Gloucester confirm two re-signings and eight departures

Gloucester have today confirmed the eight players that will leave the club with two players committing their future to the club.

Gloucester has confirmed that three players will be leaving the Club to move to Japan. Tom Marshall and Franco Marais have signed deals to join former Gloucester coach Johan Ackermann at NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes. Meanwhile, World Cup winning Springbok lock Franco Mostert has also chosen to further his career in Japan.

Four other players, who’s contract had expired, will also be leaving at the end of this month. Callum Braley will head to Benetton Rugby. Callum has been a regular in the Gloucester Rugby matchday squad and made his 100th competitive appearance in the Heineken Cup win over Connacht back in December.

Owen Williams comes to the end of his three-year stay with the Cherry & Whites. The Welsh international picked up 37 appearance for Gloucester Rugby, the highlight, without doubt, being his match-winning conversion away at Bath. Williams will also join Ackermann in Japan along with Tom Marshall and Franco Marais.

Springbok prop Ruan Dreyer will also depart Kingsholm having joined the Cherry & Whites ahead of the 2018-19 season. 

As announced in March, Aaron Hinkley has opted to move to Exeter Chiefs over the summer while Simon Linsell has also moved on to Ealing Trailfinders.

Lock Alex Craig has committed his future to Gloucester signing a new long term deal with the club. Off the back of notable performances, Craig, a former Scotland age-group international, was called up to Gregor Townsend’s 2020 Six Nations squad after only being promoted to the senior squad at the start of the 2019-20 season.

The athletic lock continues to be an exciting prospect for the Cherry & Whites, having come through the academy, Craig has gone on to make 21 appearances for the Club so far, including a man-of-the-match performance in our Heineken Champions Cup fixture with Montpellier.

Hooker James Hansen has signed a new deal at the club with the Australian international initially joining the club in 2017 on a short-term deal, but his eye-catching performances, and desire to play in Cherry & White, led to the hooker signing a permanent deal.

Since then, Brisbane-born Hanson has gone on to make 32 appearances for the club, scoring 6 tries in the process. Widely known as ‘Chibba’ amongst the squad, Hanson is recognised for his dynamic style of play and impressive record at the set piece. He will form a key part of the Gloucester Rugby squad going forward, and the player himself is looking forward to getting back out on the pitch.

Via: Gloucester Rugby