GLOUCESTER Hartpury have strengthened their coaching team ahead of the new season with the appointment of experienced coach and performance specialist Richie Williams.

Williams has joined the club as assistant coach for the 2026/27 campaign, bringing more than 20 years of experience from club, university and international rugby.

His arrival follows six years as director of rugby at Cambridge RFC, where he oversaw rugby operations and helped guide the club to a historic promotion to the Championship in 2023.

Williams has also worked internationally as performance director with the Hungarian Rugby Union, leading programmes covering the men’s XVs and sevens teams, age-grade squads and women’s development.

His coaching CV also includes spells with England Counties U20, Belgium’s national sevens side and England Universities Sevens.

More recently, he has provided specialist attack and backs coaching to Oxford University’s Blues squad and Championship club Chinnor.

Gloucester Hartpury head of rugby Dan Murphy said Williams’ experience in player development would be particularly valuable to the club.

He said: “Richie brings a huge amount of experience from across the game, both in England and internationally.

“His work at Cambridge, where he helped guide the club into the Championship, speaks for itself.

“His experience in attack and backs coaching will complement the existing coaching team really well.”

Williams said Gloucester Hartpury’s reputation for success and developing players had been a major attraction.

He said: “I’m really excited to be joining the club and to have the opportunity to work with such a talented group of players and coaches.

“I’ve really enjoyed working in attack and backs environments throughout my career, so the opportunity to contribute to an exciting style of rugby and work with this group was one I couldn’t turn down.”

Williams will now join the coaching set-up as preparations continue for the 2026/27 season.