Saracens Back-Rower Sophie de Goede Gears Up for Pivotal PWR Semi-Final After Eventful Season

As the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) campaign reaches its climactic stages, Saracens’ Sophie de Goede finds herself at the heart of the action. The 24-year-old back-rower has been a force to be reckoned with this season, balancing club duties with international commitments for both Canada’s HSBC SVNS and XVs squads.

De Goede, who rejoined Saracens last summer, has been a regular for the club and recently captained the Canadian national team to a triumphant Pacific Four Series (PAC 4) victory. With the PWR play-off semi-final against Bristol Bears looming on Sunday at the StoneX Stadium, the player acknowledges the demanding nature of her schedule but remains resolute in her pursuit of success.

“Lots of sleep and lots of food,” De Goede quips when asked about how she has managed the hectic campaign. “Seriously though, I have a really good support system around me, and in each environment, I’ve been in this season, everyone has been really understanding.”

Saracens’ willingness to accommodate her international commitments has been crucial, as has the collaborative approach from the Canadian national setup. “It shows how much they care about the individual people that play on this team,” De Goede explains.

As Saracens prepare for their semi-final showdown, the team’s recent form has been impressive, with the Allianz Cup triumph and a strong finish to the regular season. “After the win against Loughborough last weekend, vibes are really high in the squad,” the player states. “We’re feeling positive and believe we’re peaking at the right time.”

However, the challenge posed by Bristol Bears is not to be underestimated. “They’re a threat from anywhere on the pitch,” De Goede acknowledges. “We’ll have to bring our ‘A’ game if we want to progress.”

With the PWR play-offs in sight, the Saracens back-rower remains grounded, focused on her preparation and trusting the process. “At the end of the day, it’s a rugby game – sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose,” she says. “As long as I have prepared myself properly, I always feel good going into games.”

As the business end of the season unfolds, the unwavering commitment and talent of Sophie de Goede will undoubtedly be a crucial factor in Saracens’ pursuit of success in the PWR.

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