Richmond Women – Firwood Waterloo Ladies

Three Home Debuts & One Returning Legend For Richmond

Week two of the Premier 15s season, and Richmond kick-start their home campaign with the first of several double headers at the RAG. Once the men’s Championship game against Doncaster is done, Richmond take to the field against Firwood Waterloo for what is certain to be a high-scoring game in pristine conditions.

The visitors looked dangerous against Saracens last weekend, while Richmond put three second half tries on Loughborough Lightning and showed a real intent to run from deep, and run for 80 minutes. Fitness nearly led the side to a famous comeback victory, and once again, Richmond will be relying on a performance right to the final whistle.

Coach Jonathan Griffin has made three changes to the starting line-up for the first home game of the season, with injuries already taking a toll after last week’s duo of games up at Loughborough. Former Saracen Stevie Farrow comes into the front row, taking her place alongside Laura Kapo and Alice Soper, while the captaincy switches back to England international Ro Burnfield in the second row.

Anna Caplice, the former Richmond star who has returned from her time in Munster, makes her first start in the back row having had a big second half impact last weekend, while Tess Braunerova comes in at number nine after a busy performance for the second team against Lightning.

The rest of the backline remains unchanged, with the impressive Vicki Jackson set to make her first home league start for the club, and the ever-dangerous wing duo of Rachel Laqeretabua and Emelie Hellgren sure to thrive in the dry weather.

On the bench, Oli Davies is back from her American Football exploits and set to make an impact in the backs when called upon, while Terangi Maeva and Alex Zdunek give the front row some serious power in reserve, and Fiona McIntosh is another set for her first league start back at the RAG.