Captain Amy Turner crossed for their fifth try against nearest rivals Saracens to secure a bonus-point 29-10 victory they need to wrap up the title.

Rachel Burford, Kay Wilson and a double from Becky Essex had already set unbeaten Richmond on their way to the win.

But Findlay says the level of competition in the women’s Premiership is giving her players the perfect step up to the rigors of international rugby.

She said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won the league. It is a reward for the players who have worked hard all season.

“It is a big achievement to win the league obviously but perhaps more so this year because the standard in the Premiership is higher than ever.

“Everyone behind the scenes has worked really hard too and it is credit to everyone involved for creating an environment for winning rugby.

“Our aim this year was to make sure there was no gap between club rugby and international rugby here and everyone here can say, hand on heart, that we have.

“But we are unbeaten in 12 games and we are aiming to make it 14 from 14 come the end of the season and will be doing all we can to make that come true.

“We are not going to stop here. We know our job is not finished yet and the players are still hungry for more success, especially in the build up to the World Cup.”

Elsewhere, bottom of the table Northumbria were thumped 41-0 away at Worcester, while Darlington Mowden moved into third with a narrow 21-18 victory over Lichfield.

It was Darlington’s third win on the trot and they could potentially ruin Richmond’s perfect season when they face them on the last day of the season on April 17.