The new Wales Women’s head coach masterminded a ‘three-peat’ for the Circus as they hit back from a 19-5 deficit against Saracens at the StoneX Stadium to retain their title with a 34-19 victory that enabled them to become the first club to win the title for three years in a row.
If it was the perfect way for Lynn to end his reign as head coach at the top English club, it also put a spring in the step of Hannah Jones, Lleucu George, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis and Meg Davies as they prepare for a huge clash in Edinburgh this weekend against Scotland in the opening round of the Six Nations.
Williams scored the opening try in the final and George was hugely influential once again as Gloucester-Hartpury added Saracens to Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs as the teams they have beaten in the finals.
The only Welsh loser on the day was Sarries lock Georgia Evans in her third final. She was a powerhouse for the home side in a pack that dominated early on but then had to play second fiddle as Lynn’s side turned up the power.
“We had a deeper level that we wanted to go to with Lynny leaving. There was something deeper we had to fight for,” explained Gloucester-Hartpury co-captain Zoe Aldcroft.
“We said at the start of the day we had to put all that emotion aside we had a job to do. It is so emotional but I’m buzzing that we managed to get the third title for him.
“He’s been unbelievable for us and built that legacy. No team has done that before and I’m super proud that we could do it for him. He’s just made sure we are in this together. When we step on that pitch, we fight for each other, we don’t let anyone go it alone.
“He has been fantastic in bringing us all together and we’ve got good people in good place. That’s what we really pride ourselves on at Gloucester-Hartpury.”
The big Welsh presence at the champion club means Lynn should be able to get his messages across in his new role as Wales head coach. If leaving Gloucester-Hartpury after nearly 20 years of involvement is bound to be a wrench, he is now stepping into the job he prizes above all others.
“It’s the connections Lynny helps us create, his family is in and around training at games that make him different. My dad comes and chats with Lynny after games,” explained Wales back row forward Beth Lewis.
“Family is important to him. He’s a really good man, which helps, and he gets good people in the right places. That’s across the board, from players to staff.”
Beth Lewis in action for Wales
Much lauded in PWR circles for his record-breaking achievements at club level, Lynn is no looking forward to making the step up to the international scene. That starts this weekend with the Scotland game and a week later his Welsh team will take on this year’s World Cup hosts England for the first time at Principality Stadium in a statement fixture for the women’s game in Wales.
Since being named as the successor to Ioan Cunningham in January, Lynn has been spitting his time between Gloucester-Hartpury and Wales. Now his sole focus will be on his Welsh team, the upcoming Six Nations and then the World Cup later in the year.
“To finish this stint off with Gloucester-Hartpury with a three-peat is very special. I can’t fault the players and it’s a special club,” said Lynn after his final game.
“I keep on saying it’s not about me. The PWR is just growing and growing, and it was a real spectacle out there. To have my family in the huddle at the end shows that dreams do come true.”
Having already re-appointed Hannah Jones as captain Lynn has maintained consistency within his 37-player squad and has a hugely influential Gloucester-Hartpury star at his right-hand side. Like everyone else in the squad, Jones can’t wait to get started playing for Lynn in an international context.
Wales captain Hannah Jones
“He’s the right person for the job for sure. Since he’s been announced, I’ve been excited to get my Welsh jersey back on again,” said Jones.
“We talk about results, and we talk about who’s going to win but a big result for me as captain is just seeing the girls happy in a Welsh shirt and enjoying their rugby in a Welsh environment again.
“As a Gloucester-Hartpury player I know what a good environment is. I know what it should feel like and I’ve full faith in the people we now have in place – you’re going to see a different side to us.
“I feel like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I can just pay rugby again and not have to deal with all this nonsense behind the scenes.”
