Harlequins Women 42 Leicester Tigers Women 17

There was victory in the Big Game for Harlequins, who go top of Premiership Women’s Rugby, with world player of the year Ellie Kildunne scoring two of their eight tries in their biggest win of the season, and their eighth in a row.

Leicester are in just their second PWR campaign and had won just one of eight games coming into this, but they certainly had the better start. Kildunne, arguably the game’s outstanding talent at the moment, loves a cowboy celebration and yet she had to watch as Leicester’s Meg Jones performed one after the opening try. Harlequins’ response was swift, their pack carrying well before Claudia Pena dove over in space to eat into Leicester’s lead.

Francesca McGhie, nominated for breakthrough player of the year in 2023, burst clear with one break to signal Leicester’s attacking intent. But Harlequins had more control and punished a Claire Gallagher slice by winning a penalty and sending it to the corner for their maul to go to work, finished off by hooker Connie Powell to put the hosts in front.

From there Harlequins motored clear. Kayleigh Powell, later named player of the match, took her try well – with Lagi Tuima adding her first conversion at the third attempt – before Jones start was sent to the sin-bin for killing the ball at the breakdown. Lisa Neumann was soon over to secure the bonus point after 32 minutes and, after Pena’s second score in the dying seconds of the first half, Harlequins led comfortably 27-7 at half-time.

Despite the deficit Leicester still threatened, with Gallagher making an excellent break, and a swerving run from Jones set up Emily Henrich’s try to bring the away side back into the game. Julia Omokhuale’s high tackle and subsequent yellow card hurt their momentum, however, and Harlequins hit back, with Cary Phillips finishing off a maul.

The only surprise by this point was that Kildunne had not scored, but then came Harlequins’ best try of the day, breaking from deep in their 22 with Kildunne, Neumann and Pena all combining brilliantly before the Spain international’s quality offload gave Kildunne a free run to the line.

Kildunne’s second try was all her own work, punishing a poor kick which missed touch by cutting infield and through some tired Leicester forwards, before stepping the last defender for a typically brilliant solo effort. It was a fitting final try from the in-form home side, who now sit top of the table.