Five things about new Premiership Women's season

England internationals Zoe Aldcroft (left) and Natasha Hunt (right) helped Gloucester-Hartpury win last year's title

The Premiership Women's Rugby season gets under way on Saturday, with Gloucester-Hartpury aiming to win a record-breaking third consecutive title.

A big question for the opening rounds is which of the nine sides will manage best while their international stars are away at the WXV tournaments?

We will also discover if the likes of Sale and Leicester can improve their results after being cast adrift at the bottom of the table by the end of the last campaign.

And it will be fascinating to see what impact this being the final season before next year's World Cup in England has on the fortunes of the league's nine teams.

Gloucester hunt the treble

Gloucester-Hartpury mounted an impressive comeback in last season's final to beat Bristol Bears 36-24 and become back-to-back Premiership champions.

With much of their first XV squad unchanged, they will be one of the favourites again as Sean Lynn's side look to win an unprecedented third title in a row.

That will no doubt inspire former champions Saracens, who missed out on the chance of a hat-trick of their own when the 2019-2020 season was abandoned because of Covid.

With England captain Marlie Packer and prolific wing Jess Breach among their stars, Sarries will be determined to make up for the disappointment of losing to Bristol in last season's play-off semi-finals.

Bristol have had several seasons of frustration but if they can find consistency it might finally lead them to the title. The signing of Scotland international Emma Orr to team up with new England cap Phoebe Murray in the centres looks a shrewd piece of recruitment.

However, every side will believe they are a top-four side this season and the league should be as competitive as ever.

Short and intense season

Rugby seasons can sometimes feel like a marathon, but this one is certainly more like an 800m race and will test the sides' strength in depth.

The league has agreed to play the entire campaign from October to March in a bid to help England win their home World Cup next September.

While the concept is admirable, it will put pressure on the teams.

Not only are numerous internationals away at WXV for the next two weekends, many players remain amateur or combine playing rugby with demanding day jobs. Their work-life balance will be tested.

With the league season over in March, Red Roses players will have their mandatory rest period following the conclusion of the 2025 Women's Six Nations on 26 April, before entering the England camp for the World Cup starting on 22 August.

Dual-career players celebrated

Clearly PWR bosses knew that the women at the coalface of this campaign would be those dual-career and amateur athletes, and they sought to celebrate them.

Their new #PoweredDifferently campaign focuses on the doctors, teachers and tattoo artists that the league relies on.

The campaign has split opinion, with some wanting to see women showcased as elite athletes, while others are applauding the sustainable approach the league is promoting to help secure its future.

International stars heading to PWR

United States centre Alev Kelter scored two tries in a WXV1 defeat by England

Once WXV finishes on 13 October, it will not just be England stars that flood back into the league. The PWR remains the highest level of regular domestic competition in the world, attracting the best female players.

United States centre Alev Kelter, an Olympic sevens bronze medallist in Paris, has signed for Loughborough Lightning. She is a player worth the ticket purchase alone.

Saracens have done some excellent recruitment, including the Canadian trio of Fancy Bermudez, Alysha Corrigan and Gabby Senft, while Harlequins snapped up the services of Wales flanker Alex Callender.

At Exeter Chiefs, the arrival of Zara Feaunati, younger sister of England flanker Maddie, will be one to watch, while Liv McGoverne, a gifted utility back who impressed during the 2022-23 season, returns to the squad from New Zealand.

Coaching changes

For a nine-club league, a 33% change in head coaches feels like a lot. It could also make some feel uncomfortable that the changes are three women leaving their roles and three men taking over.

Giselle Mather left Ealing Trailfinders under mutual agreement and will now lead the GB sevens set-up. Her replacement is Barney Maddison, who faces the challenge of keeping together a squad that will be loyal to Mather.

Leicester Tigers, who last year only managed two wins in their debut Premiership campaign, parted company with ex-Red Roses player Vicky Macqueen and have promoted Tom Hudson to lead them in 2024-25.

With Amy Turner becoming pathway coach for the men's side, Harlequins have moved Ross Chisholm into the role of women's head coach from his previous position of attack and transition coach.

All the changes leave Susie Appleby at Exeter Chiefs and Rachel Taylor of Sale Sharks as the two remaining women in change of PWR sides.