Leitch called up for England Students coaching role

The Students’ Rugby Football Union (SRFU) has announced Poppy Leitch will be assistant coach to newly appointed head coach Andrew Ford for the re-established England Students Women’s programme.

The programme has been restarted after a 20-year hiatus in line with the continuing growth of women’s rugby nationally and internationally.

The SRFU, along with the university sector, wants to take the opportunity to showcase the significant women’s rugby talent still developing via the higher education establishments in England.

Ford is currently the head coach of the Hartpury University Women’s side, and this season led them to a third league title in a row, as well as being voted Women’s BUCS Super Rugby coach of the season.

He is also the backs and attack coach of the PWR programme at Gloucester-Hartpury, where he has won three Premiership titles in a row.

SRFU chair Mark Hyndman said: "We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Andrew Ford as the new head coach of the England Students Women’s team.

“Andrew's recent accolade as the BUCS Super Rugby Coach of the Year is a testament to his exceptional coaching abilities and dedication to developing the women’s pathway.

“We are confident that under his leadership, the team will thrive this summer when playing UKAF.”

The UKAF Women's Rugby team, which consists of players from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, will host a camp and a fixture against the England Students Women's team from the August 5 to 9, 2025. The match will be played on Friday, August 8 - KO TBC.

This event will serve as a warm-up for the Women's International Defence Rugby Competition taking place in England in August, leading up to the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.

Ford said: “I'm hoping it's going to be a great week for everyone involved in the programme, and we can really go out there and show it deserves to be here.

“I’m really glad that Katy Storie pushed to get this up and running now, especially in the World Cup year, rather than waiting because we really felt now is the time to do it. The strength of the university system is unbelievable.”

Meanwhile, as Exeter University Women’s head coach, Leitch saw her side finish second in BUCS Super rugby this year, just two points behind champions Hartpury.

Leitch was also voted BUCS Women’s National League coach of the season in 2022/23, when she led her Exeter side to a BUCS National championship final in their first season in the top-flight since 2019/20

In December, Leitch also became the first Exeter Chiefs Women’s player to reach 100 appearances for the club and is also a graduate of the university pathway herself, having won the championship twice as a player.

She said: “I think back to my university experience, and I was probably one of those players who could have done with an England Students opportunity. It’s a step up, and I think having this programme is vital.”

Finishing the set-up in a critical role, international programme manager with the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team, Charlotte Ankerstjerne, will also join as team manager for the programme.