Matt Banahan added to Gloucester-Hartpury coaching team

Gloucester Hartpury have announced that Scotland Assistant Coach, Matt Banahan, will join the Club as Assistant Coach from 1 July, ahead of the 2025/26 PWR season.

A familiar face at Kingsholm, Banahan made nearly fifty appearances for Gloucester Rugby as a player, retiring in 2021. The wing/centre also won 16 caps for England.

Since his retirement, ‘Banas’ landed his first full-time coaching role with Scotland in 2023, taking charge of their Attack ahead of WXV2 in 2023, which they won thanks to wins over Japan, USA and South Africa.

Head of Rugby, Dan Murphy, is delighted to welcome Banahan on board.

“Matt has an incredible amount of knowledge and expertise, not just from his playing career, but also from the way he studies and analyses the game.

“He was doing good things with Scotland, their backs have been sharp under his guidance, and he’s already made a name for himself as a coach just two years into his coaching journey.

“We’re sure that he’ll fit right in with The Circus and help take our world-class squad to another level.”

Banahan added: “I loved my time with Scotland, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to coach at international level, but the chance to join Gloucester Hartpury was too good to turn down.

“Working in Women’s rugby for the past two years, and having many friends within the environment, I’ve really admired the work that Gloucester Hartpury have done both on and off the field, and I’m excited to be a part of it.

“Winning three league titles on the bounce is a phenomenal achievement, but having spoken to Dan Murphy, it’s clear that the Club is hungry for more success. The ambition was a big draw for me.”