Triple boost for the champs! Alex Matthews, Tatyana Heard & Lleucu George re-sign with Gloucester Hartpury

Gloucester Hartpury is delighted to reveal that Red Roses stalwart, Alex Matthews, has put pen to paper on a fresh contract with the Club.

A key member of the Cherry & Whites squad since joining from Worcester in 2022, Matthews has been outstanding across all three Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) winning campaigns.

Equally as excellent in her national side, Matthews, is one of the stars of the Red Roses squad, delivering several impressive performances over her 75 caps since making her debut in 2011, with more set to come at the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

Head of Rugby, Dan Murphy, commented: “Alex is one of those rare players who is so consistent at every level of rugby she plays, she rarely has a poor game at Club or international level.

“She’s got an incredible work rate, always leading the way in multiple stats in the PWR, but she’s also a very calm and clear-minded individual, and that’s probably what sets her apart.

“We’re incredibly grateful to have Alex here at Gloucester Hartpury, she’s been a massive part of our success since she joined and long may that continue.”

Matthews added: “It was a really easy decision to extend my time here at Gloucester Hartpury, to be part of this special group who are leading the way in women’s rugby in England has been a privilege.

“We’ll be going through a little bit of change this season, but we’re sure that the foundations we have in place here and the bond that we have as teammates will mean that we can keep pushing forward and take our game up another level in 2025/26.

“I’m already looking forward to pulling the GH jersey back on after the Rugby World Cup and getting back out there in front of our amazing fans.”

Gloucester Hartpury favourite, Tatyana Heard, has also re-committed her future to the Club, by re-signing with The Circus ahead of the 2025/26 season.

After attending Hartpury College, Tatyana moved to Cardiff Met for university, before returning to Hartpury in 2017 to join GH. Over the past eight years, Heard has participated in the dramatic rise of The Circus from its inception all the way through to three successive league titles in the last three seasons.

Head of Rugby, Dan Murphy, said: “Tat is so well loved by the other girls, the staff and the fans here at Gloucester Hartpury, so we’re delighted to keep her here for the future.”

“When you watch her, you can see the athletic abilities she has and what that can bring to the team, but she’s worked incredibly hard to develop other areas of her game over the last couple of seasons to become a more well-rounded player, and she’s gone up yet another gear.

“To have so many of the world’s best re-committing to the Club is testament to what we have already achieved together, but also the upward trajectory that we are on.”

Heard added: “Gloucester Hartpury has been a home for me for so long, and the girls really are like a family to me.

“What we have already built is fantastic, and I'm so proud to have been a part of that, but we’re all looking forward to what we can do next, and that’s exciting.

“The community of Gloucester has really embraced us over the last few years in particular, and I can’t wait to be playing in front of them again.”

Completing the treble - Welsh international, Lleucu George, is the latest Gloucester Hartpury player to extend her time with The Circus. 

After coming through the Wales age-grade ranks, George made her debut for her national side at just 17 years of age playing in the back row, but had converted to the back-line when she joined the Cherry & Whites in 2019.

Establishing herself in the Gloucester Hartpury side over the following five seasons, George has become an integral member of the squad that has won three league titles on the bounce, earning Player of the Match in the 2023 final.

At international level, she’s earned 25 caps, and is expected to be involved in Sean Lynn’s plans at the Rugby World Cup.

Head of Rugby, Dan Murphy, commented: “Lleucu’s game management and kicking ability are exceptional and a key part of why we’ve been so successful.

“To execute the game plan we play has relied heavily on Lleucu and Mo (Hunt) to conduct the team, and they’ve done brilliantly.

“Even though she’s achieved so much already, she’s only 25-years-old and still has a big future ahead, which is exciting.”

George added: “I’m incredibly proud to re-sign for Gloucester Hartpury.

“The last few years have been amazing to be part of. We have built something incredibly special here, and that’s what why I want to stay here and continue the hard work.

“The Circus really is one big family, and I’m looking forward to facing another season alongside them.”