Gloucester Rugby have pulled a blinder by signing Welsh lock Freddie Thomas on a new contract fore the forward made his international bow, meaning he can remain in Cherry and White and still be eligible for international duty.

The 23-year-old crucially put pen to paper on a new deal before his recent international debut against South Africa in the Autumn meaning he will not fall foul of Wales' 25-cap rule and be in contention for Warren Gatland's Six Nations squad which is due to be named on Monday next week with clubmates Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Josh Hathaway and Max Llewellyn expected to be involved.

Gloucester Rugby Academy graduate Thomas, 23, is one of a core of young players asserting themselves in the first team has amassed 50 appearances for the club since his debut against Lyon in 2020.

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Cherry and Whites director of rugby, George Skivington, said: “We’re really happy to secure Freddie’s services moving forward. Part of our ethos here is to develop homegrown lads into regular first-team players and internationals, Freddie is a great example of that.

“He’s already an established face in the squad at a young age, and he’s only got further developing to do, so that’s exciting."

Thomas added: “I’m thrilled to sign a new deal with my home club. “Skivs and the coaching staff here have put a lot of time and effort into my development. I’m loving my rugby at the moment and I’m just trying to keep working hard to develop my game and get better.

“We’ve come a long way as a team and there’s still more to come from us, I’m really excited to be part of the journey.”

Meanwhile, similar to 12 months ago, Gloucester have confirmed a winger has departed the club for the USA, but unlike Louis Rees-Zammit trying to make it in the NFL, this time fringe player Jack Reeves has departed the club permanently to returned to MLR side the New England Freejacks having spent time on loan at the club during the 2022/23 season.

Reeves made 36 appearances for the Cherry and Whites, scoring seven tries.