Gloucester-Hartpury have already clinched top spot and will host either Bristol Bears in a west country derby or former champions Harlequins in one semi-final. They welcome second placed Exeter Chiefs to the Alpas Arena to wrap up their league campaign, with the visitors still battling for a home game in the final four.
The Chiefs are currently two points clear of reigning champions Saracens in third. A revenge win against Gloucester, who beat them 25-17 on their own patch in November, will earn them home advantage over Sarries in the semis.
Kerin Lake and Lisa Neumann feature in the back line for the league leaders, while Sisi Tuipulotu drops back from tight head into the second row. Former Wales skipper Siwan Lillicrap packs down from the start at No 8, while Cerys Hale is among the replacements.
“It doesn’t get any bigger – it’s really exciting. Exeter are second in the league and we know what they can bring,” said Gloucester’s Welsh head coach, Sean Lynn. “They need points out of this game and we want to finish on a high as well.”
Saracens will be missing their Welsh trio of forwards at Loughborough Lightning, Kat Evans, Georgia Evans and Donna Rose, and will be looking to make it 13 wins in a row over the home side. Wales wing Carys Williams-Morris features in the back line for Loughborough.
Rose has just signed a new contract at the North London club, where she was a Premier15s winner last season. She now has 15 caps for Wales and went to last season’s World cup in New Zealand.
“I’m buzzing to be staying at Saracens. The support I’ve received, especially this season with my injury rehab has been incredible,” said Rose.
“Winning the Premiership with this team last season was one of my best experiences in this shirt and I’m ready for more. I can’t wait to be out on the field again and back in black.”
The DMP Sharks and Wasps women’s teams will make their final appearances in the professional league before dropping down next season into the community game. Former Oxford University skipper, Tess Braunerova, will start at scrum half for Wasps as they end 38 years in the top-flight.
