Ireland prop O'Dowd joins Gloucester-Hartpury

Niamh O'Dowd has 20 caps for Ireland

Gloucester-Hartpury have signed Ireland loose-head prop Niamh O'Dowd as injury cover for the rest of the season.

The 25-year-old has been capped 20 times and played in three of Ireland's four World Cup matches this summer as they reached the quarter-finals.

The three-time reigning Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) champions are top of the table after winning their opening four matches, but remain without Mackenzie Carson because of a knee injury sustained during the World Cup and Maud Muir is also sidelined.

"We're delighted to welcome Niamh into the squad," said head coach Dan Murphy.

"She's demonstrated her quality consistently at international level, and her power, work-rate and set-piece nous will be valuable assets for us.

"With injuries in the front row, bringing someone of Niamh's calibre is a major boost, and we're looking forward to seeing the impact she makes during her time with us."

Gloucester-Hartpury travel to Bristol Bears on Sunday in their next PWR match.

"The club's success over the past few seasons speaks for itself - being three-time champions doesn't happen by accident, and the standards set by the coaching team and wider environment really stood out to me," O'Dowd said.