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Coventry are the beneficiaries following Ford-Robinson's tighthead shake-up at Gloucester
Ambitious Championship outfit Coventry have moved quickly to snap up Gareth Denman, the Premiership-winning prop no longer wanted by Gloucester following their recent signing of the versatile Jamal Ford-Robinson from Northampton.
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The 28-year-old tighthead has played 22 times in two years at the Cherry & Whites but has struggled with injuries this season, limiting him to just three first-team appearances as a replacement. He has also been playing on loan Hartpury, helping in their battle against relegation in the Championship.
The Rotherham-born forward came to Kingsholm in 2017 from Northampton. During his four-year stint at Franklin’s Gardens, he was involved in Saints’ Premiership and European Challenge Cup double-winning season in 2013/14 and then appeared for England against the Barbarians 12 months later.
His early career was spent in Yorkshire, initially with Carnegie, where he emerged from the academy to make his Premiership debut in 2010/11, and then at Rotherham. In total Denman has almost 150 senior appearances to his name.
The experienced prop joins fellow front row Gerard Ellis, centre Will Owen, back rowers Shane Nayalo and Ryan Burrows plus out-half Rory Jennings on the list of new recruits Coventry have to date confirmed for next season.
ICYMI: Earlier today Cov announced the addition of Premiership-winning prop to 2019/20 squad. #denmanthetank #wearecoventry #covrugby https://t.co/1ufuGjN2aS pic.twitter.com/6bLZoDXD8N
— Coventry Rugby (@CoventryRugby) April 9, 2019
Lock James Voss, who is currently dual-registered with Leicester, will also be a full-time member of the Blue-and-White squad from June.
Director of rugby Rowland Winter said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Gareth to Coventry, he will add further quality and experience to the pack as we look to make further improvement. At 28 he is approaching his prime as prop and will add serious competition to the tight head shirt for next season.”
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Denman said: “I’m really looking forward to joining Coventry; I was impressed with the ambition and plans that the club have and I can’t wait to play my part and get started in the summer.”
