Gloucester Rugby faces an unprecedented challenge as they prepare for Friday night’s Champions Cup match against Edinburgh, needing to field a part-time mortgage broker at hooker. Thirty-one-year-old Will Crane, who usually plays for Championship side Hartpury alongside his day job, was thrust into Premier Rugby action in a baptism of fire during Gloucester’s narrow 25-19 defeat to Newcastle last Friday.
Crane had just one training session with the Cherry and Whites before the match, and the lack of preparation showed, particularly in the lineout, which struggled and undermined Gloucester’s attacking momentum.
The club’s specialist hooker situation is dire. Seb Blake is still recovering from a broken hand, Jack Singleton’s return is uncertain due to a heart condition, and Jack Innard remains sidelined with an unspecified injury. Additionally, teenage prodigy Kealan Freeman-Price, who debuted last Autumn, is out with an injury sustained on England U19 duty and is expected to return only by the end of the month. However, he is likely to be immediately drafted into England U20s matches. The Cherry and Whites are clearly stretched thin in this crucial position.
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In light of these challenges, Gloucester’s director of rugby George Skivington confirmed to GloucestershireLive that the club is actively seeking to sign a hooker. “We are on the market looking for a hooker, but it’s difficult at the moment,” Skivington said. “We’ve got Will [Crane] for a couple of weeks. He will definitely be coming to Edinburgh. But as I say, we are looking for a longer-term solution.”
Though Gloucester have secured a significant signing for next season, with Wales international Dewi Lake set to join ahead of 2026/27, immediate concerns persist. Skivington emphasized the priority of addressing the hooker shortage now: “Hooker is top of the list. That’s obviously the priority position. When we get to the Premiership Cup break, we’d like to give some young players game time. Hopefully, by the back end of the season, we’ll have more bodies available.”
With their hooker stocks dangerously low, Gloucester Rugby must act swiftly to strengthen their front row and maintain competitiveness in this demanding campaign.