Gloucester Hartpury confirm new Head of Rugby for 2025/26 season

Wednesday, 30 April 2025 at 18:03

byTom Sansom

Gloucester Hartpury has confirmed that Dan Murphy will take the reins as Head of Rugby ahead of the 2025/26 Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) season, following the departure of Sean Lynn.

Murphy, who has been an integral part of the Gloucester Hartpury coaching setup for the past four years as Scrum Coach, steps up into the lead role after Lynn’s move to take charge of the Welsh national team. Lynn exits on a high, having guided “The Circus” to an historic third consecutive league title in March.

Murphy’s connection with the region and the club runs deep. A former prop who began his playing career with London Irish, he joined Gloucester Rugby in 2011, going on to make 91 appearances for the Cherry & Whites. After a brief stint with Harlequins, Murphy returned to Gloucestershire to join Hartpury RFC as a player-coach.

Since then, he has built an impressive coaching résumé, progressing through Hartpury's University and College ranks. His most recent accolade came this season, leading Hartpury University Men to a BUCS Super Rugby title — a testament to his growing influence in the coaching world.

Murphy also brings experience from the international stage, having worked within the Wales pathway system and recently serving as Forwards Coach for Wales in this year’s Women’s Six Nations, alongside Lynn.

Reflecting on his appointment, Murphy said: “I’ve worked in the women’s programme now for four years, and it’s an absolute honour to take charge and help them kick on further after a very successful few years.

“To work with those women who are so driven, so determined, I’m in awe of them sometimes, and it’s an absolute privilege to be able to lead them.

“Lynnie (Sean Lynn) always spoke about inspiring the community, and I believe we did that by winning the ‘three-peat’. But now it’s about capitalising on that, creating, building and finding the next act for The Circus.”

With a proven track record at both domestic and international levels, and deep ties to the Hartpury and Gloucester rugby community, Murphy now faces the challenge of sustaining Gloucester Hartpury’s dominance while carving out his own chapter in the club’s already impressive history.