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Gloucester Rugby confirm contract renewal for new pillar of their pack

-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


George Skivington has secured yet another of Gloucester Rugby’s brightest lights to have emerged from the academy in recent years by signing second row Arthur Clark to a new contract at Kingsholm, the club have confirmed.

Clark joins fellow second-row Freddie Thomas in committing his future to his boyhood club having followed in the footsteps of his father Barry to pull on the famous Cherry and White jersey. Confirmation of the new contract for the 6ft 7in powerhouse comes just days after the 23-year-old earned his first senior call-up from England head coach Steve Borthwick ahead of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations. Clark has progressed from England U20s, through England A to be on the cusp of a first cap.

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Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington said: “I think he's earned the right to be in that England squad. He's had some brilliant performances for us and I think he's put the hard work in, not just this year but over plenty of years and I'm very proud of him for that.

“I'm also very proud of the coaches and the staff here who put a lot of time and effort into Arthur and his peers and as I've said many times I believe there's a young group of players that we will have them in the England squad over the next couple of seasons and hopefully Arthur's the first one. It's brilliant for him and I just hope he gets to play.

"It’s great having Arthur commit his future to the club. Gloucester Rugby is in his blood and he has a very close group of friends around him who are all hungry to achieve."

Clark made his Gloucester debut in 2021/22 and to date has run out 35 times for the club at senior level, earning more appearances with every season and captaining the side in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

Clark added: “It’s hard to put into words just how much this Club means to me. Since I was old enough to pick up a rugby ball, I dreamt of playing here at Kingsholm in Cherry and White and it’s an honour every time I get to do that.

“We’ve got a great group here, many of whom I’ve played with for a long time coming through the pathway. It’s really special to be able to do it week-in-week-out alongside my mates.”

In addition to Clark and Thomas, Gloucester have also confirmed contract extensions for scrum-half Caolan Englefield and fly-half Charlie Atkinson ahead of the 2025/26 season.