With the announcement of Bath giant Matt Banahan joining Gloucester for next season, who else could be joining him at Kingsholm? And who will be heading for exit door?
Jaco Kriel – Incoming
The South African international has been linked with Gloucester ever since Johan Ackerman took over as the head coach. The back row is a confrontational, no nonsense type of player who is also adept playing as the link between forwards and backs.
Kriel is out of contract with the Lions of Johannesburg after the 2018 Super Rugby season but still has a year to go on a contract with the Kubota Spears in Japan so the Cherry and White faithful would have to wait until January 2019 before seeing their new man, should he sign.
Rohan Janse van Rensburg – Incoming
Another potential incoming from Lions is inside-centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg. The powerful South African centre is currently on a 3 month loan deal with Premiership side, Sale Sharks and is looking to move to England on a permanent deal at the end of the 2018 Super Rugby season.
Sale will be in poll position to sign van Rensburg, but Gloucester will be hoping Ackerman could use his influence to persuade him to join the club.
John Afoa – Leaving
All Black, World Cup winner John Afoa is being linked with a move down the M5 to Bristol.
Now 34, Afoa is entering the latter stages of his career and a move to Bristol would surely be his last as a professional player.
Despite his age, Afoa has seen somewhat of a resurgence under the new coaching regime, providing a strong platform in an ever improving forward pack. Gloucester would surely miss a player with Afoa’s amount of experience.
Motu Matu’u – Leaving
Samoan international hooker, Motu Matu’u has also been linked with a move to Bristol after failing to establish himself as a starter within the Cherry and Whites. With Richard Hibbard being ever present this season, and the mid season signing of James Hanson from the Melbourne Rebels has seen Matu’u fall down the pecking order.
Matu’u has also seen himself drop in form. A misfiring line out and lack of mobility around the field has seen the Gloucester fans turn on the Samoan.
A move to Bristol could help Matu’u return to his barnstorming best.
