Trailfinders set up Saracens final after stunning upset ends Gloucester’s reign

• Trailfinders shock defending champions 29-26

• Saracens beat Exeter 40-38 to spark title hopes

Saracens will avoid their bogey team, Gloucester-Hartpury, in the Premiership Women’s Rugby final after Ealing Trailfinders sensationally knocked out the three-time defending champions. The 29-26 result is one of the biggest upsets in PWR history as Gloucester have won the last three titles but an injury-hit squad and a recent run of disappointing performances sealed the end of their dominance in the top flight and gave Saracens their ideal outcome.

Sarries, who defeated Exeter 40-38 in their semi-final, are within one game of a fourth PWR title but they had a far from convincing win at home with Exeter giving them a scare as the visitors were leading until the 75th minute. Saracens will play Trailfinders in the final on 28 June, a side they have never lost to, unlike their recent poor record against Gloucester. The West Country side inflicted Saracens’ only two losses in the league this season and they also defeated them in last year’s final at the Stone X Stadium.