It's a case of winner stays on in both the BUCS Super Rugby and Women's National League finals. Reigning champions Exeter men and Hartpury women return to win back their crown from a year ago.
Their opponents: Loughborough men and Exeter women. Loughborough head into the final chasing a historic league and championship double, only done before by Hartpury men in 2017. Meanwhile, Exeter will look to create a special story of their own, becoming national champions the season after gaining promotion.
In the Women's National League, Hartpury have been a force to be reckoned with on their way to the final, winning 10 out of 11 games. The only loss for Mo Hunt's side came against their StoneX opponents Exeter back in November by a 19-39 scoreline.
On the flip side, Exeter won eight of their 12 games on the way to a third place finish in the league. Poppy Leitch's side started the knockouts with a mammoth win over last year's league champions Durham, before heading north of the border, and beating last year's finalists Edinburgh to reach their first national final since winning it back in 2019.
Over in BUCS Super Rugby, neither sides path to the final has been straightforward. This season has thrown up more spills and thrills than ever before with shock results coming every single week. Nottingham at Lady Bay and Cardiff at Sandy Park come to mind for Loughborough and Exeter. Despite this, both sides have shown their class to finish one and two in the league and make their way through the knockouts to face off at StoneX.
Since their 25-17 round one defeat to Durham at Hollow Drift, Loughborough have stormed to the league title winning 13 games, drawing one and losing three. The African Violet's last loss came back in January. Since then, they have gone on an eight game unbeaten streak, beating Cardiff Met to lift the league aloft, before dispatching of Nottingham and Bath to reach the final.
The reigning national champions Exeter follow a very similar pattern to their final opponents. They also lost in round one - 30-31 to Hartpury - before going on to win 13 games, and losing just four times. The Devonshire side are six games unbeaten coming into this year's final. They have also staked their claim to 'Owning the city of Cardiff' with victories against Cardiff Met and Cardiff respectively in the knockouts.
The storylines are endless; whether it be the Leatherbarrow Bowl, Exeter men and Hartpury women going for back-to-back national titles, Mo Hunt vs Poppy Leitch or Loughborough chasing that historic league and championship double. That's why we love BUCS Super Rugby and Women's National League.
We are set for two incredible showdowns at the StoneX Stadium. We would love for you to join us on Wednesday 19 April from 4.15pm for a finals double header. Purchase your two match ticket from just £5 here.
If you can't make it to the home of Saracens, don't worry, coverage of both games will be live on BUCS TV.
Watch the Women's National League Final (4.15pm kick off)
Watch the BUCS Super Rugby Final (7pm kick off)
