A Christmas dinner proved to be the turning point in Gloucester-Hartpury’s season. Following their defeat by Bristol Bears in November their third loss of the campaign senior players expressed their concern to head coach Sean Lynn, stating: “We are not us.” Recognizing the need to restore team unity, Lynn’s wife, Vicki, suggested hosting a Christmas dinner for the squad. Around 25 players attended, sharing a meal in the children’s playroom, seated around two tables.
That defeat against Bristol turned out to be their last of the season. Gloucester-Hartpury responded by winning their final nine regular season matches and exacting revenge on Bristol in the semi-final. This remarkable turnaround has earned them a place in the Premiership final against Saracens at StoneX Stadium. Lynn, who will leave the club after the final to take over as Wales head coach, believes the dinner played a crucial role in their resurgence.
“The Monday after the Bristol game, I asked the players: ‘Who are we? What is us?’” Lynn recalled. “We defined what we wanted to go after. I would say it was a galvanizing moment. Spending more time together in an open, friendly environment can make a massive difference.”
Among those contributing to the festive occasion were Emma Sing and Kathryn Buggy, who were responsible for dessert. Sing made a Biscoff cheesecake, while Buggy brought a Bailey’s one. Beyond her baking skills, Sing has also excelled on the pitch, finishing as the league’s top point-scorer.
Mind games between Gloucester and Saracens have already begun ahead of the final. Despite the match being played at Saracens’ home ground, Gloucester will use the home dressing room, having finished top of the regular season standings. Sing noted that some Saracens players had insisted in England camp that their changing room was “sacred” and that Gloucester wouldn’t be allowed in. “But we are definitely in there, so that’s one step in their heads,” she said.
Saracens will be formidable opponents, having last won the trophy in 2022. They lost just four times in the regular season and overcame Harlequins in the semi-final to return to the championship decider. Hooker May Campbell emphasized the significance of reclaiming the title, particularly in what has been a demanding and fast-paced season.
This campaign has been compressed due to the upcoming Rugby World Cup in England, which will take place in August and September. The tight schedule has placed additional strain on part-time players such as Campbell, who works as the head of talent for a crypto payments company, and Sing, who is also a rugby coach.
“It’s been pretty intense, especially as one of the ‘part-timers,’ balancing a job alongside rugby,” Campbell admitted. “It’s been relentless playing at the weekend, then immediately focusing on the next game. Performing week in, week out, while ensuring we recover properly, has been a different kind of challenge.”
Now, only one challenge remains: winning the Premiership Women’s Rugby trophy. Gloucester will be eager to give Lynn a triumphant send-off, while Saracens are determined to reclaim the title from the defending champions. Campbell acknowledged the difficulty of the task ahead but added that winning against Gloucester would make lifting the trophy “even more satisfying.”
