Will James extends stay with Gloucester Rugby

Posted on Oct 27, 2011 in English Rugby, Gloucester, Premiership

Gloucester Rugby have confirmed that second row Will James has signed a one year extension to his current contract keeping him at Kingsholm until the end of the 2012-3 season.

The former Welsh international is currently in his sixth season with the club and has made over 100 first team appearances.

He has been a consistent presence in the Gloucester second row during his time at Kingsholm packing down alongside the likes of Alex Brown and Jim Hamilton.

And he has played an important role in the opening few weeks of the 2011-12 season with Brown currently side-lined with a shoulder injury and Hamilton having been away at the World Cup with Scotland.

With an important Aviva Premiership fixture at home to Saracens this weekend (Saturday, kick off 5:45pm), the 34 year old told the club website that he’s very happy to have got his immediate future sorted out.

“I’m delighted. It’s good for me that I’ve got this year and next year and can just concentrate on the rugby. I’m over the moon.”

“Some guys are quite laid back about it when they’re in a contract year but, personally, I don’t like to worry about these things and risk have it affect my performance on the pitch. I’m glad it’s out of the way and it’s a weight off my mind.”

He’s a man who has quite evidently been enjoying his rugby this season and is now focussing on Saracens this weekend.

“I’m enjoying my rugby and playing most weeks. We’re still a work in progress but I’m really happy to be playing my part.”

“Saturday’s a massive game. We came off the rails a little bit last weekend at Leicester but we understand the challenge this weekend and are all 100% focussed on the task in hand. We’re looking forward to it.” 

Gloucester Rugby confirm Luke Narraway as captain

Posted on Aug 24, 2011 in English Rugby, Gloucester, Premiership

Gloucester Rugby have confirmed that number eight Luke Narraway will be the club’s captain for the forthcoming season.

Narraway, of course, was skipper for large parts of last season when Mike Tindall was absent on international duty and lifted the LV= Cup trophy when Gloucester were triumphant in the final at Franklin’s Gardens.

So, his decision was a logical one and he confirmed on Tuesday morning that he’s proud to take on the role on a permanent basis.

“To be given the role is a huge honour. I’ve been at the club for many years now, and in that time I have played under a number of great leaders.

“And in the history of the club there have been a huge number of illustrious captains. So to join those ranks is an absolute privilege.

“Very few men are handed the privilege of being club captain at a club like Gloucester, and I will give it everything I have to make sure I don’t let anyone down.”

Runciman to get first Gloucester start against former club

Posted on Aug 19, 2011 in Gloucester, Premiership

Scrum half Nick Runciman, a summer signing from London Welsh, will get his first Gloucester Rugby against his former club with London Welsh the first preseason opponents for Bryan Redpath’s side.

Also starting the game will be prop Dan Murphy who also joined Gloucester in the summer, in this case from London Irish.

It’s a young looking and exciting back line which features Fred Burdon, who has been training with the squad over the summer, at full back.

Peter Buxton will skipper the side from the blind side flanker position part of a pack which boasts significant first team experience.

Tickets for the match can be purchased by clicking here, or direct from the Kingsholm ticket office 0871 871 8781.

Ticket prices from just £11 for adults and £5 for juniors.

Season ticket holders are reminded that the match is included within their memberships.

Gloucester Rugby:

Fred Burdon; Jonny May, Henry Trinder, Ryan Mills, Tom Voyce; Freddie Burns, Nick Runciman; Dan Murphy, Darren Dawidiuk, Rupert Harden; Will James, Alex Brown; Peter Buxton (capt), Andy Hazell, Matt Cox

Replacements:

Koree Britton, Nick Wood, Yann Thomas, Tom Heard, David Lyons, Tom Savage, Brett Deacon, Dan Robson, Dave Lewis, Tim Taylor, Ian Clark  

Gloucester Rugby sign hooker Charles on short term deal

Posted on Aug 19, 2011 in Gloucester

Gloucester Rugby can today confirm that they have signed Western Force hooker Nathan Charles on a short term deal.

22 year old Charles, who has recently finished the Super Rugby season with the Western Force, moves to Kingsholm on a short team deal as Argentinian international Matias Cortese has had surgery on a minor knee injury.

Cortese’s injury, along with Scott Lawson’s absence on Scotland international duty, means that Gloucester Rugby enter their preseason friendly campaign with only two fit hookers in England U20 international Koree Britton and Darren Dawidiuk.

Charles started his Super Rugby career with the ACT Brumbies and is a former Australian Schoolboys and U20s international.

And in October 2010 at 21 years of age, he was selected to the Qantas Wallabies Training Squad for the 2010 Spring Tour.

Currently on tour in Samoa with the Western Force, he will link up with the Gloucester Rugby squad very shortly and will be a welcome addition to the squad according to Head Coach Bryan Redpath:

“Nathan’s a very highly rated hooker in Australia. He’s got Super Rugby experience and has trained with the Wallabies.  We’re fortunate to be able to bring him in to cover Matias’ absence.”

“We had to act because if anything happened to Koree or Darren in the preseason games, we’d have no hooker cover for the start of the Aviva Premiership season. So, it’ll be good to have him on board.” 

Sevens tournament at Gloucester Rugby

Posted on Aug 4, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Gloucester Rugby are combining their annual open day with a Sevens tournament which will be held at Kingsholm on Friday, 12^th August from 4pm.

The free event that welcomes everyone will kick off at 5pm with a Gloucester Rugby open training session featuring the entire available squad.  This will give supporters the opportunity to see the team preparing for their pre-season campaign which kicks off against London Welsh on 20^th August at Kingsholm.

The training session will be followed by a signing session giving fans the opportunity to meet the squad and collect autographs as well as having the chance to pre-order the new shirt from the club shop.

At 6pm the inaugural JP Morgan Asset Management Gloucester U19’s 7’s tournament run in partnership with the RFU will kick off.  The competition is open to teams across the Gloucester and Forest Combination and will provide a great opportunity for young players to get their season up and running and for spectators to watch some young local talent.

The event will be free to all and promises to be a great evening of rugby and will give supporters not only the opportunity to meet the players but to look around the facilities.