STATEMENT: Gloucester Rugby boss steps down with immediate effect

Martin said: “Lance has decided that, after the incredible scenes of Gloucester-Hartpury winning the Allianz Premier 15s title last month and ahead of the new season, that now is the right time for him to step away, letting a new leader take the Club on the next phase of its journey.

“He has led the Club through a very difficult period, not least the vast challenges of Covid-19, and leaves the Club in good financial health. He can be proud of what he’s achieved both on and off the field.

“I would like to express my thanks to Lance for his contribution to Gloucester Rugby over the last four years. We wish him and his family the very best.”

Gloucester Rugby’s Chief Operating Officer, Alex Brown, has been appointed Interim CEO of the Club with immediate effect.

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Gloucester Rugby are currently in their fifth week of pre-season training, with a number of the first team players away on international duty including Santi Socino, Santi Carreras, Matias Alemanno, Mayco Vivas (Argentina), Louis Rees-Zammit and Max Llewellyn (Wales), Jonny May and Val Rapava-Ruskin (England), Stephen Varney (Italy), Chris Harris and Adam Hastings (Scotland) and Albert Tuisue (Fiji).

The Academy, which last season produced several outstanding performances, is strengthened by the additions of Afolabi Fasogban and Rory Taylor, both from London Irish as well as local player, Naquan Smith, who also joins having represented Wycliffe College and Matson RFC. 

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Alex Seville*

Ciaran Knight*

Fraser Balmain 

Harry Elrington

Jamal Ford-Robinson

Kirill Gotovtsev

Mayco Vivas

Val Rapava-Ruskin

George McGuigan

Jack Singleton

Santi Socino

Ben Donnell (New Signing)

Cam Jordan*

Freddie Clarke*

Matias Alemanno

Albert Tuisue

Jack Clement*

Lewis Ludlow* 

Ruan Ackermann

Zach Mercer (New Signing)

Adam Hastings

Caolan Englefield (New Signing)

Charlie Chapman*

George Barton*

Stephen Varney*

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Alex Hearle

Chris Harris

Mark Atkinson

Max Llewellyn (New Signing)

Seb Atkinson

Jonny May*

Lloyd Evans*

Ollie Thorley*

Louis Rees-Zammit*

Michael Dykes (New Signing)

Santiago Carreras

*Denotes Gloucester Rugby Academy graduates.

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Archie McArthur, Afolabi Fasogbon, Seb Blake, Arthur Clark, Harry Taylor, Freddie Thomas, Rory Taylor, Louis Hillman-Cooper, Josh Hathaway, Jake Morris, Jack Reeves.

Fred Ma'a, Ethan Hunt, Gareth Blackmore, Danny Eite, Rob Nixon, Naquan Smith, Matthew Jones, Morgan Adderly-Jones, Tom Miles, Tom Riman, Reece Dunn, Will Gilderson, Ioan Jones.

Gloucester Rugby Head Coach, George Skivington, commented:

"We're really happy with the squad we have for the upcoming season and we're excited at what they can achieve.

“We learnt a huge amount of lessons as a group last season and I’m looking forward to seeing the response to those lessons.

"We were also impressed with the boys that stepped up last season and the fact they now have first-team experience adds valuable strength in depth to the team."