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Gloucester recruitment drive continues with Pumas lock their latest arrival

By Online Editors
(Photo by Warren Little/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Gloucester have confirmed the signing of Argentine lock Matias Alemanno on a long-term deal as they bid to replenish a pack that had taken a buffeting in recent months since the departure of Johan Ackermann as head coach.

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The exit of the South African was followed by the departure of David Humphreys, the director of rugby, and a plethora of players, including locks Franco Mostert, who is heading for Japan, and Gerbrandt Grobler, who has taken up a two-year deal at Stade Francais in the Top 14.  

A first step towards filling the void was taken last Saturday when new boss George Skivington announced the signing of former Bath skipper Matt Garvey on a short-term deal. 

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The experienced forward, who can operate at lock or flanker, has arrived at Kingsholm for the restart of the suspended 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season with an abundance of knowledge in the game. 

He will now be joined in the Gloucester engine room by Argentine Alemanno, the 28-year-old powerhouse who was first capped by Los Pumas in 2014. He has since become a key member of the Argentina pack, earning 61 caps and featuring at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.

“Matias is a fantastic addition the squad and I’m delighted he’s joining us,” said Skivington. “He brings a lot of the attributes we have been looking for in that area and we think he can continue to develop with us and compliment players we already have in the squad. 

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“He’s a physical and abrasive player, and his style of play will really suit the Gallagher Premiership. We’re sure the fans will be looking forward to seeing him play.”

The recruitment of Garvey and Alemanno sandwiched the arrival of prop Logovi’i Mulipola and attack coach Alex King at the club as Skivington attempts to pick up the thread ahead of the August 15 Premiership season restart away at Worcester. 

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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