Gloucester-Hartpury delivered a fairytale ending for their departing head coach, securing their third consecutive Premiership Women’s Rugby title with a victory over Saracens. The triumph marked the end of an era for Sean Lynn, who leaves the club after transforming them from a mid-table side to the first to achieve three successive league titles.
Lynn’s departure was on fans’ minds from the outset. Supporters formed a tunnel to welcome the team, with chants shifting from their club’s name to repeated calls of “Lynny.” Lynn described the moment as “lovely” and the title win as something he would “treasure forever.” He expressed gratitude for his time with the club, highlighting the dedication of players and staff in their success.
Prop Maud Muir earned player of the match honors with an impressive display, while co-captain Natasha “Mo” Hunt led with skill, despite receiving a first-half yellow card. Though the final scoreline was commanding, Gloucester faced early challenges. Absorbing significant attacking pressure, they showcased resilience a defining feature of their season.
Their arrival on the pitch to Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” was fitting, as moments of magic soon followed. Mia Venner exploited a gap in the defense to set up Kate Williams for the opening try. Saracens responded with a similar effort, Jess Breach finishing the move herself as she continued her strong form following injury.
Gloucester’s discipline wavered, allowing Saracens to capitalize through their renowned rolling maul. A penalty try was awarded when Gloucester brought it down illegally, leading to Hunt’s sin-binning. Taking advantage of the numerical advantage, Saracens executed a brilliant team try, finished by Lotte Sharp.
Gloucester steadied themselves, with Emma Sing and Venner crossing the line to keep them in contention. Despite trailing 19-15 at halftime, they seized control in the second half with tries from Muir and hooker Neve Jones. Even after going down to 14 players again following Alex Matthews’ yellow card for a high tackle, they prevented Saracens from scoring further.
Hunt’s try sealed the victory, triggering jubilant celebrations. The final whistle saw Gloucester players mob each other while Lynn embraced his staff in triumph. Fans revived their chants of “Lynny” as the coach’s era ended on a high note.
Co-captain Zoe Aldcroft reflected on the emotional significance of the win, emphasizing the team’s commitment to their coach and the legacy he built. She credited Lynn with fostering a culture of unity and determination, ensuring every player fought for one another on the field.
For Saracens, the loss was a setback, but their focus has already shifted to next season. Head coach Alex Austerberry remained optimistic, recalling how his team rebounded from a previous league final defeat to claim the title the following year. Acknowledging Gloucester’s dominance, he expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to rise to the challenge and reclaim the championship.
Saracens will have to wait for their chance at redemption, with the Premiership Women’s Rugby season resuming in October after the Rugby World Cup. Meanwhile, Lynn turns his attention to international duties, beginning Women’s Six Nations preparations as he aims to continue his streak of success.
