With the 2024-25 Gallagher Premiership season kicking off in a matter of weeks, Gloucester Rugby is setting its sights on a resurgence after a challenging previous campaign. Finishing in 9th place, the Shed faithful will be expecting their team to climb up the table this season. Under the leadership of head coach George Skivington, the Cherry and Whites have made some exciting moves in the transfer market, bringing in both seasoned internationals and exciting talents to strengthen their squad and reignite their fortunes.
Key Players:
Zach Mercer returns to Kingsholm as the team's MVP, bringing with him the all-action style that made him a fan favourite. His ability to carry the ball in tight spaces, with his relentless work rate and X-factor offloading skills makes him the beating heart of Gloucester’s pack. He will be expected to spearhead the team’s efforts in both attack and defence, providing the link between the forwards and the backs. But with his England ambitions looking dead and buried (at least for the time being), rumours have already started swirling of his return to France. Watch this space.
One player who will most definitely not be leaving Kingsholm is club captain Lewis Ludlow, who continues to be the defensive stalwart for the Cherry and Whites. His tireless work at the breakdown and leadership on the field are critical, especially as Gloucester aims to address the defensive issues that plagued them last season. Ludlow’s influence extends beyond his technical skills; his commitment and tenacity set the tone for the entire team.
Alongside Ludlow in the Gloucester back row is hard-edged South African flanker, Ruan Ackermann. Known for his physicality and uncompromising style, Ackermann has become one of the team's most reliable performers and is on the radar of England Head Coach Steve Borthwick given he is now English-qualified. His ability to make hard yards and his ferocity in defence make him indispensable.
In the backline, new signings Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe are being given free license by Skivington to run the ball more, attack from deeper and kick less. This risky approach will get the Shed off their seats, and with the attacking prowess of the Welsh halfback pairing, expect a clear direction in how Gloucester attack. Gone are the days of kick and chase at Kingsholm. In are the days of joué rugby.
Impact Signings:
Alongside Anscombe and Williams, another headline signing getting Gloucester fans excited is former Wasps, British and Irish Lions and NFL star, Christian Wade. Wade's return to rugby has been eagerly anticipated for many years and with the loss of Jonny May and Louis Rees-Zammit, Wade is set to light up the Premiership with his hot stepping running style on the Kingsholm artificial pitch. If he can recapture his best form, Wade could provide the spark that turns Gloucester’s fortunes around.
Potential Weakness:
Despite the exciting additions, Gloucester's Achilles' heel remains their defence. Last season, they conceded a staggering 84 tries in just 18 games, a statistic that Skivington will be desperate to improve. While the attacking potential has been bolstered, if Gloucester cannot plug the gaps in their defence, they risk another frustrating season. The challenge will be balancing their attacking ambitions with a more robust defensive structure, a task that will require a collective effort and significant improvement in defensive discipline.
Ones to Watch:
Afolabi Fasogbon, a promising young forward, is one to keep an eye on this season. The 20-year-old prop has already shown glimpses of his potential with his physicality and dominance in the scrum in the Junior World Cup. As he continues to develop, Fasogbon could become a key figure in Gloucester’s pack, providing the kind of power and athleticism that the team needs to dominate up front.
The RIL Take:
Gloucester enters the new season with renewed optimism and a much-needed injection of talent. The arrivals of Gareth Anscombe and Tomos Williams provide the experience and quality to address their previously aimless attack, while Christian Wade offers a potent threat out wide. However, the big question remains: can Gloucester fix their leaky defence? If they can, this could be a season of resurgence. But if the defensive frailties persist, even their new star power might not be enough to propel them up the table. George Skivington will be feeling the pressure after a few underperforming seasons, but there is no reason why they cannot turn Kingsholm back into the fortress it used to be in the season ahead.
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