Ollie Thorley one of three to ink Gloucester deals

Adam Kyriacou
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Gloucester have announced that exciting wing Ollie Thorley has put pen to paper on a long-term contract extension at the Premiership outfit.

Thorley, 24, has risen through the Academy ranks with Gloucester, setting the record for the youngest player to appear for the club in the professional era when he partnered Mike Tindall in the centre against Northampton Saints in 2013.

Since making his debut, Thorley has gone on to make 71 appearances in Cherry and White, scoring 31 tries along the way. The flying wing’s try-scoring prowess led to him claiming the 2019/20 Premiership’s top try-scorer award after scoring 11 tries including a four-score feat against Leicester Tigers in August.

“Ollie is an extremely important player for us now and in the future, and we are really pleased that he has extended his contract with us,” said Gloucester’s Chief Operating Officer, Alex Brown.

“He’s a player that has come through our Academy system and it is credit to his hard work and dedication that he has developed into an international winger.

“We are looking forward to seeing Ollie continue to develop and grow his game in Cherry and White for years to come.”

The club also announced a new deal for prop Val Rapava-Ruskin, who has signed a contract to extend his stay at Kingsholm.

The English-qualified front-row joined Gloucester in the summer of 2017 has since made over 50 appearances for the Cherry and Whites.

Rapava-Ruskin’s powerful scrummaging game combined with his ability at the breakdown, makes him a real asset on the pitch.

The prop was also called up to the England training squad ahead of the 2019 World Cup.

“We are delighted that Val has agreed a new deal at Gloucester Rugby,” Brown added.

“Val remains an important part of the future with this club, and his presence in the pack is going to be a key component for years to come.”

Finally, Gloucester announced that Seb Nagle-Taylor has signed a permanent contract with the club for the 2021/22 season.

Nagle-Taylor will join Gloucester from Hartpury College RFC, where he has scored five tries in 19 appearances for the Championship side.

He joined the Cherry and Whites on a short-term loan at the start of the 2020/21 season, where his performances on the pitch and on the training field has earned the powerful number eight a contract at Kingsholm.

Long list

Nagle-Taylor joins a long list of talented players who have signed professional contracts at the club following a successful spell in the colours of Hartpury College.

He will return Hartpury ahead of the Championship season before linking up with the Cherry and Whites in the summer of 2021.

“Seb has come in and really impressed the coaches with his game. He performed excellently out in Lyon, and continues to work hard in training,” said Brown.

“He’s a powerful and abrasive player that rarely takes a step backwards, and he will add that further strength in depth to our back-row next season.

“He follows a number of players who have joined us via the Hartpury route, and we are sure that Seb will continue to develop his game with us.”

 

Gloucester