Barney Maddison has named his squad to travel to Queensholm to take on the reigning champions.

June 12, 2026
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Ultimate Rugby

Barney Maddison has named his squad to travel to Queensholm to take on reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury in the 25/26 Premiership Women’s Rugby Semi-Final.

The front-row is made up of Alivia Leatherman at loosehead, Maya Montiel at tighthead and Georgia Ponsonby at Hooker.

The locks are World-cup-winning Black Fern Alana Borland and Scotland’s Six Nations Standout Player Emma Wassell.

The Back-Row contains newly capped Red Rose Haidee Head at blindside flanker and her Six Nations Grand-slam winning compatriot Abi Burton at 8, fresh off the back of her inclusion in the Women’s Six Nations Team of The Championship. USA’s Kate Zackary captains the side from openside flanker.

The Halfback pairing is speedster Isla Normal-Bell at Scrum-half with Canada’s Claire Gallagher looking to pull the strings from Fly-half.

The midfield partnership is comprised of GB Sevens star Emma Uren who has seamlessly slotted into that inside centre channel this season alongside Red Roses Captain Meg Jones just outside her at thirteen. Jones was this week named alongside teammate Abi Burton in this seasons Women’s Six Nations Team of the Championship after playing every single minute in her inaugural campaign as skipper in which she clinched a memorable Grand-slam title.

It’s an electric back-three, with Grace white at eleven offering fast footwork and raw speed. She’s joined by her Brunel teammate Niamh Gallagher who earned her first senior cap for the Irish National Team at this year’s Six Nations Championship. Welsh winger Carys Cox completes the starting XV, adding her international experience and athleticism off the wing.

Maddison has opted for a 5-3 split off the bench, with genuine firepower and quality available at his disposal. Cris Blanco features after winning the Rugby Europe Women’s Championship back in April for Las Leonas. Annabel Meta and Cassandra Tuffnail are ready to inject some ballast into proceedings as the front-row options amongst the replacements. Trailfinders’ Player’s Player of The Year Emma Taylor can bring game-management and experience to the side and Sally Williams can add dynamism and jackal threat to the breakdown. Sophie Molton will add quick thinking and fresh eyes to the game alongside Celia Quansah who has GB Sevens pedigree and Rosie Inman will slot in seamlessly in that fifteen shirt.

Starting XV:

15: Niamh Gallagher

14: Carys Cox

13: Meg Jones

12: Emma Uren

11: Grace White

10: Claire Gallagher

9: Isla Norman-Bell

1: Alivia Leatherman

2: Georgia Ponsonby

3: Maya Montiel

4: Alana Borland