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Hartpury alumni named home nations women’s rugby captains

Three Hartpury University and Hartpury College alumni have been named as captains for their respective women's rugby national teams this year.

Zoe Aldcroft (former Level 3 sport diploma and BSc sport and exercise sciences student) has been named as England captain for 2025. Fellow alumna Hannah Jones (BSc (Hons) sports therapy) has also been named captain of Wales, while Hartpury staff member Sam Monaghan (forwards coach) is confirmed as captain of Ireland.

Zoe was named World Player of the Year in 2021 and has co-captained Gloucester Hartpury RFC to the last two Premiership Women's Rugby titles.

Talking to the BBC, Zoe said: "It's an incredible honour. I feel privileged to have the trust of John Mitchell (head coach) and the coaching staff.

"To be able to follow in Marlie Packer's (former captain) footsteps means a lot to me. I am extremely grateful for the knowledge and advice she has shared with me over the years, and I know I will be well supported by her, Meg and our whole leadership group."

Zoe has captained England before, including against Scotland in their successful 2024 Six Nations Grand Slam campaign.

Tom Radcliffe, director of elite sport at Hartpury University and Hartpury College, said: "We're immensely proud to see three outstanding players with Hartpury links named as captains of their respective nations. All three players are outstanding role models for our current students and alumni, and are ambassadors of our well-established rugby pathway."

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