Richmond Ladies welcome Worcester Ladies to the Athletic Ground on Sunday for the first Women’s Premiership play-off semi-final in the competition’s history.

Richmond topped the regular season table, ahead of second placed Saracens, having lost only once all season.

Worcester finished fourth with six defeats – two of them coming at the hands of Richmond with an aggregate score of 62-17.

Saracens host Lichfield in the other semi-final. The final will be hosted at the Stoop on January 17 after Harlequins’ Challenge Cup clash with Cardiff Blues. 

Should they reach the final their exploits will be screened live on Sky Sports 5.

Women’s Premiership group chairman Mark Francis said: “We're delighted that TV coverage of the new play-off system will show the women's Premiership to a wider audience.

"When we formed two years ago, the Women's Premiership Group intended to improve both the welfare of our players and the profile of elite women's club rugby.

“We've followed the progress of women's cricket, football and hockey with great pleasure and believe that women's rugby is also growing in the public consciousness thanks to the England team winning the last World Cup.

"In that light, we're most grateful to Sky, Harlequins, Premiership Rugby and the RFU for all their support in making TV coverage of the play offs a reality. The games over the following two weekends will be a fitting tribute to the standard and spirit of our competition.”