Gloucester's Savage lands move to Japan
One of Gloucester Rugby’s longest serving players, Tom Savage, will embark upon a new playing challenge at the end of the current season when he moves to Japan to join Suntory Sungoliath.
Since he made his first team debut in 2011-12, ‘Sav’ as he is widely known, has become one of the most popular players in the Gloucester Rugby squad, winning plaudits from team-mates, media and supporters for his never say die approach to his rugby.
He may not have graduated through a club’s Academy system, but the 29-year-old seized his opportunity when it came and has gone on to become a first team regular for the Cherry and Whites, making nearly 200 competitive appearances to date.
And the esteem in which he is held by the coaching and playing staff at the club was shown when he was asked to become club captain at the age of 24.
However, after eight seasons in Cherry and White, he is now set to embark upon a new chapter in his playing career, a prospect he admits is exciting but confesses that it was a tough decision to leave Kingsholm.
“I’m very excited to be joining Suntory Goliath after eight enjoyable years at Gloucester Rugby. Having met and spoken with them I hope I can add something to what is already a successful and professional environment.
“The set up at Suntory is extremely highly regarded by everyone I have spoken to that know the Club, and my wife Lauren and I are really looking forward to immersing ourselves fully in a new culture and this exciting step in my career and our lives.
“I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all the Gloucester Rugby players, staff and supporters who have made my time at the club so incredible. To have played as many times as I have, and to have had the honour to captain the team during my time over the last eight seasons has been a real privilege.
? NEWS
One of Gloucester Rugby’s longest serving players, @tc_savage, will embark upon a new playing challenge at the end of the current season when he moves to Japan to join Suntory Sungoliath.
Find out more ?? https://t.co/r2wizRHRYr pic.twitter.com/OIknnN5zDH
— Gloucester Rugby ? (@gloucesterrugby) April 5, 2019
“My decision to leave was the toughest I’ve had to make to date, but I felt the chance to go and experience something new playing for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan is an opportunity that isn’t given to many.
“I’ll be giving my all as usual for the rest of the season and hope to finish my time at Gloucester on a real high. Thanks, Sav.”
And Gloucester Rugby’s Director of Rugby David Humphreys paid tribute to a terrific club servant.
“Sav is the sort of player and personality that every club wants in their squad. His attitude and commitment to every aspect of his training, preparation and playing cannot be faulted.
“I think he could genuinely have been a one club man. But this is a terrific opportunity, not just in a rugby sense, but also in terms of experiencing a new culture in a different country.
“I know that I speak on behalf of everyone at the club when I wish him well in this exciting new adventure.”
In other news: Dagg hangs up his boots
Comments on RugbyPass
Fellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
5 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
1 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
5 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
5 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
3 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to commentsLove it when we overlap! Promise it was not forethought.
19 Go to commentsjfc can this guy plz stay out of the news for one week
3 Go to commentsIf stormers aren’t available. Based on form and likely availability at the time of the wales Test, you’d think Masuku would be a no-brainer to start. But starting Jordan also makes sense having Masuku come off the bench to close out the game.
2 Go to comments