Saracens beat Trailfinders to win record fourth Premiership Women's Rugby title

Marlie Packer signs off with double as Saracens beat Trailfinders to win record fourth PWR title

Marlie Packer enjoyed the perfect farewell as Saracens stormed to a record fourth Premiership Women's Rugby title with a commanding 52-14 victory over Trailfinders in the 2026 PWR Final at Twickenham Stoop.

The former England captain scored twice in the opening half during her final appearance for the club before departing for Harlequins this summer, helping Saracens establish an unassailable lead on their way to the biggest winning margin in a Premiership Women's Rugby final.

Saracens led 26-0 at the break after producing a ruthless first-half display before adding another four tries after the interval. England international Jess Breach produced one of the standout moments of the match with a brilliant solo score in the second half as the north London side sealed their first PWR crown since 2022.

The victory moves Saracens clear as the most successful team in English women's domestic rugby, with four league titles following previous triumphs in 2018, 2019 and 2022. It also served as the ideal response after last season's final defeat to Gloucester-Hartpury.

Featuring a star-studded squad including two-time Rugby World Cup winner Packer, reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Sophie de Goede, England Player of the Season Zoe Harrison and Premiership Women's Rugby Player of the Season Olivia Apps, Saracens proved far too strong for first-time finalists Trailfinders.

"We were coming here to win it and not be a bridesmaid," Packer said after lifting the trophy alongside co-captain Harrison.

"We have gone and done that.

"At the end of the game, I had a moment to myself and all the girls came around me. That was it. Bottle that up.

"Nine years and a four-time champion with Saracens. They are all really special."

Director of rugby Alex Austerberry believes the challenge now is to remain at the summit after reclaiming the title.

"When we were at the top - for slightly longer than Gloucester - you think it is going to continue, but you know the hard work that goes into that," he said.

"Gloucester were superb champions and to win it three years in a row deserves great credit. They raised the bar and this year we have taken it a bit further.

"Now the target is on our back and we have got to make sure we keep pushing it forward as that is what champions do."

Saracens dominate from the opening whistle

Saracens took control early when second row Julia Omokhuale crossed for the opening try before Packer powered over twice in the space of eight first-half minutes.

The Saracens pack dominated the collisions while half-backs Olivia Apps and Zoe Harrison controlled territory and possession throughout. Their influence helped create the fourth try as the ball was moved quickly across the field for Sydney Gregson to finish.

Apps thought she had added another score before half-time, but referee Holly Wood ruled it out after identifying a deliberate knock-on from Alysha Corrigan in the build-up.

Even after Gabrielle Senft was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, Trailfinders were unable to take advantage of the extra player before the interval.

Any hopes of a comeback disappeared just two minutes into the second half when Harrison's inside pass released Breach, who accelerated away from the defence for an outstanding individual try.

Corrigan soon added another before Maya Montiel finally put Trailfinders on the scoreboard.

Apps and De Goede then combined to send Harrison over for her first Saracens try of the season as the fly-half shrugged off two defenders to score.

Packer's farewell briefly hit a sour note when she received a yellow card for kicking the ball away, allowing Abi Burton to score Trailfinders' second try while Saracens were temporarily reduced to 14 players.

However, Breach crossed for her second try in the closing stages to complete an emphatic victory and spark emotional celebrations as Packer ended her nine-year Saracens career with another league winner's medal.

"I am going to miss everything," Packer said.

"I can't pin it down to one thing. The people, the changing room, and the whole aura of Saracens.

"I am excited to now take myself outside of my comfort zone."

England fly-half Harrison paid tribute to her departing team-mate.

"She is going to be someone that we will miss and maybe wish she wasn't leaving," Harrison said.

"She has been a big part of my Saracens career and is a great leader."

Trailfinders' remarkable rise continues despite final defeat

Although comfortably beaten in the final, Trailfinders completed a breakthrough season after reaching their first Premiership Women's Rugby final just three years after joining the league.

The ambitious west London club strengthened heavily ahead of the campaign, recruiting 19 players including England captain Meg Jones, Scotland skipper Rachel Malcolm and New Zealand internationals Alana Borland and Georgia Ponsonby.

After finishing sixth and seventh in their first two seasons, Trailfinders stunned league leaders Gloucester-Hartpury to secure a play-off place before defeating the defending champions again in the semi-finals.

Having lost all eight previous meetings with Saracens, including two heavy defeats during the regular season, Barney Maddison's side struggled to match the experience and clinical finishing of opponents who had finished 25 points clear of them in the league table.

Captain Kate Zackary believes the club's progress is only just beginning.

"At times I think we are a little bit too nice," Zackary said.

"We have to take what is already really good and special and be a bit more ego and edgy about it.

"It is a team that is exciting and will continue to grow and become one of the best.

"Now we have got a target on our backs. We are no longer growing and building from seventh place.

"We are walking away in second place. That is an amazing place to be."