Gloucester-Hartpury women will make history when they take on Wasps in the first ever double header with the replica men’s fixture.

Following on from the Gallagher Premiership fixture the Tyrells Premier 15s match kicks off at 5.30pm at Kingsholm.

Talking about the momentous occasion head coach Susie Appleby said: “It’s huge. We’ve waited a long time (to play at Kingsholm again), since March last year on that snowy weekend where we played Quins which was a massive win for us.

“The girls have been excited to get on, but this is history making really as it’s the first time in the Tyrells Prem the women’s match and the men's fixture have done a double header. So, it’s a massive day for the club.”

Gloucester-Hartpury Women v Harlequins Ladies at Kingsholm Stadium - Tatyana Heard gains possession
Tatyana Heard in action for Gloucester-Hartpury in last year's game at Kingsholm

Loss would end season early

With the season now just two games from ending, Gloucester-Hartpury must win to keep their play-off hopes alive with Wasps currently occupying fourth spot, two points ahead of them.

 Appleby said: “Wasps and ourselves are very similar teams in our make-up and how we play.

“It’s the same in table really, they’ve had their disappointments and their big wins and so have we. They’re sitting two points ahead of us so it’s winner takes all.

“We must get a win on Saturday, and it’ll put us in a good position. We still have to go to Quins and do a job, but it’ll give us a lot of confidence. Equally if they take the win that’s it for us, it’s huge really. We can’t underestimate how big this game is.”

Six Nations Grand Slam huge for attracting crowd

With England’s women side securing the Grand Slam in the Six Nations the former England star is hopeful that it will help to attract more supporters to stay and watch following the conclusion of the men’s game.

She said: “Some of the games have been streamed. I think our Worcester game was streamed which was a good game. The last stream was Wasps versus Quins just before the break.

Gloucester-Hartpury wing Kelly Smith scored for England in their win over Scotland, which clinched the grand slam

“It’s a really decent product being put on the field, especially for those who haven’t seen the women’s game I'd encourage them to stick around and watch it.

‘’All of the Six Nations has been televised which was huge with England as Grand Slam winners. Hopefully people that haven’t seen it before will stay behind and support the girls because they’re all amateur bar a few.

‘'Everyone does it for the love. It’s a very pure game. It’s a huge game for the men, but please stick around and watch the women as well.’’

Frustrating season that lacks consistency

Despite her side still competing in the play-off race Appleby hasn’t been satisfied by the team’s performances this season and believes they should be top two in the league.

“I’d rather be top two quite honestly and we have the capability to do that which is the frustrating thing,” she said.

“It’s the consistency of performance we’re lacking now so for us to take the next step we have to become more consistent now.

“We lost against Loughborough when we should have won the game and seen it out. We should have got the win against Richmond when we got the draw.

“Those are little mistakes that have cost us five points in the league so we should be sitting in the top three, maybe top two. It is what it is, and we just have to go for it in the next two games.

“The girls just have to believe and go out there and do what they want to do.”

A general view of the main stand at Kingsholm

Playing at Kingsholm is the dream

To play at Kingsholm is an honour for any player.

Appleby added: “It’s a lot of these players’ dreams and it’s coming true for them on Saturday which is exciting.”

Since the introduction of the new pitch at Kingsholm the women are yet to play a game at Gloucester’s ground.

Appleby admitted: “We haven’t even been on there, which is frustrating as a coach as it should be a home advantage.

“When you haven’t even stepped on the field it might as well be anywhere, so the hope is the girls don’t even think about it and just go out there and play a game of rugby.

“It’s a fantastic surface from what I've seen and if we can get the crowd behind us, we can get the home advantage.”