Jade Betsen reaches PWR Next Gen Cup final after four matches with Trailfinders Women

Jade Betsen will play in her first senior cup final after just four appearances for Trailfinders Women, who secured their place in the PWR Next Gen Cup final with a 33-14 home win over Sale Sharks in the semi-finals. They will face Saracens in the decider.

Betsen joined Trailfinders from Championship club Richmond in the summer and has started every match in their cup run. The 23-year-old came to rugby relatively late, developing her game at Loughborough University before Richmond and then Trailfinders came calling.

“We had a slow start, but we picked it up in the second half,” Betsen said after the semi-final. “We took more accountability in the second half, and we knew what we had to do, and we did it. We’ve been focusing on each game individually and haven’t spoken about the final.”

At Trailfinders, Betsen is surrounded by experienced international back-row players, including Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm, England’s Abi Burton and Haidee Head, and New Zealand’s Alana Borland. Head coach Barney Maddison also brings a playing background in the pack, having represented Ealing Trailfinders, London Irish, and Rotherham Titans.

“It has been so good, everyone has been so welcoming and really friendly,” Betsen said. “The older players are helpful with their advice, and it is easy to chat to them. It has built confidence and has stopped me feeling like an imposter.”

Betsen is also aware that several senior players are set to return from WXV Global Series duty. “I’m really aware of who is to come back, and I want to learn from them,” she added.

Beyond her club environment, Betsen has a uniquely well-qualified source of guidance at home. Her father, Serge Betsen, is a former France flanker who made his name hunting down fly-halves before moving from Biarritz to London to play for Wasps late in his career. He has remained in the area and is now a regular presence on the sidelines at his daughter’s matches.

“At first he waited till I asked him for advice,” Betsen said. “It is mostly about work rate. He always tells me to give 200%, to play to my maximum and understand what my task is and not just run around.”

With the departure of Kate Zackary at the end of last season leaving a vacancy on the openside flank, Betsen’s rapid progress has arrived at an opportune moment for both player and club.