Jade Konkel is relishing another tilt at The Game Changer as Harlequins prepare to host Loughborough Lightning at the Stoop this weekend.
The two sides will meet in south-west London for the sixth instalment of the landmark event, with both teams looking for a second win of the season after opening their accounts in Round 3.
The Game Changer marks an exiting period of the domestic game as internationals return to club duty, and having played in the event's inaugural edition, Quins captain Konkel could not hide her delight at playing a role in the growth of women's rugby.
She said: “I think Game Changer is massively important. I was involved in the very first one, and it will be a massive honour to hopefully run out for one again this weekend. We get a lot of support following The Game Changer once people have seen what we’re all about.
“My niece plays for an under 15s team locally back home, whereas I had to do a seven-hour round trip to Glasgow to try and play some rugby, so it’s great to see how the game has changed.”
Teammate Ellie Kildunne, another returnee from WXV, voiced her excitement on this weekend's The Game Changer coinciding with her return to the club after international duty with the Red Roses.
The fleet-footed fullback added: “I’m excited to be back playing for Harlequins, it’s been a while since I’ve been out there in the quarter’s and it’s even more special that my first game back will be The Game Changer.
“The girls have really stepped up, we’re all fighting for our shirts. WXV had really high standards and that’s something that we want to bring back in to the Quins environment.”
Last time out, Harlequins claimed a 31-17 victory at Leicester Tigers while Lightning struck down Sale Sharks 36-17, with both sides in high spirits as they prepare to take to the field.
Elsewhere, men's head coach Danny Wilson is taking nothing for granted as his side make the trip to Exeter to take on Chiefs on Sunday.
Last weekend, Harlequins narrowly fell to Bath Rugby 26-24 and travel to Exeter hoping to bounce back, but will miss the services of six players called up Steve Borthwick's England squad for the Autumn International Series.
Fin Baxter, Chandler Cunningham-South, Alex Dombrandt, Joe Marler, Luke Northmore and Marcus Smith headline the absentee list for Harlequins.
Previewing his side's visit to Sandy Park, Wilson said: “Exeter are a very good side and a well-coached side. They will be dangerous at home, and we haven’t beaten them in the Premiership there for 10 years.
“We need to bounce back after a close fought game against Bath. We have now played 4 of last season’s top 5 clubs and taken points from all matches. We are seeking to end this block well with a win away from home.”
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