Gloucester snare a Dragon
Gloucester have bolstered their outside backs stocks for next season with the signing of fullback Martyn Thomas from the Newport Gwent Dragons.
The 24-year-old joined the Dragons from the Scarlets during the 2006/7 season and has gone on to make more than 80 appearances for the Welsh side.
He has been capped at Sevens level by Wales and has built a reputation as an attacking threat with ball in hand who is also solid in defence with a good kicking game.
Thomas has plenty of experience of playing against Gloucester, having played against the Cherry and Whites in the Heineken Cup in 2009/10 and also appeared in the Anglo-Welsh Cup semifinal at Kingsholm just over a year ago.
He said: “I’ve played at Kingsholm twice in the last few seasons, once in the Heineken Cup and once in the LV= Cup. Although I was with the opposition, I couldn’t help but be impressed by the matchday atmosphere.
“I’ve also watched a lot of Gloucester matches and they play a great brand of rugby, one that will certainly suit my game and I hope that I can add something to the squad. Talking to Bryan Redpath and hearing his plans for the future, I’m excited at the prospect of joining the club.”
Redpath explained where Thomas would fit into Gloucester’s plans.
He said: “Olly Morgan is obviously recovering from knee surgery and we’ve been using Jonny May and Tom Voyce in the fullback role since Morgs got injured.
“What Martyn will give us is another specialist fullback in the squad. He’s the sort of player whose style of play should see him fit in well here and we look forward to him arriving in the summer.”
