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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sarah Rendell

‘Galvanising’ Christmas bash sparks Gloucester-Hartpury’s revival

Sean Lynn Emma Sing Saracens Gloucester Bristol Bristol Bears GloucesterHartpury
Emma Sing goes over for a try for Gloucester-Hartpury against Bristol Bears
Gloucester-Hartpury’s Emma Sing goes over for a try during their semi-final defeat of Bristol Bears. Photograph: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK/Shutterstock

A Christmas dinner was to prove the catalyst that turned around Gloucester-Hartpury’s season. The defending Premiership Women’s Rugby champions’ defeat by Bristol Bears in November was their third of the campaign, the most losses in a season since the 2021-22 season, and led senior players to tell head coach Sean Lynn: “We are not us.”

After hearing those comments, Lynn’s wife, Vicki, had the idea to invite the players for Christmas dinner. Some 25 turned up with the food served in the children’s playroom and the team cobbled around two tables.

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