Dan Murphy appointed Gloucester Hartpury Head of Rugby

Gloucester Hartpury Scrum Coach, Dan Murphy, will step up to the role of Head of Rugby ahead of the 2025-26 Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) season.

Murphy, a member of Sean Lynn’s Gloucester Hartpury coaching staff for the past four seasons, steps up following Lynn’s departure to take charge of the Welsh national team, after leading The Circus to a third straight league title in March.

After starting his playing career at London Irish, ‘Murph’ moved to Gloucester in 2011, where he made 91 appearances for the Cherry & Whites before joining Harlequins. He returned to the county a year later, joining Championship side, Hartpury RFC, as a player/coach.

Progressing through his coaching journey at Hartpury, Murphy has held various roles across their University & College teams, most notably leading Hartpury University Men to a BUCS Super Rugby title this season, alongside his outstanding contributions to the Gloucester Hartpury team.

𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞, 𝗠𝗨𝗥𝗣𝗛 🍒

Gloucester Hartpury Scrum Coach, Dan Murphy, has linked up with the @WelshRugbyUnion women's side for their @Womens6Nations campaign.

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— Gloucester Hartpury (@gloshartpury) March 21, 2025

He also had experience coaching in the Wales pathway system and was acting as Forwards Coach for Wales, alongside Sean Lynn, in their most recent Six Nations campaign.

Murphy commented: “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.”