Banahan takes up Gloucester-Hartpury coaching role

Matt Banahan left his role with Scotland despite the World Cup being just a few weeks away

Gloucester-Hartpury have appointed former England back Matt Banahan as assistant coach.

The 38-year-old joins the Premiership Women’s Rugby side after leaving his role as Scotland’s assistant coach earlier this month.

The Jersey-born former Bath and Gloucester player won 16 caps for England and was part of the squad that went to the 2011 World Cup.

"I loved my time with Scotland, and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to coach at international level, but the chance to join Gloucester-Hartpury was too good to turn down,” Banahan told the club website.

"Working in women's rugby for the past two years and having many friends within the environment, I've really admired the work that Gloucester-Hartpury have done both on and off the field, and I'm excited to be a part of it."

Head of rugby Dan Murphy added: "Matt has an incredible amount of knowledge and expertise, not just from his playing career but also from the way he studies and analyses the game.

"He was doing good things with Scotland; their backs have been sharp under his guidance, and he's already made a name for himself as a coach just two years into his coaching journey.

"We're sure that he'll fit right in with The Circus and help take our world-class squad to another level."