'Incredibly proud' Ireland and Gloucester Hartpury prop Perry announces retirement

Ireland and Gloucester Hartpury prop Ellena Perry will call time on her rugby career at the conclusion of this Premiership Women’s Rugby season.

To date the 29-year-old has won four PWR [two Premier 15s and two PWR] titles with the Circus and Saracens, and also represented England on 11 occasions before she switched allegiances thanks to a maternal grandfather from Ireland in 2025.

Perry’s return to Test rugby with Ireland marked a remarkable return to top flight rugby after she took a career break to give birth to her son, Bert, in 2022.

After she returned to domestic action with Gloucester Hartpury, Ireland head coach Scott Bemand recruited Perry ahead of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

Perry started every match of Ireland’s third-place finish in the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations and has won nine caps for Ireland, the last of those coming against Scotland in a 54-5 win in front of a record crowd of 31,294 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

“Making the decision to retire hasn’t been easy because rugby has been such a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Perry said.

“Joining Gloucester Hartpury in 2019 was one of the best decisions I ever made. To be part of this Club’s journey and to help create the success we’ve enjoyed together is something I will always be incredibly proud of.

“One of the most special parts of my time at the Club has been seeing how everyone has embraced my son, Bert.

“Watching him grow up around such incredible role models, whether that’s running around the changing room, celebrating on the pitch or spending time with the team away from rugby, has meant the world to me and my family.

“To the coaches, staff and supporters, thank you for supporting me throughout my time here. I can’t wait to watch what comes next for this incredible club.”

Gloucester Hartpury have also announced that club stalwart Rachel Lund and 19-cap England scrum-half Bianca Blackburn will also retire at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

Lund said: “For a long time, I have known that when the day came to play my final rugby game after 25 years in the sport, I wanted it to be in a Gloucester shirt, representing this club, my teammates, and my family.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to call Gloucester Hartpury my home for the past nine years. I am incredibly grateful to the club and the staff who have supported me throughout my time here. The experiences, opportunities, and friendships I have gained along the way are something I will always treasure.”

Blackburn said: “Rugby has shaped so much of who I am, and looking back on my journey, I feel incredibly fortunate for everything the game has given me.

“To every coach, teammate and member of staff who has supported me throughout my career, thank you. Shout out to my family too, especially my Grandad Joe who introduced me to the game.

“As I move forward in my career with the police, I do so with immense gratitude for everything rugby has given me. Gloucester Hartpury will always be a special place to me, and I’ll forever be proud to have been part of the Circus.”

Gloucester Hartpury have already secured a home PWR semi-final next weekend and will host Trailfinders Women, as Dan Murphy’s side aim to win a fourth consecutive league title in a row.