International trio staying at Gloucester-hartpury
ENGLAND international trio Alex Matthews, Tatyana Heard and Emma Sing have penned new deals and committed their future to Gloucester-hartpury.
Matthews has been a constant presence in Gloucester-hartpury’s squad since joining from Worcester in 2022.
She is one of the premier players in world rugby and was named in the 2023 Dream Team, as well as being nominated for 2023 World Player of the Year.
Heard is one of the club’s most experienced players, having been part of the squad since 2017, making her England debut in 2018.
Sing has been a key player in Gloucesterhartpury’s unbeaten start to this year’s Allianz PWR as her goal kicking has proven to be the difference in tight matches this season.
Heard said: “It’s a great environment to be a part of. We’ve started this season really well and I’m looking forward to getting back for the remainder of the season.”
Sing added: “The club has had a lot of success over the last few seasons and I’m really excited to be part of it.
“The club has given me the foundations to develop as a player and put me in a position where I can represent the Red Roses.”
The trio were all named in a 35-player group for a three-day camp during the fallow week of the Six Nations, with Mia Venner called up for the first time this season alongside Zoe Aldcroft, Sarah Beckett, Mackenzie Carson, Natasha Hunt and Maud Muir.
Beckett sat out the win over Wales last weekend, and will also miss games against Scotland and Ireland after being slapped with a three-week ban after her sending off in the 48-0 win over Italy.
An independent panel upheld the red card, but did not hand out a potential six-week punishment after commending Beckett for her “remorse” and “good character”.
Last weekend, 17 Gloucester-hartpury players represented England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales in the Six Nations.
Scrum-half Caity Mattinson’s Scotland were defeated 15-5 by France, while England made it two wins in a row as they eased past Wales 46-10 at Ashton Gate.
Aldcroft who marked her 50th England cap with a first-half try, while Muir also got on the scoresheet.
Matthews, Heard, Hunt and Carson were also involved, while for Wales, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Lleucu George, Kerin Lake, captain Hannah Jones, Nel Metcalfe and Abbey Constable all played a part.
For Ireland, Sam Monaghan made her first appearance since January in their 27-21 loss to Italy, captaining the side, while Neve Jones scored her side’s second try.