saracens' attack formidable throughout the season.

Trailfinders’ captain Meg Jones also shone, steering her team to their first Premier 15s final. The Guardian noted her game-changing runs, significant tackles, and strong leadership as pivotal to Trailfinders’ success. Jones's impact on the field was consistently high-level, proving a vital presence for her club. Gloucester’s No. 8 Alex Matthews, though often operating below the radar, demonstrated her immense value, with The Guardian reporting that her absence due to injury noticeably affected the team’s performance. Matthews’ quiet but critical work rate and influence will become even more pronounced next season, as figures like Zoe Stratford and Tatyana Heard depart the club.

Unexpected Captain Exits Highlight Contract Dynamics

In a significant development, both Saracens co-captain Marlie Packer and Trailfinders’ captain Kate Zackary, who faced off in the Premier 15s final, were not offered new contracts by their respective clubs. Packer confirmed to the BBC that Saracens did not extend a contract offer for the upcoming season, leading her to sign with rival club Harlequins. This move reshapes the back row of two prominent London teams, as Packer, a highly regarded England international, transitions to a new environment.

Similarly, The Guardian reported that Zackary was informed her deal would not be renewed with Trailfinders, though her next destination remains unconfirmed. Both players are in strong form and possess considerable leadership qualities, making their departures from their current clubs seem like questionable decisions, as The Guardian mused that allowing them to leave feels like a mistake by their former employers. These veteran leaders now face new challenges, and their absence will undoubtedly leave a void in their former teams.

Coaching Acumen and Social Media Savvy

Saracens' resurgence to the top of the Premier 15s, with only two league losses reported by The Guardian, can be largely attributed to Head Coach Alex Austerberry. His leadership and ability to cultivate a strong working relationship with his squad were evident in their dominant season, reaffirming his status as a leading figure in the league. The two losses Saracens sustained were both against Gloucester-Hartpury, showcasing a competitive rivalry within the league.

Beyond on-field performance, clubs engaged creatively with fans, particularly through social media. Saracens notably embraced their 'team people love to hate' persona, generating compelling content. The Guardian highlighted an instance where Saracens players were asked about their favorite thing about Gloucester, leading to Julia Omokhuale’s confident quip about beating them — an ironic moment as Gloucester ultimately won that specific match. Gloucester’s own social media efforts included Mackenzie Carson’s 'blindside date' series, drawing inspiration from Amelia Dimoldenberg’s Chicken Shop Date, where Carson would try to make a rival player laugh. Bristol Bears also earned recognition for their impactful player announcements, with The Guardian singling out their unique reveal for Ellie Kildunne, featuring a picture of her behind a newspaper with the headline 'where will she end up?' before revealing their star signing.