Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington has challenge scrum-half Caolan Englefield to rise to the challenge of his rival for the number nine jersey at Kingsholm after the 25-year-old penned a fresh deal with the club.

Englefield joined the club in the summer of 2023 following the collapse of London Irish and has made 28 appearances, scoring 21 points, since his debut against Saracens in the Premiership Rugby Cup. A former England & Ireland youth international played a key role last season, featuring prominently in Gloucester’s Premiership Rugby Cup winning campaign, and road to the European Challenge Cup final, but the arrival of Wales star Tomos Williams has seen him have to take a back seat for much of this season.

Williams is undoubtedly the signing of the season in the Gallagher Premiership this season with his arrival coinciding with a transformation of Gloucester as an attacking force. But Skivington has big hopes for Englefield, who provides high quality depth at half-back at the club and earned a call-up to the England A squad last year, making an appearance off the bench in the victory against Portugal at Welford Road.

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Gloucester director of rugby, George Skivington said: “We’re really pleased to keep Caolan here at Kingsholm. Caolon had a great season last year and has already shown this season what huge potential he has. He’s playing in a competitive position and that will only bring the best out in him.”

Englefield added: “Signing for a Club like Gloucester was a privilege. It was a big change for me at the time, but the people here made it easy and it didn’t take me long to settle in. I’m really thankful to the coaches, the boys and the fans for how they’ve supported me over the past year and a half and I’m really enjoying the journey we’re on.”

“I’m looking forward to what the future holds in Cherry and White.”