Latest news with #GeorgeSkivington
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Gloucester have spent 'wisely'
Gloucester have spent their money "wisely" this season, believes director of rugby George Cherry and Whites released 13 senior players this summer, with 13 new faces signed heading into the 2025-26 narrowly missed out on a place in the Premiership play-offs last season, finishing fifth in the table, just two points behind Bristol despite winning the same number of matches."The way we've recruited for next season is we've got a bigger squad, we've got an unbelievable amount of talent," Skivington told BBC Radio Gloucestershire."We're a more talented squad next year, there's a few [new players] we're hedging our bets on - some are going to come through, some aren't. "They haven't all got the experience of 200 caps in the Premiership but we've spent our money really wisely and for Gloucester that is really important. The model is different." Making Gloucester a sustainable club has been the aim of the owners for a number of years since the Covid-19 the 10 Premiership clubs, Gloucester were the closest to breaking even when the most recent set of accounts was released for 2022-23, although their debt still totalled £541,000 that players including full-back Santiago Carreras, centre Chris Harris and back-row Ruan Ackermann, who amassed more than 400 club appearances between them, are among those exiting Gloucester have increased their squad size from 35 to 40 for next signings blend youth and experience and include Ireland fly-half Ross Byrne, South African back row James Venter and New Zealand prop Nepo Laulala plus full-back Ben Redshaw, scrum-half Mike Austin and centre Will said it would have cost a "huge amount of money" to keep some of the players who have left and that the club is working towards more strength in depth. "We lost a couple of lads in key positions this season and we had to really anchor down, push people in and there were some really costly games for us," he said."I think we've spent our money smartly over the next couple of years." Gloucester have not finished in the Premiership play-offs since Skivington was appointed in 2020, but he believes they took a "massive step forward" last term after finishing ninth in the table the previous signing of scrum-half Tomos Williams proved to be a masterstroke, with the Welshman helping spearhead a new-look attacking style, and going on to win Premiership player of the Seb Atkinson, fly-half Charlie Atkinson and second row Arthur Clark have also all been called up to Steve Borthwick's England training squad this week, before their match against France."Tommy was outstanding and got all of the headlines but if you look at Arthur Clark, Freddie Thomas, the spine of our team was young Gloucester boys," Skivington said."Everything is done with purpose and I think we've got a really young, hungry squad with some really good senior players sitting in there which will drive the squad forward. Everyone, bar one or two, is on two or three-year deals."
France 24
17-06-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Premiership club Gloucester sign All Blacks prop Laulala
The New Zealand international, who has won 53 international caps, has been recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon at the club after being released mid-season by French side Toulouse. The 33-year-old is expected to return to action by the start of the league season. "Nepo is a 50-odd cap All Black, and that pretty much speaks for itself in terms of the calibre of player we've signed," said Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington. "We moved quickly to get him here in the building and start his rehab, which gave us a jump on the other sides and, most importantly, Nepo has been really grateful for how we've supported him with his injury. "He's looking really good, he's coming through all the tests that we've been putting him through and we're confident he can have a big impact for us this season." Laulala said: "I'm really grateful to George and everybody at Gloucester for welcoming me to Kingsholm after going through a pretty rough time in France. "It was a scary time not knowing where my future lay, but I'm looking forward to repaying everybody here for the faith they've put in me." Bath beat Leicester at Twickenham on Saturday to win the 2024/25 Premiership crown.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gloucester sign All Blacks prop Laulala
Gloucester have signed New Zealand prop Nepo Laulala for the 2025-26 Premiership 33-year-old has been rehabilitating from a ruptured Achilles tendon at Kingsholm after being released by French side Toulouse last has won 53 caps for the All Blacks and featured at the last two World Cups - playing in New Zealand's loss to South Africa in the 2023 final."Nepo is a 50-odd cap All Black, and that pretty much speaks for itself in terms of the calibre of player we've signed," Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington told the club website."We moved quickly to get him here in the building and start his rehab, which gave us a jump on the other sides and most importantly, Nepo has been really grateful for how we've supported him with his injury."He's looking really good, he's coming through all the tests that we've been putting him through, and we're confident he can have a big impact for us this season." Laulala came up through the ranks at Canterbury and made his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders before stints with the Chiefs and the the 2023 World Cup, he moved to Toulouse, but his time in the Top 14 was cut short due to his injury. He has spent the last three months at Gloucester regaining fitness."I'm really grateful to George and everybody at Gloucester for welcoming me to Kingsholm after going through a pretty rough time in France," Laulala said."It was a scary time not knowing where my future lay, but I'm looking forward to repaying everybody here for the faith they've put in me."I've heard great things about Gloucester and the Cherry and White fans, and I can't wait to get out there and play in front of them."
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gloucester sign versatile Leinster back Russell
Gloucester have signed versatile outside back Rob Russell from Leinster Rugby for the 2025-26 season. The 26-year-old has scored 18 tries in 35 appearances for the United Rugby Championship finalists since his debut in 2021. Russell joined Leinster's academy from Dublin's St Michael's College - which has a strong rugby pedigree - and can play on the wing or at Cherry and Whites have not disclosed the length of his contract. "I'll echo what I said when we signed Ross Byrne earlier this year; there aren't many better academies to come through and learn your trade than Leinster," said Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington."Rob has really shown what he can do when given the opportunity. He's got a pretty decent strike rate for Leinster - almost one try every two games - and he's motivated for a new challenge in the Gallagher Premiership."We're delighted with our back-three talent already, but to add someone like Rob, who covers across the three positions and has all the attacking assets we're looking for, is really pleasing."Russell is the sixth back to move to Gloucester for next season with scrum-half Mike Austin, full-back Ben Redshaw, wing Ben Loader, centre Will Joseph and fly-half Byrne already confirmed.
BBC News
04-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Prop Fasogbon signs new Gloucester contract
Gloucester tighthead prop Afolabi Fasogbon has signed a new contract at 20, enjoyed an eye-catching debut Premiership season which included 12 starts in the league for fifth-placed Gloucester."When I had the chance to sign for Gloucester after leaving London Irish, I knew it was the best place for me to develop my game," Fasogbon told the Cherry and Whites' website."This season has been so enjoyable. I'm just trying to learn from every moment, good or bad and keep adding to my game."The length of Fasogbon's contract extension has not been revealed but Gloucester say it will keep him at Kingsholm "for the 2025-26 season and beyond."Fasogbon's emergence this season led to him being nominated for Breakthrough Player of the Season at the Rugby Awards, an award won by Northampton Saints flanker Henry Pollock."When we signed Afo we were excited about his potential, but we were careful not to throw him in too early," Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington added."I think you're seeing the benefits of that this season. He's been excellent considering he's still only a young man, particularly for a prop. "But he's still got a long way to go and a lot of potential to unlock."
