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Eight players leaving Gloucester but May one of four to agree fresh terms
It’s been a busy morning for Gloucester, with the club confirming a raft of contract extensions and departures. Perhaps most surprisingly, the Premiership side have announced that Jonny May has penned new terms with the club, despite only recently rejoining from Leicester Tigers.
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Gloucester confirmed the signature of May in April, but the England international has now agreed fresh terms to his contract, just over two months since his move was first confirmed.
Gloucester have also announced that Australian international James Hanson has signed a new contract with the club, while Scottish lock Alex Craig has agreed to a new long-term deal.
Long-serving back-row forward Lewis Ludlow has also extended his contract.
However, that good news has been dampened by confirmation that eight players will leave Kingsholm at the end of the month.
The club have confirmed that three players will be leaving Gloucester for new clubs in Japan, while four more players are set to move on when their contracts expire at the end of the month.
Veteran full-back Tom Marshall, lock Franco Mostert and hooker Franco Marais are all set for moves to Japan.
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Meanwhile, Owen Williams will leave the club after three years and 37 appearances for Gloucester.
Ruan Dreyer leaves after an injury-disrupted stay at Kingsholm, making just seven appearances since joining before the 2018-19 season.
Callum Braley will head to Benetton Rugby, as announced in February. Aaron Hinkley is joining Exeter Chiefs, a move that was first announced in March, while Simon Linsell will join Ealing Trailfinders.
Lance Bradley, Chief Executive Officer, said “While it’s always sad to see players depart the Club, we nevertheless wish them all the best for the future.
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“We have, of course, been planning for these departures for some time, and will have a fully competitive squad as we look forward to restarting the 2019/20 season. We will be providing details shortly.”
Gloucester supporters will at least take heart from the growing number of players agreeing to new contracts at the club.
"There's nothing quite like playing at Kingsholm…" ?@J0nnyMay has penned an extended deal which will see his long-term future played out at 'Holm. ?
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— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) June 26, 2020
May, who scored 30 tries in 44 appearances for Leicester Tigers, is a product of the Gloucester Rugby Academy, and will be looking to add to his 62 tries for the Cherry and White, having already made 138 appearances between 2009 and 2017.
“I’ve already really enjoyed being back in the Gloucester Rugby environment, and it’s great to be able to commit my future here,” he siad.
“There’s nothing quite like playing at Kingsholm, and I can’t wait to run back out there, and hopefully enjoy it with supporters again soon.”
Bradley commented “There’s absolutely no doubt that Jonny is a world-class athlete, and that experience he has in elite-level environments will prove invaluable to us.
“Jonny will be a hugely important figure in our squad, both on and off the pitch, as we continue to develop the young wingers we have coming through.”
Ludlow initially made his breakthrough into the first team in 2013, and achieved his 100th cap in the home fixture against Wasps this season.
“Playing for Gloucester Rugby has always been a true honour for me, and there’s nowhere I’d rather play my rugby. I love this club and want to get it to where it deserves to be,” he said.
Bradley said “Lewis has shown his enthusiasm and commitment to this Club over many years. You only have to look at his performances to see just how important he is to us moving forward.
“Not only that, but as an academy graduate, he is a fantastic role-model to have in the squad. The journey he’s been on from the academy to the first team, highlights the importance of that pathway. He’s exactly the kind of player we want to build the Club around as we go forward.”
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We are delighted to announce that @LewisLudlow94 has agreed an extended deal with the Cherry & Whites. ?
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— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) June 26, 2020
Hooker Hanson has clocked up 32 appearances and scored six tries since arriving in 2017, on what was initially a short-term deal.
“I can’t wait to pull on the jersey again and run out in Cherry & White,” Hanson said.
“It’s been a great honour to represent this club and playing in front of the passionate Gloucester fans has been amazing.
Gloucester Rugby can confirm a number of departing players.
We'd like to place on record our thanks to them, and wish them the best of luck in the next step of their careers.
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— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) June 26, 2020
“We’re delighted that Chibba has decided to stay at the Club,” Bradley added.
“We were aware that he had been exploring options with other clubs, but when we sat down with him and outlined our vision for the future, and the part we saw him playing in it, it was clear that he wanted to stay.
“We’re all looking forward to seeing him playing at Kingsholm again soon.”
Craig’s contract extension also represents a boost, having made an impressive rise through the Gloucester ranks. Craig joined the senior squad at the beginning of the season and went on to earn a call-up to Scotland’s Six Nations squad earlier this year. So far he has made a total of 21 appearances for Gloucester.
Sam Cane has been in this position before. As the newly appointed #AllBlacks captain, surely he has the mana and ability to get the Chiefs up for this do-or-die clash with the Crusaders.@realmikepulman gives his take. #SuperRugbyAotearoa #CRUvCHIhttps://t.co/CYhknrHCDz
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 26, 2020
“I’ve really enjoyed my rugby at Gloucester so it was an easy decision to extend my contract,” Craig said.
“I’ve had plenty of opportunities this season to break through into the first team and show what I can do, so I’m really looking forward to continue fighting for my place and pulling on the Cherry & White jersey again.”
“Alex has shown just how much potential he has this season,” Bradley added.
“Being recognised for an international call-up is credit to the work he’s put in so far and it’s important for him now to kick on and keep developing.
“It’s tribute to Alex, and the Academy, that he’s been able to make his mark so quickly after signing a senior deal.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments