This year was the inaugural season of Premiership Women’s Rugby, the phoenix that rose from the ashes of Premier 15s and continues the growth and development of elite women’s club rugby in England.
The rebrand heralded a changing of the guard on the pitch as new names stepped up, fresh faces adorned social media posts and advertising hoardings, while we have seen veteran players hang up their boots.
Nowhere is this more obvious than in leafy Twickenham, as Harlequins Women announced a spate of retirements, among them a notable trio who have formed the nucleus of the team for much of its existence.
Rachael Burford has been a key component of Quins’ successes. Possessing the sort of passing ability that has commentators rushing for superlatives, as well as a natural aura of leadership, when she was at 12 and guiding her team they were often unbeatable.
Burford has also done …