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Gloucester-Hartpury: Props Maud Muir & Niamh O'Dowd sign new deals

England prop Maud Muir and Ireland prop Niamh O'Dowd both agree new contracts to stay with Gloucester-Hartpury.

Gloucester-Hartpury: Props Maud Muir & Niamh O'Dowd sign new deals

Maud Muir, who has 51 England caps, has been ever-present in Gloucester-Hartpury's front row

England loose-head prop Maud Muir has signed a new deal to stay with Gloucester-Hartpury beyond the end of this season.

The 24-year-old has already surpassed 50 caps for the Red Roses since her international debut in 2021, winning four Six Nations Grand Slams as well as the World Cup last year.

Muir signed for Gloucester-Hartpury in 2022 from Wasps and has played a part in all three of their Premiership Women's Rugby titles for the past three seasons.

Head of rugby Dan Murphy said Muir is "one of the best props in the game".

"She brings a huge amount to the squad, not just in her performances, but in her character within the environment," he said.

"There's a real hunger in her to keep improving, which is exciting for us as a club."

Muir is the third England player to extend her contract with the club following number eight Alex Matthews and winger Emma Sing.

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Meanwhile fellow prop, Ireland international Niamh O'Dowd, has also agreed a new deal with the club.

O'Dowd, 26, joined Gloucester-Hartpury in November as injury cover and has made seven appearances so far this season.

She has won 22 caps for Ireland and is part of their current Six Nations squad.

"She brings real power in the set-piece, a high work rate around the pitch and a strong physical presence, but just as importantly, she's fitted seamlessly into our environment and driven standards day in, day out," Murphy said.

"Bringing someone in of her calibre has been a major boost for us."

Fonte original: BBC Sport Rugby Union