Saracens 'family' have mentality to win
Premiership Women's Rugby final: Gloucester-Hartpury v SaracensVenue: StoneX Stadium, London Date: Sunday, 16 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMTCoverage: Listen to radio commentary on BBC Radio Gloucestershire; live text updates on BBC Sport website and app
Rosie Galligan is targeting history with Saracens as the London club aim to win a record-extending fourth Premiership Women's Rugby title.The club have a fearsome reputation from the outside but the England lock describes it as more like a "family"."If you're not part of it, you don't really know how special it is and how much you would go to war for each other," Galligan told BBC Sport.Sarries face reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury - who are bidding for a third title in a row - at their StoneX Stadium in Sunday's final.However, as Gloucester-Hartpury finished at the top of the PWR table they will be in the home dressing room.Speaking exclusively to BBC Sport, Galligan explains that this has already been factored into Saracens' preparations."Our away changing rooms are probably one of the nicest in the league, so we've been in there a few days this week just to familiarise ourselves," said the lock."We've taken all our home comforts into that changing room, it hasn't phased us whatsoever. "We knew it might be the case, and it's something that we put to bed early, and we've just got on with it."
Dressing room politics aside, this final is drenched in history for one side.Record-breaking is something Saracens have a long tradition of, with some of the biggest names in the women's game including Maggie Alphonsi, Karen Almond, Nicky Ponsford and Jane Mitchell among their alumni.They remain one of the most established and successful sides of the amateur and semi-professional era. They are 12-time Premiership winners and three-time PWR champions, with their last title coming in 2022.Galligan briefly left the club for two seasons to play at Harlequins but felt compelled to return."Why I went back to Saracens after my stint at Quins is that I wanted to be at the top and I wanted to win and that's Saracens' mentality, of doing anything in your power to win and get the results."It's a massive driver."Regarding their players being ruthless and vocal on the pitch, the England lock does not shy away from a vivid description of her team-mates.She added: "You've got lots of different characters and some that may be quite intimidating when you're up against them, but actually, when you've got them in your scrum or in your backline, you're like 'wow' this is a special feeling."I'm glad I'm playing with you now, rather than against you. "So it definitely is a place made up of a lot of talented individuals, but when we get it right and when we start to really gel together, we can play some phenomenal rugby."
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