Gloucester are linked with Price and Meehan
GLOUCESTER Rugby are reportedly looking at recreating the Glasgow Warriors half-back pairing of Adam Hastings and Ali Price at Kingsholm next season, writes John Evely.
Fly-half Hastings has already been signed to wear the Cherry & Whites number ten jersey next term, after the exit of Danny Cipriani, and now The Rugby Paper reports Gloucester chief operating officer Alex Brown and head coach George Skivington have enquired about scrum-half Price, with 13-cap England star Willi Heinz leaving Gloucester for rivals Worcester Warriors next season.
That may come as a surprise to many considering the quality in depth Gloucester have at scrum-half, with England international Joe Simpson, Italy number nine Stephen Varney, and promising youngsters Toby Venner and Charlie Chapman behind them.
However, when discussing how the club were going to deal with Heinz’s departure, Skivington did not rule out bringing in someone new, although he wants to keep a pathway open for players coming through the academy, with Italy international Callum Braley, recent England call-up Harry Randall and the exciting Ben Vellacott all leaving Kingsholm in recent years in search of more game time.
The Rugby Paper reports that Gloucester have put Price, pictured, top of their wanted list, with the 27-year-old Scotland international in the type of form which might see him get a place on the British & Irish Lions tour this summer.
Price, 27, who has 39 caps for his country, has been outstanding in the Six Nations as his side have turned themselves into legitimate title contenders. Price, however, is reported to have another season left on his contract at Glasgow, keeping him at the Pro14 club until the end of 2021/22 campaign.
As a result, The Rugby Paper suggests Gloucester may instead switch their attention to 28 year-old Australian scrum-half Ben Meehan, who is currently with London Irish.
Meehan has the added advantage of not being on the international scene, meaning he would likely be available for the entire Gallagher Premiership season barring injury or suspension, with the Cherry & Whites feeling the impact of Six Nations call-ups in recent weeks.