Gloucester complete ‘really handy’ signing from South African giants

Gloucester have confirmed that they have acquired the services of Stormers and former England U18 and U20 speedster Ben Loader for the 2025/26 season.

Reading-born Loader joined the London Irish academy at the age of 15 and made his professional debut for the Exiles against Edinburgh in the Challenge Cup in October 2017.

The 26-year-old, who is equally at home on the wing or at full-back, went on to make 75 appearances for London Irish during a six-year period.

Joined the Stormers when London Irish went into administration

Loader then joined the Stormers in 2023 when London Irish went into administration after the wing impressed the United Rugby Championship outfit’s director of rugby John Dobson by scoring a hat-trick against the men from Cape Town in the 2022/23 Champions Cup campaign. ​

After playing for England at U18 level in 2016 and 2017, he also represented his country’s U20s side and was part of their squad who finished as runners-up to hosts France at the 2018 U20s World Championship.

In 2019, Loader also made an appearance for an England XV in an uncapped fixture against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington is delighted that Loader has decided to join the Cherry and Whites from next season.

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“Ben was another player at Irish that was thriving there when they ran into their difficulties,” he said. “He’s moved away to a new country and team and used it as an experience to learn and grow and that’s been impressive.

Highly rated

“He’s everything you want from a back three player, fast, powerful, agile and his ability to play wing and full-back will be really handy throughout a long season.

“We’re delighted to bring him to Kingsholm, and I’m sure the fans here will enjoy watching him in Cherry and White.”

Meanwhile, Loader is excited to return to England and is looking forward to joining Gloucester.

“I’m incredibly excited to join Gloucester Rugby next season,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed my stint playing with the Stormers in South Africa, but the opportunity to return to England next season with Gloucester was too good to turn down.

“The club’s ambitions match my aspirations for the future and I’m excited to work with George (Skivington) & James (Lightfoot Brown) again, who I know can help me develop my game even further.

“Kingsholm is one of the best places to play rugby in the country, and I’ll be glad to have those fans behind me when I get out there next season!”

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