All Black Nepo Laulala seals Premiership move after midseason release

Gloucester have signed former Toulouse and All Blacks tighthead prop Nepo Laulala ahead of next season.

The 33-year-old made the move to the Top 14 after the 2023 World Cup in a deal until 2026, but endured what he has described as a “pretty rough time” at the Stade Ernest-Wallon, rupturing Achilles soon after the move.

The French giants released the 53-cap All Black from his contract midway through the current season, and he has spent the last three months rehabbing the injury at Kingsholm.

Laulala will rival England hopeful Afolabi Fasogbon for the Cherry and White No.3 jersey next season.

“I’m really grateful to George and everybody at Gloucester for welcoming me to Kingsholm after going through a pretty rough time in France,” Laulala said.

“It was a scary time not knowing where my future lay, but I’m looking forward to repaying everybody here for the faith they’ve put in me.

“I’ve heard great things about Gloucester and the Cherry & White fans, and I can’t wait to get out there and play in front of them.”

Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington added: “Nepo is a 50-odd cap All Black, and that pretty much speaks for itself in terms of the calibre of player we’ve signed.

“We moved quickly to get him here in the building and start his rehab, which gave us a jump on the other sides and most importantly, Nepo has been really grateful for how we’ve supported him with his injury.

“He’s looking really good, he’s coming through all the tests that we’ve been putting him through, and we’re confident he can have a big impact for us this season.

“A big thanks must go to Rhys Hughes and the Medical Department for the work they’ve done with Nepo.”