Stratford hopes fresh ideas can inspire fourth PWR title

Gloucester Hartpury co-captain Zoe Stratford believes fresh faces on the sidelines can inspire the Circus to an historic fourth PWR title in a row.

Long-standing head coach Sean Lynn departed for Wales at the end of last season, with Dan Murphy stepping up to take the reins ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

Part of the coaching staff under Lynn, Murphy is well-acquainted with Gloucester, having represented the men's side as a player, but Stratford believes new ideas can help them defend their PWR crown amidst fierce competition.

“This year we have had a freshen up of coaches, something that we have needed, and it will accelerate our game even more,” she said. “We have new ideas coming in and we are going for that fourth one.

“We have set a new lot of goals; we went to a recovery place and enjoyed each other’s company. It is about making sure we are still connecting off the pitch as well as on it. 

"It is a massive thing for us at Gloucester, we really enjoy the social side. That helps bring the fun on the pitch.”

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While there has been change amongst the coaching staff, the Circus boast a wealth of continuity on the pitch with Stratford joined by seven other World Cup winners.

Mo Hunt, Alex Matthews, Jade Shekells, Mackenzie Carson, Maud Muir, Tatyana Heard and Emma Sing are all part of the Gloucester-Hartpury squad and Stratford hopes the allure of World Cup winners on show can help draw in big crowds off the back of a record-breaking summer.

“Hopefully fans have been excited by women’s rugby to come to our home stadiums,” she added.

“Being in the Red Roses team, we tried to pull people in on our journey and get to know us on a personal level and have that inside view of us as Red Roses.

“I think that connects with fans, hopefully they will want to come to the PWR, meet us and see us on the field.

“It has been the most unbelievable time, that day was one of the most incredible for women’s rugby and women’s sport. Hopefully we can take that momentum into the PWR.”

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Stratford and her teammates have certainly ensured there has been no post-World Cup hangover on the pitch, with the defending champions topping the table with three wins from three heading into a visit from Sale Sharks on Saturday.

Sharks’ trip to Kingsholm means a battle within Stratford’s own household, with new husband Luke part of the visitors’ coaching set-up.

That is unlikely to faze Stratford, who has seen it all over the past year as Red Roses captain. Instead, she is focused on cultivating the next generation on and off the pitch.

“Going back into club, we have had a lot of girls come up from our pathway,” she said.

“A massive thing for me is helping them develop as rugby players, the likes of Steph Else, to enable her to call lineouts, because they are our next generation of next Red Roses.

“I want to connect with young girls and fans off the pitch, to try and get them to their local rugby clubs. We want to be present and approachable to all people.”