Hook buzzing to get back in the mix at Gloucester
REFRESHED and ready to go, that’s the message from James Hook after five weeks of rest away from rugby.
With no summer tour or World Cup to prepare for, Hook has enjoyed his time away but can’t wait for the season to kick-off. And with new fitness coach Dan Tobin on board at Kingsholm, Hook is getting back to speed.
“The days are shorter and a little less intense,” said Hook, below. “There is a great buzz around the camp and the boys seem to be really enjoying it.
“I’ve had five weeks off, so it has been one of the longest breaks that I have had for a long time and I think the boys have enjoyed that time off. Like the rest of the team, I am looking forward to get amongst it again.”
Gloucester have boosted their front-row stocks for the new season with the signing of English-qualified former Australian U20 prop Cameron Orr, who appeared for Australian U20s in the 2014 and 2015 Junior World Cups.
Part of the Waratahs Academy, Orr said he’s excited at the prospect of joining Gloucester and experiencing a new environment. “It’s a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to it. I arrived on the Monday, met the boys on Tuesday and trained on Wednesday,” he explained.“I couldn’t wait to get started. “I’ve watched a fair bit of Premiership rugby on the television back home and it looks to be a really competitive league. “I’m here to work hard and try and make an impression. I hear that the Gloucester supporters are fantastic and that they love their forward play. Hopefully, I’ll get the chance to show what I can do.”
Fellow prop Paddy McAllister has also signed a new contract. The Belfast-born front-row made a big impact last term after joining from Aurillac in the French ProD2, returning to the form that earned him rave reviews at Ulster, before a serious knee injury threatened his career.
Gloucester director of rugby David Humphreys moved quickly to secure the services of the 26-year-old prop. “When we signed Paddy, he may not have been a household name, but we knew his qualities, and also his potential, and his form in the past season has proved this to us,” Humphreys said.
“We’re delighted with his progression over the past 12 months and we are excited to see him develop further.”