The 2025/26 season marked the re‑establishment of the Salisbury RFC women’s team—an important milestone that opened new opportunities for the club’s growing girls’ section. Over the summer of 2025, the U18 squad strengthened their connection with the senior women through shared events during the Women’s Rugby World Cup, joint training sessions and opportunities to experience the culture and expectations of senior rugby.

While league commitments across the Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire (HOB) league remained the U18s’ priority, the conclusion of those fixtures created space for coaches to explore the possibility of U18 players stepping onto the pitch alongside the senior Spitfires. This required strict adherence to RFU Regulation 15 safeguarding protocols and comprehensive player assessments approved by the Dorset & Wiltshire board. Once these processes were completed and permissions secured, the stage was set.

After a false start the previous week, the Salisbury Spitfires hosted Andover Women on the 8th March—with three U18 players joining the senior ranks: Rachael Jackson, Deborah Gauniqio and Georgina Ward.

Women’s Captain, Gemma Snell and the wider squad gave the girls a warm welcome. Although familiar from training, stepping into the senior match-day environment brought new nerves—quickly eased by the team’s support. Once the whistle blew, the young Spitfires wasted no time making their mark.

Deborah crossed the line for Salisbury’s first try of the match. Rachael added strength and composure to the pack in the second row. Georgina operating on the wing, provided excellent support play and demonstrated confidence well beyond her years. Their performances showed not only ability but also maturity and resilience.

Women’s coach Murray McLeod‑Jones, who has coached many of the U18s previously, praised how seamlessly the girls integrated into senior rugby. Their skill levels, game understanding, and fitness proved they were more than capable of meeting the demands of the senior game. Their progression reflects the consistent coaching, development opportunities, and hard work invested throughout their time in the club’s age‑grade programme.

In total, seven players in the matchday squad had come through Salisbury’s junior section or returned after time away—but Deborah, Rachael and Georgina are the first to directly overlap their junior development with senior rugby as part of the club’s newly strengthened pathway.

Although the Spitfires did not take the win, the match served as clear evidence that Salisbury RFC can now deliver a complete pathway for girls—from mini rugby through to the senior squad. With eleven U18 players graduating this year—and many planning to continue their rugby journeys either locally or at university—the club may soon see a senior side made up entirely of players who began their rugby careers in Salisbury’s junior ranks.

To further support this growing pathway, Senior women's Coach Mark Lerpiniere will now be working alongside the U18 coaching team to ensure that U18 player assessments and safeguarding protocols are maintained throughout each season. This collaboration will help more young Spitfires remain engaged with the club, progress safely, and move through the age‑grade and senior sections in a developmental and confidence‑building way.