Gloucester Rugby kicked off their 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup campaign with a commanding 34-14 victory over Castres Olympique at Kingsholm on Sunday. The Cherry and Whites showcased their strength, buoyed by tries from Freddie Thomas, Will Trenholm, and a double from substitute Charlie Atkinson, alongside Ross Byrne’s flawless kicking.
Central to Gloucester’s continued success—marking their fourth straight win across all competitions—was summer signing Will Trenholm. The 24-year-old number eight started every game in this winning streak and found the try line once more against Castres. Reflecting on his role, Trenholm shared, “I’m so happy to play in the number eight jersey. It’s such a competitive back row here. You never truly own a jersey, but I’m determined to take care of it for as long as I can, giving my best whenever I get the opportunity.”
The game was fiercely physical, and the intense battle saw Trenholm along with teammates Ben Redshaw, Will Joseph, and Max Llewellyn leave the field with knocks. Despite the physical toll, Trenholm remained optimistic about his condition. “I hurt myself early on but it improved. After landing hard from a line-out, I needed fresh legs on the pitch. It’s nothing serious,” he explained.
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Since joining Gloucester from Harlequins this summer, Trenholm has settled well into the team and embraced the support from the passionate Kingsholm fans. “We have the best supporters, no question,” he said. “Their energy pushes us on, especially when the forwards are tiring or after a big tackle—getting the whole stadium roaring is just the extra edge we need.”
Trenholm also praised long-serving teammate Lewis Ludlow, who recently celebrated his 250th appearance and secured a new two-year contract. “Lewis is huge for us. He embodies our work rate, physicality, and winning mentality. Watching him chase down every kick motivates the entire squad. We feed off each other’s efforts from one to fifteen,” Trenholm noted.
Looking ahead, Gloucester prepares for an away Champions Cup match against Munster on December 13, aiming to secure back-to-back European wins. Trenholm remains focused on consistent individual performance to maintain his starting spot. “I take it game by game. Looking too far ahead risks losing focus. My goal is to give my best for the team and the fans every time I step onto the field.”