Gloucester-Hartpury expect a ‘physical battle’ against Saracens, says coach

Gloucester-Hartpury’s trip to unbeaten Saracens this weekend is set to be a “physical battle” says coach Andrew Ford as they travel off the back of a first league defeat.

The two-time defending champions head to London after being beaten by Exeter last Saturday, only their fourth regular season league loss across the last three seasons.

Saracens, who won the Women’s Premiership in 2018 and 2019, are top of the table having taken maximum points from their first three games.

“If you look at it on paper, they’re the only team that beat us last year in the PWR [Premiership Women’s Rugby],” Ford, the club’s women’s academy manager, told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

“Saracens have really flown the flag for women’s rugby over the last four, five, six years. It’s a grudge match isn’t it and we’re looking forward to getting out there and hopefully putting the result our way.”

Saracens were the only side to beat Gloucester-Hartpury last season as they powered to a second league title, and they also counted for one of their two losses during 2022-23.

Ford said the match was going to be “very physical”.

“We want to go and show that we can perform away at Saracens. The girls are excited for it, we know that it’s going to be a very physical battle and I think that’s where the game’s going to be won or lost this weekend,” he said.

“That’s probably a big focus for us this week. We’re fully aware that any top four game – probably any top six game in this league – is going to be tough.”