Team news: McGillivray back to start first home game of 2024/25 PWR season

Sunday’s game (KO 15:00) sees the return of the PWR to Sandy Park along with long-term injured centre Nancy McGillivray.

The England transition player suffered a massive knee injury in the league semi-final of the 2022/23 season against Bristol Bears Women.

She has been through a cycle of surgery and rehabilitation ever since, but now gets her chance to play after 17 months out of action.

The 21-year-old University of Exeter graduate said: “I’ve thinking about this moment since I did my knee. It’s very exciting but it feels a bit surreal right now.

“It’s definitely been tough. Last year, I did not play a single bit of rugby. It’s hard being out of the team and not playing, but they have been so supportive and I felt I was always part of this team it no matter what.”

Head coach Susie Appleby said: “Nancy is coming back in, albeit for managed minutes, after over a year out, which is mega, mega exciting. She looks really good on the training pitch and is raring to go. As soon as she gets back out there, the injury will become a distant memory.”

McGillivray’s inclusion at outside centre sees Naomi Brennan switch to the 12 jersey. The rest of the team remains unchanged to the side that began last weekend’s game against Harlequins.

Prop Flo Long gets another start following her Player of the Match performance last weekend while fellow front-row Stef Evans and scrum-half Lucy Nye will be hoping to get a run-out against their former club.

Appleby added: “We are very much turning around the squad that was on the field last week, plus Nancy, which is really positive as it allows us some continuity and opportunity to grow into this week and beyond.

“Leicester are a side that are willing to fight for each other and to prove they are not a bottom-of-the-table team. They showed some real promise against Gloucester, so we have had a good look at them but have turned all eyes to ourselves now, particularly to improve our attack and the way we create and convert opportunities.”

Chiefs Women will kick-off at 15:00 at Sandy Park on Sunday. This PWR game is included in all season ticket packages or is just £11 for adults and £5.50 for 16s and under.

Exeter Chiefs Women

15 Merryn Doidge
14 Eilidh Sinclair
13 Nancy McGillivray
12 Naomi Brennan
11 Georgina Tasker
10 Liv McGoverne
9 Flo Robinson (vc)
1 Demi Swann
2 Clara Nielson
3 Flo Long
4 Poppy Leitch (c)
5 Niamh Orchard
6 Ebony Jefferies
7 Maisy Allen
8 Emily Robinson

16 Millie Whitehouse
17 Mikiela Nelson
18 Stef Evans
19 Taz Bricknell
20 Zara Feaunati
21 Lucy Nye
22 Ellie Cunningham
23 Sabrina Poulin