Packer’s dream farewell as Saracens win record fourth title

June 28, 2026 No Comments

Saracens win record fourth title with emphatic victoryFigure caption, Packer extends Saracens’ lead against TrailfindersByAlistair WatkinsBBC Sport Senior JournalistPublished28 June 2026, 17:01 BSTUpdated 1 hour agoSaracens: (26) 52Tries: Omokhuale, Packer 2, Gregson, Breach 2, Corrigan, Harrison Cons: Harrison 6Trailfinders: (0) 14Tries: Montiel, Burton Cons: Inman, GallagherMarlie Packer scored two tries on her final Saracens appearance as the north London side secured a record fourth league title with a comprehensive 52-14 win over first-time finalists Trailfinders at Twickenham Stoop.Former England captain Packer, who is joining Harlequins next season after nine years with Saracens, grabbed her double in eight first-half minutes as Alex Austerberry’s side dominated their London rivals in the Premiership Women’s Rugby final.

Saracens scored four tries to lead 26-0 at half-time and added four more after the break, with England star Jess Breach’s second-half solo effort perhaps the pick of the scores.

After winning the league – then known as the Premier 15s – in 2018, 2019 and 2022, Saracens overtake Gloucester-Hartpury as the most successful side in English women’s rugby.

Saracens lift the 2026 Premiership Women’s Rugby Trophy

Trailfinders, who only joined the league in 2023, recruited 19 players this season including England captain Meg Jones, Scotland skipper Rachel Malcolm and New Zealand internationals Alana Borland and Georgia Ponsonby.

Having finished sixth and seventh in their first two seasons, the ambitious west London club beat defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury in back-to-back matches to make the play-offs and then the final.

They had never beaten Saracens in eight matches, including two heavy defeats this season, but Barney Maddison’s side had belief they could end that dismal record given their encouraging form since the turn of the year.

But up against the likes of two-time World Cup winner Packer, current world player of the year Sophie de Goede, England’s player of the season Zoe Harrison and the league’s player of the season Olivia Apps, Trailfinders were outclassed in ruthless fashion.

They showed plenty of heart and determination but the gulf in experience was clear as Saracens – who finished 25 points ahead of them in the regular season – claimed a deserved victory to make amends for their defeat to Gloucester-Hartpury in last season’s final.

“We were coming here to win it and not be a bridesmaid,” mentioned Packer after lifting the trophy with co-captain Harrison. “We have gone and done that.

“At the end of the game, I had a moment to myself and all the girls came around me. That was it. Bottle that up.

“Nine years and a four-time champion with Saracens. They are all really special.”

Breach grabs Saracens’ fourth try within a minute of the second half

Watch PWR final: Three-time champions Saracens v first-time finalists Trailfinders

Stung by their 2025 final defeat, Saracens have been on a mission all season to regain the title.

The outcome of the final was in little doubt after Canada’s Julia Omokhuale crashed over in the 13th minute.

Saracens took control with their pack dominating the forward battle and half-backs Apps and Harrison running the game impressively.

After Packer’s close-range double, Saracens demonstrated their attacking prowess by moving the ball first right and then back to the left for Sydney Gregson to run over for the fourth try.

Apps also touched down but the try was disallowed by Holly Wood – refereeing the final 86 days after giving birth to daughter Adaline – for a deliberate knock-on by Alysha Corrigan in the build-up.

With Saracens’ Gabrielle Senft in the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on, Trailfinders needed a score before the end of the half but could not make the extra player count.

Their hopes of becoming the first side to lift the trophy after finishing fourth in the regular season were well and truly ended just two minutes into the second half as Harrison’s deft inside pass set Breach free and the full-back accelerated past two covering defenders to score a brilliant try.

Corrigan went over four minutes later before Trailfinders finally got on the scoreboard thanks to a try by Maya Montriel.

Canada team-mates Apps and De Goede combined to tee up Harrison, who fended off two attempted tackles to score her first Saracens try of the season, before Packer was sent to the sin-bin.

Her absence helped Abi Burton power over for Trailfinders’ second try but that was as good as it got on a hard day for the league’s up-and-coming side.

Breach stepped over for her second try minutes before the final whistle sparked emotional celebrations for the champions – and their departing star Packer.

“I going to miss everything, I can’t pin it down to one thing,” she added. “The people, the changing room, and the whole aura of Saracens.

“I am excited to now take myself outside of my comfort zone.”

Packer grabs another try as Saracens dominate

Line-ups

Saracens: Breach; Corrigan, Hardy, Bridge, Gregson; Harrison (co-capt), Apps; Clifford, Field, Rose, Omokhuale, Royer, Senft, Packer (co-capt), De Goede.

Replacements: Tremelling, Crake, Flanagan, Evans, Cleall, Sellors, MacDougall, Sharp.

Yellow cards: Senft, Packer

Trailfinders: Inman; Laflin, Jones, Cox, White; Gallagher, Norman-Bell; Leatherman, Ponsonby, Montiel, Wassell, Borland, Head, Zackary (capt), Burton.

Replacements: Blanco, Meta, Tuffnail, Taylor, Malcolm, Williams, Bradley, Gallagher.

Referee: Holly Wood

‘This has been a mauling’ – Breach seals Saracens victory in style

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