Exeter Chiefs have secured a Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) semi-final showdown against Saracens on 13 June, driven by a dominant performance from England international Claudia Moloney-MacDonald. Moloney-MacDonald scored four tries in Exeter’s 50-24 victory over Sale, bringing her season tally to 14 scores and cementing the club’s momentum heading into the playoffs.
How Exeter Chiefs Built Playoff Momentum
Exeter’s path to the semi-finals was confirmed at a windy Sandy Park, where they played before a season-high crowd of 2,543 fans. According to match reports, the hosts overcame a bright start from Sale to secure a 24-12 half-time lead. The victory was punctuated by milestone moments, including scrum-half Flo Robinson becoming only the fourth women’s player to reach 100 appearances for the club.
The 30-year-old Moloney-MacDonald, who previously scored two tries against Bristol, credited the squad’s collective focus for the result. “We went out there today to try and put out a performance to build momentum into a semi-final and that is exactly what we did,” she said. Exeter will now travel to StoneX Stadium to face a Saracens side that finished their regular season with a resounding 80-14 win over Ealing Trailfinders.
Exeter’s semi-final opponent, Saracens, maintained a solid second-place position throughout the regular season, while the other semi-final will feature three-time defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury against Ealing Trailfinders.
Why the Premiership Women’s Rugby Landscape is Shifting
The league is seeing significant personnel movement as clubs prepare for the next campaign. Sale, despite finishing this season with their best league table result since 2022/23, is already restructuring its squad. The northern club has confirmed the signings of England internationals Zoe Stratford, Tatyana Heard, and Sarah Beckett from Gloucester for next season.
The competitive balance remains fluid. While Gloucester-Hartpury finished at the top of the table, Ealing Trailfinders recently demonstrated that the hierarchy can be challenged, having ended Gloucester’s unbeaten run that stretched back to November 2024. Meanwhile, the search for talent continues; England’s Ellie Kildunne remains a high-profile free agent following her departure from Harlequins, with her next destination yet to be confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will Exeter Chiefs play in the PWR semi-final?
Exeter will face Saracens at the StoneX Stadium on 13 June.
How many tries did Claudia Moloney-MacDonald score against Sale?
Moloney-MacDonald scored four tries in the 50-24 victory, taking her total for the current season to 14.
Which teams are competing in the other semi-final?
The second semi-final features Gloucester-Hartpury and Ealing Trailfinders.
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