Murphy’s appointment signals the start of a new era at the club which has been the standard bearer in recent seasons. But rather than overhauling what has gone before his approach is more to freshen up what is already there.
For a start, he is far from new to the Gloucester-Hartpury set-up, having worked as the team’s scrum coach under Lynn for the past four seasons. Lewis Arnold also remains as forwards coach with former England back Matt Banahan brought on to the staff.
Co-captain Zoe Aldcroft, now known by her married name Stratford, said the team has got the same feeling with Murphy now at the helm.
“Murph’s been with us for many years before,” she told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
“We’ve experienced him and know what he’s like as a person.
“Him coming in and bringing his view on things has been really great and refreshing, actually, as well as having Matt Banahan here leading our attack and bringing new ideas.
“It’s always good to have that new freshness in and keep things motivated.”
How a team that completed a three-peat in the spring, and features no fewer than eight England internationals, including Red Roses captain Stratford – who lifted the World Cup trophy in Twickenham just four weeks ago – continues to find motivation might sound like a challenge.
But Stratford said it is simple. Their motivation this season is the same as it always has been – “winning”.
“We absolutely love that – we’re a team where we’re very competitive, and when we take the field, we put our bodies on the line for each other, and we love doing it for each other as well,” she said.
