Trailfinders clinched the final Premiership Women’s Rugby play‑off berth with a dramatic 41‑39 win over three‑time defending champions Gloucester‑Hartpury. England international Meg Jones sparked the comeback, overturning a 15‑7 deficit to hand the league leaders their first loss of the season after a two‑month hiatus. The match opened the season’s comeback, coming as England’s Red Roses celebrated an eighth consecutive Six Nations triumph.

The victory lifted Trailfinders to 46 points, tying them with third‑placed Exeter Chiefs for the last play‑off slot with one round remaining. Gloucester‑Hartpury stayed atop the table on 72 points, followed by Saracens on 61. Trailfinders surged early, with Georgia Ponsonby’s maul try, then Emma Sing, Kelsey Jones and Mia Venner added scores before halftime.

A 17‑15 lead at the break grew after Jones set up Ella Amory, while Gloucester’s Beth Lewis narrowed the gap. Emma Uren and Carys Cox extended the margin to 38‑22 during a two‑player sin‑bin for the visitors. Late Gloucester tries from Lewis, Neve Jones and Abigail Pritchard couldn’t overturn the lead; Trailfinders held on to reach the semi‑finals. Exeter will meet Bristol Bears on Saturday.