New Gloucester contract for Fraser Balmain

Adam Kyriacou

Gloucester have announced the re-signing of tighthead prop Fraser Balmain, who becomes the latest player to commit his future to the club.

The Newcastle-born prop, who joined the Cherry and Whites ahead of the 2017/18 season, has been a key part of the Gloucester pack since he moved from Leicester Tigers.

To date, he has made 57 senior appearances and his contribution in 2018/19 was particularly impressive as he showed real durability in making 27 appearances for the first team, including 22 in the Premiership and was named as Forward of the Season by the Gloucester coaching team.

Balmain admitted this week that he’s delighted to extend his stay at Gloucester.

“I’m really pleased. I’ve enjoyed my three years here at Gloucester Rugby, so I’m over the moon to be able to say that I’m staying and I’m really looking forward to the next few years,” he said.

And he is no doubt that playing regularly in a settled squad has made him a better player than the one that arrived at Kingsholm in the summer of 2017.

“I’ve obviously played a lot more rugby here and I think my game has moved on because of that. I’ve said it a few times but, in the front row, you have to play to get better. The main reason I moved was to get game time and I’ve really enjoyed it,” he continued.

“Johan has created an atmosphere where people want to play, so it was a pretty easy decision for me to stay. It’s a terrific place to be at the moment.”

Director of rugby David Humphreys confirmed that Balmain’s signing is an important one for the long-term.

“Everyone knows how important a good tighthead is in a rugby team, and over the last 18 months, Fraser has proved himself to be one of the most consistent props in the Premiership,” he said.

“We all believe he will only get better as a player and, as one of the key characters within the squad, we’re delighted he’s extended his contract with Gloucester Rugby.”