Gloucester Rugby’s chief executive, Alex Brown, has addressed supporters with an open letter recognizing the club’s challenging start to the 2025 season. Following a 30-21 defeat to Saracens at Kingsholm, Gloucester sits ninth in the Gallagher Premiership table, having secured just one win in eight matches ahead of their upcoming fixture against bottom-placed Newcastle Red Bulls.
In his candid message posted on the club’s website, Brown acknowledged the difficult period the club and its supporters are enduring. He reassured fans of the unwavering commitment, dedication, and hard work underway at Kingsholm to drive the club forward. “Gloucester Rugby means a great deal to us all, and there is no shortage of commitment or honesty in our efforts to turn things around,” he affirmed.
Reflecting on the recent Saracens loss, Brown described the team’s overall performance as “deeply disappointing” and falling short of internal standards, despite evident effort. He emphasized the significant impact injuries have had on the season’s progress, noting the recent setbacks to key players like Ben Loader, who suffered a fresh hamstring injury upon just returning from a long-term layoff, and Will Butler, removed early due to concussion.
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“Injuries have tested the resilience of everyone involved,” Brown said. “While every club faces adversity, the sheer scale and timing of our injuries have made consistency very difficult.” He stressed that these injuries appear to be largely unrelated incidents rather than stemming from a single cause, attributing some to unfortunate circumstances.
Despite these challenges, Brown pointed to positive developments on the horizon, including the return of James Venter and anticipated comebacks from Will Trenholm, Josiah Edwards-Giraud, Seb Blake, and Ben Redshaw in early 2025. Additional players such as Max Llewellyn, Caolan Englefield, and Will Joseph are expected to return in February and March. Their reintroduction is expected to enhance squad depth, improve competition, and elevate overall performance.
Brown also addressed concerns about the squad’s composition, admitting that significant changes over the summer left the team lighter on experience than ideal, a factor compounded by injuries disrupting continuity. He affirmed that the club has critically evaluated its recruitment strategy and already implemented adjustments to build a more balanced and resilient squad for the future.
Highlighting ongoing efforts behind the scenes, the CEO noted the confirmation of three new signings for the next season—Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake, and Dan Robson—which are integral to broader plans to strengthen the squad in coming months.
In addition, Brown underscored the vital role of Gloucester’s Academy in developing homegrown talent. With six players selected for the England Under-20s EPS squad, four for Wales Under-20s, and others featuring in recent England Under-19s matches, the Academy continues to be a key pillar in nurturing the next generation. “Though its impact may not always be apparent on match days, the Academy remains central to Gloucester Rugby’s identity and long-term competitiveness,” Brown concluded.
With transparent communication and strategic rebuilding underway, Gloucester Rugby aims to overcome this challenging phase and restore former glory at Kingsholm.