Red Roses captain Sarah Hunter will leave Bristol Ladies to join her university team, Loughborough, as player/assistant coach ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.
Along with Hunter, fellow England stars Sarah Bern and Danielle Waterman will also depart the club.
The new Tyrrell’s Premier 15s league is due to start next weekend, as Bristol play host to Richmond on Sunday, September 17th at Cleve RFC (2pm KO).
Head Coach Kris de Scossa says it is opportunity for the players to develop their working careers further, with new opportunities following the World Cup: “Sarah Hunter has always been a player who leads by example, from the front.
“A lot of the WRWC players have been looking to re-establish careers, so It is great news that post World Cup she has found and chosen a career opportunity to take her in a new direction, we are extremely happy for her.
“Sarah Bern has had a great development process at Bristol, she has emerged as a player packed with confidence, a player who has a bright future both in her studies at Hartpury, and with England Rugby.
“The move to Gloucester-Hartpury has made total sense in terms of time management and her studies and we wish her good luck.
“Danielle Waterman is an inspiration, we wish her the best of luck always and I have no doubt we will be seeing her soon.
“The Bristol Ladies Rugby programme is huge, we spoke of the great pathway that we offered for aspiring players from all over the south west, through our outreach programmes and how exciting the new direction we are heading is.
“With the fantastic challenges of the new Tyrells Premier 15s. I know I can speak for everyone at Bristol Ladies Rugby and wish the ladies good luck on her new journey.”
