Following my review of the All Black signings arriving at Kingsholm, it is now time to look at the other Gloucester new signings for the upcoming season. With the World Cup interrupting the start of the season it is more important than ever for clubs to have strength in depth, and the front row is a particular area identified for improvement.
Gloucester 2015 Summer Signings
There were a number of vacancies for the front three, with Richard Hibbard and Sila Puafisi away on international duty, plus Shaun Knight and Aleki Lutui who have moved on in search of more regular game time. Therefore David Humphreys has moved to recruit four new players, who all offer long-term potential to the squad. His connections to former club Ulster are evident with the signing of loosehead Paddy McAllister, who spent a year with French Pro D2 side Aurillac after beginning his career with the Irish province. The 25 year-old suffered a serious knee injury in 2012 that affected his progress but it is expected that he will be an asset to the scrum and also as a mobile ball carrier.
To fill the gaps at tight-head Humphreys has also brought in youngster Nicky Thomas from the Ospreys, who has been a part of the Welsh under-20s squad since 2013, and the familiar face of Paul Doran-Jones. The former Harlequins man was a regular in the Gloucester side during his spell at Kingsholm from 2009-2011, but since his move to Northampton Saints and latterly to Quins, he has been unable to find the form that saw him break into the England team. Cherry and White fans will hope that the familiar surroundings can inspire the versatile prop to demonstrate why he was a big loss at the time and provide quality back-up to John Afoa throughout the season. Completing the front row recruitment is the arrival of hooker Tom Lindsay from Wasps, who brings England Saxons experience and a longer shelf life than 37 year-old Lutui as competition for Hibbard and Darren Dawidiuk at number two.
There is a less dramatic change in the backline, as the losses of Shane Monahan and Aled Thomas are mostly offset by internal promotion, alongside the Southern Hemisphere imports of Tom Marshall and Willi Heinz. Henry Purdy and Bill Meakes are now members of the senior squad following their substantial contributions last season, and fly-half Matt Protheroe joins from local affiliated club Hartpury College. These are shrewd moves as the squad seemed to be clicking towards the end of last season, and continuity becomes the keyword for Gloucester after the huge coaching and playing upheaval of 2014/2015. However given the issues last season in the backs with injuries and international call-ups that eventually required the club to bring in loan signing Brendan Macken, perhaps a couple more bodies may be needed. If England and Wales both progress from the group stages Gloucester may have difficulties filling the gaps left by Billy Twelvetrees, James Hook and Jonny May if injuries strike. Of course this is where academy players will hope for an opportunity to step up without the LV Cup providing that first team experience this season.
Overall the ins and outs seem considered and needs-based, with the added bonus that after the World Cup all will be available for the full season, but still with significant international and big-game experience which should enhance the squad rather than disrupt it.
“Main Photo:”
