Gloucester–Hartpury

2014–2017: Formation & early years

In 2014, Gloucester Rugby and Hartpury College came together to found a women's team to be run under the jurisdiction of Gloucester Rugby to capitalise upon the popularity of women's rugby in the area. Hartpury College already had a women's team competing in the BUCS rugby union leagues.^[5]

In their first year, Gloucester–Hartpury only played friendly matches, some of which were at Gloucester Rugby's home ground Kingsholm Stadium,^[6] whilst the Rugby Football Union decided which league to place them in. The team started with numbers as low as 4 and grew into a much bigger squad. The first captain was Stacy Payne (Hardie) and the vice-captain was Jessica Morgan.^{[citation needed]} The team won the Junior Cup in their first season.^[7][8]

In 2015, the RFU placed them in Women's Championship Midlands 2.^[8] In their first season they finished second in the league.^[9] The following season, they were unbeaten.^[10]

2017–2023: Premier 15's

In 2017, to take advantage of an increase in women's rugby participation following England's victory in the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup,^[11] it was announced that Gloucester–Hartpury were awarded a franchise in the new women's top flight, the Premier 15s, as part of a reorganisation of women's rugby in England, despite never competing in the Women's Premiership or Women's Championship and moving up two leagues as a result. This was controversial as, despite the franchises being awarded by an independent body,^[12] Gloucester–Hartpury were awarded the position in top flight at the expense of Lichfield Ladies who had been competing in the top flight of English women's rugby for 15 years.^[13] There was speculation that this was due to geographical considerations.^[14]

2022–2025: Increased funding and league success

Ahead of the 2022-23 Premier 15s season, Gloucester Rugby announced a significant increase in funding to Gloucester–Hartpury by almost 500%, matching an enhanced contribution from Hartpury University. It was also announced that both the men's and the women's team would wear the same design kit.^[15][16] Former Gloucester player and Gloucester–Hartpury coach James Forrester was appointed CEO of the team in 2023.^[17]

In 2023, the team won the Premier 15s by beating Exeter Chiefs Women. By doing so, Gloucester–Hartpury became the first team based outside of London to win the league title.^[18] The final was held at Kingsholm Stadium, renamed 'Queensholm' for the occasion.^[19] The final drew a crowd of over 9,600 spectators, setting a new record and tripling the finals attendance of the previous season.^[20]

Premier 15s rebranded as Premiership Women's Rugby for the 2023–24 season onwards.^[21] Gloucester–Hartpury improved their form from the previous season winning 15 out of the 16 regular season games. Gloucester–Hartpury went on to win the final against Bristol Bears 36–24 becoming the second team after Saracens to win two titles in a row.^[22]

In January 2025, it was announced that long-time head coach Sean Lynn would take on a new role as head coach of the Wales Women. Lynn will initially continue as head coach of Gloucester–Hartpury alongside his duties with Wales, he will step down from his role at Gloucester–Hartpury at the end of the Premiership season in March 2025 to focus entirely on his position with the Welsh team.^[23] In February 2025, it was announced that CEO James Forrester would step down at the end of the 2024–25 season to move to a new role at Gloucester Rugby, it was also revealed that all commercial rights for Gloucester–Hartpury would sit under Gloucester Rugby from February 2025.^[24]

In March 2025, Gloucester–Hartpury won the PWR for a third consecutive time after beating Saracens 34–19. They became the second team to win the title three times, and the first to team to claim a three-peat.^[25] The 2025 final was Sean Lynn's last game as head coach,^[26] and Forrester's final game as CEO.^[24]

2025–present: Post Lynn era

In April 2025, it was announced that Dan Murphy was appointed as Head Coach.^[4] Under Lynn's leadership, Murphy had served as scrum coach for Gloucester–Hartpury.^[27] On 23 June 2025, Murphy appointed former England international Matt Banahan as assistant coach, with Banahan joining from his previous role as Scotland Women's attack coach.^[28]

Gloucester–Hartpury entered the 2025–26 season as three-time defending champions. Eight Gloucester–Hartpury players were part of England's 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup-winning squad.^[29] co-captain Zoe Stratford publicly confirmed the club's goal was to go unbeaten for the entire season in pursuit of a fourth consecutive title.^[30]

During the season, a number of departures were confirmed ahead of 2026–27. Including co-captain and England captain Stratford.^[31] Also confirmed as deperating is assistant coach Banahan to take up a backs and attack coaching role at Hartpury University R.F.C. in the men's Champ Rugby.^[32]

The club's target for a fourth consecutive title came to an abrupt end in the semi-final on 14 June 2026. Gloucester–Hartpury were defeated 26–29 by Trailfinders Women.^[33][34] On 16 June 2026, the club announced the signing of French international centre and former Women's Six Nations Player of the Championship, Gabrielle Vernier, for the 2026–27 campaign.^[35][36]

List of head coaches

As of 14 June 2026

More information Name, From ...

Name	From	To	P	W	D	L	Win %	Honours	Ref
Susie Appleby	2014[N 1]	January 2020[N 2]	67	45	2	21	66.18	2014–15 RFU Women's Junior Cup[N 3] 2016–17 Women's Championship Midlands 2	[40]
Sean Lynn	January 2020[N 2]	March 2025[41]	107	77	1	29	71.96	2022–23, 2023–24 & 2024–25 PWR	[42][43]
Dan Murphy	April 2025		20	14	0	6	70.00		[4]

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Notes

Rugby World Cup

The following are players who have represented their countries at the Rugby World Cup whilst playing for Gloucester–Hartpury:

More information Tournament, Players selected ...

Tournament	Players selected	England players	Other national team players
2021	18	Zoe Aldcroft, Connie Powell, Alex Matthews, Tatyana Heard, Maud Muir	Scotland – Katie Dougan  Wales – Lisa Neumann, Bethan Lewis, Kelsey Jones, Gwen Crabb, Kerin Lake, Lleucu George, Cerys Hale, Hannah Jones, Cara Hope, Siwan Lillicrap (c), Sisilia Tuipulotu  United States – Maya Learned
2025	24	Zoe Aldcroft (c), Mackenzie Carson, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Jade Shekells, Emma Sing[65]	Ireland – Neve Jones, Sam Monaghan (cc), Ellena Perry[66]  Scotland – Lisa Cockburn[67]  Wales – Kelsey Jones, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Alaw Pyrs, Kate Williams (cc), Bethan Lewis, Seren Lockwood,Lleucu George, Hannah Dallavalle, Nel Metcalfe, Gwen Crabb, Megan Davies, Catherine Richards[68]

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