A new era for women's rugby begins this weekend

A new era for women’s rugby kicks off this weekend as the inaugural Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby campaign gets underway.

Four matches will get the ball rolling as the biggest stars in women's rugby face-off weekly in the hope of being crowned the best team in England. 

This year sees two new sides enter the fray as both Leicester Tigers and Trailfinders Women play their first league games on the opening weekend. 

Each open their account at home, with Trailfinders Women taking on Harlequins in a London derby on Saturday and Leicester welcoming Exeter Chiefs to Mattioli Woods Welford Road the following day. 

More eyes than ever will be on the action this season following the landmark announcement that TNT Sports will be the official broadcaster of Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby. 

Adding to the broadcaster’s already extensive rugby portfolio, which includes Gallagher Premiership Rugby and the Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, the agreement will see more than 20 matches broadcast live. 

"It is pretty huge for us to be honest," Leicester Tigers' flyer Amanda Swartz said. "All the players I know are quite aware it's a huge deal. 

"This deal is going to give us the exposure that we need and keep pushing forward in terms of growing the sport. 

"It is going to be a massive move."