Making her debut for Gloucester-Hartpury Women last weekend as a replacement was the latest recruit to the squad, Canadian Gurpeet Dhaliwal. We caught up with her to talk about what attracted her to come over and play in England.

“I was just finishing up my last year at University and my coach mentioned to me, as I have aspirations to play for the national team, that this would be a really good opportunity and experience for myself. So, I jumped at it!

“Both my coaches in Canada are national team players, and there were a few national players in my University team so I was able to get plenty of advice about coming over to play in the Tyrrells Premier 15s.

“So, they helped me to look into it and to pick a team. Gloucester-Hartpury just jumped out at me and I couldn’t shake it and here I am.”

She describes herself as a versatile player, able to feature in both the second row and the back row, and said that was something that appealed to Gloucester-Hartpury Head Coach Susie Appleby when they spoke initially on the phone.

“When I spoke to Susie (Appleby), I mentioned that I’m not your standard forward. I’m not exceptionally big, but I’m pretty versatile and mobile I mostly play second row, but you’ll also see me out in the wide channels as I’m pretty mobile, helping to support the outside backs.

“She said that it was something she could use in the squad and it was exciting to know that I would fit in here.”

Gurpreet is open about her international aspirations and feels that getting valuable game time will improve her game and enhance those prospects.

“I’ve been playing rugby for seven years now, the past five years at the University of Victoria. I made the Canadian long list during the past year and now I’d love to make the senior squad and ultimately wear the Maple Leaf.

“Playing at the highest level in English club rugby, in the Tyrrells Premier 15s, will be a big step towards achieving that. This competition is one of the top competitions for women rugby players in the world and players from all over the world are coming over to take part.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to come over and experience that and test myself against the very best.

“It’s also a great life experience. I’m excited to live in England and play my rugby here. I’m in a rugby community and that’s so important to me.”

Gurpreet Dhaliwal looking to make her mark for Gloucester-Hartpury in Tyrrells Premier 15s

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