Gloucester sign Samoan prop

GLOUCESTER have signed Samoa tighthead Marco Fepulea’i for next season. The 31-year-old started this season on a short-term deal with Top 14 side Bayonne and has recently been playing in France‘s ProD2 with Mont-de-Marsan.

Fepulea’i has eight caps for Samoa and is in their squad for the Nations Series.

“My focus is on working hard, earning the respect of the coaches, players and supporters, and contributing to the team,” Fepulea’i said.

“I pride myself on being physical on both sides of the ball, and I believe that’s something I can bring to the group.”

Gloucester had a big vacancy at tighthead with Russian Kirill Gotovtsev retiring and Nepo Laulala among 12 players leaving this summer.

“It’s no secret we’ve been looking to add experienced depth at tight-head, so we’re really pleased to get this deal done,” head coach George Skivington said. “We want our pack to have real physicality and edge next season, and Marco brings exactly that – presence, power and setpiece strength. He’ll be a great addition.”

Fepulea’i was born in New Zealand and came through the Blues‘ academy in Auckland. His career has also included a spell in the USA with LA Giltinis before he moved to France in 2022 with Colomiers.