Why Canberra Royals star Ainsley Scrivener refuses to touch ACT rugby trophy

The Canberra Royals fullback was bound for ACT rugby headquarters to face off with Uni-Norths Owls scrumhalf Jane Garraway before the ACT Women Premier XVs grand final.

Her father, Tuggeranong Vikings men's coach Nick Scrivener, had to tell her it was bad luck to touch the trophy - so she steered well clear before Saturday's grand final at Viking Park.

A premiership win at club level would be a perfect way to cap off a campaign interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, which in turn derailed Scrivener's hopes of helping the ACT Brumbies to Super W glory right before they were due to play a semi-final.

"Super frustrating. We were so excited to head into finals, and to have that cut short for us was really disappointing," Scrivener said.

MORE JOHN I DENT CUP

"[Thinking we wouldn't play again this year] was in the back of our minds, we weren't sure what was going to happen, if we were going to be cut short, if we were going to be able to play games, or if our club season was going to go ahead.

"We were all just giving it our all for as long as we could until we got word of what was happening. It was pretty hectic.

"It has been really interrupted but it's been a good learning journey. For a lot of players, having our Super W season cut off a bit early, but going straight into club season, it's been a really good experience to go through both of those different programs."

Royals are eyeing a premiership double across the men's and women's senior grades, with Ben Johnston to lead the John I Dent Cup side in their grand final against the Gungahlin Eagles.

The club's colts team is also eyeing a premiership as they prepare to meet the Queanbeyan Whites to mark a huge day for the Phillip club.

"That's awesome, couldn't think of anything better, honestly," Scrivener said.

"It's so exciting, especially for the women's program, which is up and coming. Having the men's team there to support us, it's going to be a great opportunity."

It will indeed be the women closing the show at Viking Park this weekend, with their match moved onto field one to be played after the John I Dent Cup final.

Wet weather has been forecast with Johnston hoping that can slow a star-studded Gungahlin backline down as Royals hunt successive titles.

"We're going to have to stop them up front to start. They've got attacking threats across the field but they've got some big ball runners up front," Johnston said.

"That set piece for us is going to be crucial. We're going to have to D up for 80 minutes and make sure we're on song.

"They've got a lot of speed and a lot of guys who are very good on their feet. Hopefully if it's pretty wet it will negate a little bit of that. It'll still be pretty good anyway."

JOHN I DENT CUP GRAND FINAL DAY

Saturday at Viking Park: John I Dent Cup - Canberra Royals v Gungahlin Eagles on field one, 3.15pm.

ACT Women Premier XVs - Uni-Norths Owls v Canberra Royals on field one, 5.30pm.

Spence Cup [second grade] - Gungahlin Eagles v Tuggeranong Vikings on field one, 1.20pm.

Colts - Queanbeyan Whites v Canberra Royals on field one, 11am.

Third grade - Gungahlin Eagles v Wests Lions on field two, 11.40am.

Fourth grade - Queanbeyan Whites v Wests Lions on field two, 9.30am.