#saracens

#saracens

Reigning Premiership Women's Rugby champions Gloucester-Hartpury opened their new season with a convincing six-try 40-14 win against Saracens. The fixture was a rematch of last season's PWR final and featured 11 internationals from England and Canada who played in the World Cup final just four weeks ago. It was Gloucester-Hartpury's all-star cast who came out firmly on top in front of a crowd of 4,200 at Kingsholm, racing to a 26-0 lead before Saracens put anything on the board.

Northampton Saints winger Tommy Freeman gave a polite reminder that he remains England's premier winger with four tries to help his side to victory over Saracens. His first followed tries from full-back George Hendy and flanker Tom Pearson but Saints trailed 19-17 at the break as Fergus Burke, Jack Bracken and Juan Martin Gonzalez went over for Saracens. Hugh Tizard extended the lead before Northampton rediscovered themselves and Pearson and Freeman both added their second tries to put the hosts back in front.

"After an incredible 27 years, with a fair few injuries along the way, the time has come to hang up the boots and step away from playing the game I have loved since I was six years old," she told Saracens' website, external. "To finish my career by running out at the StoneX one last time, in a final against Harlequins no less, could not have been scripted any better. And to have found my way home to the club makes it even more special."

Saracens overpowered Bristol Bears 50-17 to go top of the early-season Prem table with their second win of the campaign. The hosts raced into a 24-0 lead after just 21 minutes through converted scores from Theo Dan, Nick Isiekwe and Max Malins and Owen Farrell's penalty. Nick Tompkins clinched a try bonus point and a 31-0 half-time lead before the Bears responded with the try of the game from Kieran Marmion.