Swords at ready for Quins fight with Sharks

NEXT week sees the launch of the Allianz Cup, a new womens’s competition that sits alongside the Premier 15s and gives clubs an opportunity to give their wider squad some game time during the international window.

The format sees the league split into two groups, with the top two teams from each going on to play-offs and eventually a cup final in late April.

Reigning Premier XVs champions Harlequins Women are determined to do the double this season.

Scrum-half Emma Swords told The Rugby Paper: “We’ve got very good depth of players and of course there will be some girls getting a run out for the first time this season, but we will be going out to win.”

Head coach Gerard Mullen has instilled a steely determination into his squad that saw Harlequins Women snatch the league title away from Saracens in a thrilling final at Kingsholm last May.

Swords, who re-joined Harlequins in the summer from Saracens is no stranger to winning mentalities having featured consistently for both teams in the Premier 15.

She believes that the league standard is improving which bodes well for the new competition.

Quins are currently fifth in the table, having lost to table-topping Bristol, and Exeter.

“We’ve seen a massive step up in standards across the whole league this season,” she says. “Top teams are being beaten by clubs who were in the bottom two last year. I don’t think any team wants to go into a cup competition and have any less ambition to win it just because the international players are away.”

Quins, in group one, kick off their cup competition away at DMP Durham Sharks on Saturday while Gloucester-Hartpury host Bristol Bears and Wasps have a bye week.

In group two, Sale Sharks are at home to Loughborough Lightning, Saracens travel to Worcester Warriors and Exeter Chiefs have the week off.