Zoe Aldcroft: England lock extends Gloucester-Hartpury deal

Zoe Aldcroft has been a key part of England's 23-game winning streak and helped Gloucester finish sixth in the Premier 15s table last season

World Rugby women's player of the year Zoe Aldcroft has extended her deal at Premier 15s side Gloucester-Hartpury.

The Cherry and Whites have not disclosed the length of the England lock's new contract at the club.

Aldcroft has 30 England caps and has been at Gloucester since joining from Darlington Mowden Park Sharks in 2018.

Meanwhile, the club have also signed 28-year-old England flanker Alex Matthews, who has spent the past two seasons at Worcester Warriors.

Matthews has won 50 England caps and was part of the England side that won the 2014 World Cup, as well as winning a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games for England's sevens side.

• Aldcroft named world player of the year

"The fact that we are able to attract players of Alex's talent shows that what we are building here is really special," said head coach Sean Lynn.

On Aldcroft, Lynn added: "Zoe was named as the best player in the world last season so we are really pleased to have retained her services," said head coach Sean Lynn.

"There's no doubt that she had plenty of options on the table so the fact that she wants to stay has given the squad and the club a real boost.