Dreyer is latest new arrival to join squad

» RUAN Dreyer is the latest of Gloucester’s new signings to join the club this week ahead of the new season.

The South Africa international prop arrived in the UK last weekend after completing a Super Rugby season with the Lions, two weeks after playing in the final against the Crusaders.

The 27-year-old is unlikely to feature in Thursday’s pre-season friendly against the Dragons at Kingsholm though after a long season in the southern hemisphere.

“He arrived on Saturday. There are one or two things we have to sit down with him and discuss and then we’ll make a decision,” said head coach Johan Ackermann.

“Josh Hohneck hasn’t played and Gareth Denman hasn’t played. Ciaran Knight could do with a bit more game time.

“There are still a few options to look at. We don’t have to throw him in the deep end.”

Gloucester are now only waiting for Franco Mostert, who is part of South Africa’s squad in The Rugby Championship.

Thursday’s game will be the first at Kingsholm since the new £1m hybrid pitch was installed and will be a chance for fans to get a first look at Danny Cipriani, Matt Banahan, Gerbrandt Grobler and Franco Marais

“It will be good to be back at Kingsholm because our first game is at home and everybody can just get a feel of the new pitch, how that’s going to play,” said Ackermann.

Gloucester will face French Top 14 champions Castres in their first Heineken Champions Cup game since the 2013-14 season.

They will face Munster on Saturday, October 20 and Castres in their final pool fixture on Saturday, January 19.

Gloucester’s home game against Irish giants Munster will be on Friday January 11.

Exeter are Gloucester’s other opponents in Pool 2 and they will meet on back-to-back weekends with the first game at Sandy Park on Saturday, December 8 before the return fixture at Kingsholm six days later.