Gloucester-Hartpury head coach Dan Murphy is hoping experience will count for his side when they take on Trailfinders in the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) semi-finals this weekend.
The Circus are seeking a fourth PWR title in a row, but come into the play-offs having lost back-to-back games at the end of the regular season.
Prior to their defeat against Trailfinders at the end of May, Murphy’s side had not lost since November 2024.
With no margin for error at this stage of the season, Murphy said it was now a case of putting experience to good use, something his team has in abundance.
“This group have been through a lot of big games this year and in previous seasons,” he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
“We have been through so much and those experiences we have come through together will help us this weekend.
“That helps with big decisions. We have players here who have captained their country – like Kelsey [Jones] and Sam Monaghan.”
While lifting the PWR crown would mean a fourth consecutive triumph for Gloucester, it would be the first for Murphy at the helm, having taken charge at the start of the campaign.
And although the first 16 games of the season could not have gone better, the past two weeks would have been a reminder of the strong competition standing between Gloucester-Hartpury and the title.
“This is the biggest game of our season [so far], and we need to make sure we are in the next one,” Murphy said.
“It would be amazing [to win the title] but we have a job to do this weekend.
“Momentum is a funny thing and it has gotten away from us recently, but the group are focused and determined and there is no better place to do that than at home this weekend.”
And it is a home that will be renamed before Trailfinders arrive on Sunday. From Kingsholm to Queensholm, it will be a reminder of who is in town and looking to create history this weekend.
“To see that and be reminded that this is our home is just brilliant,” Murphy said.
“Playing in front of 3,000 people, and seeing the growth we have achieved on our journey in the past few seasons is special.
“We are excited for Sunday, we will have to leave it all out there.”
