Chiefs Women to face Saracens

By Mark Stevens
9/6/23

Susie Appleby says her Exeter Chiefs side are ‘raring to go’ ahead of Sunday’s crunch Allianz Premier 15s semi-final with Saracens at Sandy Park (3pm).

Fresh from an impressive 58-19 win at league leaders Gloucester-Hartpury – a result that ensured Appleby’s side of home advantage in the last four this weekend – now they must ready themselves for another titanic test against the reigning champions.

The rugby omens, however, are favourable for the Chiefs, especially as they have never lost on home soil to the Londoners. Sunday’s showdown, though, promises to be the toughest test yet and Appleby knows her players will need to be at their very best if they are to advance into a second successive Premier 15s final.

“You have to call Saracens a champion side because that is what they are,” said the Chiefs head coach. “They know how to win tournaments, they know how to win knockout games, but they haven’t come to Sandy Park and played a semi-final, so we have to use that to our advantage.

“They are a quality side, who are very physical with the likes of Marlie Packer, Poppy Cleall, Hannan Botterman, I could reel off even more names. They also control the game really well with Leanne and Hollie and half-back and they’ve got gas out wide, so they have the whole package. Equally, so do we.

“Who can bring their game to the fore on Sunday and who can put it on the field in what will be a high pressured game, live on BT Sport, will be the big thing. It’s two of the top sides going at it, so it’s hugely exciting.”

Having come unstuck at Saracens, then Bristol a week later last month , the response since from the Chiefs has certainly been impressive with Appleby’s troops swotting aside Wasps 82-7, before then inflicting only a second league defeat of the season on Gloucester-Hartpury.

“It feels like it’s been the longest season ever, I think we started the league back on November 19 and had the Allianz Cup before that,” said Appleby. “That said, we’ve learnt a lot this season, most recently how to get back to winning ways, which was massive at Gloucester to secure that home semi-final.

“Obviously, playing at Sandy Park this weekend, we know the crowds will come in. They love the girls, the girls love them and everyone is in the best mental state they can be.

“Last week, though, was a big win for us. We were really fluent in our attack, which has been a bit off recently, but that was really pleasing, as was the way we dominated the collisions and the way we managed the game. It was a real all-round performance, where we didn’t worry too much about them, it was more about us and what we needed to do. In the end, we scored a lot of points and we gained a lot of confidence which we will now take into this weekend.”

As mentioned, clashes between the Chiefs and Saracens have always been tasty affairs and Sunday’s match promises to offer more of the same. But, as Appleby alluded to, home advantage is key for her side against the team who defeated them 43-21 in last season’s final at Worcester’s Sixways Stadium.

“Being here at Sandy Park is massive for us,” said Appleby. “We call our support the 16th man, woman, whatever. The noise they bring, however, is amazing and together we’re all embracing this whole journey. We’re all in this together. They love it, we love it, so now we have to put it out there at the weekend.

“I know our girls are all raring to go and whoever is in the shirt, they will live and die for the Chiefs!”

Team news for the hosts sees Appleby welcome the return of Merryn Doidge at full-back in place of the injured Brooke Bradley (ankle). Up front, there are also recalls for prop DaLeaka Menin and back-row forward Abbie Fleming, both of whom missed last weekend’s game due to concussion. Menin replaces Charli Jacoby in the front-row, while Fleming gets the nod over Ebony Jefferies.

On a sad note, Appleby confirmed that centre Nancy McGillivray is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after she ruptured her ACL in the final minutes at the Alpas Arena a week ago.

All Season Ticket holders and Under-16s can gain FREE entry to Sunday’s game, while for all other adults the cost is £10. Please note there is no on-site parking for this game, but supporters can book their place at the nearby Digby & Sowton Park and Ride.