Gloucester sign Mayco Vivas with immediate effect

Gloucester have signed prop Mayco Vivas with immediate effect following the completion of his Rugby Championship campaign with Argentina. Kingsholm boss George Skivington spoke cautiously on Tuesday about the temptation of adding to his squad with the Gallagher Premiership season underway and Worcester about to be liquidated.

“I really like this group we have got and if I keep them all in the building I will,” he said, explaining his preference would be back the players he already has at Kingsholm rather than potentially hinder their development by recruiting from the Worcester firesale.

“We all get the chance, we all get to look at the players who are out there and that sort of thing and all the clubs will have the same agents ringing them saying listen, so and so is on offer. But from my point of view I like the squad we have got, I like backing young players like you see with Harry Taylor and Cam Jordan and these lads.

“I’m not saying nothing would ever happen if there was a good fit but I am also very keen to develop the young players and invest in the long term. If a player was going to block someone’s development, that is not the route we go down.”

That said, Skivington soon delved into the market much further afield than Worcester and the signing of Vivas was announced just over 27 hours after the head coach had shared his thoughts on recruitment. A club statement read: “Gloucester Rugby welcome the addition of Argentinian international Mayco Vivas, who joins the club immediately.

“The 6ft 1in, 122kg prop made a name for himself playing Super Rugby for the Jaguares in 2019 before making his international debut in the same year. Vivas, who has won 17 caps for his homeland, was involved in this year’s Rugby Championship squad for the Pumas, including their historic victory over the All Blacks. The 24-year-old joins Pumas teammates Matias Alemanno, Santiago Carreras and Santiago Socino in making Kingsholm their home.”

Skivington said: “We are delighted to bring Mayco here to Gloucester. Heis clearly a talented player that offers a lot to the team in terms of set-piece and around the park. Mayco is 24 and has got the potential to progress even further here at Kingsholm.

“We are really excited to see what he can bring to us. He also adds some extra quality into an already strong front row which is crucial for a long Premiership season.”