The Power Pod (00:11.7) back and so is this roller coaster of a league as those bears just don't know when they're down and out. And news of their final game against Harlequins, well that is now going to be in front of the cameras. Yes we've a rearranged round to review after the playoff pistols at High Noon at Ashton Gate last weekend. Credit Joe Burns for that cracker of a lie.

It's a top four race that has left everyone on the edge of their seats, with only seven points separating number three to five from the standings. Yeah, we've all the permutations on who could end up where with special guest Rachel Burford, so leave it to us to do the working out because we've got Philip Patati at I'm Nick Heath and this is the Powerpond.

Phil, I feel like it's been a year since I've seen you. How are you? I know I missed our little regular morning interviews. I'm really good, thank you. You've been busy with the Six Nations. That's all I've got to say about that. How's your time? Yeah, okay. We're not talking Welsh Rugby then are we? Of course, Warren Gatland has gone this week. We've heard that from Wales. I mean, things can only improve, right?

Yeah, exactly right. And you know what? The amount of people are saying, well, Sean Lins just got in. Maybe he could do a job with the men. And to be fair, I could actually back him to do that. But I was like, hands off, hands off. He is the women's property. Yes, quite, quite right. Yes. No, well, glad that you've been enjoying yourself on the road. I was at Tuchinham at the weekend managing to step on loose paving slabs and splatter my lovely new shoes in mud. was that pre-event as well? Yeah, literally. I just got out of the taxi.

walking the 10 meters to the thing and then splash all over my trousers. So that was good. So they have gone through the washing machine. They've come out quite well, but they're stained for good. So that's great. We're all thrilled. Such a hard life. got mud on my shoes whilst I'm in hospitality at Twickenham. well, well, almost as bad as working every weekend.

The Power Pod (02:19.198) I was working, thank you very much. Although it's not very much that work. But anyway, but there we are. Look, we have got tons to get through because we've got a huge round 17 to look forward to. We'll touch on the games from the rearrange round. And and yeah, we'll we'll basically do our best to get everybody up to speed with where we need to be. Because ding a ling a ling ring the cliche bell. Business end of the season time, isn't it?

It is, but my gosh, how exciting it is. mean, literally, you're talking about the top four, but it's also, you know, the love for lightnings and the trail fire. Who, you know, every time I see the fixturists now, I'm looking at them and thinking, right, who are they going to trip up now? Who are they going to, you know, where's the scalp going to come from? So yeah, still loads of rugby to play and I can't wait to get into it. Yeah. All right then. We'll take us back to the weekend then to Ashton Gate, Phil.

All right. So Bristol Bears 45, Exeter Chiefs 17. These Bears have to be the most frustrating team for Dave Ward. I mean, one week they play like the West country all-stars and the next week they just look as if they don't belong together. It's bizarre, but let's focus on the good. And last weekend was good. And Alona Marbrace and...

King Davis hat trick coupled with relentless forward play that saw Abbie Ward and Keira Bevan all crossing the line to secure the Bears a convincing win. Exeter Chiefs did score three times, but they didn't manage to get that losing bonus point. No. And yeah, finally, Dave Ward has got a performance where he's not having to get to the end and go, okay, well, it's not quite.

We, you know, it's, it's our fault and it's on us and it's on me. so yeah, like Hacking Davis actually with, with that hat trick, 47 tries in the last three seasons. that is quite something, isn't it? Yeah. Isn't it just, I mean, it's testament to the way they play, it? That forward pack so strong, not to take anything away from her, but she's playing the best position. One of the best positions for, for Bristol Bears behind that pack. Yeah. Hit your ride on the back of that ball. you going to be all right?

The Power Pod (04:28.398) But yeah, 60 % possession for Bristol, seven tries. They need to be staying in this kind of stat area if they're going to get the job done this weekend. Yeah, absolutely. They need to just remember how good that felt. Remember that play and take it forward because like you say, it's not been the perfect season. We've seen some good, we've seen some bad, but yeah, if they play like that this weekend or continue to play like that for the rest of the tournament, look out. Yeah. Word for Hope Rogers, Maddie Fearnati for Exeter.

know, further strong performances, but yeah, they're just not, they're not quite turning that corner they need to.

they have got the big games coming and a lot on their plate over the next couple of weeks. So yes, interesting times for the Chiefs. We will come to all the permutations very shortly. But there was another game in our rearranged round. was Sail Sharks 20, Trail Finders 33 at the Corpac Haywood Road. Sail's last match was the win down in Sandy Park. They might have hoped to fare better at home to Trail Finders, but it wasn't to be. Three first half tries from the visitors as they led at halftime for Julia Schoen.

bagged a four-try bonus point with her second after the break. Abby Burton, one of the newer faces in that England training camp last month, also scoring as Barney Madison's side clocked up their fifth win of the season. Sale did manage their highest points tally of the season with 20 on the board as Ortiz, Jarrel and Scarlett Fielding scored tries as well. that is a decent little notch for them, but Trailfinders just managed it and got the win.

a little bit stronger there. Yeah, they did. But no, let's highlight that point tally for sale because it is coming towards the end of the season and being able to hang your hat on these things, know, the wind down in Exeter. Now they've scored the most amount of points. That's really positive for them towards the end of season. When you consider how little ball they had, literally Trail Finders dominated the territory. Any ball they had was just in their half. So very little attacking ball. And yet to still be able to score like that was good.

The Power Pod (06:30.508) And some of the forwards offloading play was really nice. You started to see them running that shoulder line rather than almost just preempting a carry and being sort of that one meter behind the player going over to be prepared to rock over. They were actually thinking a bit more of an attacking minds and getting on shoulders. So yeah, know, loss, but still points on the board. Good for them. Yeah, absolutely. And they were putting in that, putting in the defensive hits. Erika Jarrell got through 18 tackles more. When Atalyn got through 19,

So that was pretty decent. Ealing Trail Finders, Abby Burton, 18 carries, 31 meters, 14 tackles. That for me is work rate. That's the sort of stuff that we'll have John Mitchell purring along. And I mentioned for Kate Zachary, 15 carries, 42 meters, 17 tackles. Ditto on the work rate. You know what you're getting.

with Captain America. also there was just another stat I saw at the back of this one for season assists. We know Mo Hunt has been crawling back up the charts as she likes to top this one by the end of the season. But Katie Mattison actually for Trail Finders is leading the charge with 12. Mo is alongside Lucy Packer with 10 in second for our Stato friends. yeah, so those were the two games that took place last weekend. look, plenty now to digest as we look forward to round 17.

So we really are in the business end now, aren't we? Look, this has got to be one of the tightest battles for that top four league place that we've ever had before. And before we get into the matchups for round 17, shall we just hone in on what is going on for the race for the playoffs? Yeah, sure. mean, five into four doesn't go. And look, we know Gloucester and Harlequins have already qualified into the playoffs, but the rest wide open and...

Well, this weekend is going to have a huge bearing on it, mainly with Friday night's match at the Stoop. So who better to have had a chat with about that than Rachel Burford, former Harlequin, to see how she thinks it's all going to go. Well, actually, I think we need to hear this clip from you, Nick, because first of all, because we know you're not great in the morning. You look great. You look great. Thanks. I will accept that. I'll accept that. But this bit from your chat with Rachel is pretty good, I have to say.

The Power Pod (08:44.75) Oh, okay. Thank you. If Queens win with all five points, they go up to 60. So that's them, you know, before a ball is kicked in on Saturday between Sale and Gloucester-Harpry, then Queens would be top overnight. Obviously, if Bristol get five points against Queens, which I think is a tall ask, but as you say, both teams like to run and entertain. So they've just got to score four tries and be on the right side of the result, which is also feasible, I think. So Bristol could get themselves up to 54 points.

where Queen's would stay on 55. And then that starts to paint an interesting picture for Bristol Bears. mean, obviously we can look at things like a draw or, you know, Bristol could score four tries and finish within seven points of Queen's and get two points to get themselves up to 51. That would open up a five point gap between themselves and Exeter Chiefs. And, you know, let's just say it again. This is Bristol's last game of the season. This is their last shot.

for points in that table. they know, and Dave Ward knows, they have to try and get these five points no matter what. Yeah. And I think, you know, how often do we see really desperate teams do really special things? And you saw that last week, the desperation from Bristol. And I don't see or believe that it will drop off this week. And I really don't want to go against my old team of Harlequins, but I really think Bristol have a real high percentage of winning this game with five points.

Okay, interesting. mean, here on the PowerPod, we are used to giving team talks for teams. So Harlequins, they'll put this up on the changing room wall, Birfvig's gonna lose it. So I can see what you're doing here. You're just very secretly giving your old team the team talk to make sure they don't cock on it. It's very clever. Very clever, Birf. Great to chat to Rachel Birford. More grief coming the way of the PowerPod, no doubt. we'll let...

Berth take the heat this time from her old club. But yeah, we had a good old natter on that for over 10 minutes or so actually on that top four. So if you'd like to listen to that, please do find that as a little bonus extra this week. yeah, I did my best to sort of explain how that side of things is looking. let's get your take on things PT as to how this weekend is going to affect things. Well, if we're looking for, you know, the battle of the top four is really between Exeter and Bristol.

The Power Pod (11:06.562) And isn't it mad? How do you remember at the beginning of the season where Exeter just couldn't lose, right? They couldn't lose. were winning every game and you were at one of the games and you saw how livid Susie Aperby, I think it was against Gloucester, Hartbury, how she let them get the losing bonus point. And you're like, my gosh, like you're on this amazing winning running streak. Like, what does that matter? Isn't it mad? That's why they're head coaches because they know how important those finer details, no matter how much you're on this amazing run, anything could change, anything can happen. And now they've off the back of this big losing streak.

that one point, that could be huge. It's amazing that it's come down to these fine margins. Yeah, that's a really interesting point. Yeah, they've had eight try bonuses over the course of the season, two losing bonuses. mean, in terms of losing bonuses, that's actually the most that any of the other clubs have had. Gloucester, Saracens and Loughborough Trail Finers among them, just looking at the table. But yeah, it's a very good point. Every point matters, as we know, and it's funny, we get to end of the season, go, these games are so important, but you know.

Chiefs wouldn't be there if it hadn't been obviously for their amazing run at the start of the season. So, and we'll get into that in terms of the preview, but yeah, it's all about that Bristol game at Harlequins really. And then depending on what happens there, obviously Saracens take you on Exeter Chiefs. But look, we can look at the games in detail really, can't we? As we look at our round 17 preview, there is...

As we mentioned at the start and is no doubt out by now, a late change on the TV game. So Friday Night Lights in South West London as Harlequins host Bristol, it is going to be the game live on TNT Sports. Could it be Ilona Mars last PWR match? Because if it doesn't go the way of Bristol and other results do this weekend, then it will be. And then we've got three games on Saturday with Trail Finders, Saracens, Sail Sharks, all at home.

with the 5.30 kickoff, the other big top four factor with Exeter Chiefs going to North London. So much to get into. right. Let's kick it off with the big one. I'm so glad this is going to be on TV. This is just awesome. So on Friday, 14th of February, Queen's Veebris still bears. I wonder how many of them are going to get roses. I bet there's going be so many people in the crowd checking roses. Valentine's you mean? Yeah, sorry. It's Valentine's Day, isn't it? Yeah, of course.

The Power Pod (13:26.778) Well, maybe someone will come with one for me because I'm now reporting. And I've not done the reporting role for quite a long time. actually we've got Ashley Wilmot and Claire Thomas and I think Katie Daley-McLean is there. Amazing. So we've got three women in those roles and me in the reporter role. I think that's a sort of little gender switch of roles, which I'm all here for. And I don't know, it's happened before. Often, you know, traditionally in rugby, all of those roles would have been the other way around and I'm totally happy.

that it's this way round. yeah, I've got to learn how to take my notes and probably go to make up and have my hair done or something. Claire Thomas, think is waiting to see if I can take longer in the makeup chair than half of them. yes, anyway, carry on. us some detail for this one. I'm not jealous at all that you're going to be there. It's amazing. So, all right, a little bit of detail from Harlequins. Ellie Kildon.

scored another two tries in round 16. She scored nine in her last five appearances. She's also made a round high of 151 meters and beat eight defenders. Now that is what you call attacking style of rugby. Harlequins are the only team that have average ruck speed of below three seconds so far this season. And let's just, some people don't know why.

Why is three seconds so important? But that is the goal across the men's game, the women's game. You want the ball on the ground, but back up and into play within the count of three seconds. Why is that important? Because that only gives three seconds for the defenders to get on side, to look up and pick who they've got. And trust me as a defense, if you have to do that multiple times under three seconds,

there's a likelihood you're not going to look up and probably you're not going to say who you've got. And that's when it opens up. And that's when you can play some lovely attacking rugby because there's gaps. So just to give that three under three seconds is brilliant. Bristol Bears, Sarah Byrne made 16 carries into contact, which was top of round 16, 43 post contact meters also top, beat 11 defenders. mean, to be honest, that's quite slack for her.

The Power Pod (15:27.214) for a bit disappointed Sarah Burn. Where's the pirouette? Where's the double backflip? That's what I'm asking. Bristol Bears also beat the most defenders of 50. And remember guys, everything I'm saying now is round 16. So that was against Loughborough, not last round for the rearrange. We've had a curious little stat pack wrinkle this week where we've got all the stats through celebrating what the players did last round, which is round 16, but a load of them played at the weekend. Anyway, we've got ourselves tied in not having a

But look, that beating 50 is huge. I mean, that's the most in a single game so far this season, so I want to bring that out. But over the season, they are averaging the most amount of clean breaks of 9.1 and defenders beaten 32.7 per game this season. That is impressive.

Yes, top four level stuff, I think it's fair to say. There are over 5000 tickets sold for this one. The Bears, well, I certainly hope to give their faithful a Friday night Valentine's gift. Incidentally, that Keira Byrne, Keira Byrne? No, Sarah Byrne run that resulted in Keira Bevan's try. I mean, we know Sarah Byrne used to be a center. That was something else hitting the hole, but she was put through it.

by Amber Reed and Sarah Byrne after the game saying that Amber Reed probably deserved the player of the match. Byrne was outstanding. But one thing I noticed actually over the Bears socials, and I think if the power pod listeners can do anything about this, they were talking about, I saw an interview where Amber Reed was talking about the fact that once Bristol got their numbers and their names, particularly on the back of their shirt, that

Lucy Burgess got really emotional the very first time she saw a fan in the stands with her name on the back of her shirt, which is a lovely story. And then just sort of within the telling of the story, Amber Reed's just like, yeah, no one's worn my name and carries on. I hovered over buying a Bristol Bears shirt and personalizing it with the word read on the back, because I just thought I've got to turn up and surprise Amber Reed. Now,

The Power Pod (17:38.754) I'm not a Bristol Bears fan and it was going to cost about 80 quid to do it. And so I've, I've backed out. I mean, I thought about buying it and then giving it to a Bristol fan. But anyway, if anyone out there is a Bristol fan and can afford it, please, can you go and get Amber Reed's name on your back and turn up and surprise her because she's one of the best players in the world and she deserves that moment herself. So if that's not already, if that's not already happened, I hope someone who's a Bristol fan will do that with love from the Power Pod.

Because I think Amber Reid deserves it. Anyway, that's just a little one from me. No, she 100 % does. And in this game, you can just see how they've got that beautiful axis now between Holly Aitchison and Amber Reid and how much they intertwine. You you look at the stats pack and not often do you have your centres passing as much as your fly halves. But when you look at Bristol, they do because they intertwine so much. And it's just that relaxed nature of it.

broken play, which you're going to get at Bristol because they hold onto the ball so well. They play so much inevitably you're going to get broken play and to have someone of Amber Reade's not only sort of skill set and flair, but her composure. So she doesn't ever get panicked. She doesn't ever look flustered no matter what's going on in front of her. She's always calm. She's always cool. She just does what needs to be done. Yes. Now will Holly Aitchison still be there next season? Rumours are abound. Possibly not.

Might be headed a little further afield. Anyway, that's all I'll say for now. All right, let's go to the game on Saturday, 3 o'clock. Trail Finders against Leicester Tigers. This is 7th against 8th. This will be taking place at Valle's Way, of course. Trail Finders welcoming the Tigers in London, looking to better their conversion rate in the 22. I think it's fair to say around 16, they made 13 entries, average 1.3 points a visit. And for a team that loves ball and play converting.

these chances is going to be paramount. That again is a round 16 stat, not the one they played last weekend. But anyway, for Tigers, I mean, it's going to be about keeping Trail Finders out of the red zone. And boy do they love playing on that surface at home. They're going to need the likes of Charlotte Frey, who made the joint most tackles in round 16, which is pretty good with 20. Her tackle success is a whopping 95%. So she can keep up that standard if she can. It'll be very valuable for the Tigers.

The Power Pod (19:53.358) Trailfinders, they're going to look forward to being at home and running on that surface of theirs. Yeah, absolutely. Let's just give it a context. Well, to the Charlotte Frey tackle stars, this team defend a lot. Okay. Sometimes they can be skewed, can't they? And you can see that the best tacklers are actually ones in attacking teams which haven't lost all season. Well, they haven't defended that much. So their percentage is really high. Charlotte Frey has defended a lot. Tigers have been up against it. So to still have that...

Tackle Succesfully really is very, very impressive. Trail Finders, I'm loving their home vibe now. It's built, isn't it? Week on week. You can see the crowds. It's almost, dare I say it, becoming the new Sandy Park. that loud, know. there it is. Boom. But it's brilliant. You can see the crowds.

But it's great to see another team getting that much love and support, you know, in the home ground. And it's a great ground as well, hopefully for Trail Finders. know, Leicester Tigers won't enjoy playing there as much as Trail Finders do, but you've mentioned it before. met, well, so many times on this pod, said it's Trail Finders defense and, you know, by their own admission, that is something that they are trying to work on. We know what they can do in attack and we love it. And look, from a purely entertainment point of view,

I love the Trail Finders games because you know there's going to be tries on both sides and it's going to be entertaining rugby. But you feel almost now, you know, coming towards the end of season and you think about all the amazing games they've played and how they've played at times. And you think it's almost unjust that they're not in that top four, but that's the reality of the league. Yes, you can score, but you can't concede so many. it's finding that kind of sweet spot because you've got like Bristol Bears, they've scored the most amount of tries.

yet they're still fighting for top four because they've conceded. Whereas you look at Exeter, they've conceded very few, but they've also scored fewer. So you've to go somewhere in the middle and Gloucester-Harprey have got it pretty much perfect. Their third for the most amount of tries scored a 75, but they've only conceded 40. Right, Trail Fighters have scored 67, but they've conceded 65. So that's where they are in the league, where they are, so to speak. it's finding that middle ground of being able to score, but also being able to keep teams out and.

The Power Pod (22:05.934) That's just something that, you know, if they continue like this for next season, they can shore up and they will be top four contenders next year. Absolutely. Oh, there we go. Putting it right out there. And yes, you know, speaking of Gloucester, mean, Leicester Tigers, that was their last game. Jones made the most carries for them with 16, made the most offloads. So, so yes, good luck to Leicester Tigers on their way to Trail Finders playing their last home game of the season.

All right, over to the Stone X. Okay. So on Saturday at 5.30 PM, we've got Saracens against Exeter Chiefs. This is the other headline fixture of the weekend there with Saracens with their four wins in five against the Chiefs side who have won one in their last six. It's just madness. know it's just madness. For Saracens, May Campbell's hat trick last round took her to 15 tries in 14 appearances this season. I'm just going to put it out there. She won the most valuable players.

in the PWR, like she ticks every box. She's just been brilliant this year. Saris conceded 13 turnovers in round 16, the second fewest, but conceded the most penalties of 12. Discipline needs to be tight for Alex Osterbriesside. For Chiefs, Rachel Johnson was flying when it came into dominant carries post-contact meters against Queens, but those numbers shot down against Bristol last weekend, which isn't a surprise when Chiefs only had 40 % of the possession.

Madi Finarte made 25 tackles against Bristol, which is unreal. And she was carrying, she was just everywhere. Dorothy Wall made 19, but Chiefs made just three line breaks in that game at Ashton Gates. They were just starved of any opportunity from Bristol's incredible discipline. They only gave away four penalties. So if Sarrius can stay on the right side of the ref, Chiefs might struggle. Yeah. I think that's what it comes down to in this one.

You know, it's Chiefs, you you mentioned earlier, Chiefs at the start of the season, we talked about, you you concede penalties, they kick down, they get into your 22, they have a line out, they score, you know, whether it's whether it's catch and drive, whether it's, you know, punching through the middle, getting getting to the wide outside. And it seems that if you're playing against a team like they were against Bristol, who actually kept really squeaky clean, four penalties all game is a really, really impressive record. Then they're struggling to find a way into the game incredibly. So

The Power Pod (24:30.636) Yeah, I think Alex Osterbury has got to read the right act to his team. No more conceding penalties in double figures and stick to the task. And I think if they do that, Chiefs have got to try and find another way to score. Yeah, absolutely. And I think it was the way that Bristol held on to the ball because Chiefs will normally get those penalties by grinding you down. They hold on, they play, they play, they play. Someone panics, thinks I've got to go in for that quick turnover. They get caught off their feet or whatever penalty. Boom, that's where next to go. But the fact that Bristol...

kept the ball so well that limited the opportunity almost for them to give away the penalties. So yeah, a of a blueprint there for Alex Losterbree. Yeah, absolutely. Okay. Saturday then seven o'clock, Sail Sharks are at home. They're in ninth of course. They're against the champions at the top, Gloucester Hartbury.

And well, after scoring their season high 20 points against Trail Finders, the Sharks can be forgiven for assuming they might not be so lucky against the defending champions on Saturday evening. Coaches talk about controlling the controllables, don't they? Sail Sharks, they've averaged the most penalties and turnovers conceded per game so far this season. So that has to improve. And in Beatrice Regoni, they have a brilliant one-on-one stripper. And I'm quite aware of how that sounds. She has won.

the third most turnovers in the squad, which is 12. And that's included five one-on-one strips. So excellent work from the Italian. Good form to be showing as the Women's Six Nations tick tocks around the corner. And for the circus, they have the most dominant carries and dominant tackles of the season. So that basically tells me they've got what it counts, both sides of the ball, Yeah, yeah. Look, this is a really tough game to finish on, but last game for sale at home. So...

I'd just be saying, you got nothing to lose. You got absolutely nothing to lose. You've gone and been an Exeter, unbelievable. You've then gone and scored the most amount of points you ever have this season. Brilliant. Now just throw everything at them. It's going to be tough. And I can imagine you're going to see a very composed Hartbury performance. They're probably going to kick long for territory, try and pin sale back, try and get them to play out. Sometimes they can overplay just because they're not always used to having, you know, the possession. think Hartbury are just going to back off.

The Power Pod (26:44.526) You're not going to see them rushing up too much. They're just going to stay connected in defence. But like I say, back to sale, nothing to lose guys. Just go for it. Get some points on the board, put some big shots in, finish your season on the high. There we go. Phil with the team talk. Good. Your predictions then, because we kind of chatted it through with Rachel Burford. Those are the fixtures then for that top four. Queen's against Bristol Friday night. Are you in agreement with Rachel Burford that actually Bristol

are on this role and they've got to get what they've got to get last game, all of that. Where you going? I can't disagree with everything Birff said about Bristol. Absolutely. But I also can't ignore Harlequins on a Friday night under the lights at home on TV. I you remember the last time when they played a Twickenham when they were on TV. Harlequins were unbelievable. It's also, it's a cracking Friday night there. Certainly when the men have played on Friday night with the lights, everything else like that. I'm delighted that the women are going to get this chance. Yeah.

Absolutely, but key for me is Alex Callender and Jade Conchall Roberts. They've both been out the past two rounds and you can see it. I'm really hoping they're, I guess they had knocks. I think maybe Alex Callender had a head knock, but I'm really hoping now they are rested and back in because honestly, if those two names aren't on the sheet, I'll say Bristol. If they're on, I'll say Harlequins. That's how much I think they can affect it, genuine.

I love a qualified decision like that. That's excellent. But I also managed to stay on the fence. Do you like how I did that? it's very good. She's not a first rodeo. That's good. Okay, so if Bristol get it and then obviously, you know, that's a four point winner or five point winner you're saying?

I I guess if they're winning, they're getting five points, are they? Because they score tries, they score tries. Yeah, yeah, do they? I don't know. I just think that's really bulgey. I can see either winning, but either winning by four tries, that's gutsy. So no, I'm going to back off and say either one could win, but it would only be four. All right. Well, you know, what then leaves the door open for Exeter Chiefs, who obviously have two games in which to get their points this season?

The Power Pod (28:52.814) And yeah, oh, it's all gonna come down to the wire. There we are. All right, well, the table is Gloucester-Harprey 58, Harlequins 55, Saracens 53, Bristol Bears 49, Exeter Chiefs 46. And then we do drop down 12 points, so Loughborough on 34, Trailfinders 32, Tigers on 12, and Sailsharks on four.

So enjoy whatever game you are going to go and take in this weekend, including perhaps that Friday night TV game. for the power line, once again, it was wonderful to hear from Rob Smith. Thank you, Rob, for getting in touch on the Chiefs exploits, really. Here's a little bit of what Rob had to say. Congratulations, Bristol. That's the sort of form that got them to the final last season.

we were expecting to see more of this season. And I suspect if they take that form to the stoop, they're going to do something very similar against Queen's. So that means Chiefs really have to get the win at the stonex, which is easier said than done. But if they can capture some of the old form that dismantled Saracens earlier in the season, then it's certainly doable. Yes, I think as we've kind of said on this episode, Philippa, it's all about them finding that form from earlier in the season if they're going to do any kind of job.

And then we had this other message from Mikolaj who we've heard from this season. This I love because we covered the announcement of the teams in Women's Elite Rugby in the USA, including a team like the Bay Breakers. Well, let's hand over to Mikolaj and hear the point he's making. Hello, PiratePod. US domestic rugby league looks really interesting. We can discuss team names and logos, but teams descriptions are worth to check on the website. For example, Bay Breakers.

Bay Area is represented by crashing and relentless waves. Harnessing the power of ocean waves, the breakers team will look to break tackles, the spirit of their opponents, records on the pitch and barriers as women in the game of rugby. How cool is that? It's hard to find on English club's website information why tigers are tigers or bears are bears. Some new fans might be interested in meaning and origin of the club they support. Cheers! I absolutely love-

The Power Pod (31:06.03) I love that. Why are the bears the bears and tigers the tigers? Now I know that these have come from men's clubs, you know, they're obviously WER have gone to lengths of some lovely marketing collateral, some meaning behind the names like Baybreakers and what have you. So I think he raises a nice point. Why are you bears? Are there bears in Bristol? I was one of the first things Alona Marr asked, didn't she? Are there actually bears in Bristol? That's a great

question, let's put it to the media teams and find out where is the very, very tenuous link between Bristol and Bears. Yeah, I wonder if anybody has that answer. Okay, thank you very much for getting in touch on the Powerline 078080716219. If you want to get in touch, we would love to hear from you, particularly as you're leaving games this coming weekend. Right, one question. Do you remember about seven years ago, we had Katana Howard

asking a question to Tess Fury. It took us a while, but we got there. Here is Tess Fury answering Katana Howard's one question. Hi Powerpods, Tess Fury here. I would like to thank Katana Howard for my one question. My answer is my favorite place I have traveled is New Zealand because it was absolutely beautiful and they really appreciate your rugby. So for my one question, I'd like to nominate Lucy Nye from Exeter Chiefs.

My question is, if you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? There we go. A lovely, lovely message from Tess. It was also sent as a video as well, so we could pop that out on our socials perhaps. Thank you, Tess. Thank you, Tess, for stepping up in a multimedia fashion. But yes, best place you travel, New Zealand. And a question there for Lucy Nye at Chiefs. So we shall try and not make it another seven years until we follow up on that.

OK, bit of any other business. We've had the England Under 20s Women's Squad announced. Of LJ Lewis, Sarah McKenna in the coaching seats there. Lucy Kaladyn of Loughborough is going to camp in the side squads. Eleven cat players before from last year. And look, they're going to be returning to Bishop Abbey to get together. They've got a three day camp at the end of March.

The Power Pod (33:20.654) and then there are going to be some upcoming fixtures for them. But a few of those notable players, Ella Cromack for Queen's is in there, Millie David, Sophie Hopkins from Sale, Millie Hyatt from Gloucester-Harprey, Amelia MacDougall of course, who has the number 10 shirt at Sarri's when Zoe Harrison is not there, Carmela Moral at Loughborough, and Sarah Parry's been called up, which I am delighted to hear because I think she's been brilliant for Harlequins over the course of the season.

Amelia Williams as well. yeah, it's good to see that these players are getting picked out and put in that pathway. Yeah, look, it's just testament that this is part of the pathway now, isn't it? The PWR, whether it's league or it's the power-up league as well, that these girls are getting such valuable experience playing with seasons internationals. Look out for them in the under-20s competition. Brilliant for them. Yeah, good stuff.

We touched on the possible coaches may go around. Yeah, we're getting a little more rumour in on that. So are there going to be two or three gentlemen going further north to maybe work together? There's more rumour for you. There, good. I can't fully break any confidences of rumours, can I? Because that's just rude. So I'm just doing lots of hinting basically.

Now the other bit of any other business, have you got your tickets for our live pod? Are you going to the PWR final? If you are, then we would love to see you there because we are doing the ultimate final live show. You can join us and the good, scars, the rugby who are powered by Vodafone for a live show at the stone next to the PWR final. There's going to be Elmer Smith. There'll be me. There'll be Phil. There'll be Katie Daly McLean and a bit of Meg Jones.

So, come and chat with us live. It's not going to be a recorded one. We'll be there having some fun. We can do some photos, whatever else you like. So, we would love to see you there. There will be a link in the bio of our Instagram, and we'll do our best to put the link in also the podcast description as well. So, there we go.

The Power Pod (35:25.198) It's going to be fun, right, Phil? Oh, I can't wait. It's going to be up. Just, mean, obviously for the rugby, but equally the show before, I just think it's brilliant that we can collab like this. I've done one actually last year with the Good Disguise of the Rugby in Wales. went to the Walkabout and we were battling between the noise of the drag acts.

who were fantastic, by the way. But it's just such a brilliant atmosphere. It's lovely to be able to give that build up, you know, just give a little bit, maybe more insight to the players, the competition, and really just, you know, hamper it up to the occasion that it deserves to be. So yeah, I can't wait for the final. Super. All right. It is time, Philippa, to ask for for Piti's power play. this was a good one. So Bristol against Exeter. And this was Alona's second try.

but I'm not going to talk too much about Alon Amar. It's the buildup as ever that led to this. So this was Bristol Bears DNA. And I just loved in a clip of 10, 15 seconds, you're like, that is Bristol. That is what they do. And I dare say, Dave Ward, just show this on repeat before they go and play Harlequins. Cause if they do this, they will win this game. So Sarah Byrne on the carry, course, beautiful clear out. She makes like 20 meters, not quite, but for the story I'll say that. She makes meters.

Kira Bevan, the ball might as well have been placed on like a red velvet cushion for her. was just there, you know? So when she comes whips that ball away, super fast speed. And you know, we talked about the Holly Aitchison Amber Reed axis. So Amber Reed appears in at 10. There's a short line runner. goes out the back to Holly Aitchison. And this is where the magic happens. Now.

It's, this is all on the YouTube highlights from the PWR. So please go and have a look at this, but watch this try in slow mo because if you watch it in slow mo from the time the ball goes from Keira Bevan to Amber Reed to Holly Aitchison, the speed and the width forces the defenders to turn their hips because they've got to try and cover the ground. The ball has gone so quickly. They're panicking. Everyone's hips have gone. Their shoulders have gone and they're chasing towards the winger. Now in that split second, Holly Aitchison, if she passes that ball, she's given the defense an easy ride.

The Power Pod (37:28.258) She's like, yep, continue on defenders, keep going that way and go and smash Alonema the winger into the touch line. So she in a split second throws a beautiful dummy, a stutter step, so the outside defender thinks the ball's gone and shoots up. She's out of the game, she's gone. And then because she puts that stutter step, she fixes the defender in front of her. That's two defenders in a split second action that she has taken out of the game.

And then the cherry on top is this beautiful 20 meter fizzing fast pass to the winger, which, know, Alonemar still had work to do, but it bought her that valuable time and took two defenders out. So it's, it's obviously a team try, but I do want to highlight Holly Aitchison skills and that beautiful access between Amber Reid and Holly Aitchison to bring out the best of everyone. So my power play, second try, Alonemar, Bristol Bears against Exeter, go back and watch in slow-mo. Very good. We love it.

And I think even Elona Mar on her socials was just like finishing off this drive, but I'm nowhere without you, Holly Aitchison. So yeah, she was giving due credit. Excellent. Love that. Right. Where were you this weekend then? This weekend? Oh, weekend off. Yeah. So I did Paris. I did Rome last weekend, which was fantastic. But no, weekend off now full of kids clubs. Lovely. She gets into me about skiing.

Rome, just been to Paris, mean come on, the double standards! Work, work, work, work! I'm very own Rihanna. Good!

There we are. Well, that is another episode of the Powerpuff. We hope you have enjoyed it. Do keep in touch with us, as I've said. Also, do go and check out my chat with Rachel Berff. It was brilliant to spend some time with her. We're hoping that she's going to be back ahead of the final for us to have a bit of a chat about perhaps our 15 of the season across the PWR. That is no doubt going to cause some debate. But in the meantime, have a wonderful weekend, whichever games you're going to go and see. If you are tuning in on Friday.

The Power Pod (39:28.126) Let's see if I can play the role of reporter. That'll be fun. Live on TNT Sports. And we will catch up with you next week after round 17. For now from us, it's Cheerio. Bye. Enjoy the weekend. The Power Pod is a level production produced by Caleb Matombo.