As the 2025/26 Prem Rugby season kicks off, Gloucester's head coach George Skivington is spotlighting some fresh talent that's set to ignite the league. At a recent press event at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, Skivington discussed his high hopes for the younger players, particularly spotlighting Will Joseph, the promising younger brother of rugby sensation Jonathan Joseph.
Joseph, who previously played for Harlequins, has been training hard with Gloucester during the pre-season. "Will Joseph is a good example of someone who was shooting for the stars, and then he’s had a bit of a bumpy period," Skivington explained.
"He’s come in. He’s done the whole pre-season. He’s trained really well. We’re really hoping that if we can get Will Joseph back to where he was, he’ll be a great addition. So he’s been brilliant."
Besides Joseph, Skivington is also excited about the development of young Welsh players who have transitioned from the U20s. "The young Welsh lads in the U20s really impressed me. They’ve come in and been really good. Gone from boys to men over the summer," he said. Another hopeful, Ben Redshaw, unfortunately suffered a setback with a shoulder injury at the 20s World Cup but is expected to make a recovery by year's end.
The team has also made a notable addition with the signing of former All Blacks prop Nepo Laulala, despite recent injury struggles. "Nepo has been brilliant," Skivington noted. "We brought him in at the back end of last season and rehabbed him. He’s come in, done a lot of work. He’s been brilliant, put in the effort, and been very knowledgeable and unbelievably professional." Laulala's expertise has been particularly valuable, effectively serving as a second scrum coach.
With these strategic additions and the nurturing of young talent, Gloucester looks poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming Prem Rugby season, signaling exciting times ahead for the team and its supporters.
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As the 2025/26 Prem Rugby season kicks off, Gloucester's head coach George Skivington is spotlighting some fresh talent that's set to ignite the league. At a recent press event at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, Skivington discussed his high hopes for the younger players, particularly spotlighting Will Joseph, the promising younger brother of rugby sensation Jonathan Joseph.
Joseph, who previously played for Harlequins, has been training hard with Gloucester during the pre-season. "Will Joseph is a good example of someone who was shooting for the stars, and then he’s had a bit of a bumpy period," Skivington explained.
"He’s come in. He’s done the whole pre-season. He’s trained really well. We’re really hoping that if we can get Will Joseph back to where he was, he’ll be a great addition. So he’s been brilliant."
Besides Joseph, Skivington is also excited about the development of young Welsh players who have transitioned from the U20s. "The young Welsh lads in the U20s really impressed me. They’ve come in and been really good. Gone from boys to men over the summer," he said. Another hopeful, Ben Redshaw, unfortunately suffered a setback with a shoulder injury at the 20s World Cup but is expected to make a recovery by year's end.
The team has also made a notable addition with the signing of former All Blacks prop Nepo Laulala, despite recent injury struggles. "Nepo has been brilliant," Skivington noted. "We brought him in at the back end of last season and rehabbed him. He’s come in, done a lot of work. He’s been brilliant, put in the effort, and been very knowledgeable and unbelievably professional." Laulala's expertise has been particularly valuable, effectively serving as a second scrum coach.
With these strategic additions and the nurturing of young talent, Gloucester looks poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming Prem Rugby season, signaling exciting times ahead for the team and its supporters.