Gloucester Rugby has confirmed the signing of Samoan international tighthead prop Marco Fepulea’i, a move that promises to add significant physicality and strength to the club’s forward pack for the 2026/27 season. Head Coach George Skivington expressed enthusiasm about the new addition, emphasizing Fepulea’i’s ability to bring “real edge and physicality” to the squad.
Born in New Zealand, Fepulea’i is a product of Auckland Grammar School and emerged through the Blues’ development system, making his NPC debut in 2020. Weighing in at 124kg, the formidable prop has experience across multiple top-tier rugby competitions. He spent two seasons with the LA Giltinis in Major League Rugby, claiming the MLR championship in 2021.
In 2022, Fepulea’i moved to France, joining Colomiers in the Pro D2 league where he made 60 appearances over three seasons. During the 2025/26 season, he served as a short-term injury replacement for Top 14 club Bayonne, playing in both league and Champions Cup matches before finishing the season with Mont-de-Marsan in Pro D2.
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On the international stage, Fepulea’i has been capped eight times for Samoa since his senior debut in the 2022 Pacific Nations Cup. He is also named in Samoa’s squad for the upcoming Nations Series, indicating his continued importance to the national team.
“With Kirill Gotovtsev and Nepo Laulala departing Kingsholm this summer, Marco’s arrival addresses a crucial gap in our tighthead options,” said Skivington. “He brings presence, power, and set-piece strength – qualities essential for a competitive pack.”
Fepulea’i expressed excitement about his new chapter at Gloucester Rugby: “Joining the Gallagher Premiership is a major step forward in my career. I’m eager to test myself in this new league, earn the respect of my coaches, teammates, and supporters, and contribute fully to the team. I pride myself on physicality both in attack and defense, and I’m confident that will make a strong impact here.”