Gloucester

Ins Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby), Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Ruan Dreyer (Lions), Todd Gleave (London Irish), Gerbrandt Grobler (Munster), Tom Hudson (Academy), Jaco Kriel (Lions), Franco Marais (Lions), Franco Mostert (Lions), Will Safe (Academy).

Outs John Afoa (Bristol Bears), Billy Burns (Ulster), Tom Denton (Ealing Trailfinders), David Halaifonua (Coventry), Richard Hibbard (Dragons), Motu Matu’u (London Irish), Ross Moriarty (Dragons), Cameron Orr (Western Force), Jacob Rowan (released), Andy Symons (Northampton Saints), Jeremy Thrush (Western Force).

What’s new?

A new fly-half in Danny Cipriani (right), an astute addition in Matt Banahan and another mass influx of South Africans, mostly from the Lions, to add some grunt to the pack.

Who is the director of rugby and what is the game plan?

Johan Ackermann has introduced an adventurous, expansive style of play to Gloucester and it is paying off. There has been some criticism over the toughness of his pack but the summer signings should remedy that.

Key man

Cipriani has been given the keys to Kingsholm and now he has to prove he is worth the investment and claim a spot in Eddie Jones’s World Cup squad for good measure. If he fires, then so too will Gloucester.

Most exciting signing?

Cipriani is by far the most high-profile but Franco Mostert is a seriously good addition. The lock has won 22 caps for the Springboks in the past two years and showed his class against England this summer.

Who has it all to prove?

Jason Woodward will spy a potential opening at full-back in England’s World Cup side and, having impressed enough to be picked for the summer tour to South Africa, will fancy his chances of staking a claim to it.

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