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Lynn: 'This group of girls are winners'
A competitive environment has been the cornerstone of Gloucester-Hartpury's push to defend their Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby title, says head coach Sean Lynn.
Gloucester-Hartpury battled past Exeter Chiefs in last season’s final to claim their maiden title, before emerging victorious against Exeter once more in this year’s semi-final to set up a showpiece with Bristol Bears at Sandy Park.
The West Country club have emerged as one of the PWR’s top sides, having never finished higher than fourth in the league before last season, and Lynn is revelling in his side’s success.
The #PWRFinal is LOCKED IN 🔒@GlosHartpury 🆚 @BristolBearsW
— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) June 9, 2024
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He said: "It’s a great environment at the moment, everybody works hard. You’ve got your senior players and youngsters taking their opportunities but for me to have an environment you’ve got to have those honest conversations.
"The group of girls that we’ve got now, they’re winners. The staff we’ve got are competitive and they all want to be winners, so the big thing for me is making sure we’re giving those young girls opportunities.
"The camp is a competitive camp and that just thrives in training and in games."
Lynn spent 22 years in the Hartpury University rugby set-up as both a player and coach before taking the reins at Kingsholm and has instilled a philosophy predicated on youth development at the West Country side, reaping the rewards through the emergences of Nel Metcalfe, Pip Hendy and Steph Else.
While developing young players may be paramount to his coaching philosophy, Lynn is all too aware of the value of experience, with stalwarts and co-captains Zoe Aldcroft and Natasha 'Mo' Hunt offering an invaluable blend of wisdom and know-how.
And Lynn lavished praise on the duo for their leadership, regarding the pair as indispensable to Gloucester-Hartpury's identity as a club and institution.
He added: "When I first came on board this job, I made sure that our pathway was one where we made sure young players are coming through and retaining the likes of Zoe Alcroft and Mo Hunt which was really pleasing.
"Zoe is massive off the pitch. Even when she was going through rehab, everyone could see what a true professional she is. Some pathway girls might struggle coming into the environment and all I have to say towards Zoe is "this individual is struggling and she was like ‘Yeah, no problem. Lynny, I’ll catch up with them and have a coffee."
"But also, the key thing is having Mo fit. It’s a massive testament having someone like Mo, who is a big leader for us and it’s incredible to have that. That to me epitomises where we are as a club."
On Saturday, Gloucester-Hartpury will face a Bristol side emboldened by an impressive away win at Saracens in the semi-final and determined to go one step further.
And despite his own side’s sterling league campaign this season, with 15 wins and only one loss, Lynn is under no illusions about the threat posed by Dave Ward’s charges.
He said: "We’re very excited. It’s a great challenge, a cup final and everyone wants to be in those big games. ‘As a group we’ve taken huge confidence from our performance against Exeter so it’s worth getting excited for.
"We know how good Bristol are, they beat Saracens at their home ground in a semi-final. I give full credit to Dave and the team that they’ve got there.
"They’ve had a little bit of an injury crisis and a key part of the PWR is how you get through those crises and full credit to Dave for sticking to his pillars and they’re now in the final."
Tickets are now on sale for the Allianz PWR Final. Don't miss out on an incredible celebration of women's sport on 22 June at 3pm at Sandy Park. To buy tickets click here
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