SA’s loss, England’s gain
TRANSFER NEWS: Ruan Ackermann will soon be available for England contention following his latest deal.
The former Lions loose forward, along with Jake Polledri and loosehead prop Val Rapava Ruskin have all signed contract extensions with the Gloucester.
Ackermann’s new deal means that the son of head coach Johan will become English qualified on residency by August 2020.
The 23-year old, who moved to England shortly before the start of the 2017/18 season, is part of a hugely exciting group of young, dynamic back rowers at the club. He has made 34 appearances so far in Cherry and White, scoring five tries including a brace in the West Country Derby clash against Bath in September.
Flanker Polledri joined the Cherry and Whites at the beginning of the 2017/18 season after impressing for Hartpury RFC in their National One winning campaign.
He has since experienced a rapid rise to the top of the game, winning international honours with Italy, and is one of the most exciting young players in the world game.
Despite his initial first contract with the club running until the end of the 2019-20 season, the club have been quick to secure Polledri’s service well beyond that date and have agreed on an extension.
Polledri has made 37 appearances in Cherry and White since his switch from Hartpury RFC, and in his first season, he was nominated for the RPA Young Player and Land Rover Discovery of the Season after a breakthrough start to his career.
The third player confirmed to agree a new deal with the club recently is prop Val Rapava-Ruskin. The Georgian born forward is a destructive scrummager and offers a huge presence around the park.
Loosehead prop Rapava Ruskin is nearing a return to competitive action after missing out since mid-December when he suffered a calf injury ahead of the Champions Cup fixture at Exeter.
The English qualified front rower joined the Cherry and Whites from Worcester Warriors and has made 21 appearances in his two seasons at the club so far, scoring one try, with his form in a Gloucester Rugby shirt seeing him tipped for international recognition by many observers.
Director of Rugby David Humphreys today confirmed the importance of securing the long-term services of players of this calibre.
And. The answer for Game 3️⃣ is…. 💪🏽#GloucesterRugbyGuessWho pic.twitter.com/FaJWcK81WS
— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) March 7, 2019
“I’ve loved my two seasons at Gloucester Rugby so far, and it’s amazing to be agreeing on a new deal,” Ackermann said.
“ The club, it’s supporters and the whole squad have embraced me since I arrived in 2017, and I can’t wait for what is to come for this group.
“We’ve got a settled group, and it’s great to see players pledging their futures to the club, wanting to drive the team forward, and improving in all areas of the squad.”
