Gwen Crabb made her Gloucester-Hartpury debut in the back row, starting alongside Wales team mates Cerys Hale, Hannah Jones and Shona Powell-Hughes. Robyn Lock also made her debut from the bench in a bonus-point win over Exeter Chiefs which included Abbie Fleming and Ffion Lewis in the starting line-up.
Georgia Evans, Gwenllian Pyrs and Lisa Neumann also made club debuts – Evans for Saracens, Pyrs and Neumann for Sale Sharks – while Alex Callender and Robyn Wilkins started for Worcester Warriors.
An early penalty from Wales centre Robyn Wilkins gave Worcester Warriors an early boost but a late rally from Saracens on their home patch at Allianz Park saw them run out 34-25 victors in a match which changed hands on numerous occasions.
Alex Callender and Sioned Harries were defensively prominent in the first half as the hosts held a slender 17-15 lead at the break.
An upset looked on the cards when Carys Phillips ploughed over to secure the try bonus point for the visitors and put the Warriors 25-24 ahead, but a late rally from the home side saw Saracens edge home.
Playing in the unaccustomed position of full-back, Hannah Jones was among the try scorers in Gloucester-Hartpury’s 34-14 win over newcomers Exeter Chiefs.
Jones’ touchdown secured the bonus point to ensure Liza Burgess’s side got off to a winning start. Prop Cerys Hale started alongside an all Welsh back row for the victors with Sian Williams, Gwen Crabb and Shona Powell-Hughes all featuring.
Gwenllian Pyrs started in the front row while Lisa Neumann impressed on the wing for newcomers Sale Sharks against Loughborough Lightning at Heywood Road.
Teleri Wyn Davies also got some game time as the Sharks took the game to the favourites. Just three points separated the teams in the closing moments, but two late tries from Lark Davies sealed the 29-7 win for Loughborough.
In the final game of the day at The Stoop, Harlequins racked up a century of points as they beat DMP Durham Sharks 103-0, with former Wales Sevens player Bethan Dainton starting on the flank for the winners.
Allianz Premier 15s Results
Gloucester-Hartpury 34-14 Exeter Chiefs
Saracens 34-25 Worcester Warriors
Sale Sharks 7-29 Loughborough
Harlequins 103-0 DMP Durham Sharks
