Premiership Women’s Rugby: Sean Lynn’s aiming to go out on a high with Gloucester-Hartpury

By Ben Jaycock

Match Preview

Gloucester–Hartpury v Bristol Bears

Today. Kick-off 3pm, Queensholm

Bristol Bears are hoping to cause another semi-final upset and be the party poopers today at Sean Lynn’s final match at Kingsholm in charge of his reigning back-to-back champions Gloucester-Hartpury.

No matter the result, today’s match will be the last time Lynn takes charge of the team at home before he leaves the club next month to become Wales women’s head coach.

Lynn has been the driving force behind Gloucester-Hartpury’s transformation into the dominant team in English women’s rugby, having taken charge of the entire women’s setup at the club in 2019.

“It’s been a great journey, I’ve really enjoyed it and when I first took the reins at Gloucester-Hartpury it was all about making sure that we can get the pathway right, making sure that everyone coming through the pathway wants to play for Gloucester-Hartpury,” Lynn said.

“We wanted to make Gloucester-Hartpury a very special team and by doing that we’ve gone back-to-back [titles] and Kingsholm has been turned to Queensholm.”

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However, the Welshman insists the focus will not be on him this weekend.

He said: “I’ve not spoken about it, I’m not going to be speaking about it, it’s just that 80 minutes of cup rugby, a semi-final. Driving into the gates it’ll be very emotional at times, but it’s all about what we do in that 80 minutes.”

Champs: Sean Lynn with Gloucester-Hartpury

The Bears were the last team to beat the two-time league champions, in a match that also took place on their own turf at Kingsholm in November – rebranded to Queensholm for this weekend’s semi-final.

Since that 19-14 defeat Gloucester-Hartpury have not looked back, winning their past nine games to storm into the league play-offs.

Bristol sneaked into the final play-off place, ousting early season pacesetters Exeter Chiefs by winning four of their last five outings.

Dave Ward’s finished third last season but reached the final due to beating Saracens at the StoneX to become the first away victors in the PWR play-offs.

Centre Amber Reed said: “Gloucester have been the most consistent side for the last few years and we know the huge challenge we face.

“But we were the first team to win an away semi-final last season, so we’ve got that experience under our belt. It’s going to be a great game.”

Jasmine Joyce-Butchers returns to action as the Wales and GB Sevens star is named on the wing for the re-run of last season’s final as Bristol make just one change for the West Country derby.

Winger Pip Hendy and centre Tatyana Heard come into the Gloucester-Hartpury backline, while props El Perry and Hannah Jones are drafted into the pack.