Karen Findlay hailed her Richmond Ladies after securing back-to-back RFUW Premiership titles.

Despite losing 33-5 to Lichfield on Sunday, the club, which includes England international Becky Essex, Rachael Burford and Rowena Burnfield, had won all their previous games this season and were already crowned champions before the match.

“This has been a great season, we didn’t want to be one hit wonders," said head coach Findlay.

"It has been tough because we were coming into the season on the back of the women’s rugby world cup and we had a lot of injuries from that.

“However, the squad have done a fantastic job.

"All the players have really stood up and I couldn’t have asked for more from them.

"The women’s premiership is at a fantastic level now and every weekend has been really tough, so for us to win the title for a second season is a real testament to this squad.”

The women's achievements come in the club's 150th anniversary year, which was celebrated on Tuesday night as the men's team took on The Barbarians.

A crowd of more than 2,200 turned up at The Athletic Ground to witness a 45-36 defeat which featured 12 tries, with Richmond's scores coming from two Jonan Boto tries, Will Browne, Euan Sadden and a penalty try.

Richard Carter (two), Mark Breeze, Tom Young, Jose Pinto, Charlie Ingall and Thinuas Delport scored tries for the Baa-Baas In National League Two South though, the men are seeing their chances of catching second-placed Jersey receding fast.

Despite securing a bonus point 38-10 win over Ding Crusaders last weekend thanks to two tries from James Brooks and a try apiece from Dave Simmons, James Greenwood and Browne, Steve Hill's side remain nine points behind Jersey, who beat Southend 33-6.

Meanwhile, Shelford's Aki Lea, who was sent off against Richmond last month after leaving Joe Trayfoot, on loan from Harlequins, in need of hospital treatment, has seen the RFU's disciplinary case against him adjourned pending a police investigation into the incident.

Richmond's remaining games: Apr 16 Henley Hawks (h), 23 Lydney (a), 30 Southend (h).