Saracens Women
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Full name | Saracens Women | ||
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Union | Middlesex RFU | ||
Nickname(s) | Sarries, Women in Black, Wolf Pack | ||
Emblem(s) | Star and crescent | ||
Founded | 1989 | ||
Location | Hendon, Greater London | ||
Ground(s) | StoneX Stadium (Capacity: 10,500[a]) | ||
Chairman | ![]() | ||
CEO | ![]() | ||
Director of Rugby | ![]() | ||
Coach(es) | ![]() ![]() | ||
Captain(s) | ![]() ![]() | ||
Most appearances | ![]() 300+ (All Competitions) | ||
League(s) | Premier 15s | ||
2021–22 | 1st (Champions) | ||
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Largest win | |||
Saracens 104–0 DMP Durham Sharks (Barnet Copthall, London, England) 9 January 2022 | |||
Largest defeat | |||
Saracens 7–53 Gloucester-Hartpury (Barnet Copthall, London, England) 10 December 2022 | |||
Official website | |||
www | |||
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Saracens Women (/ˈsærəsənz/) are a women's rugby union club based in Hendon, London, England. They were founded in 1989 and currently play in the Premier 15s, the top level competition of women's rugby in the country.[1] Saracens are the most successful team in the history of the Premier 15s, having won the league a record three times – in 2017–18, 2018–19 and 2021–22. They are also the women's team of Saracens Amateurs, who themselves are affiliated to Premiership Rugby team, Saracens.
History
Saracens Women were originally founded in 1989 by a group of eight players, which included England internationals Emma Mitchell, Janis Ross and Sam Robson, and Wales internationals Amanda Bennett and Liza Burgess. In their debut season, they won the second division and achieved promotion to the Women's Premiership for the 1990–91 season. The team then claimed their first silverware at the national sevens tournament in 1990, and earned a total of 17 trophies over the ensuing decade, including domestic trebles in 1993 and 1998.[2]
Historically, the club has held rivalries with fellow London sides Richmond, Wasps and, in more recent years, Harlequins.[3] In 2006, Saracens won the Women's Premiership. In 2007 they retained their title by going unbeaten through the league season.[4] In 2005, Saracens Ladies II had points deducted for fielding an underage and unregistered player.[5] In 2007, Saracens Ladies II finished second in the league after losing their final game against Bath Ladies after having been unbeaten until that match.[6]
In recent times, Saracens have won the Premier 15s competition in 2018, 2019 and 2022. The club currently field two teams – the First XV in the Premier 15s, and the Development XV in the Premier Development league.
Until 2014, Saracens played their home games at Bramley Sports Ground and occasionally at Vicarage Road – the home of Watford FC – when the Saracens men's team, to whom they are affiliated, moved home fixtures there in 1997. In 2014, Saracens Women reached an agreement to play home matches at the men's home ground, StoneX Stadium, in Hendon, North London. This ground continues to be their home ground for Allianz Premier 15s and A League games.
Current standings
Template:2022–23 Premier 15s Table
Current squad
This is the Saracens Women squad for the 2022–23 Premier 15s season:[7]
Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
Note: Players listed in bold have received at least one senior international test cap.
Club officials
The current Saracens senior management and coaching staff is as follows:
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Notable players
Saracens Women have provided players to the England women's national rugby union team including founder England players Sam Robson, Emma Mitchell, Janis Ross, Jane Mitchell, Fiona Barnet and Welsh international Liza Burgess. England's most capped hooker, Amy Garnett played for Saracens.[14] Maggie Alphonsi, who also was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to rugby, played for Saracens Women until her retirement, after winning a league and cup double, in 2015.[15] Lee Adamson coached Saracens Women before leaving to coach the Scotland women's national rugby union team in 2007.[16]
Rugby World Cup
The following players have been selected to represent their national teams at the Rugby World Cup while at Saracens (winners are listed in bold):
Tournament | Number selected | ![]() |
Other national team players |
---|---|---|---|
1991 | 5 | Emma Mitchell, Jane Mitchell, Janis Ross |
Amanda Bennett, Liza Burgess ![]() |
1994 | 7 | Annie Cole, Emma Mitchell, Jane Mitchell, Janis Ross |
Amanda Bennett, Liza Burgess ![]() Michelle Cave ![]() |
1998 | 15 | Helen Clayton, Claire Frost, Claire Green, Emma Mitchell, Janis Ross, Susan Appleby, Trudi Collins, Maxine Edwards, Teresa O'Reilly, Nicola Ponsford | Liza Burgess, Geraldine Baylis, Claire Donovan, Eleanor Green ![]() Michelle Cave ![]() |
2002 | 7 | Helen Clayton, Assunta de Biase, Claire Frost, Amy Garnett, Jennifer Phillips, Teresa Jane O'Reilly |
Leslie Cripps ![]() |
2006 | 5 | Maggie Alphonsi, Karen Andrew, Helen Clayton, Amy Garnett |
Leslie Cripps ![]() |
2010 | 5 | Maggie Alphonsi, Charlotte Barras, Amy Garnett |
Leslie Cripps (c), Sarah Ulmer ![]() |
2014 | 3 | Maggie Alphonsi | Kerrie-Ann Craddock, Hannah Casey ![]() |
2017 | 5 | Poppy Cleall, Vicky Fleetwood, Marlie Packer |
Olivia DeMerchant ![]() Valeria Fedrighi ![]() |
2022 | 20 | Holly Aitchison, Hannah Botterman, Jess Breach, Poppy Cleall, Zoe Harrison, Leanne Infante, Sarah McKenna, Marlie Packer |
Georgia Evans, Kat Evans, Donna Rose ![]() Coreen Grant, Louise McMillan, Jodie Rettie ![]() Alysha Corrigan, Alex Ellis ![]() Lotte Clapp, Alev Kelter ![]() Catha Jacobs ![]() Rachel Laqeretabua ![]() |
International players
The following former Saracens players have received at least one international cap for their country's test or sevens team:
Leslie Cripps
Sophie de Goede
Olivia DeMerchant
Mandy Marchak
Julia Sugawara
Emma Taylor
Maggie Alphonsi
Karen Andrew
Katie Ball
Charlotte Barras
Ellie Boatman
Helen Clayton
Bryony Cleall
Deborah Fleming
Rosie Galligan
Amy Garnett
Ellena Perry
Helena Rowland
Tamara Taylor
Séraphine Okemba
Kerrie-Ann Craddock
Emilie Bydwell
Alev Kelter
Carly Waters
Amanda Bennett
Liza Burgess
Rebecca De Filippo
Jade Knight
Club captains
The following players have held the position of Saracens Women club captain:[17]
- 1989–1992 -
Liza Burgess
- 1993–1995 -
Katie Ball
- 1995–1997 -
Janis Ross
- 1997–1998 -
Janice Byford
- 1998–2002 -
Claire Frost
- 2002–2004 -
Helen Clayton
- 2005–2007 -
Leslie Cripps
- 2007–2009 -
Amy Garnett
- 2010–2012 -
Louise Horgan
- 2012–2015 -
Maggie Alphonsi
- 2015–2017 -
Sonia Green
- 2017–present -
Lotte Clapp
Personnel honours and records
World Rugby Awards
The following Saracens players have earned recognition at the World Rugby Awards (presented annually since 2001):[18][19]
Player (X) | Name of the player and number of times that they had been nominated for the award at that point (if more than one) |
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Six Nations Championship Awards
The following players have been named in the Women's Six Nations Player of the Championship or Team of the Championship shortlists while at Saracens:
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Premier 15s Awards
The following Saracens players have been named in the annual Premier 15s awards:[28]
Player (X) | Name of the player and number of times that they had been nominated for the award at that point (if more than one) |
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§ | Denotes that the club was also the winner of the Premier 15s competition during the same season |
† | Denotes that the club was also the runner-up of the Premier 15s competition during the same season |
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Rugby Players' Association Awards
The following Saracens players have achieved recognition at the annual RPA Awards:[29]
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End-of-season club awards
The following Saracens players have earned recognition at the club's annual Big Bash end-of-season awards:
Season | Players' Player of the Year | Coaches' Player of the Year | Fans' Player of the Year |
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2018–19§ | ![]() |
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Top scorers
The following lists denote the top try scorers and top point scorers for Saracens in each Premier 15s season:
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Club honours
Saracens Women
- Women's Premiership
- Premier 15s
- Allianz Cup
- Runners–Up: (1) 2022–23
Saracens Women IIs
Saracens Women 7s
Season summaries
League | ||||
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Season | Competition | Final position | Points | Play-offs |
2002–03 | Women's Premiership | 3rd | 16 | N/A |
2003–04 | Women's Premiership | 2nd | 57 | |
2004–05 | Women's Premiership | 3rd | 49 | |
2005–06 | Women's Premiership | 1st | 61 | |
2006–07 | Women's Premiership | 1st | ||
2007–08 | Women's Premiership | 1st | 52 | |
2008–09 | Women's Premiership | 1st | ||
2009–10 | Women's Premiership | 2nd | 55 | |
2010–11 | Women's Premiership | 4th | 44 | |
2011–12 | Women's Premiership | 2nd | 50 | |
2012–13 | Women's Premiership | 6th | 26 | |
2013–14 | Women's Premiership | 2nd | 62 | |
2014–15 | Women's Premiership | 1st | 59 | |
2015–16 | Women's Premiership | 2nd | 61 | Runners-up |
2016–17 | Women's Premiership | 4th | 45 | Semi-finals |
2017–18 | Tyrrells Premier 15s | 1st | 79 | Champions |
2018–19 | Tyrrells Premier 15s | 1st | 84 | Champions |
2019–20 | Tyrrells Premier 15s | 1st | 59 | Season annulled[b] |
2020–21 | Allianz Premier 15s | 1st | 79 | Runners-up |
2021–22 | Allianz Premier 15s | 1st | 77 | Champions |
Gold background denotes champions
Silver background denotes runners-up
Pink background denotes relegated
Notes
- ^ StoneX Stadium capacity can be increased up to 15,000 with temporary seating.
- ^ The 2019–20 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[45]
References
- ^ "Saracens Women". RFU. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ "Arrival of Saracens Women". Saracens. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ "RFU Premiership kicks off this weekend with triple bill of London rivalry clashes". Sportsister. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ^ "Saracens crowned champions". ESPN. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ^ "Saracens Women docked league points". RFU. 27 October 2005. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ^ "Win at Saracens was three-year high says coach Deane". Bath Chronicle (archived at Highbeam). Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ^ "Squads". Saracens. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
- ^ "Saracens Women confirm coaching structure for 22/23 season". Saracens. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ "Squads - Saracens - Coaches". Saracens. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ "SARACENS LIMITED - Officers (free information from Companies House)". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ "KIMONO HOUSE LIMITED - Officers (free information from Companies House)". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
- ^ "Club Statement: Consortium of investors acquire controlling stake in Saracens". Saracens. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Saracens complete £32m takeover deal with consortium of investors". BBC Sport. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "England Women clinch Grand Slam". BBC News. 18 March 2006. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ^ Orchard, Sara (7 November 2013). "Maggie "The Machine" Alphonsi purring again". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ^ "Adamson named Scotland coach". ESPN. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ^ "Club Captains". Saracens Amateur RFC. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "Awards Roll of Honour". World Rugby. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ "English winners announced at World Rugby Awards". England Rugby. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ "Hall of Fame - World Rugby". World Rugby. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ^ "World Rugby Awards 2021". World Rugby. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
- ^ "World Rugby Awards 2022". World Rugby. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
- ^ "2022 TikTok Women's Six Nations Team of the Championship Revealed". Women's Six Nations. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "Here is your #TikTokW6N Team of the Championship as voted for by you". Women's 6 Nations on Twitter. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ "Poppy Cleall crowned 2021 Women's Six Nations Player of the Championship". Six Nations Rugby. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "TikTok Women's Six Nations Player Of The Championship". Women's Six Nations. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "Women's Six Nations: Marlie Packer and Holly Aitchison nominated for award". BBC Sport. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "Allianz Premier 15s Team of the Season Announced". Premier 15s. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ "The RPA Awards – Previous Awards". The Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ "RPA Awards 2019 Nominees". The Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ "RPA Awards 2020 Nominees". The Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ "The Pickstar RPA Awards 2021: Nominees". The Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Eterlast RPA Awards 2022 - Nominees". The Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ "Eterlast RPA Awards 2023 - Nominees". The Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Tyrrells Premier 15s league stats 2017-18". England Rugby. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Tyrrells Premier 15s league stats 2018-19". England Rugby. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Tyrrells Premier 15s league stats 2019-20". England Rugby. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Allianz Premier 15s league stats 2020-21". England Rugby. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Allianz Premier 15s league stats 2021-22". England Rugby. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ "Saracens beat Harlequins on historic afternoon for rugby union". The Guardian. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ "Saracens Women 33-17 Harlequins Ladies: Saracens retain Tyrrells Premier 15s title". Sky Sports. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ "Saracens defeat Exeter Chiefs to reclaim Premier 15s title in front of record crowd". The Independent. 4 June 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ "Harlequins Women clinch Allianz Premier 15s title after beating Saracens in final". Talking Rugby Union. 31 May 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ "Women's rugby breaks new ground at Singha 7s Final". Ruck.co.uk. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ "Tyrrells Premier 15s season cancelled". Premier 15s. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2022.