Gloucester-Hartpury v Bristol Bears Women PWR final team news: Red Roses star returns from injury

Bristol Bears Women welcome back Red Roses prop star Sarah Bern for Saturday's Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby Final as one of three changes to face reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury at Sandy Park.

Red Roses tighthead Bern returns from a long-term injury and joins her international teammates Hannah Botterman and Lark Atkin-Davies in a star-studded front row, as one of three changes from the side that beat Saracens at StoneX Stadium in the semi-final. Courtney Keight replaces the injured Deborah Wills – who sustained a knee injury last time out - on the wing, while Scotland international Meryl Smith is named at full-back with Ella Lovibond moving to the bench.

Bristol head coach Dave Ward said: “We’re both proud and excited to be competing in the final of the Allianz PWR on Saturday. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to make history and we’re relishing the challenge ahead of us.

“We have a huge amount of respect for Gloucester-Hartpury and what they have achieved, but after two close games against them this season, we arrive here today confident that we can be the team lifting the trophy come full time.”

Meanwhile, Gloucester-Hartpury head coach Sean Lynn, has named an unchanged starting XV from their semi-final victory over Exeter Chiefs as his international packed side head into the final as favourites having won 11 of their last 14 Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby matches against Bristol Bears, including each of their last six.

The Final will be shown live on TNT Sports and BBC iPlayer and kicks off at 3pm.

Team news

Gloucester-Hartpury: 15 Emma Sing; 14 Mia Venner, 13 Hannah Jones, 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Pip Hendy; 10 Lleucu George, 9 Natasha 'Mo' Hunt (CC); 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Neve Jones, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Sarah Beckett, 5 Sam Monaghan, 6 Georgia Brock, 7 Bethan Lewis and 8 Zoe Aldcroft (CC)

Replacements: 16. Amy Dale, 17. El Perry, 18. Sisilia Tuipulotu, 19. Kate Williams, 20. Steph Else, 21. Bianca Blackburn, 22. Millie Hyett, 23. Rachel Lund

Bristol Bears Women: 15. Meryl Smith; 14. Reneeqa Bonner, 13. Phoebe Murray, 12. Holly Aitchison, 11. Courtney Keight, 10. Amber Reed (cc), 9. Keira Bevan; 1. Hannah Botterman, 2. Lark Atkin-Davies, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Delaney Burns, 5. Abbie Ward (cc, above, left), 6. Alisha Butchers, 7. Evie Gallagher, 8. Rownita Marston-Mulhearn.

Replacements: 16.⁠ ⁠Jess Sprague, 17.⁠ ⁠Simi Pam, 18.⁠ ⁠Elliann Clarke, 19.⁠ ⁠Hollie Cunningham, 20.⁠ ⁠Gabriella Nigrelli, 21.⁠ ⁠Lucy Burgess, 22.⁠ ⁠Ella Lovibond, 23.⁠ ⁠Jenny Hesketh.

Match officials

Referee: Sara Cox

Assistant referees: Harry Walbaum and Holly Wood

TMO: Nikki O'Donnell