Ben Jaycock and Bluebell Nicholls select The Rugby Paper’s Premiership Women’s Rugby 2025-26 team of the season
EIGHT of the nine teams are represented in this season’s Dream Team which highlights the quality spread across the league, as well as illustrating how competitive the campaign proved to be.
Today will see a new finalist in Trailfinders, and England captain Meg Jones has earned her place, while their opponents Saracens possess three inclusions in hooker May Campbell, the PWR player of the season Olivia Apps and metronomic goal kicker Zoe Harrison.
Loughborough Lightning finished sixth but secured the most involvements with four as prop Amelia Williams, the latest Red Roses’ promising young gun Haniela Lutui, centre Carmela Morrall and the freescoring Bo Westcombe-Evans all showing outstanding form.
Table toppers Gloucester-Hartpury’s season went up in flames in the playoffs, as they suffered a shock semi-final defeat to Trail-finders but that hasn’t stopped the Cherry and Whites from having three players involved with England prop star Maud Muir, Ireland second row Sam Monaghan and Red Roses fullback Emma Sing making the cut for the former three-time reigning champions.
There are solitary selections for Sale Sharks, Exeter Chiefs, Harlequins, Bristol Bears and Trailfinders, with only winless basement outfit Leicester Tigers failing to make the cut.
Saracens dominated the points scoring with a whopping 781 and including 119 tries, but their opponents this afternoon Trailfinders have made the most tackles (3587) and have the highest success rate (81 per cent).
A whopping 10 of the 15 players are England internationals, showing off John Mitchell’s all-conquering side’s dominance, but the league’s diversity is shown through players from Ireland (Monaghan and Aoife Wafer) and Canada (Olivia Apps).
Mitchell’s embarrassment of riches is shown by those two uncapped but English-qualified players: Amelia Williams and Carmela Morrall, having already played Red Roses age-grade rugby with the U21s and therefore knocking on the door of the senior setup.
15. Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Sing was outstanding from the back as Gloucester-Hartpury won their first 14 games. The full-back scored 107 points, excelled under the high ball and continued her outstanding form at international level with England. Ellie Kildunne continues to be an electrifying counter-attacker dominating matches with pace, vision and brilliance throughout, and Harlequins’ loss is Bristol’s gain.
14. Bo Westcombe-Evans (Loughborough Lightning)
Westcombe-Evans signed off her Lightning career in style, scoring 10 tries in 15 matches to earn an England recall. Her four-try display against Leicester on her milestone 50th club appearance perfectly encapsulated her clinical finishing ability. Elsewhere, Gloucester-Hartpury’s Mia Venner showcased blistering pace and scoring prowess with 12 touchdowns.
13. Meg Jones (Trailfinders)
The Red Roses captain will look to bolster a stellar year with a PWR trophy, assisting Trailfinders to their first PWR final. Pace, flair and great on big occasions, Jones has delivered box office stuff all season, and only seems to improve with time. We still don’t know where the limit is. Claudia Peña for Harlequins was also superb, earning a PWR Player of the Season nomination at the Rugby Awards.
12. Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning)
Morrall achieved the third highest carries in the PWR, and the most for a back. Cemented herself at 12 in African violet, she started every match in the PWR. A Red Roses training call up came, as did a nomination for Breakthrough Player of the Season at the Rugby Awards. Just finished her fifth season at Loughborough and is thriving. Sarah Parry (Harlequins) and Sophie Bridger (Saracens) were also exceptional young centres this season.
11. Millie David (Bristol Bears)
David enjoyed a breakout campaign, earning her first Red Roses call-up after starring for Bristol. The winger’s devastating finishing was highlighted by a four-try haul against Leicester, confirming her place among the league’s most exciting attacking talents. Joint top try-scorer Rhona Lloyd (12) finished clinically for Sale all season long.
10. Zoe Harrison (Saracens):
Harrison orchestrated Saracens superbly throughout their run to the final. She finished with 156 points – 42 clear of second place in the scoring charts, 12 try assists and almost 7,000 kicking metres, controlling matches with her excep- tional tactical kicking and game management. Creative playmaker Helena Rowland sparked Lightning’s attack through a consistent elite kicking game.
9. Olivia Apps (Saracens)
Apps transformed Saracens following her move from sevens, earning the PWR Player of the Season award. The scrum-half scored 11 tries, made 20 clean breaks and ran for 792 metres, bringing pace and creativity to the league’s most dangerous attack. Intelligent scrum-half Natasha Hunt orchestrated Gloucester-Hartpury’s attack with clever distribution throughout the season.
1. Amelia Williams (Loughborough Lightning)
Williams was a standout performer despite Lightning’s difficult season, earning the club’s Player of the Season award from supporters. The loose-head also claimed her 11th England U21 cap, while her stunning coast-to-coast solo try against Harlequins was one of the most memorable moments of the campaign. Exeter’s Hope Rogers dominated scrums, while consistency leading front row turnovers.
2. May Campbell (Saracens)
Campbell cemented her status as the league’s leading hooker, earning official Team of the Season honours after helping Saracens reach the final. She finished with 12 tries, 157 tackles and 97 successful lineout throws, combining relentless work-rate with clinical finishing from the driving maul. Bristol’s Lark Atkin-Davies challenged Campbell with outstanding lineout accuracy and driving-maul excellence throughout.
3. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Muir continued to establish herself among the game’s elite tight-heads, carrying 121 times, beating 31 defenders and making 116 tackles. Her outstanding campaign earned a Player of the Year nomination and a contract extension as Gloucester-Hartpury again challenged for honours. Sarah Bern of Bristol Bears returned brilliantly from injury dominating scrums and produced powerful carries weekly.
4. Sam Monaghan (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Back to her brilliant best after ACL surgery, Monaghan was a commanding presence in the second row. She made 175 tackles, won 44 lineouts and stole 10 opposition throws, providing the leadership and physicality that underpinned Gloucester-Hartpury’s success. Alana Borland was a key Trailfinders lineout leader powering a historic final charge.
5. Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks)
Talling was the cornerstone of
Sale’s impressive forward pack, helping them boast the league’s best lineout while playing a key role in their late-season surge. Her consistency, versatility and set-piece excellence earned widespread recognition throughout the campaign. Rachel Malcolm was a defensive rock for Loughborough Lightning missing only four tackles all season.
6. Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning)
Lutui announced herself as one of English rugby’s brightest young forwards with a superb breakthrough season. The dynamic No.8 amassed 247 carries, 556 metres and 165 tackles, earning nominations for Breakthrough Player of the Season and the RPA Under-23 Team. Her Loughborough team-mate Daisy Hibbert-Jones seamlessly marshalled her forward pack throughout the year.
7. Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs)
The Exeter Chiefs flanker has been relentless, aiding their return to the PWR playoffs. PWR’s top tackler (275), and unstoppable in attack with 10 tries. Allen was awarded the Players’ Player and Young Player of the Year for Chiefs in 25/26 for a brilliant year. One to watch for the Red Roses surely. Sadia Kabeya of Loughborough Lightning also deserves a nod. An MBE secured and 11 tries scored in just 13 appearances. World Class.
8. Aoife Wafer (Harlequins)
Wafer transferred her outstanding international form into the PWR with ease, scoring seven tries in just 10 appearances. Fresh from retaining the Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship award, she remained one of the competition’s most destructive all-round forwards. Trailfinders’ Abi Burton was a dominant physical presence at the base of the scrum.
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