Summary

  • Gloucester-Hartpury beat Saracens 34-19 to win third straight Premiership Women's Rugby title at Saracens' StoneX Stadium

  • Sean Lynn's final match as head coach before taking charge of Wales women

  • Saracens led 19-15 at half-time through Jess Breach, a penalty try and Lotte Sharp but failed to score after the break

  • Kate Williams, Emma Sing and Mia Venner replied for the champions

  • Tries from player of the match Maud Muir, Neve Jones and Natasha Hunt put Gloucester-Hartpury in control in second half

Live Reporting

Mantej Mann

  1. Gloucester-Hartpury 5-19 Saracens

    Gloucester roll through the phases inside the Saracens 22 but the black wall stands firm for the moment.

  2. Gloucester-Hartpury 5-19 Saracens

    You have to feel this is a crucial point in the final. Saracens have built a healthy lead and Gloucester are down to 14 players.

    The next try feels quite important.

  3. 'Saracens sniff blood'

    Gloucester-Hartpury 5-19 Saracens

    Rachael Burford
    England World Cup winner on BBC iPlayer

    When Saracens sniff a bit of blood they really go after it.

    Marlie Packer, what a leader, just when the team needs a little bit extra she delivers. They pulled Gloucester-Hartpury from one side to the other.

  4. try

    Try - Gloucester-Hartpury 5-19 Saracens

    Lotte Sharp

    Saracens are taking control of this final.

    Marlie Packer carries hard before the ball is recycled and thrown wide for Lotte Sharp to cross in the corner.

    The conversion is missed but Sarries' lead stands at 14 points.

  5. 'Saracens' mentality is unforgiving'

    Gloucester 5-14 Saracens

    Rachael Burford
    England World Cup winner on BBC iPlayer

    That's a big blow for Gloucester-Hartpury to lose Natasha Hunt. It's not Hunt's job to be in the middle of that maul.

    That's what is so good about this Saracens team, they can be ruthless and their mentality is unforgiving.

  6. Sin-bin - Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury)

    Gloucester-Hartpury 5-14 Saracens

    Natasha Hunt is the guilty party as Gloucester concede the penalty try and she will spend the next 10 minutes in the sin bin.

    A double whammy for the reigning champions.

  7. try

    Penalty Try - Gloucester-Hartpury 5-14 Saracens

    Sarries extend their lead.

    The maul rolls towards the whitewash and Gloucester are penalised for dragging it down illegally.

    It's a seven-point return for the London club.

  8. Gloucester-Hartpury 5-7 Saracens

    Sarries have the chance to launch a strike move in midfield but Sophie Bridger's pass sails into touch.

    Let off for Gloucester.

  9. Gloucester-Hartpury 5-7 Saracens

    Well played Zoe Harrison.

    Gloucester kick wide but the Saracens fly-half does brilliantly to take the high ball and deny the Cherry and Whites a run-in.

  10. 'It's been end to end so far'

    Gloucester-Hartpury 5-7 Saracens

    Chris Peddy
    BBC Sport at StoneX Stadium

    What a start at the StoneX!

    Both teams have flown out of the blocks here, with Saracens responding brilliantly to going behind through a lightning quick burst from Jess Breach.

    The Circus fans in particular around the press box are in full voice for their team, with the sun shining in north London.

    It's been end to end so far.

  11. Gloucester-Hartpury 5-7 Saracens

    It's been a pulsating start at the StoneX as both sides have exchanged early tries.

    Gloucester are looking to regain the lead with a scrum deep inside Saracens territory.

  12. Gloucester-Hartpury 5-7 Saracens

    Rachael Burford
    England World Cup winner on BBC iPlayer

    What a response from Saracens. Jess Breach back to her best with her pace to burn.

  13. try

    Converted Try - Gloucester-Hartpury 5-7 Saracens

    Jess Breach (con Ella Wyrwas)

    Sarries hit back.

    Jess Breach shows all of her Test pedigree with a stunning solo finish.

    She spots the opportunity on the outside and then pins the ears back for the line.

    Ella Wyrwas adds the conversion as Sarries take the lead.

    Jess Breach scoresGetty Images

  14. Gloucester-Hartpury 5-0 Saracens

    Rachael Burford
    England World Cup winner on BBC iPlayer

    Just the start Gloucester-Hartpury would have wanted. The speed of the breakdown allowed them to play so quickly and Saracens could not get organised in defence.

  15. try

    Try - Gloucester-Hartpury 5-0 Saracens

    Kate Williams

    Gloucester take the lead.

    Mia Venner makes a clever break on the inside before freeing Kate Williams for a run-in.

    Emma Sing's conversion hits the upright but Gloucester have started brightly.

    Kate WilliamsGetty Images

  16. Gloucester-Hartpury 0-0 Saracens

    Emma Sing takes an early settler after a box-kick from Saracens.

    The Gloucester full-back leapt high to take a good catch and claim possession.

  17. Kick-off

    Gloucester-Hartpury 0-0 Saracens

    We are up and running in north London...

  18. All set

    Gloucester-Hartpury v Saracens (15:00 GMT)

    Here we go then, both sets of players have made their way out onto the StoneX turf.

    There's a decent crowd in attendance, estimated to be around 9,000.

    We're all set for the showpiece game of the Premiership Women's Rugby season...

  19. Remember Bloodgate?

    How a joke shop blood capsule unleashed a chain of events that shook rugby to its core.

    Check out our new podcast series all about ‘Bloodgate’ – the cheating scandal that rocked rugby union to its core.

    Presented by Ross Kemp, with a host of big names, it features new details and untold stories about the infamous Harlequins blood capsule plot and its murky aftermath…

    That’s Sport’s Strangest Crimes: Bloodgate on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0kycft3

  20. The last hurrah

    Gloucester-Hartpury v Saracens (15:00 GMT)

    When the final whistle rings out for Sunday's Premiership Women's Rugby final, win or lose, it will bring to a close a chapter in Gloucester-Hartpury's recent history.

    Head of rugby Sean Lynn is departing to take up the Wales women national role, having been a huge driving force in transforming the club into the dominant force in English women's domestic rugby.

    Five years ago they were a mid-table outfit. Now they are two-time PWR champions, chasing a record third straight title when they face Saracens on Sunday at the StoneX Stadium.

    "Credit to Lynny, he's just done absolute wonders for us here. He lets us be us, he says 'licence to inspire' and that's just about how can you be yourselves and how can you express yourself on the pitch," Gloucester-Hartpury co-captain Zoe Aldcroft said.

    Read more here.

    Sean LynnGetty Images