Gloucester-Hartpury have returned to training ahead of the 2023/24 Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) season. Head Coach, Sean Lynn, says the girls and staff have enjoyed some well-deserved time off after a title winning season last campaign.
“It’s been a well-deserved break. It was a long old season, especially being a World Cup year, but that final on June 24 was a special day and well worth it.”
Lynn says the squad are still buzzing from their Premier 15s final win and are all excited to go again this season.
“Everyone’s spirits are still high.
“The girls have had five weeks off, we’re into week three now, the Welsh girls have gone into camp and the Red Roses go next week so we’re really excited to go into the Allianz Cup with some of our talented youngsters who have come through our very successful pathway.”
With the internationals set to miss the start of the season to play at the WXV tournament in New Zealand, Lynn is looking forward to seeing the exciting talent coming through the pathway at Hartpury.
“Our U18s won the cup, and our university won the BUCS National League so we’re really excited to see what they can bring to us.
I’m looking forward to seeing Millie Hyett, an England U18s international last season, take the field and Charlie-Mai Manns who is a great local talent.”
Gloucester-Hartpury Co-Captain, Mo Hunt, headed up the Hartpury University side as they claimed the National League title last season. Lynn says it’s the perfect tool to prepare the young girls for senior rugby.
“The Hartpury University squad has been brilliant giving those girls a competitive environment to play and train and making that transition to Gloucester-Hartpury smooth.”
The Head Coach praised the senior players for the supporting role they’ve played in pre-season.
“It’s been nice to see these internationals help out with the youngsters and make them feel comfortable in the environment.
“Tatyana Heard has been brilliant and the impact she’s made off the pitch with them has been great.”
Two new side enter the league this season, Trailfinders Women and Leicester Tigers. The latter are headed up by a Gloucester duo who Lynn knows well.
“We play Leicester Tigers in our second league game of the season, and they’ve got a Gloucester boy in Tom Hudson who had a good season with Cheltenham Tigers last year and Luke Stratford who I know very well from Hartpury so they have a great coaching structure there.
“When you look at some of the signings Trailfinders have made is just making the league more competitive which is what we all want.”
The Cherry & Whites have bolstered their squad with the addition of a number of high-quality signings. Lynn is delighted with both the recruitment and the retention of his key players.
“I’m very happy with the girls we have coming in but also making sure that we’re promoting from within and bringing players through that pathway.
“Mackenzie Carson is a very abrasive ball carrier and we’re excited to see her come into the fold, we’ve been impressed with Carmen Castellucci, the Spanish international in pre-season, Trudy Cowan who made the Team of the Year last year, her work rate and leadership with DMP was outstanding and then Elizabeth Shermer who loves the line-out and will be a god addition there.
“It’s very pleasing to have so many players re-sign too, they’ve said they’re loving the Club and the environment. Yes, we won the Premiership last year but we’re looking to do that again.”
Gloucester-Hartpury lifted the Premier 15s trophy in front of nearly 10,000 people at ‘Queensholm’ in June, and Lynn is encouraging more supporters to come down and show their support.
“Club Memberships are on sale to come and get behind us, we had a great season last year so please come down and show your support.”
Gloucester-Hartpury 2023/24 Club Membership |
Club Memberships for Gloucester-Hartpury are available here for just £50 (£40 for Gloucester Rugby Club Members).
