Konkel returns as Saracens lift Allianz Cup: Scotland Women squad watch

While eyes were on Belfast to see if Scotland could finish third in the Women’s Six Nations, there were still some exiles in action down south at the weekend.

Attention was on Shaftesbury Park where Saracens lifted the Allianz Cup after a clinical second half, but more encouraging news came from The Stoop.

Jade Konkel made a try-scoring return for Harlequins, having been out injured since November and missed the entire Six Nations. However, it wasn’t enough to beat Trailfinders – for whom Liz Muzgrove also scored – in the seventh-placed play-off.

Back to the final, former Scotland winger Isla Alejandro started for Saracens while hooker Nic Haynes came off the bench as they lifted their first Allianz Cup by beating Bristol Bears.

Gemma Bell, who featured for Edinburgh at blindside in the Celtic Challenge, came off the bench as Gloucester secured third place with a win over Exeter Chiefs – who started Eilidh Sinclair on the wing and props Demi Swann and Panashe Muzambe on the bench.

Izzy McGuire-Evans and Evie Tonkin started for Sale Sharks as they lost to Loughborough Lightning in the fifth-place play-off, with Scotland internationals Mhairi Grieve and Sarah Law coming off the bench.